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Last Post 01/19/2010 7:45 AM by  Catmannn
What do you guys do for a living when there are no storms?
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Bobabooey
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01/04/2010 2:38 PM

    I know this has probably been discussed a million times so lets make it a million and one.

     

    When you are home for months at a time, what do you do for a living?

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    Medulus
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    01/04/2010 2:49 PM
    Now I'm on staff. But back when I first went independent, the first thing I did was sign up with the local cab company to drive a cab in the off times. They let me leave with no notice and come back and pick up work immediately. Fortunately, by the middle of the second year, I had no further need to drive a cab. I was also signed up as a substitute teacher in the public schools. I had to do that a couple times, but never for more than a couple weeks. Otherwise, I did branch assist work for GAB Robins.
    Steve Ebner CPCU AIC AMIM

    "With great power comes great responsibility." (Stanley Martin Lieber, Amazing Fantasy # 15 August 1962)
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    JimGary
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    01/04/2010 8:25 PM
    Having a background in auto, I can always pick up a some auto claims from a couple online claims handlers and can usually get a few property claims with them. I have also ventured into some property investing, hope that pans out. The auto side pays very little but it keeps me busy and fights boredom. I also find that I am catching up on the CADO posts more than usual. Does anyone know of a good 12 step program for forum abuse?

    JWG
    I know the voices aren't real, but sometimes they're right!
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    Medulus
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    01/07/2010 6:18 PM
    I think there's a 12 step program in Houston called Ray Hall's boot camp.
    Steve Ebner CPCU AIC AMIM

    "With great power comes great responsibility." (Stanley Martin Lieber, Amazing Fantasy # 15 August 1962)
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    KLS
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    01/09/2010 12:13 AM

    Often you will see me at the local intersection.  I bought a "Will Work For Food" franchise ;-)  Truly, last year those guys probably did make more than 75% of the licensed adjusters in Texas alone.  This is a feast or famine business, always has been.  Some have a trade they use to make ends meet but that is difficult when you could get a call at any time to leave.  An adjuster can not survive full-time hoping for a big event every year, it just doesn't happen and the daily side is meager unless you live near a metro or larger population area.  Even the hail CATs are so over staffed these days that an adjuster who used to get 100+ to start with might end up with only 50-80 for the entire event.  So how does the $$ really work?  The bottom line is you stay out of debt.  If you are in debt you get out as quick as you can.  The guys that buy the big truck or RV mid-storm are usually the same guys that loose them 6 months later because they can't afford the payments any longer.  I always have set aside enough money from the first few pay checks to last me at least 4 to 6 months on the back side of the storm in case it's slow going.  That's what kept me going for over 10 years now.  Beyond living smart you also have to get smart using every opportunity to learn, get certifications and be fully licensed.  The days of the cowboys blowing through a storm with little ability and less customer service skills are fading into the sunset (Katrina events exempted).  In the 2010s, if you want to work steady you have to prove you know what you are doing with the software programs, have a solid understanding of construction and treat the Insured with the utmost care and respect.  Anything less and you will be on the sidelines with the crayon and the cardboard sign -- or back to your old boss asking for your job back.

    KLS

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    Ray Hall
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    01/09/2010 10:53 AM

    Notary Public, most people can get a Notary Appointment by going on line in the state they live in. Many area;s have sites for Notary, s who come to you. If you are in an oil & gas state many doc,s are done in the evening, lawyers need help, car titles and the list is long. You can start this service and hire others if you live out in outter BF. Going to the scene of truck accidents. Measure, photo intersections on auto accidents, measure impact marks on autos in wrecking yards. Get permission from the auto impound lot to place your 24 hour sign near the gate.(Notarized doc needed to inspect YOUR auto) many states.

    Get  PI training, con  leave and come back after a storm. Stake out on divorce, asset serch, disability serch and photos. Bon,t think big, think small income. Drive a cab, wrecker, hot shot truck, auction cars for dealers, work as temp water suckers for the boss water sucker. work as a clerk of the works on large losses.

    If you are good on xmate and can write a good estimate off notes and photos and send back to the "real adjuster" in PDF you can charge and get $25.00 per hour and never leave home. Its worth  $25.00 per hr. , but not a % of the fee bill. Most people who use this system will agree on $1.00 per thousand with a minimum of $25.00. A $100,000 loss will be $100.00. Many many ways to make some $ between storms.

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    Ol' Ghost
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    01/09/2010 11:30 AM
    I've said it before, I'll say it again. If you are paid on a W2 instead of a 1099, consider the many joys of Unemployment Insurance compensation. This means all you sweet souls who work for vendor clients like Allstate and State Farm. It also applies to anyone doing temp work.

    Here is where the lowish pay as a temp pays off. In The Great State of Texas ones weekly recovery is 27% of the salary up to $392.00 plus the $25.00 gift from your friendly, caring federale Presidente Barack Obama. (Here's where you can supplicate and praise Obamas name.)

    Ol' Ghost
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    Ray Hall
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    01/09/2010 12:23 PM

    Ole ghost hit it on the head again. Why would any adjuster worth the title of "professional catastrophe adjuster" work for any other vendor as a 1099 instead of a W-2. Oh yes I know drawing total disability from an injury from the goverment or otherwise but; it could be, thats all I could get and many of us are in this boat. BUT when I was much younger it was not this way.

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    Catmannn
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    01/19/2010 7:45 AM
    GOLF AND CUT MY GRASS

    DAVID HOUTZ
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