Insurance companies establish claims-analysis procedures to prevent fraud and losses that may arise if policyholders submit inaccurate payment requests. In the automobile insurance sector, adjusters play a major role helping companies assess costs of repairs after accidents. Auto insurance adjuster training teaches participants review policyholders' claims in accordance with laws and regulations as well as corporate policies.
Participants
Training is particularly aimed at corporate personnel engaging in car damage appraisal and claims analysis. These professionals include automobile damage appraisers, insurance evaluators and physical damage assessors, according to O*Net Online, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational research branch. Other potential participants include material damage appraisers, claims examiners and field liability specialists. Material damage appraisers evaluate the physical deterioration of equipment and machinery after accidents. Claims examiners review policyholders' payment requests to ensure accuracy and completeness. Field liability specialists gauge how much insurance firms stand to lose in cases of accidents.
Academic Requirements
Training providers and employers generally require that auto insurance adjusters possess, at a minimum, a high school degree or GED certificate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most adjusters receive academic instruction at vocational schools, completing their coursework with a two-year apprenticeship degree. Experienced adjusters often have a college degree in accounting or finance.
Curriculum
During training, car insurance adjusters learn analyze policyholders' credit information, assess vehicle damage, calculate insurance premiums or awards and gather evidence for court actions. Instructors emphasize the skill set needed for legal evidence-gathering, including the legal requirements adjusters must follow when collecting car damage data. Attendees also learn inspect cars to determine damages; maintain records, reports or files; review insurance policies to determine appropriate coverage; and write vehicle damage repair estimates.
Skill Set
O*Net Online indicates that auto insurance adjusters train to polish skills such as social perceptiveness, analytical dexterity, active listening, inductive reasoning and complex problem-solving. Training also teaches students effective communication skills, judgment and decision-making, service orientation and investigative abilities.
Considerations
Auto insurance adjusters use various software to carry out their duties, a sign of the major role that technology plays in modern insurance operations. During training, adjusters learn to use tools such as claims analysis software and customer relationship management applications. Attendees also polish their skills with credit adjudication and lending management system software, also known as CALMS; document management software; information retrieval or search software; and project management software. Well-trained car insurance adjusters improve their productivity and earning power over time. As of 2008, an auto insurance adjuster earned an average annual salary of $55,760, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
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