Job Responsibilities
Review claim information, applicable policy and language,
investigate claim through interviews, scene investigation,
witnesses, financial and public record research. During course
of investigaiton prepare and submit timely reports and stay
abreast of current claim and state laws. Also review claim
related records and infomration regarding accident, medical
treatments, police reports and expert reports.
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Job Requirements
In general a college degree is required. Company will pay for
insurance industry related education and professional
designations. In house training provided on various industry
related topics. In general the in house training is adequate.
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Uppers
Various claim scenarios and in this depatment (SIU) there is some latitude for
investigations scope and innovativeness. Good opportunity to learn all aspects
of company operations function and personnel.
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Downers
Dead end job. Unimaginative senior management view this aspect
of the claims department as un necessary and risky. Currnet
management see only a customer focused environment with little
to no investigation only obtain an invoice and pay it. Area
good for only about 2 to 3 years and then move on to another
department or other company. Promotion potential in this
deparment extremely limited with a management style of
paternalistic and cliqueish.
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Lifestyle
Work hours are 8 to 4:15 with no overtime. This is a time card environment with
no overtime allowed, but results expected even though short staffed and large
case loads on complex investigations and claims. Limited overnight travel, but
some over the road travel. Dress code is business casual and a diverse work
force. Look for promotion within 2 to 3 years or move on. You are either id'd
for fast track or pigeon holed and forever kept on a leash.
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Compensation
Poor to fair given the work load, amount of knowledge and
expertise needed to be successful. Working to dumb down the
work force with low paid staff with a time card mentality.
Start pay about $30,000 with increases if manager likes you and
is willing to invest a great deal of time in filling out
voluminous performance appraisal. Company sponsored investment
tools are very limited and generally offer poor to fair return.
Better to invest outside company. Retirement plan good if it is
not lost.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Go in with a short term attitude to obtain as much insurance and
industry related information as they will allow. If no
advancement within 2 to 3 years start looking outside company.
Training and education is valuable, management just doesn't
recognize it. They are more in tuned with whether you are
related to a company manager. Very deep nepotism which greatly
hinders promotions. Outlook is good for in house phone
adjusters that are paid less and only do limited types of
claims. Hours are regular and little in the way of demand on
intelligence, skill and ability.
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