What Does an Insurance Adjuster Do?
- Adjuster Prep
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
If you've ever filed a claim after a storm, fire, flood, or accident, chances are you've interacted with an insurance adjuster — or at least heard about one. But what exactly does an insurance adjuster do?
As someone who has worked in the field for nearly two decades, I want to walk you through what an adjuster really does — not just from a textbook perspective, but from real experience out in the field and behind the desk. Whether you're curious about becoming an adjuster or just want to understand the person on the other side of your claim, this blog will give you an honest, practical, and personal perspective.
📌 Table of Contents
What Is an Insurance Adjuster?
Types of Adjusters
What an Adjuster Really Does (Daily Duties)
Behind the Scenes: Real-Life Field Stories
What Tools Adjusters Use
Challenges We Face
Rewards of the Job
How to Become an Adjuster
Final Thoughts
1. 🧾 What Is an Insurance Adjuster?
An insurance adjuster is a professional who investigates insurance claims to determine the extent of the insurance company’s liability. We assess property damage, interview policyholders and witnesses, review reports, and calculate how much should be paid for the loss — if coverage applies.
But that definition barely scratches the surface.
At our core, adjusters are problem-solvers. We’re part investigator, part negotiator, part estimator, and sometimes — when emotions run high — even part counselor.
2. 🧰 Types of Insurance Adjusters
Not all adjusters wear the same hat. Depending on who we work for and the type of claim, our roles differ.
💼 Staff Adjusters
Employed directly by an insurance company
Handle a set number of claims in their region
Have access to in-house resources and policy files
🤝 Independent Adjusters (IAs)
Contracted by insurance carriers during catastrophic events or for overflow
Paid per claim (fee schedule basis)
Travel often — especially during hurricanes, hail storms, and wildfires
🛡️ Public Adjusters
Represent the policyholder, not the insurance company
Charge a percentage of the settlement
Help homeowners or businesses negotiate a better payout
🏥 Specialty Adjusters
Work with auto claims, workers' comp, liability, flood/NFIP, or large loss commercial properties
I’ve worked primarily as an independent property adjuster, but I’ve collaborated with all types. We may approach claims differently, but the goal is the same: get the claim resolved fairly and efficiently.
3. 📝 What Does an Adjuster Do Daily?
Whether you're in the field or at a desk, here’s a look at what the daily grind really looks like:
🏚️ Field Adjusters
Schedule inspections with homeowners or business owners
Travel to damaged properties (can be hundreds of miles during CAT season)
Document damage through detailed photos, measurements, and notes
Interview policyholders and witnesses
Sketch the property using software like Xactimate or Symbility
Write an estimate for repairs (roofing, drywall, flooring, etc.)
Submit reports and follow up with documentation
💻 Desk Adjusters
Review estimates sent by field adjusters or contractors
Communicate with policyholders via phone or email
Apply policy coverage and endorsements to the claim
Issue settlements and resolve disputes
Coordinate with contractors, engineers, and legal teams if needed
Some adjusters do a little of both — switching between desk work and field inspections, especially in smaller firms.
4. 🛠️ Behind the Scenes: A Personal Look at Field Life
Let me tell you, being a field adjuster is nothing like sitting behind a cubicle. I’ve inspected homes with tornado damage where entire blocks were gone. I’ve climbed up onto icy roofs in the dead of winter to assess hail impacts. I’ve had homeowners cry from gratitude — and frustration — in the same conversation.
Real Talk: One of the first major deployments I had was after Hurricane Ike. I was inspecting 8–10 homes per day, sleeping in a cheap motel with no power, eating gas station food, and showering with bottled water. And yet, I loved it.
Because every day was different. Every claim was a puzzle.
Sure, the work is hard. But helping people rebuild their lives after disaster — that's where the real fulfillment lies.
5. 🧑💻 What Tools Do Adjusters Use?
Whether you’re crawling through an attic or reviewing documents from a laptop, every adjuster has a toolkit:
🧰 Field Toolkit
Camera or smartphone – For detailed documentation
Measuring tape / laser – For sketching dimensions
Ladder – For accessing roofs
Chalk / drone / pitch gauge – To mark damage or assess slope
Moisture meter – To detect water damage
Adjuster app / CRM – For field scheduling and routing
💻 Software
Xactimate – Industry standard for estimating damage
Symbility / CoreLogic – Alternative estimating platform
XactAnalysis / Guidewire – Carrier-side review platforms
Matterport / EagleView – For 3D imaging and remote measurement
Google Earth Pro – For sketching or verifying property layout
6. ⚠️ The Hardest Parts of the Job
Let’s be honest. This isn’t always an easy gig.
Emotional Situations
People are often at their lowest — upset, frustrated, or in shock
We sometimes deliver bad news (e.g., “This damage isn't covered”)
Time Pressure
During catastrophe season, we’re often working 12–14 hour days
Backlogs grow fast, and delays frustrate everyone involved
Policy Interpretation
Every policy has different exclusions, deductibles, and limitations
Adjusters must balance fairness with strict interpretation
Climbing and Safety
Roof inspections, crawlspaces, and attics aren’t for the faint of heart
Safety and accuracy must be balanced
Contractor Disputes
Sometimes contractors submit inflated estimates or unnecessary repairs
We need to know construction and materials to hold the line
7. 💎 The Rewards
Despite the pressure, there’s so much upside.
✅ Helping People
You’re the person who helps someone take their first step toward normal after a loss. That matters.
✅ Career Flexibility
Work from home. Travel to new cities. Specialize in high-paying large losses. It's your call.
✅ High Income Potential
During CAT season, it’s not uncommon for seasoned adjusters to make $10K–$30K per month, depending on claim volume.
✅ Independence
As an IA, you manage your own schedule, volume, and workflow. It’s perfect for entrepreneurial types.
8. 🎯 How to Become an Insurance Adjuster
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I could see myself doing this…” — here’s a roadmap:
Step 1: Get Licensed
Most states require an adjuster license (TX, FL, etc.)
Some states have reciprocity — meaning one license covers many
Step 2: Learn the Tools
Get training in Xactimate, policy basics, and scoping techniques
Take courses online (like AdjusterPrep.com) or through in-person seminars
Step 3: Build Your Resume
Start with ride-alongs or assistant roles if needed
Get experience with software, estimating, and reports
Step 4: Join Rosters
Sign up with Independent Adjusting firms (Pilot, Eberl, Worley, etc.)
Update your availability for deployments during storm season
Step 5: Stay Ready
Keep your gear packed, license updated, and mind sharp
When a storm hits — you could get that deployment call
9. 🧡 Final Thoughts: It’s More Than a Job
When people ask me what I do for a living, I usually say, “I help people get back on their feet after disasters.” Because being an adjuster isn’t just about paperwork or photos, it’s about people.
It’s about showing up when a family has lost their roof and telling them, “We’ll figure this out.”
It’s about getting dirty in crawlspaces, climbing roofs in the rain, and going line-by-line through policies, so someone can repair their home and get peace of mind.
If you’re curious about the profession or just filed a claim and want to understand what the adjuster is doing - I hope this gave you a new perspective.
And if you're ready to step into the field? You're not alone. We're here to help you prepare, train, and thrive.
👇 Want to Learn More?
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And more…
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