What makes a good claims adjuster

They are actually time-saving solutions and only a small sample, at that that help solve for the problem of having an over-burdened workforce. And if you are a claims adjuster, you might wonder if such technology could replace you. Risk management technology offers claims adjusters the tools they need to be more productive — and as a result, do more meaningful work that will have a greater impact on the business, as well as how they feel about their roles within the business.

While risk management technology might reduce the administrative to-do lists of claims adjusters, it will also increase their value to any claims organization. A stressed business woman looks tired she answer telephones in her office. This question can obviously elicit different answers from different people.

Claims adjusters who have the capacity and authority to spend time understanding claims trends are likely to feel more intellectually engaged than those who are rubber stamping paperwork.

In addition, when granted the same capacity and authority to give claimants the appropriate level of care, adjusters feel more helpful. Creating more meaningful or strategic roles for claims adjusters does not necessarily require increasing administrative staff to support adjusters in such a newfound capacity. Nor does it mean administrative work gets neglected while claims adjusters pontificate on claims theory. Diverse business people human resources silhouettes follow a team leader.

Holding on to experienced claims adjusters is important for keeping your business running smoothly, as well as training the next generation of claims adjusters. As seasoned adjusters age or approach retirement, they are likely looking for more predictable schedules and improved work-life balance.

Similarly, repeated studies have indicated that Millenials — the next generation of employees — also value work-life balance, but they are even more focused on meaningful work and opportunities for professional growth. Both groups will be underserved if not enough value or importance is placed on the adjuster role — or, if proper support is not in place to help them execute in a more highly valued role. This is where risk management technology comes into play.

As such, it can help retain adjusters in the workforce, as well as attract new adjusters to the workforce. Additionally, because risk management technology can automate so many processes that seasoned adjusters know simply from memory and repetition, it can reduce the amount of time spent training new employees on administrative tasks like reporting first and second reports of injuries, reporting to OSHA or processing payments.

This leaves more time for training in areas that might keep younger employees more engaged in their work — like predicting and then prioritizing outlier claims that could become costly or that are actually fraudulent; accurately estimating how long an injured worker will be away from work; or detecting general claims trends that could be impacting a business. Claims organizations that desire to retain customers long-term because of strong relationships and optimal service — and not solely because of pricing — need to put a higher value on the role of the claims adjuster, as well as prioritize the job satisfaction levels of their claims adjusters and prevent claims adjuster burnout.

You need an impartial independent adjuster who will review the events and document the details. This adjuster will fully document the damages from the catastrophe and provide a full scope of the claim. During a catastrophe, or large property claim, many individuals and companies may be part of the claims process.

Worst case? Loss of license and possible criminal prosecution. Knowing how to read an insurance policy is fundamental to proper insurance claims adjusting. But the real skill is in applying the policies within the context of very specific aspects of a particular insurance claim. Excellence in adjusting is as much art as science — formulas and rules can lead you through the black and white but when grey areas arise an adjuster must rely upon intuition, conscience, and experience — in short, good judgment.

Our courses will help. Experience will help. Asking questions of your colleagues, superiors, and industry leaders will help. Being familiar with the makeup of the property you are investigating is obviously essential. The goal of the insurance adjuster is to compensate the homeowner, car owner, or business owner to an extent sufficient to return their property to its pre-damaged condition. Understanding how those properties are constructed, from foundation to roof, is indispensable in coming to a fair and accurate claim settlement amount.

Much like insurance policy knowledge, this is something you can control. Take courses or get your certifications, read books, and learn the basics. The rest will come with time and experience. Sometimes claims adjusters find themselves confronted with seemingly impossible situations.

Knowing how to maximize the time that they have is a benefit in reducing the amount of stress that they acquire. Also, it ensures that the most important aspects are being handled accordingly. A claims adjuster must have knowledge and application of insurance policies.