Insurance Industry Faced Rising Demand for Desk Adjusters
Carriers have shifted toward remote claims processing as experienced field adjusters continue to retire.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Employment
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Independent adjusting firms report an increase in carrier demand for desk adjusters who evaluate claims remotely. This shift reflects a broader trend as insurance companies utilize alternative inspection methods, such as drone imagery and photos, to expedite claims processing.
Why it matters
The insurance industry is struggling to replace retiring professionals while simultaneously seeking to process files faster with fewer personnel. This transition away from traditional field inspections is expected to significantly reduce the need for on-site claims adjusters in the coming decade.
The U.S. labor market saw 376,100 claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators in 2025, with projections indicating a 6% employment decline by 2035. Despite this trend, the industry anticipates 21,600 annual job openings for new adjusters.
The players
Mid-America Catastrophe Services
Headquartered in Mobile, Alabama, this firm provides independent adjusting services to insurance carriers nationwide.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
This federal agency is the principal fact-finding arm of the U.S. government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.
The details
Desk adjusters now handle evaluations using phone calls, documents, and visual media like drone imagery instead of manual field inspections. Carriers have requested that independent firms limit roof inspections, and firms like Mid-America Catastrophe Services currently receive requests for up to 200 desk adjusters per major event.
Timeline
2024: Industry faced a potential shortage of catastrophe claims adjusters.
2025: The U.S. had 376,100 claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators.
September-October 2026: Carriers requested to limit field roof inspections.
2027: Up to 40% of 2024 catastrophe claims resources may be unavailable.
2035: Employment of claims adjusters is projected to fall 6%.
Macro View
The current transition toward remote claims adjusting follows the pattern set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics claims adjuster employment projection regarding long-term workforce shrinkage. This shift reflects an ongoing contraction in traditional labor roles as the industry adopts automated processes and alternative inspection tools.
Homeowners should expect claims to be processed more frequently through remote imagery and digital documentation rather than in-person visits. This evolution may result in faster file handling, though it necessitates that residents become comfortable providing high-quality digital evidence.
The takeaway
The insurance industry is moving toward a tech-heavy model that prioritizes remote speed over traditional field expertise. Maintaining human oversight will remain critical as these systems evolve to ensure that claims are evaluated accurately without relying solely on automated inputs.
Further reading
Learn more about labor shifts in the United States Employment sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Insurance Business.
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