What is the average Senior Claims Adjuster salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of May 01, 2026, the average Senior Claims Adjuster salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $192,762. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Senior Claims Adjuster job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Senior Claims Adjuster job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Senior Claims Adjuster Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Claims Adjuster III | $101,933 | $49.01 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
| Claims Adjuster I | $66,097 | $31.78 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
| Claims Adjuster II | $87,773 | $42.20 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
| Claims Manager, Senior | $186,903 | $89.86 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
| Claims Examiner I | $64,301 | $30.91 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
| Claims Examiner II | $79,815 | $38.37 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
| Claims Examiner III | $100,154 | $48.15 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
| Claims Examiner IV | $116,416 | $55.97 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
| VP of Claims | $280,284 | $134.75 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
| Claims Supervisor II | $115,067 | $55.32 | Santa Cruz, CA | May 01, 2026 |
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Denies, settles, or authorizes payments to more complex property/casualty claims based on coverage, appraisal, and verifiable damage. Examines claim forms and other records to determine coverage. Responsible for corresponding with policyholders, claimants, witnesses, attorneys, etc. to gather important information to support contested. Conducts field investigations to inspect and document damage or loss. Prepares report of findings of an investigation. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience. Claims Adjuster III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Automotive Claims Adjuster III, Claims Investigator III, Insurance Claims Adjuster, Senior, Insurance Claims Senior Adjuster, Property/Casualty Claims Adjuster III, Claims Adjuster IIICategory : Insurance
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Denies, settles, or authorizes payments to routine property/casualty claims based on coverage, appraisal, and verifiable damage. Corresponds with policyholders, claimants, witnesses, attorneys, etc. to gather important information to support contested insurance claims. Makes recommendations for settlement of routine property/casualty claims based on coverage, appraisal, and verifiable damage. Prepares reports of investigation findings. May conduct field evaluations to inspect and document damage or loss. Typically requires an associate degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Claims Adjuster I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Automotive Claims Adjuster I, Claims Investigator I, Insurance Claims Adjuster, Insurance Claims Adjuster, Entry, Property/Casualty Claims Adjuster I, Claims Adjuster ICategories : Accounting , Administrative, Support, and Clerical , Entry Level , Financial Services , Insurance
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Denies, settles, or authorizes payments to routine property/casualty claims based on coverage, appraisal, and verifiable damage. Responsible for corresponding with policyholders, claimants, witnesses, attorneys, etc. to gather important information to support contested claims. Prepares reports of investigation findings. May conduct field evaluations to inspect and document damage or loss. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Claims Adjuster II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Automotive Claims Adjuster II, Claims Investigator II, Insurance Claims Adjuster, Experienced, Property/Casualty Claims Adjuster II, Claims Adjuster II
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Manages the operations of an insurance claims department to meet operational, financial, and service requirements. Oversees the intake and processing of insurance claims for personal, property, or casualty loss based on coverage, appraisal, and verifiable damage. Manages appraisal and examination staff and processes. Assures timely and proper disposition of claims based on policy provisions. Recommends and implements best practices to ensure complete and thorough claim settlements, legal reviews, and investigations following company policies and insurance industry regulations. Determines the value of settlements for escalated claims. Manages negotiations of settlements and administration of claims in litigation. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Claims Manager, Senior Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Claims Review and Settlement Senior Manager, Claims Service and Operations Senior Manager, Claims Manager, Senior
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Reviews, evaluates, and processes insurance claims and makes recommendations for resolution. Examines and authorizes insurance claims investigated by insurance adjusters. Studies reports prepared by adjusters and similar claims to determine the extent of insurance coverage and validity of the claim. Communicates with agents, claimants, and policy holders. Determines settlement according to organization practices and procedures. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Claims Examiner I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Claim Review and Settlement Examiner I, Insurance Claims Examiner I, Claims Examiner I
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Reviews, evaluates, and processes insurance claims and makes recommendations for resolution. Examines and authorizes insurance claims investigated by insurance adjusters. Studies reports prepared by adjusters and similar claims to determine the extent of insurance coverage and validity of the claim. Communicates with agents, claimants, and policy holders. Determines settlement according to organization practices and procedures. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience. Claims Examiner II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Claim Review and Settlement Examiner II, Insurance Claims Examiner II, Claims Examiner II
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Reviews, evaluates, and processes insurance claims and makes recommendations for resolution. Examines and authorizes insurance claims investigated by insurance adjusters. Studies reports prepared by adjusters and similar claims to determine the extent of insurance coverage and validity of the claim. Communicates with agents, claimants, and policy holders. Determines settlement according to organization practices and procedures. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience. Claims Examiner III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Claim Review and Settlement Examiner III, Insurance Claims Examiner III, Claims Examiner III
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Reviews, evaluates, and processes insurance claims and makes recommendations for resolution. Examines and authorizes insurance claims investigated by insurance adjusters. Studies reports prepared by adjusters and similar claims to determine the extent of insurance coverage and validity of the claim. Communicates with agents, claimants, and policy holders. Determines settlement according to organization practices and procedures. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. Claims Examiner IV Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Claim Review and Settlement Examiner IV, Insurance Claims Examiner IV, Claims Examiner IV
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Plans and directs all aspects of an organization's insurance claims function. Responsible for managing and implementing claims programs for all lines of insurance. Directs the review and settlement of complex or high dollar claims. Develops procedures and policies to enhance and improve the processing, investigation, and settlement of claims. Ensures legal examinations are made when appropriate. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. VP of Claims Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Claims Executive, Vice President of Claims, VP of Claims Administration, VP of Claims
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Supervises most activities in the claims department. Leads the examination of personal and property and casualty insurance claims based on policy provisions, appraisal, and verifiable damage. Interacts with claimants and oversees the review of records and documentation to ascertain insurance coverage. Supervises settlement negotiations within authorized limits and escalates claims exceeding authorization. May be responsible for reviewing and processing highly complex or high-value claims. May assist in training Property and Casualty Claims Examiners and Adjusters. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes. Claims Supervisor II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Claims Investigations Supervisor II, Claims Negotiations Supervisor II, Claims Supervisor II