I agree with Roy, primarily because I have been receiving about 2 e-mails per day from vendors trying to get us signed up for Citizens commercial work. I will not be working Citizens claims this year or any year thereafter until they get realistic about their requirements. They have turned into an unworkable beauracracy, just as our federal government has. I fear that the citizens of Florida will suffer due to their philosophy and requirements.

Times are changing the industry into something that will become a beast of burden. I am deeply concerned about this industry I have loved for 47 years.

Have to agree with Tom, as I also have been inundated with requests to work Citizens claims.

Also have to state that Citizens 103 page contract, with all of the legalese has totally turned me off also, I'm an Independent and there are 495 commercial writers in Florida alone, so there will be work.................

Today received a complete list of the 45 companies Citizens hired to do the work, and quite frankly only a few were recognized as firms whose reputations have preceded them, and who I may consider working with. (However not for Citizens) these companies also have other clients.

IMHO, anything over a cat 1 will result in the biggest foul up since the Feds in Katrina and Citizens will be at the head of the problems.

Give me a small IA Firm a few large commercial writers and im happy.

Roy is correct the IA's will overload their mouths, place 1000's on standby, and perhaps send out more than enough , and give them a small amount of claims, which if they are lucky will cover their expenses, (this out -of -pocket expense can equate to as much as 50% of your gross.) and you have to wait 30-60-90 days to get paid by the smaller independents.

Please be careful about to whom you commit, follow the requisite Q&A and best of luck to all who choose to jump from the frying pan into the fire.

If you do not know the person who called you very well... always have them send you the contract and read it first.  The all read about the same but all the protection if for the writer of the contract.

Always get this first

1. Fee bill copy of all carriers they work for.

2. Do you have to wait for your money, until they get paid ? (rather normal)

3. Do they send you an invoice copy on ever turned in file ?  [stops all the pay questions]

4. How many files will you get?

5. Do they have a copy of a complete file?

If a monster storm hits if you have one year under your belt, you can wait 7 days and still get a job.

Send your contract back to the vendor and see if they will sign your it on your terms.

You will get we are too busy calling people to do this. Why would you work for someone who is that unprepaired for a storm ?

I see what you all are saying about the red tape involved in handling Citizens claims, but a lot of those requirements that they have are those put on by the State of Florida and apply regardless of the firm or carrier you choose to work for.  Take for example, the 90 day rule about getting claims closed and paid or face hefty fines.  That's put on by the state. 

As far as firms are concerned (if you have the luxury) pick the ones that pay up front- before the carrier pays.  Why should you have to pay the penalty for poor quality control by an adjusting firm.  The Adjusting Firm that approves a crappy file is the one that shouldn't get paid- not you.

Then, if they don't get payment discrepancies resolved within the first pay period or shortly thereafter, get out of there before you get in too deep with unpaid services.

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  Have to agree with Ray.

Why doesn't Citizens hire 20-40 really seasoned adjusters to weed out the true adjusters from the wannabes and poor quality ones?  

All they would have to do is ask the "approved" adjusters to submit, as Ray suggested, a sample work product of some of the files that they turned it, were initially approved and they were paid for.  

Then the "Adjuster Approval Team" (AAT) will submit their recommendations to Citizens and the weeding out will take place.  

IF  this were to be done prior to any occurrence the savings to Citizens would be staggering, as the ratio of re-opens and contested claims would drop significantly.   

Let the party start and the results will surprise everyone, the Carrier, the State, the examiners and most of all those who proclaim proficiency and professionalism, when none exists. 

As is always the case, just one (1) mans opinion.

A very distinct possibility!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys this all sounds nice BUT!!!!! sending out copies of previous estimates would be in violation of the U.S. privacy act.  The only way you could send out a copy is to remove any information about the recipiant of that estimate.  If you do that you might as well just write a dummy estimate which could be scrutinized to make sure it would pass an examiner.

When I was released from Citizens after "Wilma" Citizens made me PURGE my computer and turn in ALL files to them to comply with the Privacy Act.

Another way to find good adjusters will have to be found but asking for previous work will not be the way.

, Well that sounds like a reasonable and correct assessment of the issues.

It would be possible to remove or blank out all of the relevant personal information, such as name , address, carrier, policy number and claim number , etc from an existing estimate.

To write a dummy estimate for consideration may only encourage some to have it written by others and submit as their own product.

My thoughts were to have a complete estimate, photographs with descriptions, a file report, statement of loss, and recommendations all submitted, a completed file if you will.

It's highly doubtful that this will occur, but just in case it would happen, the rules and regs could be implemented easily.

Just wanted to drop a thought out there....As with ALL employment fields out there, there are going to be bad employees as well as wannabees-beginners, as well as the "Experienced" employee.  Bad employees are usually weeded out with their performance as they should be.....but my thoughts about the wanabees-beginners is somewhat different.  As the old addage states:  Everyone has to start somewhere.  Should there not be any wannabees-beginners in the fields of:  Teachers-accountants-lawyers-doctors-nurses-mechanics-welders-electricians-plumbers,etc.......If they have taken proper schooling, have the licenses, somewhere-sometime-they have to take on their first-second-third appearance into the working world with their learned capabilities.  Not everyone will be "perfect" on the first out.  There will be some mistakes made, but we all have to start somewhere and should be allowed to approach a new career with the understanding of all involved that this is my first out-second out-and one should be given the opportunity to pursue with out discremination from lack of experience.  Is there any  "experienced" adjuster out there that does not remember their start into this industry?  Are ALL the experienced adjusters-completely and 100% faultless in any mistakes made on any of their claims, including the first ones and including what was done on the second-third and last storm ??? And another thought could be that we all will have to stay on our toes and perform exceptionally well or there will be some  "newbee-wannbe-beginner" ready to take the opportunity to show their abilities.  I am not saying that they could be "better" than experienced adjusters, but I am saying that I would really like to know how many of the "experienced" seasoned adjusters who want to be on that "qualifing" team......are also on the list at their childerns school, to "review-qualify" their childrens teachers-you know- the wannabees-beginners-who just graduated from college and have never taught a class in their life.....???? How many review the qualifications to such extreme on their plumber? What a world this would be.....if technology-schooling-college- does not offer the graduates a place to go and put their learning to good use and better themselves as well as the world.  And if you read, most advertisments for adjuster positions require some degree of college and many also state "No experience required".......Hummmmm....what are those employers thinking?

And no, I am not a wannabee-but still considered a beginner by many of you.....I only have 4 years under my belt. And yes, I did make mistakes, but thankfully....I was not shot on sight.      And I have only gotten better and better.         Yea...for..... America ......The Land of Opportunity!  Even for beginners.

  You do make an interesting and poignant point of view, and personally i do agree with you. However, your comparison of each or the "trades" you mention do not reflect the real requirements necessary.

For instance in the construction industry, (my personal background), each and every trade , Carpenter, Plumber, Roofer,Sheet metal Worker, Pipe Fitter, Electrician, Dry waller, Mason, cement Finisher, Laborer et al all require an apprenticeship program of 3-5 years for every trade. These are all monitored and tests given that must be passed, and their pay scale is reflective of their accomplishments in that particular trade. They normally start at 50% of the journeyman's rate and their rates are increased semi or annually.

As for the other professional trades you allude to, teachers, doctor, lawyers and Indian chiefs, all had to accomplish educational backgrounds and then serve as apprentices in that area of expertise. 

There is always a need for new blood, the old timers will all pass on one day, as many of my friends have already. (And their input, camaraderie and knowledge is sorely missed).

It is not a mark against anyone to wish to enter this profession, yea, there but for the grace of God, go I.

Rather, it is for those that choose to do this type of work, to understand and realize that there is a price to pay for everything. Education does not come cheap. A college education is now almost $100,000, and apprenticeship program takes just as long but not as expensive. So why would this profession be valueless? We do earn some substantial income, when we are employed, why would it be for free?

If the newer people would give credence to the vast amount of knowledge available here on CADO, and use it wisely, not be greedy, understand that we are the life blood of the affected insured, then perhaps they will matriculate into what we "old timers"feel is correct.

Again, just one man's opinion