Posted By Rob on 30 May 2012 03:36 PM
Hi everyone,
My name is Robert. I have been in the medical insurance business for 3 years now and a little over a year ago my uncle introduced me to this business. I have taken and completed my Texas All-Lines license course and have submitted my application to get my Texas All-Lines license through TDI. I have also enrolled to obtain my PTC certification.
I do have one question though to anyone who is willing to answer it. I have gotten into a 1099 contract with a IA out of Texas. I have been under contract now for a couple of weeks and have not been assigned any daily claims. How long does it normally take to get going with an IA once under contract? I don't want to bug the company and make myself look like a complainer or whiner, lol.
Thanks for any advice and hope to make new friends on here.
................................................................................
Hi Robert,
I have a few questions for you. As ClaimsRay stated, a contract does not guarantee zilch. Are you sure you mean contract or just an agreement that if and when you receive any claims you are to be renumerated as an independent contractor as opposed to an employee?
I say as much because in regards to a contract, did you sign a Non compete clause? Some of these clauses are very broad in verbage and can create havoc.
The IC agreement I have when dealing with adjuster(s) in regard to a no compete clause is written specifically towards not allowing the adjuster I assign to a claim for carrier X to solicit said carrier to handle claims directly.
A few years ago when I worked as a claims manager for an IA firm back East, I had an unfortunate situation develop. Upon leaving that firm to start my own IA firm I was presented with a Cease and Desist letter which discussed said Non compete clause. That particular clause states to NOT solicit business from clients of my prior IA firm(understandable). However, the clause goes on to state that I will NOT solicit business from any POTENTIAL client of my prior IA firm (NOT understandable). The language was so broad , it would've basically hamstrung me from working in the industry for a period of up to two years.
In that Iowa doesn't license adjusters, is the training vendor that you received your Texas license the same "IA firm" that has you under "contract?"
In any case, you must understand that in general, doing day claims is reserved for the experienced adjusters with a proven track record (IN MOST CASES) or when rookie adjusters ARE doing dailies from the onset of their career, it is that they are staff adjuster trainees (IN MOST CASES)
Whilst their are some rookie IA's that have done dailies they are the exception and not the rule.
What I can tell you with certainty is that MANY training vendors will use the carrot on the stick routine of "graduates from our training curriculum will be offered "contracts" and placed on the firms "roster" for daily claims and CAT work.
In closing Rob, whilst certifications indeed have a place in this industry, that place is NOT with the rookie adjuster. There is one glaring exception to that rule (in my opinion) and that is the PTC series of certifications. These come from Crawford and Company through KMCOnDemand. I believe these to be the future of the industry and although there is still a long way to go, it is hoped that these certs will become the industry standard and as such, could save IA's a lot of money on travel/lodging to maintain the umpteen certs out there now.