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New Training for Insurance Industry Jobs
U.S. CAREER INSTITUTE LAUNCHES INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTER COURSE

Fort Collins, Colorado – March 17, 2009 –U.S. Career Institute (USCI) has added ‘Insurance Claims Adjuster’ to its line-up of distance learning certificate courses. All 20 USCI courses are accredited through the nationally recognized Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

The new Insurance Claims Adjuster course prepares individuals for entry-level employment in a field offering excellent advancement opportunities and earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a steady, 9% job growth in the field from 2006 to 2016. Says Ann Rohr, president of USCI, “We’re focusing on preparing people to work in careers that look like they’ll weather the current challenges to the national economy. Insurance claims adjusting is one of those careers.”

The job is a natural fit for individuals who enjoy people, field work and desk time. When an insurance claim is filed, an adjuster gathers information from the policy holder presenting the claim. The adjuster may also collect information at a home, highway or other site where an incident occurred that resulted in the claim. He may speak to witnesses and to professionals who can provide an expert opinion. He will review documents such as police and hospital records, invoices and service estimates. He will negotiate with the policy holder to settle the claim. Finally, he will write a report and (if appropriate) authorize payment.

In the USCI course, students learn how to complete all of these procedures. They review the types of insurance (accident, auto, catastrophe, health, liability, life and property). They study appropriate protocol for communicating with policy holders and witnesses and for conducting investigations. They complete lessons covering legal and ethical issues relevant to claims adjusting. They use math and computer skills to confirm the accuracy of bills and estimates. They practice negotiating and calculating settlements. And they hone grammar, spelling and punctuation skills to prepare for writing claims reports.

 “Claims adjusting looks promising for several reasons,” says USCI president Rohr. “First, the average annual salary for an experienced claims adjuster is just over $50,000. Second, parts of the job, such as contacting policy holders and conducting site work, can’t be readily automated – they require an actual person to do the job. And third, a lot of claims adjusting duties can be done at home. If an adjuster is given the go-ahead to work at home, she and her employer can save money. It’s really an exciting 21st century occupation. We’re happy to add it to our roster.”

U.S. Career Institute is one of three schools whose parent company is Weston Distance Learning, Inc. (Fort Collins, Colorado). The other two Weston schools are At-Home Professions and McKinley College. The schools enroll students throughout the country. Weston courses allow students to train at home, in their own time, for employment in fields shown to offer reliable job prospects and earning potential. Weston’s state approval is issued by the Colorado Department of Education’s Division of Private Occupational Schools. To learn more about Weston Distance Learning, visit http://www.westondistancelearning.com/.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Ann Rohr, call marketing director Kevin White at (800) 347-7899 or email Kevin at KevinW@westondistancelearning.com.

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