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Types of Claims Jobs for Your Insurance Career

Written by: Sabah Karimi
Published on: Aug 3, 2016

Insurance examiner

When somebody files an insurance claim, the claim forms must be reviewed by several parties before the insurance company can disburse benefits. If you have a strong eye for detail and a mathematical or analytical background, you may thrive in claims jobs within the insurance industry. The median annual income for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators was $63,060 per year in 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and you may only need a high school diploma to apply for entry-level jobs.

Here’s a quick look at some of the different types of claims jobs for your insurance career:
 

Insurance Adjuster

A claims adjuster is responsible for contacting the individual filing the claim. They represent the insurance company and have a specific negotiation process to work through in order to settle the case. Their job is to settle the case for the lowest amount of money possible so there may be more involved discussions if the case is more complex. In some cases, an attorney will handle a claim instead of the insurance adjuster. If you have strong communication skills and are confident negotiating with people, this may be an attractive job for you.
 

Insurance Examiner

Insurance examiners are responsible for reviewing a claim to make sure it meets all requirements and can be forwarded to the next part of the claims process. They look for errors, omissions, and inconsistencies. If you are detail-oriented and organized, you may enjoy working as an insurance examiner.
 

Appraiser

Most appraisers work on auto insurance or property and casualty cases but some other insurance companies also have appraisers on staff to provide estimates on damage. Appraisers are responsible for evaluating insurance claims and estimating the total value of all insured items. They determine how much the insurance company will pay out by inspecting vehicles or property in person, compiling a report, and making a decision.
 

Fraud Investigator

Fraud investigators are trained to find discrepancies, errors, and misinformation in claims forms submitted by customers and companies. Since there is such a high potential for fraudulent activity in the insurance claims process, these investigators use statistical techniques to detect fraud and conduct investigations to collect evidence. If you have a keen eye for detail and enjoy researching, this may be the ideal career path for you.
 

Customer Service Representatives

Customer service representatives (CSRs) typically work out of a call center or virtually to handle customer questions and complaints. They may be trained to walk the customer through the claims-filing process or provide general information about the insurance company’s processes and procedures. If you have strong communications skills and enjoy solving problems, working in customer service may be the ideal opportunity for you.

 

You’ll find a variety of claims jobs within the insurance industry and can explore several specialized areas that involve investigating and completing claims. Consider some of these opportunities within the claims department of an insurance company or firm as you map out your insurance career path.