Best Insurance Claims Adjuster Training (Even If You’re Completely New)

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:

1. Colorado
2. D.C.
3. Illinois
4. Iowa
5. Kansas
6. Maryland
7. Massachusetts (must take Resident Appraiser Course for Auto)
8. Missouri
9. Nebraska
10. New Jersey
11. N. Dakota
12. Ohio
13. S. Dakota
14. Tennessee
15. Virginia
16. Wisconsin
17. 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:

1. Rope & Harness (HAAG)

2. Construction Materials (Habitat 4 Humanity, Lowe's, Home Depot) - FREE

3. Auto Parts (repair shop, auto service centers)

4. Customer service

5. Property adjuster training (outside adjusting)

6. Desk adjuster training (inside adjusting)

7. Drone training (coming soon)

8. Xactimate level I & II

9. 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:

1. State Farm Auto

2. State Farm Property

3. State Farm Estimatics

4. USAA

5. NICTA (Fraud Training - 2 Needed)

6. 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.