Independent insurance field adjuster
Inspect damaged homes and vehicles and write up settlements for insurers, paid per claim.
- $1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
4,934 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.3% in a year
NAICS 524291 “Claims adjusting”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
You work as an independent contractor for insurance companies or adjusting firms. You visit damaged properties, document the loss with photos and measurements, check it against the policy, and write an estimate and report. Work often picks up after storms, hail or fires.
Your first three steps
- Check your state's department of insurance for adjuster license rules, pre-licensing courses and exam requirements
- Take a pre-licensing course, pass the exam and learn an estimating program such as Xactimate
- Apply to several independent adjusting firms and carriers to get on their contractor lists
Who pays
Insurance carriers and independent adjusting firms that hand out claims to contractors.
How it makes money
A fee per claim file, often on a sliding scale based on the size of the claim, or a flat rate. More files closed well means more income.
Skills that help
- Attention to detail and clear report writing
- Comfortable on roofs, in attics and in damaged buildings
- Fair, calm communication with stressed policyholders
- Learning estimating software
Watch out for
- Most states require an adjuster license, and some require a separate license or reciprocity to work in other states, so check each state's rules
- Errors and omissions insurance is commonly required by firms, and general liability may be too
- Work can be uneven, with busy storm seasons and quiet gaps, so plan your cash flow
- Payment from firms can take weeks, and you pay your own vehicle, tools and self-employment taxes
- Safety risks on damaged roofs and buildings, so get proper gear and training
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: independent insurance field adjuster
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start as an independent insurance adjuster?
Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your equipment, vehicle and insurance needs. You also pay your own vehicle, tools and self-employment taxes, so budget for those as well.
How much can an independent field adjuster earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many claims you get. Work can be uneven, with busy storm seasons and quiet gaps, and firms can take weeks to pay, so plan your cash flow.
Do I need a license to work as an independent adjuster?
Most states require an adjuster license, and some require a separate license or reciprocity to work in other states, so check each state's rules. Firms commonly require errors and omissions insurance, and sometimes general liability, so check that too.
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