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Was looking at  the All Lines Texas Licensing. Would really like to take this online and then take the live Xactimate training. I'm a real estate appraiser and have very limited experience in loss control, personal lines & commercial field inspection. I am a good at self study so I don't think it would be a problem for me. I am just worried about what employers will think about online training. I would really like to hear from some people out there that have acquired their license online or from someone with inside knowledge. Open to all opinions though. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am going to be enrolling ASAP online or live. Thanks for any help.

I have been an adjuster for many years. I don,t think any vendor/ or carrier will be impressed where you get your training. If you can learn from home please do so. You can probably learn more. I think Vale Tec is the only school that will get their attention as that is were they send their staff trainees.

Hey thanks for the reply. It is of great help. Just one more question though. I was looking at Xactimate training from the Xactimate.com site and they have virtual clasroom for $499. Would this be industry accepted? Thanks again.

Posted By Ray Hall on 23 Jul 2009 02:26 PM
Yes. The industry does not really have any standards in reguards to training. This is one of the flaws. This would be the best way for you to get a job. Learn x-mate then estimate your own house for a total loss on the roof from a tree crashing into it and severly damaging the kitchen and breakfast room and all the ceilings in the house and all the floor covering. Take photos of all the rooms and the damaged furniture feet from 3 inches of rain water. draw a foot print and diagram all rooms in sketch. Use you imagination on all the damage you house sustained under a HO-3 and you and your family had to move to a corporate apartment for a month. Print this out and send to me and I will help you tweek it, then revise it and send it to Pilot, Ebrels, Renfro, Worley, Crawford & Co, Cunnigham Lindsey, GAB Robins, Pathfinder, Alltex, Cramer Johnson Wiggins, Reid, Jones, McRorie & Williams. Inc.and Legacy Claims Services, McKinny, TX. and SHOW that you can do the work and you will be called when a BIG ONE hits

Wow.  Ray,  I have to say that was a good post.  Very specific and a great idea.

 Solid homework assignment, Ray!

I have been kicking around adjusting career for 20 years+. I have evolved a cleaning business into a flood/fire restoration business because there was a need in a large rural  county 2 1/2 -5 1/2 hours from major cities. I learned to do everything from mop-up to remodel. I shortly began adjusting exercises when company/independent adjusters trusted me to give reasonable estimate and solid recommendations. (and they did not look forward to long drives and hunting a damaged  home based on... "drive 2 miles past the dead raccoon in the road then turn left at Wrighty Jones abandoned 32 Ford then make a U turn".......well...you get the idea.).  

I prepared scopes, diagrams, photos, assessment of what the originating cause was, and tried to apply thier specific cost adjusting guidelines that I collected over the years via estimates adjusters submitted to me.

I now have been in On and Offsite Condominium Management for 12 years. Wood structure Townhouses. So I have done my share of damage control and assessment, preserving a record of the event, and investigating damage for the Association & Condo Owner.

I have learned  a lot from both company and independent adjusters through the years. I now want to follow up and see if my experience actually would be something that could give me a real edge even at 55. Also, is there any other specific avenues of education & training I should aggressively pursue?

You willingness to offer constructive, realistic, strait forward advice is truly appreciated.

Aloha,

Rick

The question is always what is the market. The market is homwowners losses and about 75% or more of single to 3 family homes are insured under one of the 3 Homeowners forms for about 18 perils, plus risk of loss(very broad) Tnerefore get a good book on how to build a home for About $18.00 at Lowe's (Framing by Wagner) read from front to back several hours per week. Then learn an estinatics program this a a software program that helps put the paper work out and has to be done on ever property loss. Ask the potential adjusting firms the estimating programs used the most. It will come ouy 1. xactimate 75-80% 2 Integra Claim 3. Simsol 4 Power Claim 5. Others. So this question is answered.

Now e stimate your own house and send it to me, I can get others to help also>. But we are paid about $75.00 per hour for out time and I will not waste my money, unless I see a lot of study and swet on the estimate. It might be too later this year, but keep your regular job and get ready for the future. Its best to have a years savings in the bank, but we all started some place, and if you can do this estimate your chances of getting a call is improved 100 fold.