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Unfortunately you cannot do anything until you get your IDL. After you get your IDL you could work as a helper (for a 2 story and steep team). That is the best entry level position you can get! Milk that spot for what it is worth, and learn everything you can from your lead. I would also suggest looking at getting onto Eberl, Worley and Pilot's roster as well. Starting out, you want to open up as many doors as possible (go to whomever calls you to work first). Check with the other vendors as well, they also offer IDL certification. Once you get your IDL through one of these vendors, they are retroactive with all of the other independent firms. Just submit your IDL to them and they will put you on the active list. The other vendors also support other insurance carriers, besides State Farm. It is a good idea to look into the other insurance carriers when starting out. "Your goal is to open up as many opportunities as possible". Good luck!

Welcome aboard to your "new" journey. One of the first lessons in becoming a CAT adjuster is "don't quit your day job". There are many, many, many adjusters in the field ahead of others. It will take a storm like we just had (Sandy), to get the chance to prove your worth. Do your homework and read about which of the larger companies you wish to work for and take your test through them.

This is "your" company, so do your homework and spend your money where "you" think it is needed. The biggest advice I can give you is read, read, read past subjects to get many answers while you start your new journey. Pick the states you wish to work and apply for licenses. Adjusters with licenses in a state get deployed first. Yes, this will cost money, but this is your company, so necessary expenditure. You also have conferences upcoming in the next 30-90 days. This will be a great way to network if you ar serious.

It will probably take a couple of years in the "red" to get your feet under you and get several deployments. Or it could take just 7 days on your first deployment for your career to be over. Scope, Etimate, CLOSE. Close what you inspect that day and make your TM happy.

Good luck!

Posted By Velella on 02 Jan 2013 11:54 AM

Hey guys and gals, I have received an email from EArenfroe and they would like me to join there roster. The only thing I am waiting for is the IDL, but the next IDL class isn't until mid march. My question is; is there any work I can get it the mean time? I am 100% brand new to the adjustment world, my old jobs contract (nothing to do with insurance) expired at the start of the new year so I am unemployed until I get the idl and can start training. I am just looking for some training/ work and seeing if anyone here knows of something I can do without the IDL. Renfroe told me they don't have anything until after so I thought I would ask the community.  I do have my 0520 license but no work history so far. And I forgot to mention I am in central Florida.

Thank you for any advice you may be able to offer me.

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Hello there!

Well welcome to the industry, pay NO attention to the man behind the curtain!

I want you to understand that being invited to join EA Renfroe's roster has put you on par with every individual who holds an adjuster's license AND.........a pulse.

Living in Central Florida puts you amongst approx. 40,000+ other individuals who hold an adjuster designation. Of those, roughly 5,000 are working at any given time.

Now that does NOT mean that you haven't got a chance...not at all! It just means that you have handled your first leg of your challenge to find consistent work...getting on as many rosters as possible.

Ea Renfreo is a solid IA firm and a solid bet. But you should get on as many as possible. Some certifications are required to work (State Farm/USAA/CITIZENS) but many other certs do nothing but empty your wallet.

Take the time between now and the IDL and become well versed on Policy and XM8. Those two will take you a long way. Apply to all available vendors. Accept any and all standby offers. Study those vendors. Choose any deployment offer carefully, avoid those who pay only when they are paid by the carrier (doesn't mean those vendors are shady, it just means they are NOT financially stable)

Today as never before is a great time for those new to the industry, just take your off time as seriously as your deployment time and you WILL succeed. Work will be inconsistent at first but with a proven work product, you WILL be in demand when "needed"  

You can learn all you need to know on book smarts related toward policy knowledge by going to:

 www.claimspages.com

Learn all about the HO(Homeowners)- series of policy (1/2/3*/4/5) and DP (Dwelling Policy) (1/2/3 etc...)

* being the most common

There are 3 levels of XM8 certification (estimating software). Understand there are multiple platforms for estimating software but the lion's share will be geared toward XM8.

I am a long time vocal opponent of the ANTI- Certification ,yet it is my opinion that there is only one certification that will get you on a deployment and most importantly will KEEP you deployed, that being the XM8 level 111 certification.

The great thing about the policy side of your knowledge is it can be had for NO cost. In regard to XM8, it will cost but is an essential expense. There are many reasons why most adjusters will fail during their first and often only deployment, but by far the most common reason for failure is a lack of fundamentals in regard to estimating software.

You do NOT have to be level 111 certified in XM8 before you take your IDL but it would put you ahead of the masses.

Regardless, I would not take any deployment unless you have a minimum of a level 2 XM8 certification (knowledge)

If you are willing to put in the effort, you will find work. After that, If you are good, really good...work will find you!

 

 

Good luck and god bless!