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Lets face it, a union is out of the question. First, the insurance industry would not tolerate it, the vendors would not tolerate, nor should we. We can, however, look to representation as a group in some form of association. There are several good associations out there, NACA, etc., but, they do not offer the assitance is securing claims.

An association of very competent and experienced adjusters could be formed and it would work, if properly planned and thought out. Right now is not the time, as the last two years has been very rough on this industry. Many newbies have left the circle, as they are unable to establish themselves for daily work. Ray Hall and a number of us have no problems getting daily work, as we have been around a long, long, long, time. We certainly don't make the money we could in a good storm, but then we don't have to work 16 to 18 hours per day. A good association of nothing but dedicated, professional adjusters would definately work, but would there has be enough interest. There are many people, such as Regan, that feel they can accomplish what they wish to accomplish by themselves, and I wish them well. At one time we tried to start the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters and that has fallen by the wayside, do in part to the lack of work and disinterest of the many. I really feel this could work, if many participated and the right reasons and plans were facilitated. We had about 80 that said they would participate, out of thousands of adjusters.  Yes, there are some cocky adjusters around.  I unfortunately meet them all the time, but every industry has them.

Does anyone else feel like the agenda here has become a spin-off of all the training classes that were being offered last year?   It's pretty flat up here in my neighborhood, too, if you need to land one of those flying pigs. 

Many catastrophe adjusters have an inflated value of their worth. I have a very impressive CV of claims I have worked. But most of things on the CV have nothing to do with replacing 40 sqs of composition shingles on a dwelling or 800 sqs of mod bit membrane on the Grand Casino in Tunica, MS.

My exotic passport required trips had nothing to do with me getting the last storm loss I worked. The weather conditions was the only thing that got me the job, I could talk the talk and walk the walk. I was not my "certifications" or training schools orTexas License. However, I would join the bar tenders union and drag up when a storm hits if I wanted steady work.

However, I have thought about a new training school for adjusters on how to handle both sides of the stories told in the Applebee's parking lot with a 24 page book that you keep.

All previous comments aside, I am for an association of good, experienced, qualified, hard working adjusters. I really am.

There are many, many IA companies that say they have them. These companies say they can go anywhere and staff any storm and do really good work.

Really!

If all of this is so, why are so many of the old guys lamenting about the current situation? Why are we not working?

I have worked many, many claims in storms that never made the news. I prefer those over the "headline" storms. I suspect most of us do.

No loss of life; the property damages are not devastating; few tragedies; simple claims that are easy to close; etc, etc

Even on these smaller storms there is a strong need for adjusters that just show up and go to work. No drama queens or kings, just guys and gals that get up in the morning and go to work.  Close 'em and they stay closed.

I don't think an association will address or cure the ills in the industry at present. I think the pendulum will swing back (eventually) and those that have stood the test of time will be rewarded.

But then, what do I know?

I agree that we do need some kind of a group,Assco call it what you want. It is high time to stop taking the crud we put up with and get this under control. With all the free time alot of us have had certainly we could pull it off. I think it is funny how soon we forget how we went to a storm and it did not work out the way we would have liked. And your complaints fall on deaf ears. WE TAKE ALL THE RISK AND PROFIT SOMETIMES.. Listen nobody you work for cares squat about you or you finaces. They make the same regardless of the # of claims or the amount of adjuster at the storm. I don't see where the vendors or Companys could stop a group from forming if enough of us would wake up and tell them heck no we wont go. It just would take alot of big coohonas to get it done and I don't see any one wanting to take that risk right now or in the future. It is a shame that the vendors don't look after their flock any better than they do. I think it is because the old guys that started their companys have turned it over to their sons and daughters that mite have had a week worths of claim handling and know they are running the show. If the vendors really were thinking about us we would have a new fee sch out for this yr, and they would see to it that they wouldn't send anybody out for  just a few claims. I don't know how many it would take but I would guess if we had 2000 strong willing to go the distance it just mite wake them up. And who knows we mite see some change. In the mean time lets hope this yr is better than last so we can pay down on that credit card debit...

NEVER CONDIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE: AS LONG AS YOU PERSIST YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL..

I'm back doing daily claims, and some of the carriers I work for are Armed Forces Ins, and USAA.

I had a couple new ones from USAA Friday and was reviewing their instructions, don't wear blue jeans, address the (Military) policy holder by their rank, or "Sir"

Little bit of an attitude shift - it's a professionalism thing.  Keep your hands on 'da clipboard.

I would be right in the middle on organizing this group if I was still a traveling storm adjuster. I decided not to be a traveler any longer on June 1, 2006 and I guess I should not be posting on this site, just an old habit.

I am aslo doing USAA claims at the moment.

I find the attitude shift a small price to pay for the ease and simplicity of the turn in process and the amazingly friendly and hepfull people calling from the office.  Although i still find it more difficult to pick up the phone for the initial contact when having to call the member by his rank lol.

My father was in a union, the union he belong to restricted new people from joining, depending on market conditions. Also family and friends got in easier than others. No thanks, I prefer doing things on my own. Just my opinion, don't take it personally.