Insurance Loss Adjuster
Kaiwhakatika Makeretanga Rīanga
Alternative titles for this job
Insurance loss adjusters investigate and calculate insurance claims.
Pay
Insurance loss adjusters usually earn
$56K-$88K per year
Senior or specialist loss adjusters usually earn
$80K-$143K per year
Source: Hays, 2020.
Job opportunities
Vocational PathwaysPay
Pay for insurance loss adjusters varies depending on skills and experience.
- Insurance loss adjusters usually earn between $56,000 and $88,000 a year.
- Senior loss adjusters can earn between $80,000 and $120,000.
- Specialist loss adjusters can earn between $82,000 and $143,000.
Source: Hays, 'FY 20/21 Salary Guide', 2020.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)
What you will do
Insurance loss adjusters may do some or all of the following:
- inspect damage to property, vehicles or equipment
- determine the cause of damage
- assess what the insurance policy covers
- estimate the cost of repair or replacement
- negotiate with the claimant on what to do
- authorise payments for claims
- organise and supervise repairs
- negotiate between claimants and insurance companies
- write claim reports.
Skills and knowledge
Insurance loss adjusters need to have knowledge of:
- their area of insurance specialisation
- insurance policies, including what each policy covers
- trade or the construction industry
- health and safety requirements
- relevant laws such as the Insurance Law Reform Acts.
Working conditions
Insurance loss adjusters:
- usually work regular business hours
- work in offices, but may travel to inspect claims and meet clients.
What's the job really like?
Bevan McGillivray
Insurance loss adjuster
What do you enjoy most about your job?
"I really enjoy being able to help people during stressful times. A lot of clients we deal with have had insurance for a long time and some have never claimed before. When something bad happens, they are not sure exactly what to do.
"Helping the client get back to their pre-loss condition as quickly as possible is one of the main reasons I enjoy what I do. We’re there to help them get back to a bit of normality."
What is the most challenging part of your job?
"Probably having to deliver bad news, like if the insurance policy doesn’t cover the damage they’re claiming on. This does happen, and when it does, it can help customers get a better outcome if they have clarity and certainty about what's covered and what's not. So you need to be direct with what you’re advising based on what the policy conditions are. You also need to have the confidence to back yourself if you’ve made a call on what you’re seeing damage-wise, if challenged."
Why should someone consider a career as an insurance loss adjuster?
"If you’re empathetic and are keen on helping others during stressful times, then you should consider it. We’ve done lots of large weather events both here and in Australia; that’s a big part of the job, and you get to travel. I’ve seen some pretty devastating things with fires and floods, but when these major events happen we can all pitch in and help. That’s the rewarding part of the job."
Entry requirements
There are no specific requirements to become an insurance loss adjuster. However, qualifications in construction, business or science may be useful.
Most insurance loss adjusters complete further training to become chartered loss adjusters. To become a chartered loss adjuster you must:
- be employed as an insurance loss adjuster
- complete a Diploma of Loss Adjusting from the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF)
- complete qualifications or meet standards set by the Australasian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters (AICLA)
- ANZIIF website - information on Diploma of Loss Adjusting
- AICLA website - information on becoming a chartered loss adjuster
Secondary education
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become an insurance loss adjuster. However, English, maths and business studies are useful.
Personal requirements
Insurance loss adjusters need to be:
- able to make good judgements
- accurate with an eye for detail
- inquisitive and analytical with good problem-solving skills
- good communicators
- well organised.
Useful experience
Useful experience for insurance loss adjusters includes:
- work in another insurance area such as claims
- trade experience or work in the construction industry.
Physical requirements
Insurance loss adjusters need to be reasonably fit and healthy as they may have to be physically active when inspecting property damage.
Find out more about training
- Australasian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters (AICLA)
- +61 7 3229 6663 - adminoffice@aicla.org - www.aicla.org
- The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF)
- 0800 103 675 - customerservice@anziif.com - www.anziif.com
What are the chances of getting a job?
Demand highest for property loss adjusters
Property loss adjusters are in demand due to:
- a strong residential construction industry
- an increase in the commercial property market
- New Zealand being prone to heavy storms and bad weather, which increase the likelihood of property damage and insurance claims.
Most insurance loss adjusters work for insurance firms
Insurance loss adjusters may work as employees or contractors for insurance companies or insurance loss adjusting firms.
According to the Census, 1,581 insurance loss adjusters worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Sources
- Hays, 'Hays Jobs Report January to June 2020 - Insurance', accessed September 2020, (www.hays.net.nz).
- Hays, 'Most wanted: 2020's skill shortfalls revealed', accessed September 2020, (www.hays.net.nz).
- Leahy, B, 'Tornado destroys house: Cruel twist as Auckland family wait for insurance help', Stuff, 10 July 2020, (www.stuff.co.nz).
- Stats NZ, '2018 Census Data', 2019.
- Willis Towers Watson, 'New Zealand Insurance Market Update 2019', accessed September 2020, (www.willistowerswatson.com).
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)
Progression and specialisations
Insurance loss adjusters may specialise in:
- aviation and marine insurance
- commercial and residential property
- natural disasters
- engineering
- rural and forestry
- liability
- food manufacturing
- film and media.
Insurance loss adjusters are responsible for assessing damage to vehicles. property and equipment
Last updated 22 February 2022