What distinguishes an independent adjuster from a staff adjuster?

The distinguishing factor of an independent adjuster lies in their employment structure and the variety of clients they serve. An independent adjuster operates as a contractor, not affiliated with any single insurance company. This allows them to work for multiple clients, handling claims on behalf of various insurers, which can provide them with a broader range of experience and exposure to different types of claims.

This flexibility contrasts sharply with the role of a staff adjuster, who is typically an employee of a single insurance company and is assigned claims exclusively for that company. Since staff adjusters work in-house for one company, their responsibilities are limited to that specific organization, and they do not handle claims from multiple insurance providers.

The other options do not accurately describe the fundamental difference. An independent adjuster does not work for just one company, while a staff adjuster is not self-employed, and their work is not confined to just their local area. These distinctions clarify the unique operational framework of independent adjusters compared to staff adjusters.