Insurance Claims Adjuster Training: Types of Adjusters & The Trainee
It’s no secret…
Some ambitious individuals are planning to become insurance claims adjusters. And here’s why:
THEY WILL MAKE A LOT OF MONEY (How Much Do Insurance Adjusters Make?).
It’s not easy to become an adjuster, but it’s well worth it. If you think that you have the skills required to become a professional adjuster great! You are going to enjoy your new income.
This article will cover the training programs and certifications you should get to become an adjuster.
But first…
Before you can apply for any license or certification, you must take your state-approved course. For most states, the required course is 40 hours. This is known as a pre-license course.
The following 16 states don’t require a pre-license course for the general adjuster exam:
- Colorado
- D.C.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (must take Resident Appraiser Course for Auto)
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- N. Dakota
- Ohio
- S. Dakota
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Pennsylvania (must take appraiser and Public Adjuster License)
Property and Casualty Adjuster Training
Second, after you’re license you need to gain experience by attending training or finding an entry-level role. I want you to keep in mind that TRAINING is NOT the same as CERTIFICATION.
The benefit of participating in the training program is that you will learn all the basics of property and casualty training related to the tasks that adjusters have to manage.
The benefit of participating in certification courses is that you can work claims for certain carriers.
In fact, in most cases it’s MANDATORY!
For example, you must take certifications to adjust claims for State Farm (Big Red), USAA, and Liberty Mutual.
Training for Insurance Adjusters
The good news is during training you will learn a lot about your job. You will get training on how to work with different companies and clients, methods you should use for the collection of information as well as how you have to present your information.
During training, you will learn how to make the right judgments based on the available information. It is your job to assure that the policyholder is indemnified for the losses covered by their policy.
Many adjusters prefer to work independently and they need to get the right training since they often work with different companies at the same time on a contract basis.
Independent adjusters (IA) have to assure that they meet the requirements of all the companies to assure that they can earn the required compensation.
This will also help IAs stay deployed longer.
Another reason to attend training is adjusters are taught how to deal with the tasks associated with closing a claim. This includes all the information and reports submitted at the right time.
Time management is very important because you cannot be late with the report at any cost. When you will apply for the independent adjuster training program you will learn to manage different tasks at the same time.
Get the following training:
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Rope & Harness (HAAG)
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Construction Materials (Habitat 4 Humanity, Lowe's, Home Depot) - FREE
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Auto Parts (repair shop, auto service centers)
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Customer service
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Property adjuster training (outside adjusting)
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Desk adjuster training (inside adjusting)
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Drone training (coming soon)
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Xactimate level I & II
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Audatex
Most training you can take at any time. The certifications must be taken through a firm or carrier.
There are many certifications to get to best set yourself up to become an adjuster.
Here are a few:
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State Farm Auto
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State Farm Property
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State Farm Estimatics
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USAA
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NICTA (Fraud Training - 2 Needed)
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National Flood Insurance Program (experience required)
Sign up with a firm like Renfroe, or The BestIRS for upcoming certification classes
Public Adjuster Training
The job of the public adjuster is to work with the applicant and assure that they provide authentic information to the insurance company to assure that they will get the coverage that they deserve.
Training for public adjusters is different because they don’t perform the same functions as independent or staff adjusters.
The good news is…
… they learn more than the independent adjusters and thus get paid more.
Training typically consists of how to identify property damage.
Unlike the insurance adjuster…
PAs also need to take a pre-license course.
Check with your state to know the requirements. Almost every state requires a course. It is typically 40 hours. Most states require adjusters to train under a current Public Adjuster that has 3-4 years of experience.
This is something else you will have to find on your own.
PA training primarily consists of working on your communication skills.
PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to become a PA you will want to maintain a primary job as it will take a while to build your PA clients.
You will have to work with different clients. You will learn how to handle different types of cases related to property damage.
In Conclusion, Training Costs Money
Can’t get around the government mandate, but
You may be able to start from $0.00…
While you will make a lot of money in this field, you will need to invest in yourself by attending training.
Don’t let that scare you.
Start with investing your time…
There are free training programs offered by firms like Metro Public Adjustment, Pilot, and even the carriers themselves (staff positions)…
While some training is free, the cost to get to the training and your accommodations while you are there will NOT be free.
That’s not bad news…
since you are independent you will be able to write these costs off on your taxes!
Bottom Line
There are several schools, training institutions, and online sources that are providing the training courses. Get hands-on training and practical experience that will enhance your confidence level and exposure.
If you do not have enough time to attend the regular classes. The best way for them to manage the training session is by taking the online courses, if available. You have to assure that you schedule the class according to your working schedule.
You will even get access to the recorded classes so that you will not miss a single training session. The course is commonly completed in a limited time.
Make sure that you select the trustworthy and accepted online course so that you can have the authentic certification when you will apply for the license.
25 thoughts on “Best Insurance Claims Adjuster Training (Even If You’re Completely New)”
Dear sir /Madam
subject: Motor vehicle accident damage adjuster/assessor
i write asking if it is possable to enroll for this course on line . i am a qualified auto body Technician was trained as an apprentice for 4years 3months and 24 days .after graduation as an apprentice i workered for 10years as a body repair Technician,then later joined a teaching career in adult education for a year while i was lecturing in auto body repair . my request is can i be enrolled as an adjuster or assessor in order to have a recognised qualification since iam currently working as an assessor.
Yes it is. If you have questions let’s chat … email me at hello@app-5f46ea63c1ac180394b6b595.closte.com
Of course. What state do you live in?
i hope you will be in a position to help me
Yes we can help you!
What does ‘Indemnity’ term means?
It means to set back right after loss. For example, loss a laptop – get the same exact laptop back.
Hello are there any courses that focus on being a Desk Adjuster? I am interested in the course. I have my license but need help with learning the steps for Desk Adjusting.
The steps are the same. Get experience through training.
Thank you for sending me this link. Great advice and very informative. I just purchased the state farm estimatics training video!
In case you are enrolling in the flood adjuster certification course of NFIP Flood Boot Camp, then you do not need to follow any kind of strict rules & regulations. During the training sessions, you can dress as per your comfort levels. When it comes to the day of inspection, then you need to consider casual business dress and it is a collared shirt and khakis.
For getting flood adjuster authority, the interested ones need to become certified. It’s five-day training for such a certification.
Thanks so much Ebahi, the information you provide helps a great deal. I have so many notes from watching your YouTube videos. For someone who didn’t know the first thing about an IA and was scared and nervous after obtaining my license, you have made it more acceptable for me. Thank you for your direction and honesty!
I live in Massachusetts, am a Disabled American Veteran and am interested in a Career as an Insurance Adjustor. What steps do I take to get started?
Steps are the same for all! Vet or not, watch this video to see the steps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_kSiTxSXDI&t=3s
Get our Beginners guide to help you. I recommend starting as a public adjuster.
Where can I get training to be a public adjuster in Texas. I live in Dallas/Fort worth. Can’t seem to find anything. Would like to be a PA for the policyholder. Thanks
That’s a good question. you can work with metro public adjustment. here’s a link to their job ad. https://calendly.com/publicinspectors
I have many years in the restoration industry (fire, water, mold, crime scene, hoarder clean outs) in both commercial and residential and had to deal extensively and empathetically with both client and adjuster to get a good experience/final outcome. I believe working first hand in extended and emergency situations has primed me to continue helping others in this specific role transitioning me from the aforementioned related fields–to a licensed insurance adjuster. I hope.
what state do you live in? One of our clients might need your skills
How do I get signed up for class and how much is it
Hello, the details are on our website http://www.majoradjusters.com and further you can explore having a consulting with us https://calendly.com/publicinspectors
you can also go to https://majoradjusters.com/products-for-adjusters/
Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can recommend? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.
Yes all going great