Insurance adjuster education is popular career path because the job prospects are secure and salaries can start at over $45,000 a year. Because many people are looking into this field, there are many claims adjuster classes available in a variety of formats, from traditional classroom settings to correspondence and online courses.

The pricing and costs of insurance adjuster education and training will vary depending on the type of training you want and the number of instruction hours you receive. Some of your options include:

1. Taking online insurance adjuster training courses. This is a quick option that costs the least amount of money.

2. Choosing a correspondence course that lets you learn at your own pace.

3. Finding traditional brick-and-mortar classes that offer in-depth discussion and training.

Action Steps
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Choose online claims adjuster training classes

If you need to take a course that will allow you to work whenever it is convenient for you, check out online courses for adjuster training. These courses are offered through many accredited universities and you can acquire your license in a matter of months. Online courses cost $400 to $500, depending on whether you need a pre-licensing course or a licensing course that includes the certification test.

I recommend: U.S. Career Institute offers the online courses you need to earn your licensing as an insurance claims adjuster. If you want to know more about claims adjuster careers, StateUniversity.com outlines the average salaries and common tasks of an insurance claims adjuster.

Get your claim adjuster training from a qualified professional

In-person classes are sometimes the best way to learn about something, because a live class gives you more of an opportunity to ask questions and discuss topics with experts in the field. Live classes cost $300 to $500, depending on the length of the course and how many sessions are included in the package.

I recommend: AdjusterPro offers in-person courses and training sessions in a variety of states. These courses can help you earn a claims adjuster license. Adjuster Training offers live classes that put you in the classroom for adjuster training.

Enroll in correspondence courses for insurance claims adjuster training

With the popularity of online courses for a variety of training and education topics, most people never even consider correspondence courses. But with these courses, you can take your time learning the material and taking tests. Correspondence courses are a little more expensive than online courses, costing anywhere from $375 to $450.

I recommend: Ae21 Incorporated offers both an online course option, in addition to a correspondence course that can help train anyone to be an insurance claims adjuster. Brewer Insurance School offers a variety of claims adjuster classes for those who want to take a correspondence course, online course or traditional classroom course.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Training for insurance adjusters will vary in length, depending on the state requirements for adjusters. Make sure to take courses that qualify you to work in your state.

Insurance adjuster training prepares students for jobs as claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners and claims investigators. None of these jobs require a specific level of formal education, and most new adjusters receive on-the-job training from an experienced claims adjuster. However, promotions and pay increases typically come faster to those who take the time to participate in insurance adjuster education and training.

Some insurance companies expect their employees to work towards certifications, such as the Associate in Claims (AIC), in order to demonstrate the high level of expertise and professionalism of their staff. Claims adjuster training is available to meet state pre-licensing requirements and to satisfy company or industry continuing education requirements. In addition to claim adjuster training, you want to look for training courses that include instruction in these areas:

1. Communication: Adjusters work closely with customers and should take claims adjuster classes that develop good communication skills.
2. Computers: In this age of digital cameras and electronic claims, adjusters need training in how to use computers, cameras and software programs.
3. Ethics: Training for insurance adjusters should cover the importance of ethics and avoiding lawsuits related to unfair claims practices.

Action Steps
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Sign up for claims adjuster training to satisfy educational requirements

Insurance adjuster training offers refresher courses for experienced adjusters and pre-licensing coursework. Not all states require claims adjusters to be licensed.

I recommend: Insurance Schools, Inc., offers state-specific pre-licensing insurance adjuster education. WeTrainAdjusters.com, a service partner of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, offers both Online Courses and Classroom Training for adjusters.

Turn to industry sources for insurance adjuster education and training

Insurance industry associations continuously work to improve the skills of industry professionals. Claims adjusters who receive certification and then participate in continuing education courses are the best in the business.

I recommend: Insurance adjuster education and training through the American Institute for CPCU (AICPCU) leads to the AIC designation. Use their online advising form to find the right program for you. The Insurance Educational Association is an education program partner of AICPCU and also offers training leading to the AIC designation.

Complete insurance claims adjuster training on your own time

Adjusters already working in the field who want to learn more or earn their AIC should enroll in a self-study program through a well-known professional education company.

I recommend: Kaplan Financial offers courses leading to the AIC designation and other insurance industry related classes. Keir Educational Resources also offers claims adjuster education in preparation for the AIC exam.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want to start a career as a claims adjuster, contact insurance companies in your area. Most will hire college graduates and then pay for the necessary pre-licensing claims adjuster classes.
• •  In addition to insurance adjuster training, experience in a related field is often preferred. For example, a background in health care is helpful for health claims adjusters and experience as a car repair estimator is useful for auto claims adjusters.

Look into insurance adjuster education and training laws and regulations to make sure the institution where you obtain your training and education is legitimate. Whether you plan to get your insurance adjuster education and training through local venues or at a college or university, it's imperative to make sure your time and resources go to a legitimate institution that meets local, state and federal educational criteria.

Although you only need a high school education to pursue insurance adjuster jobs, many employers prefer hiring college graduates or students in the field with some post-secondary training. Some ways you can ascertain the legitimacy of your educational institution include the following methods:

1. Make sure your distance learning insurance adjuster training courses adheres to distance learning regulations.

2. Study insurance adjuster education and training laws and regulations by researching federal education laws for vocational education.

3. Look into state and regional regulations before you attend an insurance adjusters school.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out the legalities of distance learning before signing on for adjuster training

If you plan to obtain your insurance adjuster training through online schooling, make sure the institution meets legal distance learning regulations.

I recommend: Florida Insurance University offers laws and regulations specific to continuing insurance adjuster courses. You can click on the links to find out more for each subtopic. The American Educational Institute offers courses on legal principles for insurance adjusters. Go to eLearners.com to sort through regulations and laws geared specifically for distance learners. It summarizes each regulation and law in detail.

Check out your insurance adjuster school to make sure it meets Federal standards

Whether you plan to pursue catastrophe insurance adjuster training or some other type of adjuster training, make certain your school meets Federal criteria for education and training.

I recommend: Adjusters Insurance School has over 50-years experience educating students on insurance adjusting. It prides itself in its certification and curriculum, which it updates regularly to comply with major law changes. The LexisNexis Store offers a CR-ROM with the Federal education laws and regulations with all the statutes in the ISCS Title 20, as well as the CFR Federal regulations from Title 34. The CD-ROM allows cross-referencing access.

Look into state laws for education before pursuing claims adjuster training

Every state has different rules, laws and education when it comes to claim adjuster training. Find out the regulations for your area and take courses from schools and universities that follow state laws in addition to Federal laws.

I recommend: FindLaw helps you determine the legitimacy of an educational institution by listing laws for each state. It allows you to search through codes and regulations by state or by topic. AdjusterTraining.com offers education and training for Texas residents. The course also counts as a pre-licensing course for residents in most other states.