How to Become an Insurance Adjustment Agent
Insurance adjustment agents currently hold over 300,000 jobs across the United States. The job outlook for this profession is good, with a 9 percent increase in jobs by 2016. The majority of these individuals work for insurance companies, with about 5 percent acting as independent contractors. But to become an insurance adjustment agent, you must satisfy some basic requirements like earning a bachelor's degree or having comparable experience.
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Instructions
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Earn a bachelor's degree. Most insurance companies prefer to hire candidates with a bachelor's degree in fields such as criminal justice, business or accounting. And for insurance adjusters that are dealing with fire or structural damages to buildings, a degree in architecture or engineering is preferred.
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Seek internship opportunities. Many of the larger insurance companies like Progressive, State Farm and AllState provide internship opportunities. This allows individuals to learn more about becoming an auto claims adjuster with hands-on experience. Internships also provide a chance to network with potential hiring managers.
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Apply to entry-level positions. If you don't have a degree, consider applying to claims adjuster processing positions. These individuals handle administrative support of insurance adjustment agents, and can be promoted within a couple years.
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Apply to insurance adjustment agent positions. These positions are posted on career boards like Monster and HotJobs (see Resources). Also check out individual insurance company websites like State Farm, American Family Insurance and Farmer's Insurance, where you may find a position before it's posted on career boards, allowing you to submit your resume before the masses.
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Refresh your resume to include the experience hiring managers are looking for. For example, many insurance companies are looking for individuals with skills in conflict resolution, coursework in law and proven problem-solving skills. For samples of insurance adjustment resumes, check out Job Bank USA (see Resources).
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Tips & Warnings
Keep up on current law changes. As an insurance adjustment agent, you'll be required to keep on top of current laws. The majority of insurance companies offer the training in-house to employees. Make a phone call before sending your resume. If you want your resume to stand out, connect with the hiring manager before sending the resume. Give a quick summary of why you're qualified, and advise you'll follow up with a resume shortly. This will encourage the hiring manager to look out for your resume.
