How to Become a Catastrophe (CAT) Adjuster

Catastrophe adjusters, often called CAT adjusters, handle the surge of property claims after a hurricane, hail storm, tornado outbreak or flood. It sounds like a separate career, but it is a way of doing ordinary adjusting work, and the road in runs through licensing rules that differ from state to state.

Quick answer: CAT adjusting is not a separate license in most places. You work under a regular adjuster license or a temporary emergency authorization, and the emergency routes generally require an insurer, adjusting firm or licensed adjuster to sponsor you. That means you usually have to be hired first. Income depends on the storm calendar, and there is no government figure for CAT pay.

Start with the license question

When a disaster hits, many states let insurers bring in out-of-state help quickly. How they do it varies. Some issue a short emergency license, some register adjusters the insurer submits, and some let an experienced adjuster with a license from another state work without a local license. Our guide to emergency adjuster licenses after a storm walks through Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma and North Carolina.

The pattern in those states is the same: the emergency route is built around a sponsor or the insurer, not around an individual applying alone. If you have no experience, getting a regular adjuster license in your home state first gives you more options. Many states also issue non-resident licenses based on a home-state license, so your own license can open work in other states. Terms vary, so check each state.

Who hires CAT adjusters

Insurers staff up through their own adjusters and through independent adjusting firms, which are contracted by insurers and may work for more than one. The NAIC's adjuster licensing chapter describes independent adjusters this way: they are contracted to perform adjusting services, may work for multiple insurers, and act for the insurer in deciding what coverage applies. Our staff vs. independent vs. public guide explains the three roles.

Learn the tools

Property damage is written up in estimating software, and Xactimate is the best known. Training is optional for the license but commonly useful for the job. See Xactimate: what it is and whether you need it.

What the work is like

BLS says adjusters often work irregular hours when claim volume is high, spend time outdoors examining damage, and must watch for hazards in damaged buildings such as collapsed roofs and floors. Catastrophe work packs that into a few intense weeks, usually away from home. Plan for travel, long days and unpredictable stretches between deployments.

Be careful with income claims

You will see big numbers online. We did not find a government statistic for CAT adjuster income, and the BLS median of $78,020 (2025) covers the whole occupation of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners and investigators, not CAT work. Pay arrangements vary by employer, and work follows the storm calendar. Ask any firm how you will be paid and when before you accept an assignment.

A sensible order

1. Check your home state's adjuster licensing rules and get licensed if they require it.
2. Learn the estimating software and the policy knowledge the exam covers.
3. Apply to carriers and independent adjusting firms, and ask how they handle licensing for deployments.
4. Keep your license current, including continuing education.

If you are in Oklahoma, see our catastrophe adjusting guide for Oklahoma.

Ready to get licensed as an adjuster?

Adjuster licensing is set by each state, and we have adjuster pre-licensing courses for 23 of them: Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming.

Each course is one flat price: pay once, keep lifetime access, no subscription, and backed by our Pass Guarantee. Don't see your state? Browse all courses, or book a 1-on-1 tutoring session and we'll help you build a plan.

Related reading

• Emergency Adjuster Licenses After a Storm: How the Rules Work by State
• Xactimate for Adjusters: What It Is and Whether You Need It
• How to Become a Claims Adjuster With No Experience
• Catastrophe (Storm) Adjusting in Oklahoma: How to Get Started
• Staff vs. Independent vs. Public Adjuster