Insurance loss adjuster

Career path and progression

With experience, you could specialise in a particular type of claim, like property, business interruption or subsidence. You can find out more about specialist loss adjustment roles from the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters.

You could move into management, or work overseas for a global business.

You could become self-employed and work freelance. If you become a chartered loss adjuster, you could set up your own practice and run your own company.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• negotiation skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• maths skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Mathematics - Insurance loss adjusters use maths constantly to calculate the value of claims, assess repair costs, and verify that financial figures add up. They work with policy limits, depreciation, and cost estimates to determine fair settlement amounts.
• Business - Insurance loss adjusters work at the heart of the insurance industry, so understanding how businesses operate is essential. They assess business interruption claims, evaluate financial losses, and negotiate settlements – all of which require a solid grasp of business concepts.
• Law - Insurance loss adjusters need to understand contract law because insurance policies are legal documents with specific terms and conditions. They also investigate potential fraud and may need to give evidence in court, so understanding legal processes and standards of evidence is important.
• English Language - Insurance loss adjusters write detailed reports and recommendations for insurers, interview claimants, and communicate complex findings clearly. Strong written and verbal skills are essential for presenting evidence, negotiating settlements, and explaining decisions to customers.

Also relevant

• Economics - Insurance loss adjusters benefit from understanding economic principles when assessing the financial impact of large or complex claims. Concepts like market value, inflation, and supply and demand help them evaluate replacement costs and business losses accurately.
• Geography - Insurance loss adjusters often deal with claims caused by natural events like flooding, storms, or subsidence. Understanding weather patterns, land use, drainage, and environmental risks helps them assess damage and determine whether claims are reasonable.
• Design and Technology - Insurance loss adjusters frequently survey damaged buildings and properties, assessing structural issues and the cost of repairs. Understanding construction methods, materials, and how buildings are put together helps them evaluate damage accurately and work effectively with building surveyors.
• Accounting - Insurance loss adjusters review financial records when handling business interruption or large commercial claims. Being able to read accounts, understand profit and loss statements, and spot financial inconsistencies is valuable, especially when investigating potential fraud.
• Psychology - Insurance loss adjusters interview claimants who may be distressed, dishonest, or under pressure, so understanding human behaviour is genuinely useful. Recognising signs of deception and managing emotionally demanding conversations are regular parts of the job.