How are the claims adjusters compensated?

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 06:07 am Post Subject:

Most of the inside adjusters, who work for the insurance companies, are salaried. They, generally, don't earn commissions for the cases. Most of them earn fixed compensation, irrespective of the number of cases they handle.

However, the independent claims adjusters or contractual adjuster are paid on per claim basis. They may earn a percentage of the claims settled, depending upon the nature of the claim.

Thanks, Rupert

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 07:07 am Post Subject:

Are you aspiring to become an adjuster?

Well, the pay structure of the adjusters varies widely with the companies. And also depends upon the type of claim settlement you are associated with. An auto adjuster may make around $20,000 a year, whereas, the property claims adjusters can make over $40, 000. Do a bit of research on the compensation structure, before joining a company. You can get a fair idea by searching over net.

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 07:27 am Post Subject:

Ho honestr, it seems that the other posters have guided you quite appropriately.

It can be any of the three ways you have mentioned. There are many adjusters, mostly the independent ones, who earn on hourly basis. The public adjuster may fall into this category as well.

If you hire an independent adjuster, you may also have to bear their travel expenses, in addition to their pay. Therefore, you need to evaluate the worth of your claim before deciding upon hiring an independent adjuster.

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:25 am Post Subject:

if some claims adjusters are paid ascertain percentage of what the actual claim is, what or who stops the adjuster from inflating the cost of repairing the damages and lining his pockets? and don't say the homeowner because there more than happy to have their 5 or 10 yr. old big screen t.v. replaced with a brand new one. even though their t.v. was not damaged in any way shape or form from their mishap. ie watr seepage into rec room or small kichen fire

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:31 am Post Subject:

I think I know what the OP wants from another post...

It does depend...if they work exclusively for one company they are (more than likely) salaried...they may be paid hourly but either way they ARE NOT paid by the claim or the amount of the claim...

Some independent companies pay commission that is a percentage of the total payment....now a public adjuster (in most cases) is paid like an attorney, a percentage of the settlement or on a contingency basis meaning they get nothing if they don't collect...remember public adjusters are (usually) hired by a person, (that is generally unhappy with the offer their company has made)....independent adjusters (again usually) are hired by an insurance company that just doesn't happen to have an adjuster of their own in the area...these are usually contracted prices...that the ins company pays...to the independent adjuster or appraiser...

If this is an independent adjusting company that has a bad adjuster or one the you think is taking kick backs, not only do you need to notify the owner of the independent company but the insurance carriers that adjuster works for thur that independent company...confusing?

example: ins company 'a', has no adjusters within 100 miles of ''po-dunk, missouri' so they hire, 'abc indepent adjusting company'' that is owned by albert the genius...albert has six adjuster that work for abc, and he assigns claims to them as they come in...albert may pay them by the claim or a flat rate, or even an hourly or salaried rate....ins company 'a' calls abert to have one of his adjusters go look at a car/home whatever and complete an inspection and est that is eventually forwarded on to the supervising adjuster at company'a'.....albert is paid a fee (usually one that has been nego. and contracted for all their claims in the area), by ins co 'a'....but barney the bad adjuster is actually employed and paid by albert........understand?

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 03:13 pm Post Subject:

I've worked as an independent adjuster and was paid (basically) by the hour. I've worked as an adjuster for a third party administrator as well as directly for the insurance company. Those times 9and there has been a lot of them) I've always been paid a salary. Getting paid based on the size of the claim would involve a conflict of interest.

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:08 pm Post Subject:

i don't see where paying by commission would be a conflict of interest as lori does state that that is one form of payment but i can see where its like having a license to steal especially when in such a trusted position.

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:15 pm Post Subject:

I'd think a "license to steal" _would_ be an obvious conflict. :) As mentioned, this would lead the adjuster to either over or under pay on a claim. A clear violation of the Fair Claims Practice (just the presence of the policy would be the violation, not even getting to the actual act).

I've never heard of an independent adjuster being paid on commision, based on the settlement amount (and I really doubt this is the case). The independents I know of get paid based on the amount of work they do (time spent working, that is).

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:33 pm Post Subject:

have you ever heard of the manager of the restoration firm adjusting a job and no adjuster even setting foot in the place until after the work has been completed. is that common practise because i'v seen that happen many many times.

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:50 pm Post Subject:

The restoration firm would not be "adjusting" as this is the process of handling the claim. It could be seen as this as the restoration company goes in, assesses the damage and then submits the bill to the adjuster. But the adjusters determines the coverage under the policy, reviews the bill to make sure it's in-line with the damages, and then bends over and pays the bill :)

I say that as "restoration" companies really over-charge. In many cases, they don't even do the work. If they sublet out 100% of the repairs, they add 10% onto the bill for their own profit. If they do the work, they charge large fees for the work done... and _then_ jack it up 10%.

That is why you see these companies handling everything for the adjuster. Because they know that they will end up making a ton of money on the claim. Sometimes I think they should send some KY with their bill (my apologies)