Despite average job growth, keen competition for claims adjuster, appraiser, examiner, and investigator jobs is expected, especially in smaller, privately owned companies. For claims adjusters, opportunities will be best for those who have a license and related experience. For appraiser jobs, opportunities will be best for those who have some vocational training and previous auto body repair experience.
Employment change. Employment of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators is expected to grow by 9 percent over the 2006-16 decade, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Many insurance carriers are downsizing their claims staff in an effort to contain costs. Larger companies are relying more on customer service representatives in call centers, for example, to handle the recording of the necessary details of the claim, allowing adjusters to spend more of their time investigating claims. New technology is reducing the amount of time it takes for an adjuster to complete a claim, thereby increasing the number of claims that one adjuster can handle. The demand for these jobs will increase regardless of new technology, however, because they cannot be easily automated. Additionally, a growing need for adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators will stem from more insurance policies being sold to accommodate a growing population. Further, as the elderly population increases, there will be a greater need for health care, resulting in more health insurance claims.
Employment of insurance investigators is not expected to grow significantly, despite the expected increase in the number of claims in litigation and the number and complexity of insurance fraud cases. Technology, such as the Internet, reduces the amount of time it takes investigators to perform background checks, allowing them to handle more cases. However, adjusters are still needed to contact policyholders, inspect damaged property, and consult with experts.
As with claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators, employment of auto damage appraisers should grow by 13 percent, which is also about as fast as the average for all occupations. Insurance companies and agents continue to sell growing numbers of auto insurance policies, leading to more claims being filed that require the attention of an auto damage appraiser. The work of auto damage appraisers is also not easily automated because most appraisals require an onsite inspection, but new technology is making them somewhat more efficient. In addition, some insurance companies are opening their own repair facilities, which may reduce the need for auto damage appraisers.
Job prospects. Numerous job openings also will result from job growth and the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. Overall, college graduates and those with previous related experience will have the best opportunities for jobs as claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators. Auto damage appraisers with related vocational training and auto body shop experience will also have good prospects. People entering these occupations with no previous experience or formal training may find more opportunities working directly for an insurance carrier.
Competition for investigator jobs will remain keen because the occupation attracts many qualified people, including retirees from law enforcement, the military, and experienced claims adjusters and examiners who choose to get an investigator license. Heightened media and public awareness of insurance fraud also may attract qualified candidates to this occupation.
Adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators held about 319,000 jobs in 2006. Insurance carriers, agencies, brokerages, and related industries, such as private claims adjusting companies, employed more than 7 out of 10 claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators. Less than 5 percent of these jobs were held by auto damage insurance appraisers. Relatively few adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators were self-employed.
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation
Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have gone through an apprenticeship program or several years of vocational training to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training, including both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Examples
Dental assistants, electricians, fish and game wardens, legal secretaries, personnel recruiters and recreational workers.
These occupations often involve using communication and organization skills to manage and train others.
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General information about a career as a claims adjuster, appraiser, examiner, or investigator is available from the home offices of many insurance companies. Information about licensing requirements for claims adjusters may be obtained from the department of insurance in each State.
Information about the property-casualty insurance field can be obtained by contacting:
- Insurance Information Institute, 110 William St., New York, NY 10038. Internet: http://www.iii.org
Information about the health insurance field can be obtained by contacting:
- National Association of Health Underwriters, 2000 North 14th Street, Suite 450, Arlington, VA 22201. Internet: http://www.nahu.org
For information about professional designation and training programs, contact any of the following organizations:
- American College, 270 South Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010–2196. Internet: http://www.theamericancollege.edu
- American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters and the Insurance Institute of America, 720 Providence Rd., P.O. Box 3016, Malvern, PA 19355–0716. Internet: http://www.aicpcu.org
- International Claim Association, 1255 23rd St. N.W., Washington, DC 20037. Internet: http://www.claim.org
- LOMA, 2300 Windy Ridge Parkway, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30339-8443. Internet: http://www.loma.org/
Information on careers in auto damage appraising can be obtained from:
- Independent Automotive Damage Appraisers Association, P.O. Box 12291 Columbus, GA 31917–2291. Internet: http://www.iada.org
Sources: O*Net data version 12.0
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Department of Labor
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