Key Differences Between Independent and Staff Adjusters
Whether you’re new to the field or considering a career pivot, understanding the difference between staff and independent adjusting is key. While both roles involve investigating claims, assessing damage, and facilitating settlements, they differ in structure, flexibility, workload, and compensation.
If you’re wondering which path is right for you—or just want to better understand your counterparts in the field—here’s a breakdown of the major differences between staff and independent adjusters from an adjuster’s perspective.
1. Who You Work For
Let’s start with the core difference:
Staff Adjusters are salaried employees of a specific insurance company. You’re part of the internal team, assigned to handle claims from policyholders within that company.
Independent Adjusters (IAs) are contractors. You work for an independent adjusting firm (like Pilot, Eberl, or Sedgwick), which gets hired by insurance companies when extra support is needed—especially during high-volume or catastrophic (CAT) events.
2. Job Security vs Flexibility
Staff Adjusters benefit from stable, full-time employment: predictable paychecks, benefits, and usually a 40-hour workweek. You’re part of a corporate structure with performance metrics, internal systems, and advancement opportunities.
Independent Adjusters trade stability for flexibility. You can take on deployments when and where you want, often earning more per claim—but without a consistent salary or benefits. Workload can vary widely depending on the season, catastrophe events, and demand.
3. Deployment and Travel
Staff Adjusters usually work within a fixed region or city, handling claims in a specific geographic area. Travel may be minimal unless you volunteer for catastrophe response.
Independent Adjusters often travel far and wide, especially during CAT season. You may be deployed to multiple states in a single year, often working long hours in high-demand situations.
4. Claim Volume and Payout
Staff Adjusters tend to manage a steady, moderate caseload. You may focus on a variety of claim types—auto, property, liability—depending on your company’s structure.
Independent Adjusters are often paid per claim (fee schedule), which means high-volume deployments can be extremely lucrative—but they also require speed, efficiency, and long days in the field.
5. Training and Tools
As a staff adjuster, your employer typically provides ongoing training, software, and company-specific guidelines. You’re expected to follow internal procedures and represent the brand.
As an independent, you’re responsible for your own training, licensing, and tools. You need to be comfortable learning new systems quickly, as every carrier has its own process.
Which Role Is Right for You?
If you’re looking for job stability, regular hours, and company benefits, the staff route may be a better fit. But if you thrive on flexibility, variety, and potential for high earnings, working as an independent adjuster might be your ideal path.
Some adjusters even transition between the two throughout their careers—gaining experience as a staff adjuster, then going independent for more autonomy.
Whatever path you choose, both roles are essential to helping policyholders recover—and each offers unique opportunities to grow in the industry.