Have you thought about becoming an insurance adjuster? As a professional with experience in home improvement, building mechanics, and overall construction, it is an easy fit to move into this industry. Even those without this type of background can find themselves supporting people and aiding insurance companies in managing difficult situations like fires or water damage. Take a look at what you can expect if you become an insurance adjuster and how to obtain the necessary license to do so.

What Does an Insurance Adjuster Do?

Insurance adjusters work to support the needs of insurance companies. When there is a potentially covered peril, such as a fire or a fallen tree, the insurance adjuster’s job is to visit the location and determine the work that needs to be done to bring the property back to the condition it was in prior to the event. Adjusters need to be able to inspect the damages and consider all of the details involved. This may include talking to police or responding fire departments to gather data. They also talk to witnesses to get an idea of what occurred.

The insurance adjuster is a critical role player in the process of getting these damaged properties fixed and back to good living conditions. Yet, they also have to be able to ensure that the insurance company is not paying for damages or repairs that it is not responsible for.

Do You Need a License to Be an Insurance Adjuster?

Throughout the US, to work as an insurance adjuster, you need to have a license. Licensing requirements can sometimes differ from one state to the next, but all states require this.

Even if you have a lot of industry experience, insurance companies need to know that they are working with a professional that has the ability to do the job properly. The best way to do that is to ensure that the adjuster is licensed. To obtain a license, a skilled individual must sit for and pass an exam. This exam helps to determine if the individual has the necessary knowledge of the industry to make wise decisions and verifiable estimates.

Do States Have Educational Requirements for Obtaining an Insurance Adjuster License?

There are some states that do have requirements that a student completes a set number of hours of education in insurance adjusting before they actually take their licensing exam. Often, this will be about 40 hours of education. The education itself helps to give the individual the knowledge they need to pass the exam, but it is also comprehensive enough to help with other aspects of building a career in this field.

If your state has those requirements, you do not have to go back to school to earn that education. At Adjuster University, we provide you with all of the education and resources you need to qualify for your state licensing exam. You will learn everything you need to do well on this exam and secure your license in the process.

The quality of education you receive makes a big difference

As you take into consideration these educational requirements – which not all states have – it is critical to see the value of a quality program. Not all educational programs are going to give you everything you need to thrive in this field. Seek out a program that gives you the knowledge and skills to pass your exam but also the foundation of expertise you need to build a business in this field. Those are very different things, and not all programs offer both components.

What to expect from the process

To get your insurance adjuster license, you’ll need to:

• Get the knowledge and education you need in the field based on what skills you have now. You don't need any experience to get started.
• Complete the exam that is required by most states in the industry.
• Start building your business whether you plan to work as an employee for an insurance company or take the more lucrative route, potentially to start your own business in this field.

This may seem like a long process, but it does not have to be with the right resources and tools.

How to Get Your Insurance Adjuster License

So, how do you do it? How do you get the education you need and then pass that exam? Our 90-Day Accelerator Program provides you with the information and resources you need to do well. This program can be done within 90 days. During that three month period, you will learn everything you need to in order to be a professional, licensed adjuster.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from the 90-Day Accelerator Program we offer at Adjuster University.

What will you learn?

Becoming an insurance adjuster takes skill and industry knowledge. You will learn this and much more. This includes the following:

• Technical aspects of adjusting
• Inspection processes and best practices
• Estimating processes and best practices
• Meeting state requirements applicable in your area
• The claims process
• Scoping and estimating property damage
• Residential and commercial construction
• Report writing processes and requirements

You will also be able to work on both residential and commercial projects. This includes learning the entire claims adjusting process from both vantage points. You will learn about claims for all types of incidents, such as fires, hail, and other perils. Each one of these areas requires a different skill set, but you will learn them here.

Once you have the basics (and that's much more than this), you will then begin to work on some of the core skills and requirements associated with the job. This may include:

• Communicating with clients
• Managing policyholders and objections or concerns
• Processes required for day-to-day work
• Necessary field equipment and how to use it
• Reporting requirements and process

You will also learn how to build your business. This includes topics in areas such as:

• How to market yourself as an independent insurance adjuster (and why to take that route)
• Setting up your business to create new opportunities
• Resume building and interviewing
• Aspects of building your business
• Professional emailing best practices

You will also have access to the resources to help you to do your job proficiently. For example, you will learn how to manage public adjusters, how to determine the cause of an incident, and how to negotiate with public adjusters. You will also be able to work proficiently, so you are making the most out of your time.

The importance of software in your business

Cutting edge resources make up a lot of the success many in this field have. It is a big part of the work we do – ensuring accuracy and proficiency.

One of the biggest limitations that many who enter into this field lack is access to this type of training. Xactimate is, beyond a doubt, the best tool for those in the industry, and it is very clearly an essential tool to have. However, it does take some time to learn and become proficient with to get the most out of it.

That is why we offer Xactimate training as a core component of your insurance adjuster education. You will be able to use this software, create estimates on the go, track projects, and handle everything from photos or sketching within the tool.

Taking your licensing exam

Although there are other programs that promise to help you pass your licensing exam, we actually help you to do it as a component of your 90-Day Accelerator Program. That means you do not have to go elsewhere to complete this step. We provide you with the licensing options you need to get started faster.

In addition to this, the program also comes with an adjuster report-writing certification. This certification will help you to learn how to write your reports. This is important because the more efficient you are in this field, the better your chances will be of achieving your goal of building a successful business. We want to be sure your reports stand out from the rest so that you continue to receive opportunities.

Learn to Build Your Business

At Adjuster University, we strive to provide you with much more than just information. We help you get the certifications you need and the license required to work in the field. Then, we continue to provide you with resources and tools that allow you to build your business. That includes a strong focus on sales and marketing strategies. These skills are critical to not just getting started but building success.

If you are ready to get started, we encourage you to check out our free webinar to find out if it is the right path for you.