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Last Post 09/11/2007 1:10 PM by Jud G.

2007 Version of Know before you Go.

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01Snake

Member
Posts:85

08/16/2007 2:35 PM
Posted By Gale Hawkins on 08/15/2007 7:06 PM Rob might be surprised to learn how many IA’s would be very pleased to net $50K a year over the long haul. I would say these people should just be staff adjusters if they are happy with 50 large a year. Might as well get the benefits outta the deal if your content on that salary.

rbryanhines
Member

Member
Posts:119

08/17/2007 5:53 PM
I 've been on and off this site for some time and know a few of the vets. I usually don't respond but I can't help myself in light of some of the recent post on various topics. 1. This is a cat site and most cat adjusters can service carries without the full range of policy and insurance principles. Some have implied that if you don'y have all the knowledge of various policies you have no business adjusting. There is a huge difference between the knowledge required to be a cat adjuster than that of a Staff adjuster. Most carriers would rather the IA be a estimator. Most cat adjusters just need to understand the HO policy and will do fine. I know of some Cat adjusters whom only have understanding of the HO policy and have made a great living in cat adjusting! I dont see the need for trying to make some feel they are inferior. 2. I've been an IA for over 12 years and have done well. I'm in it for the money. That does not mean I don't like helping people but the main people I like to help is my wife and kids. Someone said "If you are in it for the money, get out. We are a profession and not a job." I will get out when I feel the compensation is too low for my work product and the time away from the family. If I had to encourage someone starting out I would encourage them secure another revenue stream for the slow times. When I started I had a janitorial business that serviced commercial properties. Without this add'l source of income it would have made it hard to make it. GL

Tom Toll
Moderator & Life Member

Senior Member
Posts:1865

08/17/2007 6:47 PM
One thing I realized many years ago is the fact that if you enjoy helping others in time of THEIR crisis, that you automatically get compensated for it. If money is the only proclivity you have in this business, try to allow yourself to give some empathy to your insured. Of course we all have to make a living in this business or there would be no one to adjust losses and that would be sad. That is one reason I have tried to learn all I could relative to this occupation, which makes me a better person and a knowledgeable property adjuster to assist in dire times others are having. Sometimes we get so involved with making tons of money to support this cat habit, that we lose sight for the reason we are there. I prefer working cat claims and love the ability to be able to help in times of stress to the insured. I spend time with them before I begin the scoping process and try to explain as much to them as is possible and I actually listen to them. Janice, my wife and working partner has the same attitude. We all must make a good living doing this, due to the enormous expenses involved in this work. Empathy is a strong emotion that must be displayed in this business. Yes, I work for a living, yet I enjoy helping others that have lost much of what they have worked years for. Listening to your insured will give them confidence in you, regerdless of your knowledge. Hopefully we will see some work this year, as the past 17 months have been very sparse, even for local work. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

cowboy26995
Member

Member
Posts:154

08/24/2007 2:09 PM
Having worked all facets of this business from independent to staff to management to the restoration business and finally as a cat adjuster over a thirty four year period my greatest source of satisfaction has been the daily challenges and the interpersonal relationships we develop. Instiiling confidence in the insured in regards to your abilities goes a long way to ensuring a smooth claims resolution. Processes flow when there is a trust established, we all deal more readily with folks we like. Listen to the insured but also take charge of the process. Inform the insured of their policy benefits in regards to the damages sustained. Explain that they will be responsible along with you to bring their claim to a satisfactory conclusion. Be precise in your requirements. Leave the insured a list and follow up. Be available for their phone calls. It's amazing how quickly a file can go south if you do not return your phone calls. If you remember that we are SERVICE providers and treat everyone as though they were your first priority earning a good living is only a few steps away. You gotta know your stuff, bull------ only goes so far. Keep abreast of industry changes, continue your education, and listen. Marc Dubois Executive General Adjuster M.G.D. Claim Services Inc. "Your Commercial Claims Solution"

ranger

Member
Posts:56

08/24/2007 5:08 PM
I am an IA and I work daily claims for a few different companies Since the Texas HOB was done away with and replaced with the HOA my claim assignments were cut about 50%. I was assigned by a large vendor to work Ivan, Katrina and Wilma. There was no hurricane assignment last year and there is not a lot of activity at this time. There was mention of a staff adjuster making $50,000 a year. In addition to that there is a company car or car allowance, expense account, educational allowance, company paid adjusters license(s), major medical, life insurance, 401K, retirement and other benefits. The thought of becoming a staff adjuster again becomes appealing when there are no hurricanes.

okclarryd

Veteran Member
Posts:954

08/26/2007 8:17 PM
I've done this and that through the years and once a cat adjuster, always a cat adjuster. I've been an independent working local claims, been a staffy guy for several carriers, been self-employed as a garage owner, whatever.........I'm still a cat adjuster and always will be. Money is on my list for sure but it's not at the top. Doing the best job I can do for the policyholder is at the top. If I make an accurate scope, prepare an accurate estimate, submit the file the way the carrier likes it, and submit it in a timely manner, then the insured gets paid his damages, I get paid for doing the file, and the carrier thinks I'm pretty good at what I do. If I do this 25 to 30 times a week for several weeks, I get paid well without making it a priority. And, then I can go home a practice on bein' worthless. Larry D Hardin

Ray Hall

Senior Member
Posts:2443

08/27/2007 5:28 PM
I may have been too hard on some people, but Larry said it all for me. "I try to do the best job I can for the policyholder". I think any person that has made claims his/her career has done this for many many years. Any adjuster who has not followed the law and the gudelines set down by the carrier thats covers all the really bad things that can be in store for the carrier IF THEIR adjuster did not conform is very punitive and must be respected first.

swink_d

Member
Posts:96

08/27/2007 5:58 PM
+1 and will be called on again

linloy

Guest
Posts:2

09/10/2007 10:56 AM
I have a question. Does anyone know if Citizens is going to use Independent Adjusters to handle Flood Claims? Thanks for any info. Linloy

sbeau4014
Founding Member
Member

Member
Posts:427

09/10/2007 11:43 AM
to my knowledge, Citizens doesn't write any flood coverages.

linloy

Guest
Posts:2

09/10/2007 2:28 PM
Steve: Thank you. I think you are right. I could have sworn 3 years ago they were writing. Possibly not..........thank you for your comment, appreciate it. Linda V.

swink_d

Member
Posts:96

09/11/2007 3:38 AM
I could have sworn they had single adjusters as well

Jud G.

Advanced Member
Posts:509

09/11/2007 1:10 PM
Which Citizens are you referring to? The windpool for North Carolina NCJUA utilizes the sap fairly heavily even though they don't "write" flood policies. Therefore, it is possible that one of the Citizens co.'s (LA and FL have 0 relationship, by the way) instills that their assignments are generated that way as well.

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