Many people are drawn to insurance adjusting because it offers flexibility, solid income potential, and the opportunity to help people during challenging times. Those are solid benefits in a career.
It’s not all rainbows and sunshine, though. (What job is?) Adjusting is rewarding, but also demanding, and it isn’t for everyone. Going in without an understanding of what the job requires can lead to frustration, burnout, and a quick exit.
Sometimes, new adjusters dive in with the wrong expectations and end up walking away almost as quickly. It’s not that they aren’t capable or smart enough; they just didn’t know what they were signing up for.
We’ve trained, befriended, and worked with a lot of adjusters over the years, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that success in this field is as much about temperament and mindset as it is about technical skill. So is a career in insurance adjusting right for you?
Six Signs Insurance Adjusting Might Not Be the Best Fit
I don’t want to scare you off; claims adjusting is a fantastic career, but I want to give you the whole story. If you’re considering adjusting as your next career, here are six personality traits that might mean it’s not the best fit for you. Better to know that now than later.
1. Do You Hate Paperwork and Rules?
There’s no way around it. Half of adjusting involves paperwork (and not the fun kind with stickers and craft supplies). If filling out forms makes your eyes glaze over, this role will feel like a grind.
You might struggle if:
- Repetition bores you or makes you zone out
- You tend to improvise rather than follow procedures
- Organization is a four-letter word
2. Is Time Management a Weak Spot?
Most adjusters are their own bosses when it comes to scheduling. Sounds dreamy until you realize Netflix doesn’t count as time management. This is great for self-driven people, but if deadlines slip past you or you need a manager to keep you on track, you’ll be playing catch-up until you’re sent packing.
You might fall behind if:
- You procrastinate without pressure
- Prioritizing tasks feels overwhelming
- You do better work with constant oversight
3. Do You Carry Emotional Stress With You?
You’re going to meet people on some of their worst days: fires, car wrecks, being displaced by hurricanes and tornadoes, the list goes on. You have to care, but you also need to be able to keep a clear head. If you absorb other people’s stress, this job will quickly wear you down.
You might be tripped up if:
- You take work-related emotions home
- High-stress conversations linger with you
- You’re sensitive to emotionally charged environments
4. Are You a Tech Holdout?
Adjusting in today’s world means working with software, apps, and platforms on multiple devices every single day. Technology is baked into the role, specifically Xactimate estimating software. If you’re tech-adverse or slow to adapt, that’s going to be a problem.
It might be tough for you if:
- You avoid new tools or updates
- You find software overwhelming
- You’re not confident navigating the internet or smartphones
5. Do You Need Everything to Be Clear-Cut?
This career is filled with gray areas. Insurance policies aren’t always crystal clear, and you’ll often have to make judgment calls. If you prefer strict guidelines and concrete answers, this may be more frustrating than fulfilling.
You might hit a wall if:
- You need a black-and-white answer for everything
- You dislike interpreting complex language
- Ambiguity makes you uncomfortable
6. Do You Crumble Under Pressure?
This last one applies primarily to catastrophe claims (think hurricane or wildfires). Adjusting isn’t an idle job. The pace is fast, deadlines are tight, and the pressure to get claims inspected, written, and closed can feel relentless. Carriers and policyholders alike want answers yesterday. If you struggle to keep up when the workload piles high, adjusting can feel less like a career and more like a treadmill you can’t step off.
You might get frustrated if:
- Deadlines make you freeze instead of focus
- High-volume workloads leave you frazzled
- You need lots of time and space to feel comfortable finishing tasks
Still here?
Good news! That probably means you’re the type who can roll with the punches. That’s half the battle in claims adjusting.
If a few of these made you hesitate, that’s perfectly fine. It’s better to figure that out now rather than after months of training and investment. If you’re still feeling pretty good or are confident you can learn skills like time management, read on.
The next move? Talk to someone who’s been in the trenches. Ask about the most challenging parts. Ask what no one told them before they started. Get the whole picture.
Don’t know where to find an adjuster to ask? Try AdjusterPro’s live Midday Q&A or Intro to Adjusting MasterClass. They’re both hosted by licensed adjusters who will discuss the licensing world and answer any questions you may have.
