Creating an Effective Adjuster Resume and Portfolio
As a property insurance adjuster, your resume and portfolio serve as your first impression to potential employers or clients.
A well-structured resume highlights your expertise, experience, and certifications, while a strong portfolio showcases your past work, successful claim evaluations, and problem-solving abilities.
Whether you are an independent adjuster or seeking employment with an insurance company, here are key strategies to craft an effective resume and portfolio.
Building a Strong Adjuster Resume
Your resume should present a clear and concise summary of your qualifications. Here’s what to include:
1. Contact Information
Ensure your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable) are prominently displayed at the top.
2. Professional Summary
Write a brief paragraph summarizing your experience, areas of expertise, and career achievements. This section should immediately convey your value as an adjuster.
Example: "Licensed property insurance adjuster with 7+ years of experience handling residential and commercial claims. Proven ability to assess damages, negotiate settlements, and provide thorough documentation. Adept at working in catastrophe environments and managing high caseloads efficiently."
3. Key Skills
List relevant skills, including:
Damage assessment and claim investigation
Xactimate or other estimating software proficiency
Policy interpretation and negotiation
Customer service and dispute resolution
Catastrophe claims handling
4. Work Experience
Highlight your past roles in reverse chronological order, detailing responsibilities and accomplishments. Use quantifiable data where possible.
Example: Senior Property Claims Adjuster | ABC Insurance | 2018–Present
Managed an average caseload of 50+ residential and commercial claims per month.
Successfully negotiated settlements totaling over $5M in the last fiscal year.
Conducted on-site inspections, wrote detailed reports, and collaborated with engineers and contractors for claim validation.
5. Certifications and Licenses
Include your adjuster licenses by state, as well as relevant certifications such as:
Xactimate Certification
NFIP Flood Certification
Associate in Claims (AIC)
CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter)
6. Education
List your degree(s) and any relevant coursework related to insurance and risk management.
Building a Portfolio to Stand Out
A well-organized portfolio can set you apart by providing tangible proof of your capabilities. Here’s what to include:
1. Sample Claim Reports
Include anonymized examples of detailed damage assessments and claim summaries, demonstrating your analytical and documentation skills.
2. Before-and-After Photos
Showcase claim cases where you assessed damage and facilitated restoration. Ensure all photos maintain confidentiality by omitting personal or sensitive information.
3. Client or Employer Testimonials
If permitted, include feedback from previous clients, employers, or policyholders attesting to your professionalism and efficiency.
4. Continuing Education Certificates
Demonstrate your commitment to professional growth by including recent training and certifications.
5. Case Studies
Present complex claims you successfully handled, outlining the challenges, investigation process, and resolution.
Final Tips for Success
Keep your resume concise—ideally one to two pages.
Regularly update your portfolio with recent work samples.
Use a professional format and clear section headings.
Customize your resume for specific job applications, emphasizing relevant skills.
A compelling adjuster resume and portfolio can make a significant difference in securing job opportunities and contracts. By clearly showcasing your skills, experience, and expertise, you can position yourself as a top candidate in the property insurance industry.
Invest time in crafting and updating these essential career tools to maximize your success.