TN Visa - Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster
NAFTA Requirements for TN as a Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster.
A Canadian citizen may seek TN status under the Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster category to work in the U.S. for an insurance company located in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico or may provide services in the U.S. as an independent claims adjuster.
To qualify for TN status under NAFTA as a Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster, an applicant must possess one of the following:
1. A Bachelor’s (Baccalaureate) degree or Licenciatura Degree, plus successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims; or
2. Three years experience in claims adjustment and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims.
See 8 C.F.R. § 214.6 (c).
NAFTA Handbook Guidance.
The legacy INS Manual for NAFTA applications requires that an applicant for TN status under the Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster category must submit documentation that:
1. The President of the United States, or a state statute, or a local ordinance has declared a disaster event;
2. The Property Claims Service of the American Insurance Services Group has assigned a catastrophe serial number to the disaster site; or
3. Property damage at the disaster site exceeds $ 5 million and represents a significant number of claims by an association of insurance companies representing at least 15 percent of the property casualty market in the U.S. See NAFTA Handbook (November 1999).
Occupational Outlook Handbook Guidance.
A TN applicant’s prospective job duties for this category must be consistent with the job duties generally performed by Insurance Claims Adjusters in the field. Inspecting officers will look to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (“OOH”), a manual published by the Department of Labor, for insight on the duties normally required of professionals in a particular profession.
According to the OOH, insurance claims adjusters work primarily for property and casualty insurance companies, for whom they handle a wide variety of claims alleging property damage, liability, or bodily injury. Their main role is to investigate the claims, negotiate settlements, and authorize payments to claimants.
Adjusters plan and schedule the work required to process a claim. They investigate claims by interviewing the claimant and witnesses, consulting police and hospital records, and inspecting property damage to determine the extent of the company’s liability. Adjusters may consult with other professionals, such as accountants, architects, construction workers, engineers, lawyers, and physicians, who can offer a more expert evaluation of a claim. The information gathered, including photographs and written or audio-taped or video-taped statements, is set down in a report that is then used to evaluate the associated claim.
The OOH does not recommend a specific college degree for this occupational category, but a variety of backgrounds in business, accounting, architecture, engineering, law, or medicine can be an asset. Licensing requirements for these workers vary by State. In some States, claims adjusters employed by insurance companies can work under the company license and need not become licensed themselves. Separate or additional requirements may apply for public adjusters. For example, some States require public adjusters to file a surety bond.
Additional Materials:
References:
- NAFTA Handbook (November 1999).
- OOH, Claims Adjusters, Appraisers (2008-09).
Revised July 11, 2008.