Forums

I was also a staff adjuster that turned to the cat side. One thing to consider is whether you can wait to get deployed with an IA. If you go to the companies cat team your income will remain in place, and you will make contacts with the IA firms that work with your company now. That might make the transition a smooth one. I thought I would go right out. The combination of no major storms and also being the new name on a long list of adjusters waiting for deployment made for a long wait with no substantial income. If I had the chance, I would have gone with the companies cat team, then went with Worley, Pilot, or some other IA. Just my opinion

JWG

A lot depends on your current financial position. If your wife makes a good living on her own, becoming an IA may be feasible as many worked very little, if at all, most of this year. If you have been with your company 22 years, I am sure you make a good salary and probably have great benefits. How will leaving affect your 401k and/or pension. As Jim pointed out, it may make more sense to try to get on your company cat team and make contacts. Also, have your company cross train you in property, both HO and commercial.  If you like the cat life, it may be an easier transition.

I also worked for the auto side of a large national carrier. I volunteered for the cat team and they then trained me to do catastrophes. While away from home on a hail storm in Fort Worth on my fortieth birthday, I determined that I would not be happy until I did this "CAT thing" all the time. That's when I began a two year process of setting things in motion to go independent with a plan. I got lucky and the plan payed off.

Since you have the opportunity to work for your employer's cat team, I would suggest you take it. It will allow you to determine whether you love cat work and whether you can deal with being away from your family for long periods of time. All this while keeping your salary in place. With frugal use of the perdiem your company supplies you, you will even raise your income significantly. It will also allow you to interact with us who are independent and see how the other half lives.

If you have to ask, you don't have the cha cha's.  Stay away.

bufordgonzales: I believe the gentleman is asking a scenario question and wants information to make a educated decision. That proves to me he has a usable brain. You have the cha cha's to make a post like this, but after review of your profile, you don't show whether your an adjuster or not. Is that not the cha cha's?  Complete your profile an then challenge a post.

Exactly, what is a cha cha?  I don't speak spanish.

Mr. Toll, Just my opinion, but I for one appreciate your counter punches to the cheap shots given here. I especaily like the "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." quote. Keep it up

JWG

Here's an update on my situation. I certainly appreciate the friendlyadvice. I am now told that we will have only one auto adjuster in my area, down from four. The senior man is retiring. That leaves me as senior man competing with two others who are junior adjusters by at least 10 years. The adjuster left in the field will be a "task represenative".

I have already had discussions with a local IA about handling trucking claims and doing some storm work. My problem, as I see it, is that I have not written an auto estimate in 15 years. I am going to have to re-train. While I have adjusted many auto claims, most of my experience, especially in the last ten years is on the casualty side.

Hopefully, I'll be the last man standing at my current location. Ideally, I keep the job for another three or four years and then slide into the company CAT team. However, I must have a contingency plan.

If I am out the door, what vendor has the best training program that will allow me to get the most/best exposure? I understand Worley has a good program and that they love former State Farm adjusters. Also, I ubderstand Custard has recently signed a contract with Nationwide. Are their any vendors that pay according to how much is produced instead of by the day? As an example, let's say during a major CAT an auto adjuster is placed in a call center to handle total losses. Are those adjusters paid on the basis of how many total losses they handle or are they paid a flat fee?

Guys, I appreciate all your opinions during this most difficult and stressful period. Thank you.....

 

Flat fee

The only thing I could see that you will have to adjust to (other than extensive downtime) is production. I was just released from a hail storm that hit last April. You walk in, they put 50 to 70 claims on your ECA. The staff adjusters there were doing 30-40 a month. Of course they were fire losses and the like, but the sheer number might freak a guy who is used to looking at a few claims a day.

But then you're from the auto side. I have no idea how those guys work.

OA, sound like you thought it through. One thing to watch as you contact these companies, with your resume, the IA firms will jump at you, they will tell you they are looking for adjusters just like you, they may even throw out the "supervisor" word. They will even tell you they are working on handling dayclaims for several companies. Then once all the selling stops, you find you have been placed on the roster just like everyone else. Still waiting on a call. Watching all those little dots and blips on the SPC wondering if it is going to take a storm that will impress Noah to get you called out. But eventually you will get the call, and you'll be hooked.

Also, go get some property training, the assignments will last longer and pays better.

If you can be trained in cat. property by your employer its a no brainer. Work one big storm and you are set. Try some one like Custard ,Cunningham-Lindsey; because when the storm is over you can slide back in to Auto liability until the next blow comes along. GAB etc.

Oldadjsuter

You mention Worley and that they love former State Farm Adjusters. That is your ticket to get into CAT claims. Of course you will need to obtain their certifications and get some property estimating training. There are several companies listed on this site to obtain "CAT Adjusting Training".
When I can no longer climb on roofs, I will strictly do flood losses. You must always plan ahead because you do not know what's around the corner.
Good Luck.