IN Claims Adjuster study plan

Define the core principles of insurance (insurable interest, indemnity, utmost good faith, subrogation, contribution, proximate cause) and state in one sentence how each one constrains an adjuster's decision on a claim.

Distinguish the roles of insurer, insured, broker, agent, and adjuster, and explain who owes which duty to whom when a claim is notified.

Map the claims handling lifecycle from first notification of loss through settlement and recovery, naming the decision point and typical document at each stage.

Explain how policy interpretation (wording, exclusions, conditions, deductibles, warranties) determines whether and how much is payable, using a hypothetical property loss you construct yourself.

Build a personal glossary of at least 40 claims and principles terms with a one-line definition each.

Compare the main classes of general insurance (property, liability, motor, engineering, personal accident, pecuniary) and identify for each the typical trigger of loss and the usual measure of indemnity.

Explain the structure of a general insurance policy schedule and wording, and locate where sum insured, excess, conditions, and exclusions sit.

Describe the legal and regulatory framework governing insurance practice in your market, including licensing, conduct of business, and complaint or dispute resolution routes.

Outline the adjuster's professional and ethical duties: conflict of interest, confidentiality, impartiality, fraud referral, and record keeping.

Apply a structured claim triage to three short self-written loss scenarios: coverage confirmed, coverage in doubt, coverage excluded.

Explain the standard fire peril, the meaning of fire as a cause of loss, and the distinction between damage by fire, smoke, scorching, and damage caused by extinguishing.

Interpret common fire policy extensions and exclusions: lightning, explosion, riot and malicious damage, spontaneous combustion, electrical short circuit, and terrorism.

Apply average, underinsurance, reinstatement, and salvage treatment to calculate settlement figures on constructed numeric examples.

Describe the evidence an adjuster gathers after a fire: fire brigade report, cause and origin assessment, inventory and stock records, and proof of loss.

Draft the sections of an adjuster's report for a fire claim, from instruction through recommendation.

Distinguish consequential loss (business interruption) cover from material damage cover and explain why both are usually written together.

Explain gross profit, insurable gross profit, rate of gross profit, and the annual and maximum indemnity periods, and identify which figures come from the accounts.

Calculate a business interruption settlement on a worked example, including the adjustment for increased cost of working and savings in insured standing charges.

Explain the accountant's declaration, the trend and turnover clauses, and the effect of inaccurate declarations on settlement.

Describe how a material damage claim and a business interruption claim are coordinated so the same loss is not paid twice.

Explain the marine insurance framework: insurable interest, the principle of indemnity at sea, constructive total loss, actual total loss, particular average, and general average.

Distinguish the main marine covers (hull and machinery, cargo, freight, liability) and identify the perils each responds to, including perils of the seas, fire, jettison, and barratry.

Describe the documents central to a marine claim: bill of lading, charterparty, certificate of insurance, survey report, protest, and notice of claim.

Explain general average and how the adjuster assesses the contribution from cargo and ship interests.

Outline the salvage and subrogation process in marine claims, including the role of the average adjuster.

Analyse marine cargo claims involving partial damage, shortage, water damage, and container damage, and decide between particular average and general average treatment.

Apply the measure of indemnity to hull damage, including unrepaired damage, and explain how depreciation and new-for-old affect the figure.

Handle a claim where the loss is close to a constructive total loss and justify the recommendation to treat it as partial or total.

Review a fire claim that has a marine or transit element and decide which policy responds and in what order.

Write settlement recommendations that state the basis of calculation, the evidence relied on, and any reservations.

Revisit the principles and practice domains and identify your three weakest sub-areas from earlier week deliverables.

Explain how fraud, non-disclosure, and breach of condition affect an otherwise valid claim, and describe the adjuster's response in each case.

Describe the role of reinsurance and how it affects the adjuster's notification and reporting obligations on large losses.

Practise short-answer technique on constructed questions, writing answers that state the principle, apply it, and reach a conclusion.

Explain how complaint handling and dispute resolution interact with the claims decision.

Consolidate the fire, consequential loss, and marine domains by re-working the calculations you produced in weeks 3 to 6 without notes.

Complete two full-length timed practice papers mixing all five domains, and record the score by domain.

Review every wrong answer and write the correct reasoning in your own words, not the model answer.

Rehearse the exam-day routine: reading the question, allocating time, showing calculations, and checking units and currency.

Produce a final one-page revision sheet of formulas and definitions you must recall from memory.