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What is an Insurance Claims Adjuster?A claims adjuster is a representative of the insurance company. After a policyholder submits a claim, the adjuster comes in to investigate the loss. The loss can be anything from a major home flood or fire to a small window break or fender bender. They inspect homes, conduct interviews, consult records, or perform any number of duties to gather the details surrounding the reported event. The adjuster then interprets the customer’s insurance policy and determines what is covered. In many cases, adjusters negotiate the settlement on behalf of the insurance carrier and may authorize payments to the policyholder.
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Where do Claims Adjusters Work?There are two basic employment options for adjusters: staff adjuster or independent adjuster. Staff adjusters work directly for the insurance carrier and independent adjusters work for Independent Adjusting Firms. Independent Adjusters generally work for Independent Adjusting Firms. They go wherever they are needed on a contracted basis. You may get ‘deployed’ for a month to a disaster zone, then have that contract re-upped multiple times and end up staying for 8 months. Where an independent adjuster lives really has no bearing on where he works – which can be a great benefit as you can live where you want rather than where the jobs are. But the most successful adjusters gain the trust of their IA Firm employers by being willing to go when and where they are needed most at any given time. Staff Adjusters are salaried employees of the insurance carrier. While they may still travel, it is usually much less frequent and only within a specific region. Staff adjusters have steady, reliable work from their carrier which is great for those who may need to stay close to home. But there is an exchange for this benefit as compensation is usually lower than what independent adjusters receive.
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Apply for your Adjuster's License and any Reciprocal LicensesIn most states, you need to be licensed to adjust claims. The process, steps, and fees vary a bit by state but generally follow the same pattern. Get your home state, or Designated Home State (DHS) license if you live in a non licensing state. You need to take and pass your state adjuster exam, and submit a license application. Once your first state license is approved, you'll probably want to apply for reciprocal licenses in other states where you'd like to work. The average adjuster holds licenses in 10-12 states. Multi-state licensing is especially critical if you want to work as a catastrophic insurance adjuster. Reciprocity, or reciprocal licensing privileges, allows a licensed adjuster to obtain another state(s) license without having to pass that specific state’s exam. Once you have your home state or DHS license, you can apply for other state licenses through reciprocity. You will need to complete the required paperwork and submit the licensing fees but most licensing states are now reciprocal with each other, as long as the license your home state or DHS license holds more lines of authority than what you are requesting. For example, if you hold a P&C Adjuster License, you are only qualified for a P&C reciprocal license in another state. You can not obtain a reciprocal All-Lines license if your home state or DHS license is for P&C because it covers fewer lines of authority.
Top Level Adjusters lead the regulatory-approved online training and certification across a wide range of industries and professions in Texas. TLA was founded by Claims Professional Eric McGill. Mr. McGill began his career in the Insurance industry as an Independent Claims Adjuster quickly gaining an vast amount of experience handling various types of claims dealing with water damage, freeze, wild fires, wind/hail, vandalism, property, liability and commercial claims to name a few. His work ethic and experience quickly enabled him to work as a Team Lead and designated trainer on multiple assignments. Mr. McGill has a deep passion for claim handling and wants to share his knowledge with the world to create and elevate a culture of Top Level Adjusters. Our course will help you kick start your career by providing you the expertise, knowledge and skill set needed to become a Top Level Adjuster.
As a Top Level Adjuster, in the event of a disaster or catastrophe, you are an essential part of the claims handling process that offers hope and assistance to those affected.
Most states (34 out of 50) issue their own licenses for claims adjusters. Typically, states require pre-licensing coursework and a state exam, a background check, an application, and processing fees. Most states honor reciprocity with at least a few other states. Some states are more difficult than others. New York and California are notorious due to two rules. First, neither state offers reciprocity (along with Hawaii), so if you want to process claims in those states, you need to complete all their requirements. Secondly, both New York and California (along with New Mexico) require adjusters to get bonded. These two obstacles combined mean that few nonresidents hold California or New York adjuster's licenses, but if you make the effort, they can be valuable.
The Texas All-Lines Adjuster’s License is Reciprocal in 30 states!
If you are resident of Texas and you wish to become an insurance adjuster, you need to obtain the Texas All Lines Adjuster License. If you are a non-resident of Texas and live in a state that does not have an adjuster license requirement, and you want to become an insurance adjuster, then you need this Texas All Lines Adjuster License. Non-Residents of Texas, who live in a state that does not require an Adjusters License, are able to designate Texas as their “Home State”. This is Great News for you as you will be able to enjoy the “FULL BENEFITS of RECIPROCITY”! Here’s a list of states that do not have adjuster license requirements, and who are able to deem Texas as their home state:
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What is an Insurance Claims Adjuster?A claims adjuster is a representative of the insurance company. After a policyholder submits a claim, the adjuster comes in to investigate the loss. The loss can be anything from a major home flood or fire to a small window break or fender bender. They inspect homes, conduct interviews, consult records, or perform any number of duties to gather the details surrounding the reported event. The adjuster then interprets the customer’s insurance policy and determines what is covered. In many cases, adjusters negotiate the settlement on behalf of the insurance carrier and may authorize payments to the policyholder.
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Where do Claims Adjusters Work?There are two basic employment options for adjusters: staff adjuster or independent adjuster. Staff adjusters work directly for the insurance carrier and independent adjusters work for Independent Adjusting Firms. Independent Adjusters generally work for Independent Adjusting Firms. They go wherever they are needed on a contracted basis. You may get ‘deployed’ for a month to a disaster zone, then have that contract re-upped multiple times and end up staying for 8 months. Where an independent adjuster lives really has no bearing on where he works – which can be a great benefit as you can live where you want rather than where the jobs are. But the most successful adjusters gain the trust of their IA Firm employers by being willing to go when and where they are needed most at any given time. Staff Adjusters are salaried employees of the insurance carrier. While they may still travel, it is usually much less frequent and only within a specific region. Staff adjusters have steady, reliable work from their carrier which is great for those who may need to stay close to home. But there is an exchange for this benefit as compensation is usually lower than what independent adjusters receive.
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Apply for your Adjuster's License and any Reciprocal LicensesIn most states, you need to be licensed to adjust claims. The process, steps, and fees vary a bit by state but generally follow the same pattern. Get your home state, or Designated Home State (DHS) license if you live in a non licensing state. You need to take and pass your state adjuster exam, and submit a license application. Once your first state license is approved, you'll probably want to apply for reciprocal licenses in other states where you'd like to work. The average adjuster holds licenses in 10-12 states. Multi-state licensing is especially critical if you want to work as a catastrophic insurance adjuster. Reciprocity, or reciprocal licensing privileges, allows a licensed adjuster to obtain another state(s) license without having to pass that specific state’s exam. Once you have your home state or DHS license, you can apply for other state licenses through reciprocity. You will need to complete the required paperwork and submit the licensing fees but most licensing states are now reciprocal with each other, as long as the license your home state or DHS license holds more lines of authority than what you are requesting. For example, if you hold a P&C Adjuster License, you are only qualified for a P&C reciprocal license in another state. You can not obtain a reciprocal All-Lines license if your home state or DHS license is for P&C because it covers fewer lines of authority.