Claims Department

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Claims Department


Claims Department


What is the dictionary definition of Claims Department?

Dictionary Definition


noun a department of an insurance company which deals with claims a department of an insurance company which deals with claims


Full Definition of Claims Department


A claims department is the component of an insurance business that is responsible for paying and modifying claims. This department is critical to the operations of every insurance firm and is one of its fundamental functions.

A well-managed claims department is critical to the profitability and efficiency of any insurance organisation. Among the activities for which they are accountable are the following:

  • Receipt of claim notifications from insureds.
  • Adjusting and determining whether or not a loss is covered.
  • Calculating the amount of money or other compensation that should be given to the insured in the event of an insured loss.
  • Conducting investigations into claims to ascertain whether they are fraudulent.
  • Other responsibilities include the handling and processing of submitted claims.

The majority of claims departments will employ a variety of different types of staff. Certain employees are in charge of paperwork, receiving notices of claim, and doing other administrative functions. However, the adjusters are where the rubber meets the road in claims departments.

Claims adjusters are responsible for establishing whether a claim is covered and deciding the appropriate amount to pay. Adjusters can be in-house (employed by the insurer) or retained by insurance companies to handle complex claims or losses in remote locations.

A well-managed claims department that is effective in detecting insurance fraud and applying policy coverages effectively can assist insurers in generating an underwriting profit, which means that more money is collected in premiums than is paid out in claims.

In general, the claims department is critical to the enterprise’s profitability.

In the unfortunate event that an insured has a claim, they would call their insurance advisor first, and then their insurance company’s claims department. They will then be allocated a claims agent who will gather some basic information and assist them in submitting a claim to the insurer.

From there, a variety of pros will assist. The more complex the claim, the more persons will need to participate. Complex commercial claims may require the assistance of a claims examiner, adjuster, claims trainer, supervisors, and managers to expedite the process and ensure an accurate outcome.

Their purpose is to work together to help policyholders through the claims process, evaluate claims for legitimacy and level of damage, and ultimately approve or deny claims based on the insured’s claim filing documentation, coverage, and other considerations.

All sorts of insurance firms have claims departments, from property and liability insurers to health, life, and group benefits insurers. Apart from the normal technical abilities, they must also demonstrate a high level of empathy and patience as they help insureds through an undeniably stressful period in their life.

The claims department is where insurers fulfil their commitments and make promises set forth in the insurance policy, and it plays a critical role in the insured’s interaction with the insurer. A poorly run claims department can have a detrimental influence on the insurer’s brand and reputation.


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https://payrollheaven.com/define/claims-department/
Modern Language Association (MLA):
Claims Department. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
May 19, 2024 https://payrollheaven.com/define/claims-department/.
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):
Claims Department. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
https://payrollheaven.com/define/claims-department/ (accessed: May 19, 2024).
American Psychological Association (APA):
Claims Department. PayrollHeaven.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024
, from PayrollHeaven.com website: https://payrollheaven.com/define/claims-department/

Definition Sources


Definitions for Claims Department are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 20th January, 2022 | 0 Views.