Insurance investigators: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Insurance investigators handle claims in which the company suspects fraudulent or criminal activity such as arson, staged accidents, or unnecessary medical treatments. The severity of insurance fraud cases varies, from overstated claims of damage to vehicles to complicated fraud rings. Investigators often do surveillance work. For example, in the case of a fraudulent workers compensation claim, an investigator may covertly watch the claimant to see if he or she does anything that would be suspicious based on injuries stated in the claim.
- Education Required
- A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a person to work as an entry-level claims adjuster or examiner. However, employers sometimes prefer to hire applicants who have a bachelors degree or some insurance-related work experience.
- Training Required
- At the beginning of their careers, claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators work on small claims under the supervision of an experienced worker. As they learn more about claims investigation and settlement, they are assigned larger, more complex claims.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: -1% (Little or no change)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Licenses/Certifications
- Licensing requirements for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators vary by state. Some states have few requirements; others require either completing prelicensing education or receiving a satisfactory score on a licensing exam (or both).
- Median pay: How much do Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators make?
- $63,670 Annual Salary
- $30.61 per hour
Careers for Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators
- Adjusters
- Appraisers
- Auto damage appraisers
- Auto damage insurance appraisers
- Automobile damage appraisers
- Claims analysts
- Claims examiners
- Claims representatives
- Examiners
- Fire claims adjusters
- Health claims examiners
- Health insurance adjusters
- Independent adjusters
- Independent insurance adjusters
- Insurance adjusters
- Investigators, insurance
- Medical claims analysts
- Medical claims examiners
- Property and casualty insurance claims examiners
- Property damage claims adjusters
- Public adjusters
- Reinsurance claims analysts
- Vehicle damage appraisers
- Workers compensation claims adjusters
- Workers compensation claims examiners