Posted By Jud Gardner on 28 Jan 2009
What are your thoughts regarding ethical considerations of working as an Estimate Writer or Insurance Consultant for a General Contractor while working claims as a 1099 Adjuster?
I was given that opportunity last year, and thought about it because I needed the work at the time.
I decided not to do it. I have done claims in the same area that I live for over 15 years, and bump into the same contractors. I decided that if I "got too friendly" with a contractor, had received payment from that contractor, it would taint my "neutral" position if I was doing claims for an Insurance company and that contractor was called to the site by the Insd from the Yellow Pages ad.
People tend to jump to conclusions, and often not in your favor. Once I had an Insured who was a really nice guy, he was a developer, and a torrential rainfall caused a "mud-flow" from his large construction site to the road below. The claim was eventually denied, and he took it like a man, understood the policy didn't cover it, really rare, decent human being.
Years later I get a claim where he is the claimant, and I mention to the claims examiner that this guy was a really nice guy, I had met him before, and was that a problem (she said it was OK). Well the Insurance company ended up denying this guys claim (long story) and essentially called the claimant a liar, yet their own Insd had changed his story in front of 4 people, but they all worked together so I end up looking like the "bad guy" who is siding with the claimant, who I knew - that grew into accusations and stupid questions like "did I play golf with the guy" etc. (no).
That claim may still litigate, as the developer did not get treated the way he felt he should have. I can only imagine going to that deposition, and having to explain if I had worked for the guy in the past (I hadn't) or taken money from him in the past (I hadn't).
So when this other friendly water-fire damage contractor calls and says he is swamped and needs help writing large fire estimates, I just did not want to get involved with anything other than "arms length" negotiations with future claims.
You want to be able to tell the homeowner that his contractor estimate is out of line (if it is) and if the Insurance company isn't going to pay more than their own estimate, then he may want to shop for another contractor. No Strings, no baggage, no ammo to be used against you.