Careers in loss adjusting

Working in the loss adjusting industry as an investigator provides a challenging and fulfilling role for those looking to specialise in investigating fraud across a whole range of industry sectors, including domestic, commercial, liability, and motor.

Much like other loss adjusting roles, the key requirement of the job is to resolve insurance claims in accordance with a policy wording. An investigator acts on behalf of insurance companies, to investigate claims which are suspected to be fictitious, staged or exaggerated in nature. Working in partnership with the insurance company, an investigator will undertake thorough and focused enquiries, report upon the outcome of investigations and make informed and evidence based recommendations on policy action. Cases where fraud is established may involve liaising with the police to secure a prosecution.

An investigator will undertake a range of investigations in an ethical & professional manner, employing best practice & key investigative competencies, which comprise:

• Technical knowledge
• Investigative planning & preparation
• Interviewing & statement taking
• Evidence identification, gathering, analysis & presentation
• Reporting & correspondence proficiency

The day to day work of an investigator is varied in nature and may include:

• Investigative planning and review of new instructions
• Site attendance and interviews with claimants and witnesses
• Desktop investigations and caseload management
• Financial screening and profiling
• Advice and support to claims handlers and adjusters with regard to potentially suspect claims where fraud concerns have been identified
• Keeping other members of the adjusting/insurance company team appraised of developments and ensuring a team based partnership approach to investigations
• Negotiating final settlement of a claim
• Providing expert witness opinions/evidence to clients, lawyers or even a Court

Investigators come from varied backgrounds including insurance companies, loss adjusting companies and police. A background in fraud and investigations can be advantageous. However, politeness and common courtesy allied to a large degree of common sense is necessary when conducting investigations across all disciplines. The ability to make objective and unbiased decisions is essential.

If you relish a challenge, have first class communication skills, and are looking for a career which provides variety on a daily basis, then a role as an investigator may well be the job for you.