Insurance loss adjuster
Insurance loss adjusters investigate large or complicated claims for insurance companies.
Salary Range: £15,000 to £80,000
How to become an insurance loss adjuster
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
University
You could take a degree before applying for a place on an insurance company’s graduate training scheme. Relevant degrees include:
- business studies
- finance
- law
- surveying
- construction
It’ll help to get some relevant work experience whilst you’re studying, for example through an internship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
Apprenticeship
You may be able to start by doing a higher apprenticeship for insurance professionals or a senior insurance professional degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Work
You could move into loss adjusting after getting experience as a claims technician or assistant loss adjuster with an insurance company.
You could also complete qualifications while you’re working in insurance through a professional body like the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters.
Other routes
You could apply to join a company’s graduate training scheme if you’ve got a degree. Most subjects are accepted though you may have an advantage if you’ve studied business, law, maths or economics.
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Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters for professional development and training opportunities.
Further information
You can find out more about working and training in loss adjusting through the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters and the Chartered Insurance Institute.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- knowledge of English language
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to use your initiative
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- visiting sites to survey damage
- interviewing customers
- gathering evidence, like security camera footage or police reports
- requesting reports from specialists, like building surveyors
- checking that policies cover losses and customers are claiming a reasonable amount
- organising clean-up operations, or arranging building repairs
- making further investigations if you suspect fraud
- giving evidence in court
- presenting reports and recommendations to insurers
- advising claimants on how to avoid further losses
Working environment
You could work in an office or from home.
Your working environment may be you’ll travel often and emotionally demanding.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could specialise in a particular type of claim, 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.