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I can see and agree with both sides of this. (If there really are sides)

I had a long and arduous training period in my early days.  I was given the opportunity to fail and I did so often.  My employer and mentor would help me up, dust me off, tell me how to do it correctly and then step back.  I had lots of opportunities to fail.  The lessons I learned this way have stayed with me a long, long time.

That was then and this is now.  The companies, whether carriers or independent adjusting firms, are not forgiving and are not interested in the slow, long learning curves.  Run 'em through a couple of classes, let 'em read policies for two or three days, hand 'em the keys and away they go.

The focus now is on correction, not learning.  The focus is on micro-management, not allowing adjusters to adjust with each adjuster having his or her own methods and abilities.  The end result, a properly adjusted and closed claim is not the objective any more.  It has to be properly manipulated, digitized, submitted, spell checked, folded, spindled and otherwise massaged so it looks just exactly like the other thousands stored on a server somewhere.

I'm not real sure that's what I pay my premium for.  There has to be leeway for the adjuster to adjust, to allow for the variances that occur in life, construction, lifestyles, and all the other variables that we deal with on a daily basis.  I am forming the opinion that the last area of "adjusting" is in the commercial venue.  Usually, commercial adjusters are allowed to utilize their intelligence, experience, education, social skills, and any other tricks up their sleeves to properly address and adjust claims.

I think I'm gonna go complete that application to be a greeter at Walmart now.

Y'all have a good day

Lotta truth there Larry......is that why that desk caught fire?  Inside is certainly different than in the field huh?  I had the same problem with some of those concepts back in 05-06 inside, but learned to accept "it is what it is".......and since then in some places it maybe has become more of what "it is going to be, is what it's going to be".   But if you walk in knowing that, and are willing to follow the rules....all is fine and the pay is the same.  There are no bonuses for trying to prove your point and know better than those that laid out the guidelines...just a 1 way ticket home.    

Kennith, many of us ol timers received our training first through a national carrier. I learned my basic skills through Farm Bureau back in the early 60's, (yep, I have been around a long time). They were very diligent in their training, first sending me to Farm Bureau Tech, Kennedy School of Arson Investigating and numerous other schools, inclusive of Law School. Times have changed and so we must change with them. It is difficult to get into a carrier positiion without a college degree. My degree was in music with a minor in psychology, music being totally unrelated to adjusting, never the less, a degree. I cannot repeat enough times the necessity of proper training, and schooling.

Cat adjusting is another animal all together. This allows some vendors to have a three day school, teaching only the basic concepts of adjusting and then sending you out to get eaten alive by carriers, policy holders, and public adjusters. Not my idea of a good way to learn. If one wishes to get into this business and be knowledgable of this trade, then one should get the appropriate training prior to getting on a vendors list. There are schools out there that are excellent in their ability to teach, the best being, (in my opinion) Vale Tech. The second best way to learn is to be with an experienced adjuster that actyally knows how to adjust. I say knows how to adjust because I have run into many seasoned adjusters that lack skills to be a good and viable adjuster, sad, but true. If your new to this business, buckle up and hunt for an experienced adjuster, ride with him, (of course you need a license first), and learn as much as you can from him. Don't expect to be paid much, as our pay seems to decrease each year. Where else can you get an education and receive pay for doing so. Work hard, keep your mouth shut, listen to what the adjuster is saying and certainly, watch his every move. If your diligent in your efforts to learn and help that adjuster, he may take you under his wing and really teach you how to be an adjuster. Nothing in life is free and forget the concept that adjusters make tons of money. It doesn't happen. After gaining experience and self teaching yourself, you can make a decent living, although it is a tough life being on the road constantly. All of you beginning adjusters hang in there and do your best to service the policy holder to the best of your ability and never forget to ask questions if you don't have the answer yourself.

Janice, my lovely wife, learned her skills from me and several other general adjusters, learned policy by reading and reading the policies and has become an excellent adjuster because of her determination and desire to be the best. This can be accomplished by anyone if they have the desire and proper attitude.