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There is no way I would offer up my old files or any old files for sale on the internet. I also have every digital file I worked since 1999 and the reports contain a lot of personal information. One insurance co. I do business with includes date of birth and social security #s on the loss notice. If there is a PILR report in the file it also contains this information. Identity theft is rampant and your putting yourself in a bad position. If you worked for my adjusting co. and I found out you were selling old files for personal gain or any other reason I would fire you on the spot.

You are putting yourself in a position to be prosecuted and to be sued. I would highly suggest you do not sell, or even give away these reports as they are actually owned by the insurance company. Even if you block out the personal information, you would need written approval to use these documents for personal gain or otherwise.

This may be good advise, but I have blocked out all names of the 3 parties involved, all addresses and phone numbers, any names used in diary notes. The accord or assignment sheet is never a part of these files. They are simply scopes, line by line estimates of damage, a statement of loss, diagrams and good captioned photos. Captioned reports or short form reports. They can be hypo or real files and are for training purposes only and so labled.With digital files I can show my self as the insured on ever file(after the fact) and so forth in reguards to XYZ as the carrier and ABC as the vendor Goodness how will MD's learn medicine without books and bodies to examine. All comments welcome.

Darn Steve we are related as I think that lawyer also represents my late uncle

. I have offered to help new people for years on turning in good files, but did not get any response. I made this post and I have had two very positive people who think old files are a good way to learn. I signed them up. I can change any file in my computer and I have not broken any laws. All the info is xyz, ABC, I V M etc and I can make up the damage or use real damage. I just think it is better to look at real photos of damage. I think all the carriers in the USA would like to have better files, but it just seems when it comes to cat. files sloppy, poorly written, just trash files is whats expected from "storm troopers". Since that was my label for about 15 years I have always tried to help clean up my old vocation's image, just like you have.

One of the duys who called today said he purchased the books I recommended at Lowe,s on framing and feels much better now. He also did someother book or paper I recommended  that was very helpful to him. But, the real reason he is my number 1 customer is he is still working on your lots of water and my fire loss.

I was in a seminar yesterday that was very enlightning dor me. I thought the individual adjusters and the vendors were being named in the suits by the plaintiff;s because of the changes in joint and several liability laws. A very good attorney quashed this theory. His expert opine was two or three of the named defendants home reidence would keep  the suit in state district court of the Texas county the property is located  and prevent it from being moved to Federal Court. This is the real reason. I feel better now.

I have not had a great response to purchase sample files. I think all the $$$ have been spent on license, learning an estimation program going to schools, travel, lodging etc. The industry does not need one more good catastrophe adjuster today.... It it may this way until next hail season, if we have a hail season next year.The industry does not need one more person who wants to be a catastrophe adjuster for years to come.

Now how are the losses handled in a prompt, fair way. Its letting the insured prove their loss with a sworn proof of loss. Its letting contractors who do the work be given an incentive not to rip the carriers off, by guaranteeing the workmanship. It,s by having more confidence/ trust in the field/inside adjuster.

Insurance companies do not need to change how they handle claims. JUST handle catastrophe claims the same way as your regular claims and clean this mess up. Run and gun and cleanup crews is not the way to do it.