Claims adjuster

Claims adjusters investigate insurance claims by interviewing the claimant and witnesses, consulting police and hospital records, and inspecting property damage to determine the extent of the company’s liability. In the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, and South Africa the term Loss adjuster is used.

Claims adjusters have the knowledge to complete the preparation of a property damage claim which, to an unrepresented homeowner, may be unfamiliar territory. The documents contain technical terms such as depreciation, replacement costs, and actual cash value, that may be unknown to the policyholder, and a trained claims adjuster can ensure a correct completion.

There are three classes of claims adjusters:

* staff adjusters (employed by an insurance company or self-insured entity),
* independent (independent contractors; not insurance company employees)
* public adjusters (employed by the policyholder).

It should be very clear that in the two first instances, the adjuster defends the rights of the insurer and works for a fair settlement for both parties.

Adjusters may handle "property claims" involving damage to buildings and structures, or "liability claims" involving personal injuries or third-person property damage from liability situations, such as motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, or alleged negligent behavior. Some adjusters handle both types of claims and are known as "Multi-Line" adjusters. Public adjusters work exclusively for the policyholder. This means there should be no inherent conflict of interest when it comes to advocating on the policyholders behalf to the insurance company.

An independent adjuster could be working for multiple insurance companies.

An adjuster will frequently verify that coverage applies through an insurance policy, investigate liability for the damages caused, and make restitution to the injured person based on their physical, emotional, or physical property damages.

Many homeowners reach a fair settlement with the staff or independent adjuster they are working with. In the event they are not, they can hire a public adjuster. Public adjusters claim that many homeowners do not collect all the money to which they are entitled due to a lack of familiarity with the claim process. The use of a public adjuster may mitigate this risk and could help put the policyholder on a more equal footing with the insurance companies, which increasingly use experts to support their side of a claim settlement. Public adjusters charge for their services, the standard rate is 10% of your claim settlement. For example, If you suffer a $250,000.00 fire loss, the public adjuster fee for assisting you would be $25,000.00 This $25,000.00 is taken out of your claim settlement. The objective of a claims adjuster should be to protect the insured against not only financial loss, but also the cost of recovering it.

Specific duties include:

* Responding to claims in a timely manner
* Filing paperwork
* Communicating with policy holders
* Investigate liability
* Assess damages
* Research, detail and substantiate each aspect of the claim, including building damage, contents, and extra living expense claims.
* Negotiate with product/service providers on time and cost of repairs for the purpose of making an offer of settlement to the insured.
* Ensuring accurate procedures
* Protect the interest of the insurance company the adjuster represents, when dealing with claimants.

Some states now require public adjusters disclose to claimants whose interest specifically independent, staff and public adjuster represent, before they are retained by the policyholder. There is no such requirement at this time for insurance companies to do the same.



Most Colleges have not yet recognized the need for a major specifically for those who wish to become Claims Adjusters, however there are some professional designations that have become prevalent among higher achievers in the field. For example, The American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters awards the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation to experienced underwriters. Some Adjusters find that gaining these types of designations have been very advatantageous to their careers. Many insurance companies prefer their claims adjusters to have a 4-year college degree preferably in business related fields, however having a degree in liberal arts is acceptable as well. There are times in which a person with a high school education will become a claims adjuster usually by promotion from within the claims department while serving as a customer service representative. Since there are no college majors for claims adjusters, many states require a state certification in order to practice as an adjuster. States also require that a certain number of continuing education credits for claims adjusters are earned each year in order to maintain their license. This continuing education is achieved by attending seminars and online training from different claim adjuster educational resources. One brief example of an educational seminar is where a group of claims adjusters will meet and discuss how to distinguish a false claim from a true claim.

Florida is one of the few states in the United States that has created specific designations for the licensing of insurance claims adjusters. The Accredited Claims Adjuster Designation, created by statute in 2003, allows an individual to obtain the Florida All Lines Independent or Company license, without taking the state licensing exam. The University of Central Florida is the only major university in the state to recognize the expanding need for insurance pre-licensing and offers the designation throughout the country. www.ce.ucf.edu/pc_course.asp?prog=517

Most states require licensed adjusters to continue their education through a 'continuing education' requirement. Florida requires 24 hours of CE every two years. Courses, such as those found at the University of Central Florida, are offered live and online. www.ce.ucf.edu/insurance



Many claims adjusters may work long hours. The majority of claims adjusters work more than 50 hours a week, they work nights, and sometimes weekends because claims adjuster usually have to make appointments to see their clients, so the adjuster must be able to adapt their schedules in order to accommodate their clients.

The more experienced claims adjusters are able to work from home. They will receive their work load for that day through their private fax machine or their email accounts. The most common claim adjusters receive their assignments when they arrive at the office first thing in the morning. In the case of a severe natural disaster such as floods or tornadoes, adjusters from another city or town are called in to support the local government. This results in the adjuster being away from home for days at a time until all claims are resolved.

Laptop computers, cell phones, and other technology has made the process of claims adjusting easier and it consumes less time; however, there are positions that require physical strength as well as stamina. Property adjusters, for example, many times are required to operate a 50-pound ladder, able to stand, walk, kneel, crawl, and other physical demands as they investigate property that has been damaged
source wikipedia
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Car insurance for teenager

need car insurance for your teen or do I just insure the car? The research I've done all says that the VEHICLE has to be insured but it doesn't say anything about the DRIVER. This doesn't make sense to me but almost every website says it's the vehicle that has to be covered. Does your son need to be specifically named on the policy?

The statistics about teenage drivers aren't good. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 16-year-olds get into accidents almost six times more often than drivers between the age of 30 and 59. No wonder car insurance premiums are so high for this age group.

However, not all car insurance companies take the same dim view of young drivers. And some discounts are available to help you cut costs. Remember, the higher the risk, the higher the cost of insurance premiums. Let this be your guiding principle as you shop for insurance.

Here are 10 suggestions to help lower premiums and keep your teenager's license free of violations:

1. Help your teen learn the laws and follow them to the letter. By far, the best way to lower car insurance costs for teens is for them to keep their driving record clean. Make safe driving a family project. In some states, restrictions apply to new drivers. Parents should know what the laws are and insist that their sons and daughters follow them.

2. Set a good example. Do you break the speed limit and tailgate? Do you yell at other drivers when you're behind the wheel? If you do these things, how can you expect your children to act differently? Start watching your own driving long before they get their license and you'll have a much easier time convincing them to be safe drivers. Remember, actions speak louder than words.

3. Put your teenager on your policy. Rather than setting up an independent policy for your teen driver, put them on your auto insurance policy as an additional driver. In this way, all the discounts applied to your policies will be passed on to them.

4. Pay your teenager to get good grades. Here's a creative tip — find out how much you save if your teenager gets a good grade point average and pass it on to them. Usually, having a 3.0 or higher GPA will reduce your car insurance premium by 10 percent. Figure out exactly how much this saves you and give that money to your teenager. This accomplishes two things. First, it provides a direct reward for academic performance. Secondly, it motivates them to continue getting good grades.

5. Enroll them in driver education courses. Discounts are available for teens who take recognized driving classes. But call your car insurance company to find out which schools are covered before paying big bucks.

6. Steer clear of sports cars. Don't try to live vicariously through your teenager by giving them the hot car you couldn't get in high school. Getting your teenager a safe car to drive, with the latest safety equipment, will lower your premiums. Not only will you save money on car insurance, but fast driving will be less of a temptation.

7. Get their support. Don't assume that your teenager wants to vacuum clean your wallet. Ask them for help cutting costs and point out that you will share in the savings (see rule #4). Tell them how much car insurance costs and show them how this fits into the family budget. If nothing else, you will score points for treating them as adults.

8. Talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol. This is a tough subject to broach with teenagers, who think they have everything under control. But the consequences of saying nothing can be catastrophic. Take the time to lay down some guidelines in this important area.

9. Take traffic school to beat tickets. Once a ticket is on your teen's license, it takes months to get the violation removed. Instead, encourage them to take traffic school if the judge allows it. A day spent thinking about the consequences of unsafe driving can bring rewards for years to come.

10. Ride with your teenager. Your teenager was a safe driver last year when he or she got a license. But what's happened since then? Let your son or daughter take the wheel while you sit back and relax in the passenger seat. If you see them doing something that breaks rules or seems unsafe, point this out in a diplomatic way. If they are doing a good job driving, praise them for their efforts.

If you follow the above suggestions, you will find that you can make it through the teenage years safely — and without paying an arm and a leg for car insurance. It just takes cooperation and understanding from both sides of the generation gap.

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Discounts for Auto Insurance

Get great service and great coverage at a great price with affordable car insurance from Nationwide. Start saving today with auto insurance discounts that meet your needs, life and budget.
Home owners and car insurance discount

Combine and save. Get a discount on your auto insurance policy when you insure your home, condo or apartment with Nationwide.
Multi-car insurance discount

Insure more than one vehicle with Nationwide and save up to 20 percent.
Accident-free car insurance discount

Save up to 10 percent if you have at least 5 years of driving experience and have been free of chargeable accidents for the last 5 years.
Good Student car insurance discount

Get up to a 15 percent discount on your auto insurance when your teen earns a B average or above on their report card.
Long-term policyholder car insurance discount

Save up to 15 percent on your auto insurance if you are insured with Nationwide for at least 5 years. Save up to 5 percent if you are insured with Nationwide for at least 3 years.
Affinity car insurance discount

Save up to 3 percent on auto insurance if you are a member of a qualifying organization.
Anti-theft car insurance discount

Save when you install an anti-theft device in your vehicle. Savings vary based on the device installed and the state where you garage your vehicle.
Passive occupant restraint car insurance discount

Save when you insure a vehicle with full front-seat airbags or restraint devices that work automatically when your door closes.
Accident prevention or defensive driver car insurance discount

Save when you successfully completed a motor vehicle accident prevention course approved by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

*The availability, amount and eligibility for auto insurance discounts may vary by state.
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Saving A Buck On Insurance

By Laura Donaldson

Saving A Buck On Insurance

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) - With money tight, we wanted to know if local drivers are cutting back on state required auto insurance coverage.

Area insurance agents say they haven't seen a drastic increase or decrease in business. But they do say more motorists are revisiting their auto insurance plans, looking for ways to cut back.

State Farm Agent Larry Ice II says he's not sure how much the economic downturn has effected business because State Farm doesn't track why clients may drop a policy.

But he has noticed more financially strapped customers looking for a discount.

“There’s a lot more focus on saving money,” said Ice.

He says foot traffic is increasing at his small business, as consumers become more financially conscience.

“And I think that overall that goes from health insurance, auto, home every type of insurance,” said Ice.

Ice says he’s seeing a new and surprising trend; more clients are purchasing health insurance policies.

“People are a lot more concerned about what might happen if my husband losses his job, or if I loss my job, I might not be able to continue that health insurance coverage,” said Ice.

But the financial concern isn’t limited to auto and health insurance.

Indiana’s NewsCenter spoke with several area auto repair shops that say customers are waiting longer to get an oil change.

But what's most concerning, auto experts say more motorists are waiting until the last minute to repair their breaks.

Auto experts warn that the metal on metal grind could become dangerous not only for the driver but also other motorists.

Ice says his company recognizes the financial strains on families and is taking steps to speak with clients about ways they can reduce their rates without lowering their coverage.

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Progressive Auto Insurance Shares Car Insurance Tips

Use these car insurance tips and hints from Progressive to save money and select the right coverage. Plus, Progressive says it will include all available auto insurance discounts when you get a quote.

Savvy consumers know it pays to do the legwork and shop around for car insurance. Considering auto insurance prices for a six-month policy can vary greatly between companies, why not take the time to compare rates for several companies? To help you in your quest for car insurance, we've compiled a few tips that can help you save money and make the right choices for your situation.

Before you get started, review your auto insurance coverages and keep your auto policy on hand to make fair comparisons to your current coverage. Then start shopping. Visit insurance Web sites and insurance agents/brokers and get quotes. Following are a few more shopping tips.

Learn The Auto Insurance Lingo

Do you know whether or not you need PIP coverage? Can you explain BI or PD coverage? Before you buy, learn the basic auto insurance lingo — it can help you make coverage decisions that are right for you. Visit our insurance definitions section and expand your knowledge now!

Stay with a Leader

Visit A.M. Best, Moody's Investor Service, and Standard & Poor's for information on the financial strength of various car insurance companies and what benefits and features they offer.

Enhance Your Car Insurance Experience

For 24/7 customer and claims service and the ability to manage your auto insurance policy and pay your bills online, you need a company that can do more than simply provide a car insurance quote on its Web site. Visit progressive.com to see how much online control and access you have with Progressive.

By Progressive Auto Insurance
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[Credit Plays Into Auto Insurance Rates] Insurers Can Use Credit To Increase New Policy Rates

[Credit Plays Into Auto Insurance Rates] Insurers Can Use Credit To Increase New Policy Rates

BALTIMORE -- The WBAL TV 11 News I-Team has discovered that your credit can play a huge role in what you pay for auto insurance and there's little you can do about it.
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Flu prompts flood of calls to insurers

By Josephine Cumbo

Travellers worried about swine flu are being urged to check their insurance policies to see if they are covered for cancelling trips to areas most affected by the outbreak, such as Mexico.

Fears about the spread of swine flu have led to a huge increase in calls to travel insurance providers, with worried holidaymakers eager to take out cover as swine flu spreads across the globe.

Most policies will refund the cancellations of travel arrangements to a destination if the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to the area - which was the case this week with Mexico.

But insurers said this wasn't the case with allpolicies.

"Where the FCO has advised against all but essential travel, most policyholders will be able to claim a refund or an alternative trip from their tour operator or travel agent," said the British Insurance Brokers Association (Biba).

"This would be the correct procedure for travellers to follow before submitting an insurance claim."

However, Biba added: "Not all travel insurance policies will cover cancellation due to a pandemic or FCO advice against travel. Travellers are advised to contact their insurance broker or travel insurance provider for clarification."

Biba explained that if tour operators or travel agents arrange an alternative destination, the existing travel insurance policy should normally cover the new destination instead, but travellers should check this with their insurance broker.

Travellers who are concerned about swine flu but delay taking out cover could find themselves unable to obtain insurance.

"We would only cover people with policies taken out and trips booked before the FCO issues advice," said Emma Holyer, of LV=, the insurer. "If someone has booked a trip to Mexico after the FCO has issued advice (i.e. in the last 24 hours) they would not be covered.

"It's always best to take out insurance at the time of booking a trip or have an annual policy in place to avoid this kind of problem."

A warning was also given to those with existing insurance policies who insist on travelling to areas against official advice, with providers unlikely to cover any costs if the traveller falls ill.

However, while swine flu cases have been confirmed in the UK, US, Spain and Canada, travellers cannot expect a refund if they simply wanted to be cautious and not travel.

"Any cautious Brits cancelling their holidays to these areas for this reason are unlikely to be covered by their insurer or compensated by the airline or travel firm they have booked with," said moneysupermarket.com, the price comparison website.

"But those paying for their holiday, or flight, with a credit card, provided it is over £100, get the added benefit of cover from the credit card company which becomes equally liable for providing a refund if the holiday cannot be fulfilled due to a cancellation by the holiday operator or airline."

Meanwhile, those who have package holidays booked to Mexico departing in the near future are being advised that tour operators will decide how far in advance they are prepared to offer refunds or alternatives.

"The exact period will vary as the advice from the FCO can change rapidly," said the Travel Association, which represents British tour operators and travel agencies.

"If your departure date is some weeks or months ahead, therefore, your tour operator will keep the matter under review and contact you closer to your departure date if it's necessary to change your holiday," it added. "If you're concerned, please contact your tour operator."

With ongoing uncertainty over the extent of the outbreak likely to lead to more cancellations, some companies are offering to alleviate the disappointments of some holidaymakers.

M&S travel money customers can take their unused Mexican pesos or US dollars into any of the 116 M&S bureaux de change until close of business on Friday May 8 and exchange them for thesterling amount they paid for the currency.

For more advice see: FCO www.fco.gov.uk; The Travel Association www.abta.com; World Health Organisation www.who.int

Click here for more from FT.com

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WHO Raises Flu Threat Level, Warns Pandemic Imminent

'THE HORSES ARE OUT' reading posting from insurancejournal.com
"At this point, (health officials) have not recommended a border closing," he said. "From their perspective, it would be akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out, because we already have cases here in the United States."

Obama also praised his predecessor for stockpiling anti-viral medication in anticipation of such an outbreak. "I think the Bush administration did a good job of creating the infrastructure so that we can respond," Obama said. "For example, we've got 50 million courses of anti-viral drugs in the event that they're needed."

Despite worries that a major flu outbreak could hit the struggling global economy, world stocks rallied on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said the U.S. recession appeared to be easing.

Almost all cases outside Mexico have had mild symptoms, and only a handful have required hospitalization.

Chan also urged companies who make the drugs to ramp up production. Two antiviral drugs -- Relenza, made by GlaxoSmithKline and Tamiflu, made by Roche AG and Gilead Sciences Inc. -- have been shown to work against the H1N1 swine flu strain.

In Mexico City, a metropolis of 20 million, all schools, restaurants, nightclubs and public events have been shut down to try to stop the sickness from spreading.

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