What is an insurance adjuster?

An insurance adjuster investigates and settles insurance claims, deciding whether a policy covers a loss and how much should be paid. Company and independent adjusters work on behalf of insurers, while public adjusters represent policyholders and are typically paid a percentage of the settled claim. Licensing varies by state: some require prelicensing education and an exam, while 16 jurisdictions do not license adjusters at all.

An insurance adjuster investigates and settles claims on behalf of an insurer, determining coverage and payment after a loss. Alabama licenses independent adjusters in four property and casualty lines, including Workers' Compensation and Crop. Adjusters may work as staff adjusters for a single insurer, as independent adjusters handling claims for several insurers, or as catastrophe adjusters after major events. Alabama does not license or regulate public adjusters; the Alabama State Bar considers negotiating a claim directly with an insurer on an insured's behalf to be the practice of law.

An insurance adjuster investigates and settles insurance claims. Staff adjusters are salaried employees of one insurer, independent adjusters contract with insurers or claims firms, and public adjusters represent policyholders rather than the insurer. In Alaska, independent adjusters must be licensed, which requires claims experience and the state adjuster exam. A salaried employee of an insurer is not required to hold an independent adjuster license.

An insurance adjuster investigates and settles insurance claims, and Arkansas licenses adjusting separately from producers, with exams for the General, Property, Casualty, and Workers' Compensation lines. Each adjuster exam allows 1.5 hours, costs $40, and requires a 70% score to pass. Adjuster exams are offered at PSI test centers and through remote online proctoring.

An insurance adjuster evaluates and settles insurance claims. Company or staff adjusters handle claims on behalf of insurers, while public adjusters work solely for policyholders on a contract basis. Colorado licenses only public adjusters, who must pass an exam and post a $20,000 surety bond; the state does not license company, staff, or independent adjusters.

An insurance adjuster evaluates and settles claims after a covered loss. Maryland licenses only public adjusters, who adjust claims on behalf of policyholders for damage covered by an insurance policy. The state does not license staff adjusters, who are employed by and adjust losses for an insurer. Public adjuster applicants must pass a Prometric exam and pay a $50 initial license fee.

An insurance adjuster investigates and settles insurance claims. There are three main types: staff adjusters, independent adjusters, and public adjusters, who represent policyholders rather than insurers by preparing, presenting, and negotiating property claims. Wyoming licenses adjusters in the Property, Casualty, and Crop lines of authority.