What is an Insurance Claim Adjuster? | Insurance Basics - AIS Insurance Specialists Blog (2024)

3 minute read

Insurance is designed to financially protect you after unexpected strikes, whether an auto accident, property damage, or a natural disaster. However, you’ll first need to file a claim to receive any payments from your policy. The person who determines whether you carry the proper coverage and how much you will receive is known as an insurance claims adjuster. Let’s cover a few basics of what exactly a claims adjuster does and what that means for you.

What is a Claims Adjuster?

An insurance claims adjuster is the person in charge of investigating insurance claims to determine the extent of an insurance company’s liability and, if payment is required, how much the payout should be. They work with the insurance company and the policyholder to verify the policyholder’s request for funds and find a fair amount for the settlement.

For example, suppose you’re involved in a car accident and file a claim through your insurance provider. In that case, you’ll be assigned a claims adjuster who will confirm you have applicable coverage and that the damage is covered. Insurance claims adjusters could also help with your vehicle inspection and setting up repairs on your behalf after an accident.

What Does a Claims Adjuster Do?

Insurance claims adjusters work with all types of claims, such as injury-related and property damage claims. Although the steps could vary, claims adjusters typically take the following steps when investigating a claim:

1. Review claim details and policy information:When you submit a claim, your claims adjuster will begin their investigation by reviewing the details of the accident/loss. They will also review your policy information to determine if you carry the proper coverage for the claim.

2. Gather information:After reviewing your policy, the next step is to gather further information related to the claim. This can include interviewing the policyholder or witnesses, reviewing the damage caused, and collecting recorded statements from the parties involved. They can also review police reports, additional footage of the accident, and any other available information related to the claim.

3. Review options and settle the claim:If your claims adjuster concludes that your policy covers the accident, they will review your options. This will include reviewing your potential payouts or moving forward with inspections and repairs. Once everything is set, your claims adjuster will close the claim. If your vehicle is totaled, you will receive your vehicle’s actual cash value minus your plan’s deductible.

Tips for Working with a Claims Adjuster

There are a few things you can do to help the claim process run smoothly.

Before anything else, be sure to have a clear record of any evidence or documents you received after the accident or loss, such as driver information, police records, dash cam footage, and more. The role of a claims adjuster is to determine where liability falls and if your coverage applies to the situation. The more documentation you provide that provides insight into what happened, the faster your claim will be closed.

If you’re involved in a car accident, always collect the driver, insurance, and vehicle information of all parties involved. Gather their contact information if any witnesses can speak on what occurred.

Finally, always keep an open line of communication between yourself and the claims adjuster. Remember, an adjuster at a large company may have multiple claims simultaneously, so establishing clear contact schedules and times will help prevent unnecessary back and forth. If you have any questions regarding your claim, your claims adjuster is there to help and guide you along the process.

Compare Quotes with AIS

No one can predict when they will be involved in an accident. Despite our best efforts, collisions and losses do occur. What you can control, however, is how much coverage you carry to protect yourself in unexpected scenarios. AtAIS, we have over 55 years of experience helping our customers navigate the insurance marketplace with our network of trusted insurance partners. We make comparing quotes from multiple providers easy with just a few clicks. And if you need a more hands-on approach, our specialists are ready and willing to guide you toward your ideal combination of coverage and price.

Call us today at(888) 772-4247, or start yourquote onlineto get started today.

The information in this article is obtained from various sourcesandoffered for educational purposes only.Furthermore,it should not replace the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms, and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here.No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.