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Larry,

It's not the message with which I have a problem; it's the presentation. I see deficiencies on both sides of the vendor/adjuster relationship, and as you know I have been quite attuned to the changes in the last ten years (or more, not counting my knowledge of the history of insurance in the US since 1752).

Roy's message is full of observation and some truth, but lacks tact, and consequently does him and us a disfavor.

I am just very thankful for the many good carriers and many good IA firms out there who realize that it's not their boss, client, or carrier that pays their bills, but the customers.  These firms/carriers are out there, you just have to look hard and have some good luck.

Posted By Jim_Douglas on 20 Apr 2012 01:38 PM
This disturbs me, cause I did take one of those classes, I paid 1300 for a complete adjuster training class, including exactimate.. I am very serious about working as an adjuster, and am very excited at the chance to get out there.. I might be a newbie, but I have been a contractor for many years, and have dealt with adjusters on a daily basis, so I'm not coming into this with absolutely no knowledge of claims work.. I am frustrated with the fact that I have to spend thousands of dollars to get all these certifications and classes, and there is still no guarantee you will get work.. I do not have thousands of dollars to throw around.. It seems to me this is a who you know business, or your stuck just throwing money away.. I didn't go and obtain my license because of the get rich quick , like many of the training places make it seem, i did it because I want tobe am adjuster, I like working outside, I enjoy helping people, etc... I have to ask, is this a waste of time?? What does a newbie have to do without spending thousands of dollars?? I r inexperience juster..lol.. Thanks for allowing me to vent..

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Jim,

There is zero reason this should disturb you. Most importantly it seems that you have a good head on your shoulders. You should be well aware that the education necessary to receive your license is not the end of the learning process, it is only the beginning. The 3 to 5 day schools are not in the business of preparing you or to give you the training necessary to be able to work claims upon you receiving your license. Those that claim to have you ready to work claims upon licensure should be ashamed of themselves, PERIOD! All they are there to do is give you the rudimentary knowledge necessary to receive your license and in regards to combo classes (IE License/XM8/Adjuster101) to give you a basic foundation of understanding the fundamentals of your estimating software (In regards to CAT work, you are most likely working with XM8)

That you have years of construction experience does indeed give you a leg up, but there is still a lot to learn before you are ready to competently handle someone's ability to move on with there lives after a severe weather or man made event. I say that because I too had multiple years in construction prior to coming into this industry. Much like when I was in boot camp in my Army days, upon graduation and then being assigned to an infantry unit, I realized that successfully getting through boot camp meant I now knew enough to realize I don't know S**T.

Getting an adjuster's license should not entitle a new claims professional to handle claims, it should simply allow said adjuster to learn the ropes before being out there on their own. Florida has a fantastic rule in regard to rookie public adjusters. A rookie PA receives a provisional adjusters license and is only allowed to work claims under the direct supervision of an experienced adjuster or a independent PA firm for a period of one to two years. Only after that time and only when said PA has demonstrated competent claims handling skills will they then receive their PA license that allows them to work unsupervised. I believe that this is something that all states that license their adjusters should adopt on BOTH sides of the fence.

In regard to your own words:

I have been a contractor for many years, and have dealt with adjusters on a daily basis, so I'm not coming into this with absolutely no knowledge of claims work.. I am frustrated with the fact that I have to spend thousands of dollars to get all these certifications and classes, and there is still no guarantee you will get work.. I do not have thousands of dollars to throw around.. It seems to me this is a who you know business, or your stuck just throwing money away.. I didn't go and obtain my license because of the get rich quick , like many of the training places make it seem, i did it because I want to be an adjuster, I like working outside, I enjoy helping people, etc... I have to ask, is this a waste of time?? What does a newbie have to do without spending thousands of dollars

I understand your frustration at having to spend thousands of dollars on this class and that certification and there is still no guarantee of work. Well get used to it because rookies and veteran claims adjusters alike both have to put forth the same money every year to stay up to date. Even a 20+ year veteran adjuster who is NFIP certified still has to take an annual course to maintain said NFIP certification, they still have to renew their Florida or Louisiana Citizen's certification, their TWIA certification.

You are 100% right in that in this business ,It is about who you know! Just like many other industries, there is always some guy/gal working claims that has no business being out there ahead of somebody more qualified, but because they have friends or family in high places, well enough said on that.

Your last question is, "what does a newbie (I hate the term newbie) rookie adjuster have to do without spending thousands of dollars?" That is easy,"stay out of the industry all together."  I say this because this is simply an expensive industry to work in period! We have to spend a lot to make a lot. Even after all the training expenses to get you up to speed, and let's say you get that oh so exciting first deployment. Now the real expenses begin, in most cases you have only a few days to get from your home to the storm site, then you got a couple weeks of lodging, fuel, food expenses not to mention whatever recurring monthly expenses at home. That alone is a few grand a month (conservatively) that you have to sustain operations until you start to get claims closed and start to see a return.

The one thing for sure is that your first few years as an adjuster will be spotty income, simply due to our work being predicated upon:

1) Severe weather events or a man made event

2) said event must be significant for the insurance carrier's company/staff to become overwhelmed and hence justify bringing in IA's

3) Said event must be even more significant due to a hierarchy within the IA industry. The first to go are teir one and veteran adjusters (in addition to their friends and family) then those with moderate experience and on down the line

However, there is no reason that you can't become successful in this business because these last few years have spawned many a new adjuster's career. It just takes a lot of patience and yes a lot of money until that happens. You can start with spellcheck

As most know I will help the new folks provided they are realistic in what it takes to become a working adjuster. There are no shortcuts, but for those willing to put in the time and effort, I will help them every step of the way. For those who commit to excellence, a whole new world awaits. 

 

Robby Robinson

The funny thing about it is that everyone who has posted here came to this website looking for their cheese.   I suggest you read the book to find out what to do about it.  If you've read it before and are tempted to become discouraged like me, read it again.

Posted By Eddie on 29 Apr 2012 10:04 PM
I have only been on the site for about a week and all I read is negative BS about new people . I have been in the construction field for 25 years and I have owned my own construction business for 8 years working wind & hail claims in the Chicago Land area. Now for the last two to three years adjuster have been telling me to become an adjuster because I am tired of dealing with home owners . For instance some of these people think they hit the lottery because they have a insurance claim and I get screw out of the job it does't happen all the time but when it does it sucks. I have my adjuster LIC and I am going into this business I not give a FU what you people have to say. I have always helped new people when I was a Union carpenter that is the kind of person that I am and if someone whats my help I will help them. I will continue with my roofing company and when I get deployed I will do this job with pride because that is the kind of person I am . I will be doing both when there is on adjuster jobs I will be doing roofing here in Chicago Land area.
PS to all of you with the negative BS GO POUND SAULT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Eddie,

Let's get one thing straight, what I and most others post isn't negative, it is F-A-C-T. Further, I have and will continue to bend over backwards to help the next generation of claims adjusters as will most others on this site as well (provided that said rookies don't have a chip on their shoulders). I applaud you for saying you will help rookies as well, however one should have a clue as to what they are doing before they begin to teach others.

Your words below:

I have my adjuster LIC and I am going into this business I not give a FU what you people have to say. (first lesson is free, if a rookie adjuster so desires to make a BOLD statement to veteran adjusters, one should first learn proper sentence structure if said rookie adjuster wants to be taken seriously!!) 

Your words below:

I will be doing both when there is on adjuster jobs I will be doing roofing here in Chicago Land area. ( Second lesson is also free, if you honestly think that you can combine the two industries, well let's just say that you will lose your adjuster's license even faster than you received it (if that is even possible) (IE... conflict of interest). Once again, proper sentence structure is advised. If a rookie adjuster turns in a narrative with such atrocious deficiencies, it's going to get kicked back)

In closing, if in fact you do NOT give a F**K what we have to say, then don't read what we have to say and ....keep your mouth shut!

 

P.S. Spell check is in the upper left hand corner, you might want to use it, just sayin'!
 

Don't you have any thing better to do? You have no idea what it is like to own your own construction company. When I invoice the insurance company, they will release the DEPRECIATED FUNDS to the home owner so my company can get paid for final repairs. Some home owners think they can pocket the final check. That's when I have to get my lawyer involved to collect the final payment. If they owe me $5000,it ends up costing me $2000. That's a headache and it's just not worth my time...MELON HEAD!! 

As a matter of fact,my wife thinks I'm quite attractive and not at all Troll like.I appreciate your commenting on my looks.I take care to put on a sun shiny face for all to see and enjoy.You must have been looking into your own I Love Me Mirror when you came up with that wonderful comeback.

To Robbie: I am quite aware of where the spell check is.I was just wondering if you had the I.Q. of a Field Mouse to notice. Now,on that note...Please feel free to go Sit & Spin