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Adjuster
Claims adjuster (claim adjuster), or claims handler (claim handler), investigates insurance claims by interviewing the claimant and witnesses, consulting police and hospital records, and inspecting property damage to determine the extent of the company’s liability. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean and New Zealand the term loss adjuster is used. Other claims adjusters who represent policyholders may aid in the preparation of an insurance claim.
In the United States, a claims adjuster’s duties typically extend to include the following elements:
Verify an insurance policy exists for the insured person and/or property. In general, these are written by the policy-holding insurance company.
Risk(s) of loss(es), or damages to property, culminating in the loss of property and or bodily injury.
After completing the above investigations, evaluate the covered injuries and/or damages that have been determined according to the coverage grants.
Negotiate a settlement according to the applicable law(s), and identify coverages for which the insured is covered, following best insurance practices.
A Claims adjuster or Public Adjuster does not, and should not, engage in the practice of law. While adjusting the claim does mean applying the loss circumstances to the insured’s policy, it does not account for if and when there becomes an issue of coverage, which is a matter and practice of Law, and should only be engaged by a properly licensed attorney.
In casualty insurance the main type of coverages include but may not be limited to the followings:
First party auto and other than auto coverages (sometimes referred to collision and comprehensive coverages) there are numerous types of first party insurance coverages for any kind of risk of loss or damages.
Third party liability for property damage of others property and bodily injury. (in law terms these are “tort” claims)
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Adjustor (noun)
alternative form of adjuster
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Adjuster (noun)
One who adjusts, especially for the insurance industry’s employment title “loss adjuster” (or “claims adjuster” in the United States).