Salary Survey Methodology

A random sampling of 1,000 Claims subscribers was sent questionnaires on August 2, 2003. We received 431 useable responses, or 43 percent response. In this year's survey, insurer claim staff are heavily represented, with 40 percent (173) of the total responses. Independent adjusters accounted for 37 percent (159). Another 11 percent (48) were from risk managers and 4 percent (17) from appraisers. The remainder, 8 percent or 34 responses, were from others in related fields, such as actuaries, underwriters, consul tants, forensic accountants, and reinsurers.

Once again, it's time for Claims to survey its readership and ask about salaries and working conditions in the claim profession. Since we started trying to get hard numbers about adjuster salaries in 1990, many changes have occurred, not only within the industry, but across the globe. The last 14 years have brought us the Internet and wireless communications, and the insurance industry has found a completely new way to handle claims.