Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators: Job Description
Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.
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The Daily Work of Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Do?
The core tasks performed by claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators include:
- Examine claims forms and other records to determine insurance coverage.
- Analyze information gathered by investigation and report findings and recommendations.
- Pay and process claims within designated authority level.
- Investigate, evaluate, and settle claims, applying technical knowledge and human relations skills to effect fair and prompt disposal of cases and to contribute to a reduced loss ratio.
- Verify and analyze data used in settling claims to ensure that claims are valid and that settlements are made according to company practices and procedures.
- Review police reports, medical treatment records, medical bills, or physical property damage to determine the extent of liability.
- Investigate and assess damage to property and create or review property damage estimates.
- Interview or correspond with agents and claimants to correct errors or omissions and to investigate questionable claims.
Skills and Knowledge
Successful claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Accident Investigator
- Adjuster
- Adjustment Clerk
- Auto Claims Adjuster (Automotive Claims Adjuster)
- Auto Damage Claims Adjuster (Automotive Damage Claims Adjuster)
- Benefit Authorizer
- Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster
- Bodily Injury Claims Examiner
Job Outlook
There are roughly 630,099 claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +12.2% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $46,655 |
| Hourly median | $22.43 |
| 10th percentile | $26,255 |
| 25th percentile | $36,455 |
| 75th percentile | $56,855 |
| 90th percentile | $67,055 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $92,660 |
| California | $90,900 |
| District of Columbia | $88,920 |
| Alaska | $86,490 |
| New Jersey | $85,960 |
| Connecticut | $84,470 |
| Massachusetts | $84,340 |
| Rhode Island | $83,480 |
| New York | $82,140 |
| New Hampshire | $81,500 |
| Texas | $80,220 |
| Washington | $80,100 |
| Alabama | $80,060 |
| Hawaii | $79,370 |
| Oregon | $79,350 |
| Delaware | $79,220 |
| Wyoming | $78,900 |
| Vermont | $78,140 |
| Maine | $78,080 |
| Minnesota | $78,060 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,750 |
| Michigan | $77,380 |
| Virginia | $77,000 |
| Wisconsin | $76,660 |
| Kansas | $76,660 |
| Missouri | $76,220 |
| Mississippi | $75,180 |
| Colorado | $75,120 |
| Arkansas | $75,030 |
| Tennessee | $74,960 |
| South Carolina | $74,940 |
| North Carolina | $74,830 |
| Illinois | $74,410 |
| South Dakota | $73,810 |
| Kentucky | $71,770 |
| Georgia | $71,750 |
| Louisiana | $69,370 |
| Iowa | $68,740 |
| Idaho | $68,300 |
| Nebraska | $68,020 |
| Oklahoma | $67,950 |
| Florida | $66,860 |
| Utah | $66,240 |
| New Mexico | $66,120 |
| West Virginia | $66,020 |
| Indiana | $64,540 |
| Nevada | $63,290 |
| Montana | $63,240 |
| Arizona | $63,240 |
| Ohio | $60,250 |
| North Dakota | $59,950 |
| Virgin Islands | $54,170 |
| Guam | $51,500 |
| Puerto Rico | $44,080 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Compensation for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators vary by region. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $85,762 | 11.6% | 0.71 |
| New England | $83,030 | 4.0% | 0.92 |
| Middle Atlantic | $82,888 | 14.7% | 0.99 |
| Plains States | $73,703 | 7.8% | 1.19 |
| Southwest | $73,208 | 15.2% | 1.43 |
| Southeast | $71,608 | 27.2% | 1.19 |
| Rocky Mountains | $71,566 | 3.6% | 0.98 |
| Great Lakes | $69,220 | 14.8% | 1.18 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | CA | $105,350 | 50 |
| Salinas, CA | CA | $105,350 | 130 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | CT | $100,980 | 270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $100,260 | 3,040 |
| Chico, CA | CA | $98,920 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $98,590 | 210 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | MA | $98,240 | 40 |
| Reading, PA | PA | $97,930 | 180 |
Which Industries Hire Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Most claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | 224,390 | $75,830 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5,040 | $58,340 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 5,000 | $65,050 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 3,940 | $58,380 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 2,340 | $56,770 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 990 | $82,670 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 820 | $58,150 |
| Information | 370 | $44,080 |
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators work in the following industries:
Tech Stack
- Internet browser software: Apple Safari (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Internet browser software: Mozilla Firefox (hot technology)
- Video conferencing software: Zoom (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Xactware Xactimate (in demand)
Work Environment
Daily working conditions for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators reflects the following characteristics:
- Telephone Conversations
- Written Letters and Memos
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Contact With Others
Getting Started in This Career
Most claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Compensation and Benefits Managers (Supplemental)
- Compliance Officers (Primary-Long)
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists (Primary-Long)
- Accountants and Auditors (Supplemental)
- Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate (Primary-Long)
- Insurance Underwriters (Primary-Short)
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents (Primary-Short)
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Aspiring claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators typically earn programs in:
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
1 programs across 1 majors
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 13-1031.00 (Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators).
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