Wanted: Catastrophe Adjuster

Handling catastrophe-related claims is similar to handling non-catastrophe claims except that the extent of loss is more widespread and the cause of loss may be complicated by external factors. For example, in the event of a hurricane, catastrophe adjusters need to know the definition of “flood” and the difference between wind and water damage. A flood, as defined by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), is “a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties.” The NFIP is regulated by the government, and catastrophe adjusters need to be familiar with NFIP definitions and guidelines. The Institutes responded to this need with the Associate in National Flood Insurance (ANFI(TM)) designation. Designed for company underwriters, flood vendors, and insurance and risk management professionals who need to be familiar with flood insurance, this program reinforces the technical, practical flood insurance knowledge and skills needed to confidently and accurately handle all aspects of flood insurance coverage.

We all know that catastrophes are expensive. The catastrophe adjuster is often faced with claims involving large amounts of money. It is important for the catastrophe adjuster to understand how his or her decisions will affect the company’s financial status. While the catastrophe adjuster may not be expected to be the financial expert in the situation, he or she will be expected to have some basic understanding of financial calculations. Every business decision can affect an organization’s bottom line. That is why The Institutes developed the Insurance Financial Dynamics suite of courses. Designed for nonfinancial insurance professionals, this interactive learning tool presents a problem, teaches learners how to analyze the situation, and then shows the impact of their decisions. By learning key concepts of insurance financials, catastrophe adjusters will be more confident and better equipped to manage claims.