Insurance loss adjuster
Insurance loss adjusters assess claims made to insurance companies after an incident, like a fire or flood, and check what's covered by the policy.
Also known as: Loss adjuster
- Starter salary£25,000 a year
- Experienced£65,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As an insurance loss adjuster, you could:
- visit sites to survey damage
- interview claimants to find out what's happened
- gather evidence, like receipts, video footage and photographs
- request reports from specialists, like building surveyors
- check that claims against policies are reasonable
- organise clean-up operations or repairs
- make further investigations if you suspect fraud
- negotiate settlements
- present reports and recommendations to insurers
You may have to give evidence in court in certain cases.
Working environment
You could work in an office or from home.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- negotiation skills
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- maths skills
- excellent written communication skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a insurance loss adjuster
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You can take a degree before applying for a place on an insurance company's graduate training scheme.
Useful subjects include:
- business studies
- finance
- law
- surveying
- engineering
- construction
It can help to get some relevant work experience whilst you're studying, for example through an internship or placement.
Your university careers service will be able to help you with this.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a loss adjusting firm or insurance company, such as:
- Insurance Practitioner Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Insurance Professional Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Senior Insurance Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
These take between 1 and 3 years to complete and combine workplace training and study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You could move into loss adjusting after getting experience as a claims handler or assistant loss adjuster with an insurance company.
You could also complete qualifications while you're working in the insurance industry through a professional body like The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters .
Career path and progression
With experience, you could specialise in particular type of claims, like property damage, flooding or motor vehicle accidents.
You could also move into a management position, or work overseas for a global insurance business.
Throughout your career you'll be expected to complete professional development training activities and you could work towards chartered status .
Professional and industry bodies
You could join The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters for professional development opportunities and to build up your contacts within the industry.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleInsurance broker
- Job roleInsurance claims handler
- Job roleInsurance risk surveyor
- Job roleAuditor
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