| Job Description | | | | incidents such as fires, train crashes and earthquakes. |
| A Loss Adjuster is an independent claims specialist | | | | - Most Loss Adjuster jobs are conducted |
| who investigates complicated or contentious claims on | | | | independently as part of a small team. |
| behalf of insurance companies and helps policyholders | | | | - Loss Adjusting Jobs are available in most areas. |
| restore their property to full working order. A Loss | | | | - An experienced Loss Adjuster will find a range of |
| Adjuster investigates at the scene of an incident, | | | | opportunities to work abroad. |
| establishes the causes of the 'loss' and whether it is | | | | Salary and conditions Entry requirements |
| covered by the insurance policy. A Loss Adjuster then | | | | Loss Adjuster Jobs are open to all graduates; |
| writes reports for the insurer, assessing the validity of | | | | however a finance or math's related degree/HND may |
| the claim and recommending appropriate payment. | | | | increase your chances: |
| | | | The degree subject is generally less important to |
| Typical Activities of Loss Adjusting Jobs | | | | employers than showing the capabilities and potential |
| Loss Adjuster activities include: | | | | to handle the demands of working as a loss adjuster. |
| - liaising with insurers to receive instruction on new | | | | Entry to Loss Adjusting jobs is possible without a |
| claims; | | | | degree or HND for school or college leavers with |
| - visiting the site of a loss to survey and assess the | | | | A-level/Higher or equivalent qualifications. Work would |
| damage; | | | | probably start in claims handling for an insurance |
| - recording the situation at the site with equipment such | | | | company. |
| as digital cameras and camcorders; | | | | A Loss Adjuster job is frequently a second career. |
| - ensuring the immediate security of the site; | | | | Training |
| - requesting reports from specialist third parties; | | | | Some larger Loss Adjuster firms have structured |
| - advising insurers and policyholders on the most | | | | graduate training schemes. Whether or not in such a |
| appropriate repair or replacement technique; | | | | programme, most new entrants spend some time |
| - recommending local specialist firms for demanding | | | | learning the mechanics of the claims handling process |
| repair or restoration work; | | | | in a desk-based role before commencing site visits. It is |
| - interviewing the policyholder making the claim to | | | | then usual to accompany experienced loss adjusters |
| discuss valuation and validation of the claim; | | | | on site visits before handling cases single handed. |
| - inspecting documentation to verify that the loss or | | | | Graduates who enter Loss Adjusting jobs without |
| damage is covered by the insurance policy to a | | | | previous relevant professional qualifications must gain |
| sufficient extent; | | | | two years' professional experience in insurance claims |
| - reviewing recordings from security cameras and | | | | or working as a Loss Adjuster before progressing to |
| reports from emergency services; | | | | the next stage. They can also obtain a professional |
| - investigating suspicious claims by inspecting claimants' | | | | qualification approved by CILA (such as the Diploma CII |
| records to verify the existence and value of goods | | | | (claims). |
| being claimed for; | | | | Career development |
| - liaising with any other insurers to negotiate the spread | | | | After gaining Chartered Loss Adjuster status following |
| of liability; | | | | successful completion of the Chartered Institute of |
| - writing reports as swiftly as possible for the client | | | | Loss Adjusters (CILA) examinations, there are several |
| (usually on a laptop on or near the site); | | | | possible routes to Loss Adjuster jobs career |
| - advising claimants on security and other precautions | | | | development, including technical specialisation and |
| to reduce the risk of further future losses; | | | | management. As even larger Loss Adjuster firms are |
| - depending on the nature of the claim, Loss Adjuster | | | | still relatively small organisations, it is usually necessary |
| jobs might involve carrying out several inspections a | | | | to adopt an active approach to furthering your career |
| day or spend several days on more complex cases. | | | | and you may need to move employers in order to |
| - The typical starting salary for Loss Adjuster jobs | | | | progress. |
| ranges from £18,000 - £22,000. | | | | Some smaller firms regularly hire loss adjusters on a |
| - The typical salary for Loss Adjuster jobs with three | | | | case-by-case basis, so there are opportunities for |
| to five years' experience ranges from £22,000 - | | | | those with experience and a good track record to |
| £40,000. | | | | work freelance. It is also possible to set up your own |
| - After 10 to 15 years in the Loss Adjusting can earn | | | | firm. |
| £32,000 - £60,000. | | | | There is considerable scope for overseas travel, both |
| - A Loss Adjuster commonly works outside normal | | | | for individual claims and on a longer-term basis. This is |
| office hours and may have to attend call-outs in the | | | | particularly the case when working on behalf of large |
| evenings and at weekends in response to | | | | insurers, whose own clients are global businesses. |
| emergencies. | | | | Financial loss adjusting gives particularly good scope |
| - A Loss Adjuster spends most of their time | | | | for overseas assignments when investigating claims. |
| ‘on-site'. | | | | Some of the larger UK-based firms of Loss Adjusters |
| - A Loss Adjuster may be called upon following | | | | also have overseas offices. |