Becoming a claims specialist involves obtaining certification or accreditation through an insurance organization or association, such as the Institutes or the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Alternatively, one can get an entry-level job with an insurance company and receive training through their professional development programs. The job involves managing claims and coordinating expenses, reimbursement, and legal aspects of property damage or medical injuries.
There are several ways to become a claims specialist, depending mainly on your level of education and experience. The most common way is to receive certification or accreditation through an insurance organization or association, such as the Institutes or the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. The Institutes are the Insurance Institute of America and the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters. They allow interested parties to be educated and obtain the appropriate certification for this profession. Persons interested in this line of work should be prepared to work with an insurance company’s customers and oversee the overall management of a claim. It may also be possible to receive training and certification from an insurance company that offers an in-house training program.
Claims specialists manage claims and help coordinate expenses, reimbursement and the legal aspects of property damage or medical injuries. They are responsible for communicating with insured customers and with others involved in a car accident or who have suffered property loss. A claims specialist’s job is to assess damage caused by automobile accidents and loss of personal property due to theft, fire, flood and other natural disasters.
Institutes and similar organizations offer professional development certification for claims specialists, from entry-level to more experienced certification. Some aspects of education and accreditation may be covered by equivalent experience. The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters offers training in more specialized loss adjustment topics. There are other specialist organizations and programs as well, and aspiring claims specialists would do well to research ahead of time which sector of the industry they would like to work in so that they can pursue the best possible education.
An individual thinking of becoming a claims specialist but who lacks experience or education in the insurance industry will likely need to take introductory courses in property and casualty insurance, claims, risk management, and underwriting. These classes can provide a solid foundation for more advanced pursuits. The next step is to obtain training and certification for an associate position, which often requires skills in different areas such as underwriting, general insurance, insurance services and claims.
One program that is more targeted towards those wanting to become a claims specialist is an Associate in Claims certification. This certification indicates that the individual is familiar with the principles and practices of claim handling, personal injury claim management, property loss adjustment, liability claims, worker’s compensation, and auto insurance practices. After taking the courses, the individual takes an exam and receives certification upon passing.
Another way to become a claims specialist is to get an entry-level or assistant-level job with an insurance company. Many companies have their own training programs for complaints management and professional development. Claims can range from the routine to the more complex, providing a range of experience for the aspiring injury claims specialist. These claims can help the individual learn skills such as investigative practices, loss assessment, litigation management, fraud investigation and negotiation.
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