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There is definite truth to that It seems as if you have much experience under your belt, it usually takes many claims or storms to be able to simplify the claim writing process. I know a great many that have been put on a storm and with overcoming the "learning process" comes much stress and lack of sleep.  I am simply offering my experience to those who want to spend their time out in the field mastering the inspection process, instead of  sitting in a hotel or RV stressing over the claims they need to write up.

You have a point --- if you are a newer adjuster (or just new to xactimate) and running 10 hail assignments per day with a close rate of 5 per night, by the end of one week, you can be as much as 35 files behind (or worse).     If that goes on for a month, panic mode can set in. 

But hopefully, most storm managers won't do that to newer personnell, but i have seen it in the wake of the hurricanes ("here you go, here's 150 claims -- good luck" )

The individual storm managers might frown on this practice, but i guess it would not be much different from an adjuster having his/her wife or husband write their estimate after they have scoped the loss.

For me, the thing that takes the most time (besides photo labelling) is writing a detailed activity log   ----- but i do remember what its like to be new and taking 2 hours to write a relatively simple roof claim that now takes 15 minutes, including the diagram.

I think the Simpsons are on to something that is a service that can earn them a good living. Most good digital camera have sound and the inspector could give the directions and what he was looking at and this could be worked out by email. People who examine files by E  usually expect about $100.00 per hour which is about 6.67 files per hour for vanilla files. Software ware is around to recognize speech and this could be used for scope notes and logs. Keep working on the fine tuning and YOU will have a good product and will be able to stay home abd raise your children properly. Good luck and I will be one of your test subjects. I will need someone like you two if a monster hits the Houston area.

I think the key is the cost per file will have be in the $100.00 per hour range and as discussed the log and photos will be the big item. The good recorders have room for lots of seperate files and the adjuster will have to make the notes as they come in  by having a ready source to find the correct file, unless the logs are transcribed each day into the correct file.... this is a good post lets keep brain storming.

I would hope some other adjusters would chirp up on this topic. Gretchin is headed in the right direction. The key will be a turn key operation for all the componants of the file. My $75.00 recorder has A,B.C.D. and about 18 recordings under each alpha. If you put 7 alpha,s under A, B and so forth you could put all your log on one recorder. When you got a call from MR.AAAB you would do the log note under A1 and MR. Gaas would be underD 1 and so forth. You would have to keep your cheat sheet near your phone and do this each time and when the file is closed the log can be retreived by the file number and the software would write the log as its trained to your voice. The same with the photos using a voice camera.

The condo and high rise building adjusters would be your best customers as you would be dealing with the same scopes most of the time. I can see an entire floor of a hotel with the same scope on building and contents.

Adjusters are very greedy (just look at the Vendors) and they will not split their income with you. But many are probably scuffling around as I am posting this to find a person in their home town for $100.00 per hour 10 hours per day. They will work out the kinks and then make this poor sole who is making a small fortune for them and the most money they have ever seen in a short time. But they will find out how long it takes to do the work and take the attitude of all good adjusters. "TO HELL WITH THE MULES KEEP LOADING THE WAGON" and fire the $100.00 per hour person and retrain one for $50.00 per hour and so forth. I would get at least $1,000 deposit on Pay Pal to show good intent. I would get paid daily until trust is established.

Now come on the rest of you guys its time to give back for your good fortune.... this will work.... just like FICUS TREE.

No Larry, you may not use your old polaroid camera.

Julie it works like this. All adjuster with over 5 years experience are called out first, then 4, then3. then 2, then 1. It seems several thousand are ahead of you but keep sending out you qualifications and when a monster hits they  may get to you. Their really has not been a need for new people with just a license since November of 2005.   Try FEMA vendors PARR, and Wackenhutch.

Julie, Ray Hall is absolutely correct. It would be hard for a new adjuster to get calls for the small cats that we have had in the past months. When a large cat hits, then you may be called. You do need to send your resume to all Vendors with a copy of your licenses and qualification/ education to this point. Claims have been slow over the past two and a half years.

I was trying to make her feel better after spending about $1,000 to get a license that she does not need or may never need. Its possible the next school you will have to attend and be proficent in is spanish. I was flabbergasted this week when the insured told me on the phone that he wanted a spanish speaking adjuster come out to his house to look at the damage done by the burglars. I explained to his daughter who understood english that I did not have the contents assignment, only the building and I could do this in my native language. About 2 hours after I left the agent called me, upset about my inspection and wantintg to know why I did not comply with the insureds wishes. I explained the carrier was pleased with my report and had been for many years.

Seems I will just have to work through this problem like I have other bumps in the road in future years.

Ray, I do work for an insurer who has a large hispanic client base. I do not speak spanish and have yet to find that magical self study course that can teach me. But what I did was compile some specific phrases and possible answers that I can use. The first being "I speak very little spanish". That list has helped me muttle through some claims where english was not the primary language. Unfortunatley I do not have a cheat sheet for Vietnamese or Czech, but maybe someday.

freetranslation.com helped in making the cheatsheet.

JWG

Have to agree with Bob. In Andrew, the English language seemed to disappear, along with all the English speaking Latino population.

After several difficult claims i leaned the phrase " Non Aqua en Casa" (No water in the house). From that point forward whenever the phrase was used, the entire populace of the residences spoke to me in excellent and understandable English, pointing out where i had missed the spots, (LOL).

Sometimes we just gotta do what we gotta do.