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Last Post 02/09/2011 4:49 AM by CatAdjusterX

New Student With Questions

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thrashin302
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Guest
Posts:1

01/18/2011 12:03 AM
After a long time of not knowing what career path to choose I have to decided that I'd like to be a claims adjuster. I've searched this forum and found lots of good information, but I still I have a few questions on how to obtain a decent career in this field,and I'm hoping I can get some answers here. At the moment I have a intrest in Auto Claims, but I wouldn't turn down a position in property or etc. I know there is not a set college course to take for this career, currently I am enrolled in a Vo-Tech school in there Collision Repair Prgram. It's a 2 year program, after this first year I wont have my Associates degree, but I will be Certified in Auto painting and will have completed my Professional Collision Estimating lecture and lab classes. I'm debating about only completing this 1 year and then switching my major to the Insurance and Finances program and getting my Associates in that . Would those courses be sufficient enough to land a claims job after I graduate? Should I finish out the collision repair degree or would it be just as benificial to have just the one year, cuz I just turned 22 and dont really wanna do another 3 years of working part time and juggling school if I can get by with only having to do 2 to get the same job. I've heard of Claims Schools that last like a week or two, are these worth checking out, or are the required ? Does anyone know the average cost of these seminars? I was wondering what entry level positions eithier within the insurane field or not that I could apply for that would build up my resume and give me expierance that would look appealing to future employers for a claims position. Lastly, I read that Auto Claims Adjusters typically make $34000-40000 after school and after several years of expierance the average is $50-60000. I'm not asking what anyone makes, but are those numbers fairly acurate? Thanks for any advice or information.

Tags: FAQ

ChuckDeaton
Life Member

Senior Member
Posts:1110

01/18/2011 12:22 PM
No, emphatically no, Auto Claims Adjusters, beginners that is, very seldom work and expenses have to come out of the gross. Generally speaking Auto Claims Adjusters work a hail storm, it lasts a month or maybe 6 weeks and then the storm is over. All the autos are inspected, estimates written and everybody goes home. Then there is a waiting period for another storm, if there is another storm that you are assigned to. Most rookie Auto Adjusters never make $34,000.00 gross much less after expenses are deducted. In fact very few rookie Auto Adjusters make it "several years". They literally don't make enough money to survive. "Prattling on and on about being an ass with experience doesn't make someone experienced. It just makes you an ass." Rod Buvens, Pilot grunt

Leland

Advanced Member
Posts:741

01/18/2011 2:27 PM
Chuck, I think he might be referring to a trainee staff position. The salary range is about right for a beginning staff position. I know a young guy that got one of those jobs- they are fairly plentiful, but he just did the company training. They send the new auto adjusters to a company school for a few weeks, typically. I believe it is paid training. These rookie jobs are posted all over the internet. Obviously the pay is low. If you are still living at home, or maybe if you are on Midwest housing costs and single, this could be a start of a career. I see these guys all over LA, at least five different carriers I've seen- company car, cell phone, laptop, drive from car to car and visit body shops. They drive up and often do the estimate right there. The guy I know started at a little over $30k. He was unemployed and the job was fairly easy to get. Maybe adjusters in these positions can switch to property later. Maybe its possible to go from Auto to residential to residential large loss to finally commercial. I don't know what the career paths are. But I suggest to my friend that he try to switch into property. He's still doing auto now 3 years later.

Leland

Advanced Member
Posts:741

01/18/2011 2:30 PM
This guy might be doing too much training out of pocket, considering that the companies send you to their own training once they hire you. They might want you to learn their in house methods, not bring your own. But if some hiring managers don't want him, maybe one will.

thrashin302
Guest

Guest
Posts:1

01/18/2011 4:05 PM
Okay, So I take it the Auto Claims isn't a glamorous high paying position. The way you guys make it seem is that its the bottom of the barrell for insurance/adjusting jobs. It sounds like I dont need all this schooling to break into claims, and that it's possible to just walk in and get a job with no schooling, is that true for property and other adjusting positions also? If i still take the 2 year class in Insurance and Finances what are a few other career paths in the insurance field that might be better? Thanks for the responses..

Ray Hall

Senior Member
Posts:2443

01/18/2011 8:06 PM
At 22 you will have it tough to break into adjusting if you do not have a 4 year degree. If you have one try all the large insurance carriers. THEY will train you @ their expense and you will get paid to l;earn. These insurance jobs that you pay up front don,t produce results about 90% of the time.

Leland

Advanced Member
Posts:741

01/18/2011 11:08 PM
everybody has to start somewhere. the schooling might help you later to get promoted, or if you want to change employers etc. If you are still in school and not ready to start a job you can still interview, let them know you are still in school. See what they say. Ask the potential employers the same questions you are asking here. If you have an insurance instructor, ask them. Something I posted before: go to a body shop. Ask them for the name of an adjuster they see on a regular basis. Call that adjuster, tell them you are thinking about getting into the business. Ask them for their bosses name. Basic networking. You can get really far in life just by talking to strangers. Talk to more than one and compare what they say. Send thank you notes. 98% of the time, you will be the only person to send one.

CatAdjusterX

Veteran Member
Posts:964

01/30/2011 6:11 AM
Posted By Robert on 18 Jan 2011 04:05 PM Okay, So I take it the Auto Claims isn't a glamorous high paying position. The way you guys make it seem is that its the bottom of the barrell for insurance/adjusting jobs. It sounds like I dont need all this schooling to break into claims, and that it's possible to just walk in and get a job with no schooling, is that true for property and other adjusting positions also? If i still take the 2 year class in Insurance and Finances what are a few other career paths in the insurance field that might be better? Thanks for the responses.. Look friend, unless you have a Bachelor's degree, you will not get on with a carrier, it happens sometimes but don't count on it. There is no such thing as bottom of the barrel in regards to adjusting, work is work. If you like throwing your money away, take that 2 year course Whilst it happens sometimes, nobody is going to take you on without an adjusters license, XM8 proficient. There are 10s of thousands of newly licensed adjusters that are competing against you for ANY position, staff/independent/trainee. All you need to get on even ground with all the unemployed licensed adjusters is to get licensed. All these certifications are worthless if you don't know XM8, period. Stop spending money on all the training and pay for XM8 level l,ll,ll training courses. XM8 and a license is the ONLY thing any rookie needs to pay for. you can deal with the other certs when you have a few claims under your belt In regards to all the different career paths, which one is better? Do your own research guy , come back next week and let us know what you found out. Once you do that, we have no problem helping you What made you want to be a claims adjuster?, what did you do before wanting to work claims(prior industry). In all honesty, do you have the ability to get deployed to a storm and pay for all the travel, lodging and food and fuel for the first month out in the field? The first two weeks to a month, zero coming in and hundreds a day going out. It can be done but there are dues to pay. Let us know what you found out and we will go from there "A good leader leads..... ..... but a great leader is followed !!" CatAdjusterX@gmail.com

JimGary

Member
Posts:470

01/30/2011 1:52 PM
Posted By CatAdjusterX on 30 Jan 2011 06:11 AM There is no such thing as bottom of the barrel in regards to adjusting, work is work..... Well said. As an auto adjuster, still working after many property guys have already gone home and been home for some time, I am tickled to be working auto. JWG I know the voices aren't real, but sometimes they're right!

magnoliaadj
Guest

Guest
Posts:21

02/07/2011 1:25 PM
catadjusterx Would you also recommend dental school to an aspiring brain surgeon? You suggest xactamate to an aspiring auto adjuster which would be just as useless. Also, two year diplomas are sometimes enough to sign on as an auto appraiser. I agree that a degree is usually required for a company staff job as an adjuster. At least this wannabe is open to worl\king staff as a local to gain experience rather thtan most who want to be on the fast track to what they consider to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbw.

Roy Estes

Member
Posts:155

02/08/2011 9:45 AM
Robert Auto Adjusting is a rewarding career, I know many Auto Adjusters and they Love it! Go for it dude! "Each of us as human beings has a responsibility to reach out to help our brothers and sisters affected by disasters. One day it may be us or our loved ones needing someone to reach out and help." RC ESTES

CatAdjusterX

Veteran Member
Posts:964

02/09/2011 4:49 AM
Posted By magnoliaadj on 07 Feb 2011 01:25 PM catadjusterx Would you also recommend dental school to an aspiring brain surgeon? You suggest xactamate to an aspiring auto adjuster which would be just as useless. Also, two year diplomas are sometimes enough to sign on as an auto appraiser. I agree that a degree is usually required for a company staff job as an adjuster. At least this wannabe is open to worl\king staff as a local to gain experience rather thtan most who want to be on the fast track to what they consider to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbw. ............................................................................................................................ So in my advice I gave this kid, I made a mistake about the software. You state "Atleast this kid is open to a staff position as opposed to chasing a rainbow" So with that statement in mind I state "Atleast I took the time of day to help as opposed to telling the kid to read through the archives here to answer his own freakin' questions!!" "A good leader leads..... ..... but a great leader is followed !!" CatAdjusterX@gmail.com

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