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Insurance Adjusters and Examiners
Education & Training
Preparation
To work as an insurance adjuster and examiner, you must:
- have a high school diploma or GED;
- have good communication skills;
- have good investigative skills; and
- have a working knowledge of the rules and laws of insurance work.
Education after high school
A common way to prepare for this occupation is to receive on-the-job training. Although it is not required, many insurance adjusters and examiners have a bachelor's degree. There is no single program of study that prepares you for this occupation. However, your major may determine the insurance area you work in. For example, those who study architecture or engineering may work with industrial property damage claims.
Work experience
Experience working in a field related to insurance can be excellent preparation for this work. For example, auto damage appraisers often have auto body repair experience. Many examiners are former police officers or detectives. Work experience in an insurance office is also helpful.
On-the-job training
Insurance adjusters and examiners receive training on the job. In many states, adjusters and examiners are licensed. To keep your license you must complete a certain number of hours of education each year. In addition, employers provide training to new adjusters. You typically begin by working on small insurance claims under the direction of an experienced worker. You advance to more complicated and larger claims as you gain experience. Training often lasts over one year.
Related Programs (Current training programs available)
Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)
Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.
Level of Education
The table below lists the level of education attained by a subset of workers in this occupation. The workers surveyed were between age 25 and 44.
| Education level attained | Percentage of workers in this occupation* |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 47 |
| Some college (includes associate degree) | 35 |
| High school, GED, or apprenticeship | 18 |
* National data
Helpful High School Courses
In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.
You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.
Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:
- Auto Collision Technology (if you want to handle cases about cars)
- Computer Applications
- Introduction to Health Care (if you want to handle medical cases)
The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.
You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.
Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.
