Insurance adjusters and examiners decide how much to pay on insurance claims.

Insurance adjusters investigate property and casualty insurance claims. Claims examiners work in life and health insurance and perform the same duties.

Adjusters and examiners may inspect claims from a variety of events, including:

• Burglaries
• Car accidents
• House fires

When policyholders file claims, adjusters first determine whether customers' insurance policies cover the loss. They estimate the amount of the loss. Adjusters often visit the property to assess the damage for themselves. They interview the people making the claims and gather information about the property that was stolen or damaged. If there are police or hospital records, adjusters copy and read them.

Adjusters may contact insurance agents or claimants to get additional information or verify it. Adjusters write reports outlining the facts of claims and explaining their decisions.

Sometimes claimants are not happy with the amount of money they receive. When this occurs, adjusters negotiate with claimants to find payments that are acceptable to insurance companies and claimants. These negotiations are not always successful and cases sometimes go to court. Adjusters and examiners may then testify in court.

Adjusters and examiners are also called claim investigators or claim representatives. Some adjusters work specifically in the field of workers' compensation. They manage payments for time loss and medical expenses.