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On the contrary,  $500 a day for a first assignment sounds like a good start.  Especially considering the fact that most newer adjusters do not get thrust into the core of the damage where 20 - 50,000$ claims are almost routine.  Depending on the fee schedule, 50k can be quite a bit of work!    

All that i would caution new adjusters about is to pace yourselves and don't scope more than you can handle.  Many people say don't scope more than you can close in a night, but sometimes stuff happens.  I would say that is generally good , but i try to do a 3 day on-- 1 day off program.  That way if you have a day where you scope until dark, you have the 4th day to catch up the paperwork.   Later on in the storm, that 1 day can become important for other things, like periodoc file reviews with your supervisor  as well as squaring away your laundry and things like that.     

if you last long enough to get 3 or 4 months into the storm,  you probably have a good thing going and are staying caught up -- then that 4th day is great to recharge your batteries, unwind and go fishing or whatever.  Your no good to your carrier, vendor, spouse, or policyholders if you drop dead from mental burnout in 3 or 4 months -- LOL  (trust me, you will know what i mean all too soon if you get handed 75 claims or so get turned loose.  Pushy policyholders, long days and longer nights learning the ins and outs of ever changing estimate software, plus keeping up with insurance companies who change the rules twice in the first 30 days on everything)

September in Florida (or AL, MS, LA, S. TX) means going through 2 or 3 shirts a day,  this can add up to quite a pile after a week.   Its best to use a drop off service, but you still have to have the time to do it.   You are the face of your carrier, so it helps to be presentable too,  try not to be a rag bag, even if you are sleeping in your truck

So far, so good. After leaving the automotive side of this business for 17 years, I ventured into the property end in 03. Had a great 04, 05, 06 and have worked steadily in 07. Just finished up re-open/re-inspections from Katrina, which has kept me busy all 07 until last week. A few daily claims still trickle in, but like everyone else, I am looking forward to a busy cat year.

I just can't understand the nature of telling everyone you know how great our industry is, which adds so many new "adjusters" each year, and dilutes the pot for us all. The more people getting into the business, the more opportunity the carriers will have to lower the fee schedules (supply & demand), reduce the number of claims given to each adjuster (which allows them to close more, quicker), and generally hurt those of us already working in the business.

I understand that folks are retiring, getting out, or whatever. I also understand that if the number of new adjusters keeps rising, our abilities to perpetuate a good standard of living will be diminished exponentially...


sz

I hear what your sayin Steve

 

However, most of my colleagues outside this industry are already established (families, kids, house, etc.) and could never dream of leaving that for 3 - 6 months on an uncertain and brand new career path.

I have met enough "former roofing salesmen"  and "former contractors" trying their hand at this to know most of the newbs will not last their first slow year.

If someone cannot make it as a contractor or a salesman , i don't understand the logic behind thinking that being an adjuster will be any easier, when it is quite the contrary