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Kazak54
USA
7 Posts |
 Posted - 12/17/2002 : 04:14:42
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| signing off |
Edited by - Kazak54 on 05/03/2003 02:29:36 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2002 : 08:54:38
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Kazak54 - your user profile indicates your real name may be James Knezek.
So Jimmy, you indicate in your profile that you are a thirteen (13) year old WalMart Associate.
That kind of takes the credibility out of your posts. Call me what you will, but I don't see the humor in what you entered into your profile as noted above.
Your comments in your first start at the "Qualifications" thread, were interpreted by others with consideration to the technological side. Your start today of a 2nd thread with the same name, clarifying your original comment in the 1st thread, unfortunately is timely to the current and also unfortunate findings in the "Is it covered poll" thread.
If you are 13, go home and leave us alone. If you are an adult, and if your work has any relationship to insurance claims, what is the point of making a fool of yourself in your profile? |
Edited by - CCarr on 12/17/2002 08:56:08 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2002 : 17:19:55
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Hey Kaz, you trying to say something? Anyway, don't worry about it, I didn't mean anything personal; but still don't understand it. But we all have seen and read things in this web site a lot worse than what caught my eye. I was / is just on a downer about the vision I have of this site the last few days.
Your opening comment on this thread clarified what you wanted to say the other day in your first thread. If it is true, and all I mean by that is that it is coming to us third hand, then it is just a reflection of what we have been talking about the last few days; and again is an unfortunate excellent example that something - and soon - has to be done.
Can you relate any specific situations (without any names)? Just what is it that people can not do in the field?
Again, I hope I didn't get under your skin too much. |
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Kazak54
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2002 : 17:54:09
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| signing off |
Edited by - Kazak54 on 05/03/2003 02:30:45 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2002 : 00:20:21
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Kaz, one thing this profession is - is that it has to be better than the Texas prison system. I had a real interesting claim that took me to Laredo years ago, and into the hallow halls of their penal house (with a visitors badge - I might add). Not a pretty sight or sound, even my then leather like exterior felt terribly inadequate.
In your conversations with these adjusters, did they say why or how these 'noknowums' got deployed, or what specifically were their shortcomings? Did your contacts suggest that these others knew they were in over their head, or was that a non-issue to them? |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2002 : 06:40:56
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Kaz, were any of the adjusters you talked with temporary 'guests' of your Texas penal institution?
It wouldn't be surprising to learn that Leonard's was running an adjuster's training class there under the guise of a work-release program. |
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pilot48
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2002 : 10:15:28
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I don't know about the gentleman from Wal-Mart State Prison. However, as a lark, I submited a bogus resume to Pilot and one other company. Within three days I received a letter telling me I was now on their approved Cat list.
When the storms hit New Orleans in September, they both called me out to work. While I was already there working for another independent I never responded. Yet, it does make you wonder how much checking do they do to insure they're hiring the right adjusters.
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Joe Aymond
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2003 : 14:33:56
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My comments are for Clayton or Jim. I am 62 years young (Don't criticize) and I have been owning an insurance agency for 20 yrs. I am in the process of selling and would like to ,go into claims adjusting. I have raised 6 chillins and it's just me and mom left, so I HAVE A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY AND CAN GO WHERE i WANT AND DO WHAT i WANT. I am also an avid woodworker and have a fine shop with all tools. I built my house from slab up and did all elec, plumb, paint, floor, etc. along with other structures in the past. Having said all this, I guess my question is where or how can I get the knowledge or traing that once I am on a sight what is the procedure and how does the flow go. I want to do the best job that can be done as I have had experiences with some adjusters that have not been so keen on policy coverages. Please advise
Thanks, Joe Aymond |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2003 : 15:15:16
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Joe,
I'll give you my two cents worth, and I'm sure Clayton will add his thoughts when he returns.
You have, it seems to me, several things going for you:
(1) A fantastic background in insurance and policy interpretations as an agent. Further, you undoubtedly have a greater sensitivity to the needs of insureds as well as keeping agents in the information 'loop' which can only provide greater value added quality to your product. You and I share the same concerns about the lack of policy knowledge by so many so called 'adjusters' but that is another topic for another day.
(2) Having the experiences in building your home only helps in understanding the building 'process' which enhances your ability to understand and appreciate the damage estimating function which adjusting requires.
Without knowing, but a reasonable guess, would be that your weakness may only be in learning the particulars of insurance damage estimating, and since you asked, I am both recommending as well as endorsing Vale National Training Center as the 'answer' to that problem. I have enclosed a weblink at the end of this post. (PS: you may need a 'sponsor' to enroll at Vale, so please email me and I will be happy to do so, as I have so many times in the past). They are topnotch and well respected throughout the industry by carriers and old timers alike.
Estimating for insurance and damage purposes is slightly if not significantly different than contracting estimating, and Vale specializes in teaching what you are looking at (in numerous damage scenarios) and what insurance carriers expect in their estimates and how to deliver that estimate in forms acceptable to carriers.
(3) You have one other extremely valuable asset in that you have the financial freedom to not have to depend on cat adjusting for financial security for your family's survival. That takes enormous pressure away, and as you will read elsewhere on the CADO website, this is an extremely seasonal as well as cyclical profession. It's either feast or famine and having outside income, to me at least, is the key to survival.
(4) Your age (62) is also an asset in that you have 'life experience' which helps in communicating with insureds as well as understanding 'values' (which I suggest is different from knowing 'prices' or 'costs'). Plus, the insurance industry is quite open to accepting older newcomers as well as women and minorities into their folds, so age is an asset and not a liability. (Clayton and I are a couple of Old Farts as well!)
I would suggest you linking up with one of the well experienced competent adjusters for a week or so, just to learn a few 'tricks' of the road, how the paper flows, and all the other little process 'how-to's' which you won't learn from a book. Once you are ready for this, let us know, and someone here will volunteer to let you ride along, or I'll find someone who will.
Finally, generally familiarize yourself with the various estimating programs out there (MS/B, PowerClaim, Simsol, Xactimate) and it might not hurt you to test each of them (most have a Free 30 day Trial).
Please feel free to email me at CADOAIC@aol.com if you prefer conversations and answers to additional questions.
Good Luck in whatever decision you make, and from my perspecrtive, you're already more than halfway there!
And having the freedom to take your wife along on travels across and around this beautiful country is just the icing on the cake, and one you both likely will enjoy!
My Best Wishes,
Jim Flynt
http://www.valenational.com/ |
Edited by - JimF on 01/12/2003 15:37:08 |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2003 : 19:38:46
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Joe, after thinking about your earlier post for much of the afternoon and evening, it seems to me, that what is also needed is an article or post which would deal with the question you raised about what to do when you first arrive at a storm site and the "what's, where's, when's and how's" of the on site claims process.
(That part of the storm site claims process, which you so aptly call the 'flow of things').
With that in mind, I am going to toss out the challenge to one of our experienced competent old pros: Tom Toll, Chuck Deaton, or Tom Strickland, to either write a comprehensive article for posting here or setting up a new thread to discuss those aspects of adjusting.
Any of all of these three, could easily write such an article or moderate such a thread, and one of the strong reasons I particularly stress these three, is that all 3 not only know how to effectively manage their claims, but they all also are on the cutting edge in using the latest software and hardware in making the job easier. And in that respect, all three are light years ahead of me.
They are all three more current as well with more recent storm assignments than I, so more on top of the latest advances and requirements of carriers.
So Tom, Chuck or Tom, how about it?
Would one or all of you guys please help show and educate a new adjuster in the ropes of on-site personal, time, and claims management?
It seems to me it would be helpful to discuss some or all of the following plus those other things you guys are much more aware of than I: priorities, contacting the insureds, setting appointments, inspections, estimating, reporting, call backs, photos, hotel or motel accommodations, travel, dealing with vendor and carrier management/superviors, etc.
Tom, Chuck and Tom, your help would be greatly appreciated by Joe and the larger audience of newer adjusters. |
Edited by - JimF on 01/12/2003 19:51:54 |
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Joe Aymond
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2003 : 15:33:20
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Jim,
Thanks for your comments and I should say your kind remarks of encouragement. And also thanks for your request from the masters to write the article that would no doubt help us all.
In Louisiana we do not need to be licensed to become an adjuster and as a result no schools are available and not many guys wants to help a newcomer in almost any field here, I guess it's the competition or the jealousy.
Anyway, thanks again
Joe |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2003 : 13:51:00
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Hi Joe, welcome to CADO.
You have a lot of 'positives' to work with - that many do not have - if you pursue work in claims adjusting. A fact of corporate life is that you will not get into claims on the staff side, due to age. However, I do know of some carrier staff doing loss control work that are of your vintage and general qualifications.
However, it is likely that your pursuits as an Independent Contractor, may suit you best.
Jim has nicely detailed the four positives that can be taken from your background as noted in your inquiring post - insurance background, construction experience, financial security, and people skills that go with the experiences you have gained in dealing with people over the years.
You are definetly more than 1/2 way there, and more compared to our general 'population' in this CADO community.
I can not add anymore than Jim has suggested through his two posts, other than to wonder why no one has responded to his Jan 12th call for comment on that critical element - the 'flow of things'.
Unfortunately, your poor experiences with adjusters regarding coverage, are not isolated to you alone as you note in your opening post; nor is the alienation you mention in your last post limited to your home area.
Spend a fair bit of time going through the CADO forums and articles, separate the wheat from the chaf, develop some ideas, gather your further questions and bring them back here again; then develop and assess your plan of action.
I am an insurance claims person by profession, not a cat adjuster by profession; the difference lies in how I chose to and got to do cat work. Pure cat claims work was one of the few remaining areas of the insurance claims spectrum that I had not explored after quite a few years in the insurance claims world; as opposed to a roofer or contractor that wants to be a cat adjuster.
I was comfortable I had 3 of your 4 positives and would have put construction experience at the bottom of that 4 item list; and had to work to develop that skill set.
However, when the time came to try and jump into the American cat claims world, the following were my priorities in the first 3 months.
(a) get the certifications I wanted
(b) decide what certifications I did not want / need
(c) create a 'cat responsive' type resume
(d) send that resume to many vendors (see 'employers' in CADO)
(e) try and determine who were good vendors
(f) do a tour and personally meet 5 or 10 of these good vendors
(g) go to 1 or 2 vendor specific 'conventions', if they were on my preferred list
(h) constantly follow everything on CADO, but evaluate 'it all' in my context
(i) explore various estimating software systems and find one that suited me, and that was not selected against by the vendor / carrier
After that, you continually concentrate on organizing to get and be ready for the day you are called, network within the industry, refine your strong skills, work on your weak skills, do whatever is required to work smarter as there is only so many hours in a day once you hit the road.
The next critical chapter that naturally would follow is the 'flow of things' once you hit the road. I know this has been addressed in CADO in 2002 or 2001, but it may be hard to find in the forums.
Anyway, that's enough for now, if you want it to happen, with your background it will happen. |
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Joe Aymond
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2003 : 10:02:12
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Clayton,
I certainly appreciate your special and encouraging comments. I do want to do independent work rather than staff work. I am an organized person so I don't have a problem of going from point A to B in a responsive and timely manner. I also am comperter literate. I have made some good contacts with several claims services that have assured me they could and would be willing to use me in my area. I go this week to be certified by State Farm, whether that be good or bad I don't know. I have been told that this probably would not be a good move. We'll see.
Thanks again
Joe |
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Qualifications
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