How to Get Catastrophe Adjuster CAT Training

Catastrophes can be fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes or tornadoes.

During catastrophes, the demand for specially trained claims adjusters increases sharply. Licensed insurance adjusters can become catastrophe adjusters, sometimes called CAT adjusters, by completing several continuing education courses. Getting catastrophe adjuster training expands your career choices and increases your job opportunities in insurance adjusting.

Instructions

1. Ask your state's department of insurance about the licensing requirements for catastrophe adjusters in your state.

2. Review your skills in the areas of auto adjusting, civil engineering, construction and the environmental sciences. When you search for a CAT training program, select one that provides training in your weakest of these areas.

3. Consider earning the Texas all-lines adjuster license. Twenty-nine states accept the Texas all-lines adjuster license as a reciprocal license. So if you do not reside in Texas, make certain its all-lines adjuster license is reciprocal in your state. It prepares you for work in many areas of insurance licensing, including catastrophe adjusting.

4. Ask your current employer whether they provide an education benefit. Will they pay for you to take the courses?

5. Search for CAT claims adjusting training programs at community colleges in your area. Determine which courses or programs are accredited in your state.

6. Search for distance learning programs you can attend online for catastrophe adjuster training. Again, verify its accreditation status before paying for or taking its courses.

7. Select a program that your state's department of insurance considers a legitimate program. You state may certify programs they consider legitimate.

8. Complete the required courses and obtain your catastrophe adjuster license.

Tips & Warnings

• If you would like to attain catastrophe adjuster licensing in a state other than the one where you live, such as in Louisiana during hurricane season, find out that state's requirements by inquiring at its department of insurance.

• After you obtain your CAT adjuster license, maintain your licensing by doing the required continuing education courses.

• Besides catastrophe adjuster licensing, the Texas all-lines adjuster license allows for work in auto, bonds, casualty, commercial, flood, homeowner's, liability, workman's compensation and inland or ocean/marine.

• Avoid CAT training programs unless they are accredited.

• Carefully question any training program that promises job placement guarantees, states the Had to Know website. Catastrophe adjusting is seasonal and very competitive. Do not expect guarantees.

References

• How to Know: How to Get CAT Adjuster Training or Retraining
• The Adjuster School: What We Do

Resources

• Claims Portal: Catastrophe Adjuster Training
• USA Job Online: Catastrophe (CAT) Adjuster