Insurance Jobs for Claims Adjusters, Examiners and Investigators
Not All Insurance Jobs Require a College Degree
The US Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics state in their job descriptions of American occupations that the job titles of Claims Adjuster, Claims Examiner, and Claims Investigator at the entry level of employment require only a high school diploma.
In the real world, employers prefer job candidates for the above positions to possess bachelor’s degree or some insurance-related work experience or vocational training (Reference: www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/claims-adjusters-appraisers-examiners-and-investigators.htm#tab-4 Retrieved May 26, 2014).
Unfortunately, some business and employment writers leave out the second part, the part about employers preferring a four-year degree.
Examining the employment vacancy postings in these job titles today in the United States, I find that many of the positions require a college degree and an analysis is provided below. Companies that do hire people with high school diplomas and offer on-the-job training (OJT) are listed for quick reference.
The largest number of total job listings in these job titles that do not require a college degree fall under Claims Investigators.
Claims Adjusters
Duties and Tasks
In short, an adjuster in the insurance business adjusts the settlement for each claim he handles. He or she looks at the range of payments that can be made and decides what amount is appropriate for each case. In the instance of a car accident, for example, a newer car will likely qualify for a higher payment for a dented bumper than a car that is 10 years old.
Similar actions apply to other forms of property and bodily damage coverage, including homeowners and renters insurance, fire and flood insurance, business insurance, various liability coverage, health and major medical, and life insurance, as well as specialized policies.
The work can be quite interesting and is often attacked to on-the-job training or OJT. A college degree of two to four years will likely increase one's wages, but is often nt required to start n this occupation.
Wages and Openings
- According to SimplyHired.com, average salary for the positions is over $52,000 annually, plus benefits.
- Number of Jobs Posted consistently from March 2017 - March 2018: 4,500
- Number Not Requiring a Degree: about 15% or more of jobs
Top Companies Offering Training, No Degree Required
- Access Insurance
- Crawford & Company
- Farmers Insurance Group
- Fred Loya Insurance
- GEICO
- Progressive Insurance
- New York Life
- USAA
- Veracity Research in Dallas Texas
Claims Examiners
Duties and Tasks
Examiners look at claims in some of the same ways as does an adjuster, but may have additional responsibilities. In fact, the examiner looks at paid claims to determine of over payment or underpayment may have been made. These professionals also look for fraudulent claims. This professional may decide to refer a case to a an investigator.
Wages and Openings
- According to SimplyHired.com, average salary for the positions is over $49,900 annually, plus benefits.
- Number of jobs consistently advertised March 2017 - March 2018: 1,600
- Number Not Requiring a Degree: about 2.0% of jobs
Companies Offering On-the Job Training Without a Degree
- Crawford & Company
- GEICO
- Hartford Financial Services Group
- ICS/Merrill
- Kelly Services
- Mary Kraft Staffing and HR Solutions4
- Sedgwick Claims Management Services
- TriStar Insurance Group
- Ukpeagvik Inupiat - Alaska based company
Top Companies Requiring a Degree
An interesting comparison is with the companies that require college degrees, some of them being 2-year degrees, arranged by number of jobs offered, largest to smallest:
- Liberty Mutual
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Jobplex
- McGladrey
- Baker Tilly
- Travelers
- Crawford & Company
- Esurance
- Hartford Financial Services
Some more advanced positions within the title Claims Examiner with greater responsibilities require Masters Degrees.
Claims Investigators
TDuties and Tasks
Investigators in insurance particularly look at possibly fraudulent claims and claims that are large and complex, because insurance companies can loos a lot of money in such claims. This person may work with legal entities and auditors as well, but must always keep accurate and detailed records. Technical knowledge is required and this professional may supervise a team of technicians in the insurance field.
Wages and Openings
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and SimlpyHired.com, Average Salary is $48,900 plus benefits
- Number of Jobs Posted March 2017 - March 2018: 1,400 to 1,600
- Number Not Requiring a Degree: 2.0% of jobs
Top Companies Offering On-the Job Training Without a Degree
- The CSI Companies: Temporary to permanent placement agency
- Hartford Financial Services Group
- ICS/Merrill
- Kelly Services
- Mary Kraft Staffing and HR Solutions
- MGM Resorts International
- Northern Tool (warranty claims on products)
- Progressive Insurance
- Sedgwick Claims Management Services
- USAA
- Veracity Research: Partners with several other companies, like Progressive Insurance
Companies That Require a Degree or Certification
- Hartford Financial Services Group
- Liberty Mutual
- Esurance
- Farmers Insurance Group
- Travelers Insurance
- PMA Companies
- US Department of Veterans Affairs
- Western Construction Group
- QBE North America
We see more government and commercial lines work under investigation jobs as compared with adjusting and examining jobs.
Summary
Of the three job categories examined above, the first title, Claims Adjuster, seems to pay the highest average annual salary of the three, while offering the largest number of openings for workers not possessing a college degree.
Best Bets for Claims Adjuster Jobs
Related Job Titles and Requirements
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After a high peak in January 2011 and a decline in 2012, Anti-Corruption jobs are increasing is advertisements in the Financial, Healthcare, Aerospace, and Government/Defense Industries.
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If you watch CSI and CSI-Miama on television, you are watching criminology at work. Criminology is an important science in the field of sociology that can help prevent future crimes and help prisons to become rehabilitative.
© 2014 Patty Inglish MS
