To get your adjuster license in Michigan and become a certified insurance claims adjuster, there are a few necessary actions you must take, including:

• Completing the required pre-exam training for adjusters
• Acing the Michigan Pearson VUE adjuster exam of your choice
• Clearing a fingerprinting process and background check
• Submitting your license application to the Michigan Department of Insurance

This article serves as a thorough guide to walk you through these actions and facilitate your journey toward getting your Michigan adjuster license as soon as possible.

How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in Michigan

Getting your Michigan adjuster license can be a simple and easy process, but this will ultimately depend on how you go about completing the required steps.

Step 1: Adjuster Pre-Exam Education

Preparing for your exam is not something to take lightly. This is because the average pass rate of insurance exams nationwide is around 55% for first-time test-takers and even less for any following attempts.

This means that it is generally recommended that you complete some form of education — such as purchasing a study guide or a state-approved online course — before sitting your exam(s).

These courses are composed of video, audio, and text, and include short knowledge quizzes and practice exams which will help you obtain the necessary understanding of the material that you will need to know.

Even though this is not a legal prerequisite in Michigan, we believe that purchasing a pre-exam course can go a long way in ensuring that you pass your exam(s) on your first attempt.

Step 2: Michigan Insurance Adjuster License Exam

Once you have completed all of your coursework, you will be able to take (and hopefully pass) the Michigan insurance adjuster license exam.

This is a proctored test, which means that you will be in a controlled environment with a person watching over you. It is, therefore, a good idea to work on both your timing and nerves prior to sitting for your exam.

Michigan offers two main adjuster lines for you to choose between:

• The Independent Adjuster with Workers’ Compensation license exam — This consists of one hundred (100) questions, and you have two hours (2:00:00) to complete it
• The Independent Adjuster without Workers’ Compensation license exam — This consists of one hundred (100) questions, and you have two hours (2:00:00) to complete it

An outline of included subjects for these exams can be found here:

• PSI Michigan Independent Adjuster with Workers’ Compensation
• PSI Michigan Independent Adjuster without Workers’ Compensation

Each attempt of the exam costs $40 and will be paid when you make your reservation.

A total score of 70% or more is required to pass this test. For more information on the scoring of the exam, we will quote the PSI Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Licensing Examination Candidate Information Bulletin:

StateRequirement recommends that you study for one exam at a time. This is because insurance adjuster exams are difficult enough on their own without the possibility of confusing information from one line to another. This will allow you to work incrementally towards completing your final exam.

You can register to take your exams — as well as find out more information — on the PSI Michigan Insurance page or by calling PSI at (800) 733-9267.

Note: Before registering for your exam, we recommend completing some form of pre-exam education. Even though this is not a legal requirement in Michigan, it can go a long way in ensuring that you pass your exam(s) on your first attempt.

Step 3: Michigan Insurance Adjuster License Application

Once you have completed all your coursework and passed the examination, you are now ready to apply for your license.

Note: The fee for an application is $20.

Apply online with the Michigan Insurance Adjuster License Application.

Step 4: Application Review

Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your Michigan license application will be reviewed by the state.

This process generally takes about fourteen (14) business days. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.

After the review is complete, you will receive an email from NIPR regarding the status of your license.

Congratulations!

You’ve done the work, put in the time and effort, and now hold the key to your own success! We’re proud of you. Take five minutes and celebrate.

What Kind of Insurance Adjuster Will You Be?

There are four main types of insurance adjusters: staff adjusters, independent adjusters, catastrophe adjusters, and public adjusters.

Each of these positions accomplishes essentially the same task: assess the damage to property brought about by some event and make an evaluation of what monetary value the insurance claim should carry.

The big difference between these different types of insurance adjusters is who pays them and, in the case of the public adjuster, who they are advocating for. Staff, independent, and catastrophe adjusters all require the same type of license, while a public adjuster license is a little different in its specifications.

• Staff Adjuster – Works directly for one insurance company in order to investigate, evaluate, and potentially settle claims
• Independent Adjuster – Works for a third-party company, often called an Independent Adjusting Firm, which has been contracted by insurance carriers to help settle their claims
• Catastrophe (CAT) Adjuster – Can be an independent or staff adjuster who travels to an area that has been largely affected by an event (usually severe weather) and performs adjustment services to insurance claims en masse
• Inside Adjuster – Inside adjusters, sometimes referred to as “desk” or “remote” adjusters, handle claims from an office. They are the policyholder’s main contact and the person who applies the policy terms and standards to the claim
• Public Adjuster – Independent insurance adjusters that customers choose to hire in order to settle insurance claims. Public adjusters are not hired by insurance companies

Note: To become a public adjuster, you must obtain a standard adjuster license in Delaware, get an appointment from a public adjusting firm, gain work experience, and eventually pass an additional exam.

Michigan Department of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Department of Insurance and Financial Services
P.O. Box 30220
Lansing, Michigan 48909

Phone: (517) 284-8800

Email: difs-licensing@michigan.gov

Website: http://www.michigan.gov/difs