It seems like today; people are changing careers more than ever before. This might be my perception, but it does not seem like people stay in jobs for 20 or 30 years like they used to. If you are looking for a career change, you might consider one of the many opportunities available as a claims adjuster.
I often said that this is a cool job and stand by that statement. Claims adjusters play a vital role in the insurance industry. We must assess and evaluate claims to determine coverage and compensation. This job requires diverse skills that combine analytical thinking, effective communication, and attention to detail. Several parallel careers mesh well with the career of a claims adjuster.
Today we will look at nine careers that naturally lend themselves to a career as a claims adjuster. There are transferable skills in these nine occupations, and here we will explain how experience in these other careers can be leveraged to excel in claims adjusting positions. Whether you have a background in sales, customer service, legal assistance, or a technical field, we will provide valuable insights into the suitability of these professions for a transition to claims adjusting.
1. Insurance Sales Agent
An agent who sells policies will have a broad range of knowledge regarding insurance policies and coverage options, but they will also have experience with sales techniques. This skill set makes them well-suited for transitioning into the role of a claims adjuster.
A deep understanding of insurance products is necessary not only for an agent but also for claims adjusters. This knowledge is essential for determining whether a claim should be paid, or whether a coverage problem would require a denial. When it comes to sales skills, these skills are incredibly important as claims adjusters as well in the sense that adjusters need to build relationships, listen to the needs of others, and provide solutions whenever possible. Customer-centric skills are extremely important to a claims adjuster’s job because effective policyholder communication is essential.
Strong sales techniques also translate to the need to empathize with clients and handle delicate situations with professionalism and tact. Additionally, sales agents are typically great at negotiating, an important skill set to ensure fair compensation for claims.
2. Customer Service Representative
It turns out that customer service skills are also vastly important to the job of a claims adjuster. People who come from a background in customer service tend to excel in their communication and problem-solving skills. Effective communication is one of the most important skills for claims adjusters because they need to gather detailed information, explain the claims process and coverages, and provide regular updates on the status of claims. Customer service representatives are good at listening actively, empathizing, and providing clear and concise information. These are all skills that translate perfectly to a claims adjuster’s job.
Depending on the role someone may have had as a customer service representative, they may also be accustomed to resolving complex issues and managing challenging situations. A problem-solving mindset is paramount to analyzing information, identifying root causes, and finding appropriate solutions. These skills are all highly relevant to claims adjusting.
Lastly, customer service representatives are often skilled in managing customer expectations and maintaining positive relationships even when unwelcome news must be delivered. This ability is essential for a claims adjuster, where policyholders often experience stress and uncertainty when they experience a loss and seek help through their insurance policy.
3. Legal Assistant or Paralegal
Someone with a legal assistant or paralegal background will have a solid foundation for transitioning into a claims adjuster role, especially when handling third-party liability claims.
Candidates with this background will be familiar with legal procedures, documentation, and terminologies. This expertise translates directly into the claims-adjusting realm, where you must understand the policy language, legal environment, and concepts associated with negligence. These individuals will also possess skills in reading and analyzing legal documents, which is important for interpreting policies and analyzing contracts such as construction contracts at lease agreements.
Furthermore, legal assistants and paralegals will be familiar with the skills necessary to collaborate with attorneys and other professionals in a team-oriented environment. They can also conduct legal research effectively, which can be advantageous when investigating complex claims requiring understanding applicable laws and determining liability.
4. An Auto Mechanic or Repair Technician
One important field of claims adjusting involves the assessment of damage to automobiles. Auto mechanics and repair technicians are great candidates for this type of role as there is a natural progression due to their technical knowledge and expertise.
Auto mechanics and repair technicians deeply understand vehicle components and repair processes. This type of technical knowledge is especially important for an automobile appraiser. These individuals will be vastly familiar with the amount of time and the type of parts required to make certain repairs. They will be able to identify potential hidden damage and be adept at determining whether the vehicle can be repaired at all or is a total loss.
Moreover, auto mechanics and repair technicians are skilled in diagnosing, troubleshooting, and recommending appropriate solutions. Problem-solving abilities like this are extremely important to the claims adjuster’s job because an adjuster must investigate the cause of damage, assess liability, and determine the best courts of action for resolving a claim.
Another skill set that auto mechanics are repair technicians possess is the ability to pay attention to detail. These technicians often must inspect vehicles meticulously to identify minor hidden damage or hidden mechanical issues. A keen eye for detail is an excellent asset for a claims adjuster.
From a customer service standpoint, auto mechanics and repair technicians are often required to interact with customers. Hence, it is likely that they have developed certain customer service skills that will translate well to the job of a claims adjuster. They can explain technical issues in layperson terms, a valuable skill.
5. Construction Project Manager
Property claims adjuster positions are well suited for someone with experience as a construction project manager. These individuals will possess extensive experience in assessing damage, estimating costs, and managing projects from beginning to end. These are important skills for a claims adjuster because the adjuster must predict the entire series of events associated with a repair project. They will also be required to identify the material costs associated with repairs and the labor required to facilitate the repair.
Another skill set that a construction project manager will have is identifying structural damage that may not even be seen. Their knowledge of underlying structures and systems will enable them to foresee the likelihood of hidden damage.
Estimating skills are extremely important to the job of a property adjuster. In addition to dealing with repair costs, project managers will develop budgets, create cost estimates, and negotiate pricing with contracts and suppliers. These cost estimation skills are extremely valuable when determining the cost of repairs associated with a damaged claim.
Additionally, project managers are adept at handling projects. Project management itself lends itself well to claims as each claim becomes its project in a sense. Furthermore, the claims adjuster will often be handling multiple claims simultaneously. This will require skill sets that construction project managers possess in multitasking and planning that will ensure timely outcomes for the claim process.
6. Healthcare Billing or Medical Coding Specialist
Transitioning from a healthcare billing or medical coding specialist field to the job of a claims adjuster is an excellent path for a career change.
These individuals understand medical terminology, billing processes, and documentation requirements. This expertise translates directly into liability claims adjusting, especially when claims for medical costs are involved.
Another key skill an individual acquires in healthcare billing and medical coding is proficiency in deciphering medical terminology. Understanding medical terms in procedures will help evaluate a liability claim where someone alleges their injury and subsequent medical treatment caused someone else’s negligence. A claim adjuster must review medical records, diagnosis, and treatment information to ensure the claim is related to the alleged negligence.
Finally, healthcare billing and medical coding specialists have extensive experience working with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and patients. They are often very skilled in effectively communicating to resolve billing issues. Communication and negotiation skills are extremely valuable in the world of Claims adjusting.
7. Police Officers to Claims Adjuster
Transitioning from a career as a police officer or investigator to a claims adjuster job is a natural progression, especially regarding liability claims. These individuals are skilled at conducting thorough investigations, gathering evidence, and documenting incidents. These are direct skills that are required for the job of a liability claims adjuster. Adjusters must validate a claim, determine liability, and gather supporting evidence.
Securing statements from involved parties is a regular task required of an insurance adjuster. Police officers and investigators are tasked with this regularly, making them the perfect fit.
These individuals are also adept at handling adverse situations. They will often excel at communication and problem-solving, which are extremely important to a claims adjuster’s job.
Finally, police officers and investigators are accustomed to working under pressure and managing challenging situations. This equips them with resilience, composure, and the ability to handle sensitive and emotional situations. These are all great skills for someone who considers themselves a candidate for a claims adjuster role.
8. Accountant or Financial Analyst to Claims Adjuster
Accountants and financial analysts possess a strong understanding of financial principles, data analysis, and risk management. These skills align directly with the financial aspects of claims adjusting because adjusters need to evaluate claims and assess their financial implications. They also need to settle in a fair and unbiased matter.
These individuals possess an analytical mindset. They are often required to analyze financial statements and data to make proper decisions. This is a high asset to the job of a claims adjuster. Not only do adjusters have to review and analyze financial records, but they also need to be able to assess those records and report their findings. The skills align well with the job of accountants and financial analysts.
Lastly, accountants and financial analysts often have in-depth experience with financial accounting software. This familiarity can translate well to some software claims adjusters use to evaluate claims.
By leveraging these financial skills, attention to detail, risk management expertise, and technical proficiency, candidates with a background as an accountant or financial analyst could be a perfect fit for the claims adjuster job.
9. Journalist to Claims Adjuster
Individuals with a background in journalism will have excellent research and investigation skills, communication abilities, writing proficiency, attention to detail, and excellent deadline management skills.
Journalists are skilled at conducting thorough research and gathering information to verify facts. This skill is extremely valuable to the role of a claims adjuster as they are required to investigate and gather evidence daily.
Communication is often touted as one of an insurance adjuster’s most important skills. A person with a background as a journalist will often be highly effective at communicating in writing and verbally. They are often skilled at interviewing, extracting, and reporting information from them accurately.
Journalists are trained to pay attention to detail. They are looking for clues that might lead to questions that must be raised to solve a mystery or resolve other questions. These skills are essential for the role of the claims adjuster.
Finally, deadline management is extremely important in the claims adjuster’s role. Time is essential when someone suffers from a loss or damage and wants to return to normal as quickly as possible. The urgency required with deadline management skills will translate well to the claims adjuster’s role.
Now that we have covered nine backgrounds that will transition well into a career as a claims adjuster, it is time to consider whether your career has skill sets that would translate well.
Bear in mind that these are not the only careers that will translate well to the role of a claims adjuster. There are countless others.
If you’re thinking about pursuing a career as a claims adjuster, focus on the skills outlined above, and this will help you tailor your resume to capitalize on the strengths that you already possess that may have been acquired through one or more of the jobs that you’ve had throughout your career.
While there are certifications and some education that can help round out your resume, employers will be looking for individuals with many of the strong skill sets outlined in this blog post.
Thank you for reading this blog post on job types that transition well to a career as a claims adjuster. We hope you found the information valuable and insightful.
If you want to further expand your knowledge of managing difficult attorneys, we invite you to obtain a copy of our white paper, “Defense Secrets: Insights on Injury Attorneys.” This white paper provides valuable insights and strategies for effectively negotiating interactions with attorneys in the claims adjusting process.
Should you have any questions or require assistance with a claim, our dedicated team is here to help. Feel free to contact us at 585-454-8094. We are committed to providing excellent service and guidance through the claims process.
Once again, thank you for your interest, and we look forward to assisting you in any way we can.
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