Adjuster Estimates

Tags - Popular | FAQ  

PrevPrev Go to previous topic
NextNext Go to next topic
Last Post 06/23/2012 7:22 PM by  NelsonR
All Cat company
 16 Replies
Sort:
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Author Messages
mlallen@wyoming.com
Guest
Guest
Posts:10


--
04/15/2011 1:47 PM

    Has anyone heard of All Cat-claims company?  We just got a message from them wanting us on their roster. We have never heard of them. If you have, what are they like and what is their pay scale?

    Tags: Vendor Feedback, Feedback
    0
    catadj2367
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:2


    --
    05/08/2011 10:19 PM
    I know All Cat deals with USAA, and they contact people from all over the country to come to the San Antonio area to take the test. The problem is, USAA has a ridiculously complex test one has to take to get on their CAT team. You are required to sketch/estimate 3 very complex roofs. Roofs that are are so complex, you see a roof this complex perhaps once every 20 claims, if that. If you don't pass the test, you go home, so if you travelled from far away to Texas for the test and fail, you are out a lot of travel money.

    The failure rate on the USAA CAT certification test is high.

    If All Cat calls you to come to Texas USAA CAT Certification, and you don't reside in Texas, INSIST that they provide you with a USAA sample test BEFORE you go down there, and take the sample test FROM HOME before you go all the way down there. If they are not willing to provide you with a sample test, don't bother with them.

    If you don't pass the sample test, I advise that you do NOT go all the way to San Antonio for the USAA certification.
    0
    BeenThereDoneThat
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:6


    --
    05/10/2011 7:38 PM
    This is from a staff guy. Allcat is one of the top three cat cos out there. If you get signed on with them do it their way, the right way, or go home. My employer sent out an email this morning and said if we get an Allcat claim in, pay it, do not need to review it, since it has gone through their internal estimate review it is good to go. I have never had to send an Allcat estimate back to them for revisions. The email I received this morning said "Allcat is the best vendor we have out there". There is something to be said about having to pass tough requirements, it is being the best. Also, all the bad I have heard about Crawford, they are also in the top three, their reviewers are the bomb! They know the property business.Another thread was addressing photos, I paid off of an Allcat claim today, straight hail damage, 99 captioned photos. I sent the adjuster an email and told him "brother! enough is enough! 96 photos would have been plenty!) And no, I do not work for USAA and never will.
    0
    CatAdjusterX
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:964


    --
    05/11/2011 8:50 PM
    Posted By catadj2367 on 08 May 2011 10:19 PM
    I know All Cat deals with USAA, and they contact people from all over the country to come to the San Antonio area to take the test. The problem is, USAA has a ridiculously complex test one has to take to get on their CAT team. You are required to sketch/estimate 3 very complex roofs. Roofs that are are so complex, you see a roof this complex perhaps once every 20 claims, if that. If you don't pass the test, you go home, so if you travelled from far away to Texas for the test and fail, you are out a lot of travel money.

    The failure rate on the USAA CAT certification test is high.

    If All Cat calls you to come to Texas USAA CAT Certification, and you don't reside in Texas, INSIST that they provide you with a USAA sample test BEFORE you go down there, and take the sample test FROM HOME before you go all the way down there. If they are not willing to provide you with a sample test, don't bother with them.

    If you don't pass the sample test, I advise that you do NOT go all the way to San Antonio for the USAA certification.

    catasj2367,

    First things first, AllCat is a solid top shelf organization. They have recently deployed a handful of my newer members and from speaking with them have found no issues with pay and support .

    I find your comments ridiculous !! Sadly, you're words go a long way in describing the skill level amongst the majority of "licensed" adjusters in the industry today.

    Before I go any further with this post,

    understand that this is NOT an attack on newly licensed adjusters in my industry. Not in the least as I created and implimented the first functional  Apprentice Project through which rookie adjusters are taught NOT in a classroom,but out in the field working real claims. I also created a mentor site specifically for rookie adjusters to guide them through breaking into my industry.

    USAA rocks in my opine, as most know USAA caters almost exclusively with active military,retired military  veterans, disabled veterans,military families.

    You state that the USAA certification exam is ridiculously difficult. It's supposed to be difficult friend! USAA only wants adjusters who actually know something about adjusting. They know that being a licensed adjuster does NOT make that person an adjuster.

    Unfortunately friend, you are used to the sit through the 8 hour class and pick up your cert on the way out the door kind of certifications. Gone are the days that someone holding a certification in a specific discipline meant that person was an EXPERT of said discipline.

    catasj2367, you have just stated with your post for all carriers, IA firms, claims managers and fellow adjusters to read that you do NOT have a clue nor the skill level required to provide the insured with a competent, accurate scope of damages and RECOMMEND said carrier pay a dollar amount sufficient to bring that insured to a pre-event condition.

    In closing, you state that the USAA CAT certification test is high ! Yes indeed that is high failure rate!! The only thing higher is the failure rate of .................................................................................................rookie adjusters on their first storm!

     

    Robby Robinson

      

     

    "A good leader leads..... ..... but a great leader is followed !!" CatAdjusterX@gmail.com
    0
    catadj2367
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:2


    --
    05/14/2011 3:22 PM

    Robbie,

    I have read your posts before. You tend to miss the point in your responses.

    You missed the point in my previous post.

    Yes, USAA is a fine company, and is made up of fine people, both Insureds and staff.

    Yes, the USAA certification test is needlessly difficult, and therefore passing/failing it does not reflect an adjuster's abililty to excel at handling USAA claims.

    Yes, the USAA certification failure rate is needlessly high. 

    Yes, All Cat Claims will call adjusters from all over the USAA to come to their location (San Antonio area, in a remote part of the country for most folks outside of Texas to commute to) to take the USAA certification.

    So therefore, given the high failure rate on the USAA certfication,and the remote location of San Antonio, TX in relation to most of the rest of the USA, one needs PREPARE for the test, BEFORE one decides to travel there for the testing, or he/she may end up being out of a lot of travel money.

    In my opinion, All Cat should paint a realistic portrait of how difficult the test is, and provide sample test questions to enable one to be prepare for the testing from home before making the trip down there.

    My advice to anyone outside Texas is, don't go all they way down there to All Cat to take the USAA certification if sample test questions are not provided beforehand.

    0
    CatAdjusterX
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:964


    --
    05/15/2011 2:33 AM
    Posted By catadj2367 on 14 May 2011 03:22 PM

    Robbie,

    I have read your posts before. You tend to miss the point in your responses.

    You missed the point in my previous post.

    Yes, USAA is a fine company, and is made up of fine people, both Insureds and staff.

    Yes, the USAA certification test is needlessly difficult, and therefore passing/failing it does not reflect an adjuster's abililty to excel at handling USAA claims.

    Yes, the USAA certification failure rate is needlessly high. 

    Yes, All Cat Claims will call adjusters from all over the USAA to come to their location (San Antonio area, in a remote part of the country for most folks outside of Texas to commute to) to take the USAA certification.

    So therefore, given the high failure rate on the USAA certfication,and the remote location of San Antonio, TX in relation to most of the rest of the USA, one needs PREPARE for the test, BEFORE one decides to travel there for the testing, or he/she may end up being out of a lot of travel money.

    In my opinion, All Cat should paint a realistic portrait of how difficult the test is, and provide sample test questions to enable one to be prepare for the testing from home before making the trip down there.

    My advice to anyone outside Texas is, don't go all they way down there to All Cat to take the USAA certification if sample test questions are not provided beforehand.

     

     

    catadj2367,

    Thank you for the response. I will agree that there have been some instances where I have been wrong and I can accept that. I have no problem with apologizing if I was wrong about something and in fact I have written an apology or two right here on CADO

     My responses can be harsh but I do not believe that I tend to miss the points that have generated a response from me. I am very passionate about my industry and am not afraid to voice my opinion

    ( I even got thrown off the debating team in college. They said I talked to much !!)

    In my opine, someone who holds a "certification" is supposed to be an expert in that discipline. That is often NOT the case in today's adjusting industry.

    The USAA certification is tough without a doubt. There are many tough questions about coverage and proper inspection techniques and the XM8 portion of the certification is very complex. However, the insured is entitled to receive an accurate inspection and an accurate scope of damages prepared by a professional claims adjuster.

    If an adjuster takes an exam to be certified on any subject and those who hold that certification are viewed by the industry as an EXPERT and that same adjuster FAILS the exam because he is in fact NOT an expert, what do you think should happen ?

    Should the adjuster who failed the exam study harder and learn more about the subject before taking the test again?

    Or should the carrier that requires the certification dumb down the exam so anyone can pass it? 

     

    My personal opine is I wish no certifications would be necessary  AT ALL to work in my industry because having an adjusters license should be all that is needed to show that we are in fact experts in the field of claims adjusting. Unfortunately that is NOT the case because WE ALL KNOW anyone with a pulse can receive an adjusters license these days.

    "A good leader leads..... ..... but a great leader is followed !!" CatAdjusterX@gmail.com
    0
    Jud G.
    Advanced Member
    Advanced Member
    Posts:509


    --
    05/15/2011 5:40 AM
    Robby,

    He didn't say you were harsh; you just missed the point. He didn't say anything regarding the validity of a certification either.

    Don't go to San Antonio unless you've prepared.
    0
    cgragg
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:13


    --
    05/16/2011 12:25 PM

    60%

    pushy, demanding, and will  call you at midnight asking you to get onto the computer

    for 30  minutes  when you're suppose to travel the next day. 

    0
    CatAdjusterX
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:964


    --
    05/18/2011 10:17 PM
    Posted By KittyPower on 16 May 2011 12:25 PM

    60%

    pushy, demanding, and will  call you at midnight asking you to get onto the computer

    for 30  minutes  when you're suppose to travel the next day. 



     

    ???????????????????????

    "A good leader leads..... ..... but a great leader is followed !!" CatAdjusterX@gmail.com
    0
    CatLossMan
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:4


    --
    05/23/2011 8:53 PM
    I just got back from Knoxville working AllCat/Hartford hail loss claims last week so maybe I can address the AllCat side of this discussion. I personally had a very rough time but my failures are totally on ME for lack of my training and certifications. The files I completed are fine and were reviewed by members of the AllCat staff so I'm not concerned about this being a public forum for all to see. I sat across the desk from the owner, James Wolfenbarger, and found him to be a straight up, no nonsense, guy that truly wants and encourages his adjusters to succeed. He set up a help center in Alcoa with a half dozen of his staff for the sole purpose of supporting their adjusters. My main contact was Jay Stewart, the Claims Director, who would drop everything he was doing when I showed up with a problem or for help and would work with me until i was back on track. Numerous times I would call or E-mail to get a simple question answered (which made me feel stupid for even asking) and I was never talked down to. I put in long hours, the computer would go on at 6 AM and often I wouldn't shut it down till 12 or 1 AM. On the rare occasion I didn't get an answer when I called or E-mailed them with a question I would get a return phone call within 5 minutes, day or night. I cannot speak highly enough of the entire AllCat staff and if I had the opportunity I would work solely for them but I still have work to be done. As recommended by Jay I am immediately pursuing my certification for USAA and my Level 3 in Xactimate which takes me to New Orleans the first week of June in hopes of being able to work with AllCat in the future.
    In summary I cannot think of one thing I could suggest that would improve their operation nor do I know of any company I would rather work with if given the opportunity.
    0
    CatAdjusterX
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:964


    --
    05/24/2011 7:15 PM
    Posted By CatLossMan on 23 May 2011 08:53 PM
    I just got back from Knoxville working AllCat/Hartford hail loss claims last week so maybe I can address the AllCat side of this discussion. I personally had a very rough time but my failures are totally on ME for lack of my training and certifications. The files I completed are fine and were reviewed by members of the AllCat staff so I'm not concerned about this being a public forum for all to see. I sat across the desk from the owner, James Wolfenbarger, and found him to be a straight up, no nonsense, guy that truly wants and encourages his adjusters to succeed. He set up a help center in Alcoa with a half dozen of his staff for the sole purpose of supporting their adjusters. My main contact was Jay Stewart, the Claims Director, who would drop everything he was doing when I showed up with a problem or for help and would work with me until i was back on track. Numerous times I would call or E-mail to get a simple question answered (which made me feel stupid for even asking) and I was never talked down to. I put in long hours, the computer would go on at 6 AM and often I wouldn't shut it down till 12 or 1 AM. On the rare occasion I didn't get an answer when I called or E-mailed them with a question I would get a return phone call within 5 minutes, day or night. I cannot speak highly enough of the entire AllCat staff and if I had the opportunity I would work solely for them but I still have work to be done. As recommended by Jay I am immediately pursuing my certification for USAA and my Level 3 in Xactimate which takes me to New Orleans the first week of June in hopes of being able to work with AllCat in the future.
    In summary I cannot think of one thing I could suggest that would improve their operation nor do I know of any company I would rather work with if given the opportunity.

    ..........................................................................................................................................................................................

     

    CatLossMan,

    Bravo !! Well said ! Congrats on surviving your first storm!! I cannot think of a better way to show that AllCat is a top shelf organization than this post.

    To hear that Jim and Jay did for you what they did makes AllCat a desirable firm to work with.

     

     

    Robby Robinson

     

    "A good leader leads..... ..... but a great leader is followed !!" CatAdjusterX@gmail.com
    0
    cthomas
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:1


    --
    06/09/2011 8:51 AM
    I have worked for Allcat several times since 2004.

    They are a top notch adjusting company who delivers great service for their clients. As an adjuster be prepared, they will check your work and if you cannot meet their standards you will have a tough time keeping up.

    0
    ttruman13
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:1


    --
    06/26/2011 9:23 PM

    This is my first storm with ALLCAT.  I think they are super supportive and quick with answers to problems.  Their support is first rate.  They do alot of business with usaa and are their largest vendor.

    about the test....it's not that hard....

    yes you need to know xm8 but i differ with one point only.  the roofs on the test are not different than what you see on the job.  In 15 claims i've been on two super cuts with 30 slopes and a 10/12 to boot.  Now granted we didn't measure it and will use eagleview to scope...so from that regard it's a lil unlikely that you would need to be able to scope that kind of roof in xm8

    0
    stephen23
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:1


    --
    02/23/2012 5:40 PM
    I totally agree with CatAdjusterX. Allcat Claims is an excellent firm to work for. The whole allcat team is very supportive. When they put you to work and you do good work for them they will keep you busy. I handled right at 400 claims with them the last few months of 2011. I have nothing but good things to say about them. They do pay on time when they say they will. Two times a month once claims are approved. Always on time. They do require you to write a very well written estimate. In fact after a few months I started recieving emails from carrierr commenting on how well my estimates were written and organized. Allcat claims is my personal first choice firm to work for. If you want to do USAA claims they should be considered first because if I remeber correctly they handle a higher volume of USAA claims then any other firm.

    Second note is USAA certification is not all that hard if you are efficient in xactimate. It would be extremely difficult if you were not effecient in sketch. Both roof, and interior. The test basically tests your skills on basic exactimate estimating skills. If this test is hard for someone to pass then I believe that someone would have a very difficult time in the fast paced catastrophe real world application of the same xactimate estimate practices. Of the 100 people who took USAA test at same time as I did, 30 of us passed. The majority of people who didn't pass was because the simply did not complete the sketches in the 2 hour time limit. If your slow with sketch then the test would be very hard. I finished the test with 30 min to spare and scored a 92. This was my very first time to attempt their test. It is a test that can be passed with ease.
    0
    Pforecast
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:6


    --
    04/18/2012 9:39 PM
    What IA firms handle Farmers, Hartford and The Farm Bureau?
    0
    iamscott
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:5


    --
    04/29/2012 4:45 PM
    Posted By Mark on 18 Apr 2012 09:39 PM
    What IA firms handle Farmers, Hartford and The Farm Bureau?

    Farmers I believe now is 100% staff

    Hartford has multiple, the ones I know of are Crawford & Allcat

    Not sure about FB

    0
    NelsonR
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:2


    --
    06/23/2012 7:22 PM
    Farm is several firms. hartford is RJMW, Crawford
    0
    You are not authorized to post a reply.


    These Forums are dedicated to discussion of Claims Adjusting.

    For the benefit of the community and to protect the integrity of the ecosystem, please observe the following posting guidelines: 
    • No Advertising. 
    • No vendor trolling / poaching. If someone posts about a vendor issue, allow the vendor or others to respond. Any post that looks like trolling / poaching will be removed.
    • No Flaming or Trolling.
    • No Profanity, Racism, or Prejudice.
    • Terms of Use Apply

      Site Moderators have the final word on approving / removing a thread or post or comment.