Posted By Travis on 16 Sep 2011 10:52 PM
** I delibately changed my email, deleted my name, ect to post this. I don't want to look bad honestly**...
So granted, this is my first storm. I'll admit. I've been doing day claim stuff for USAA for awhile back in Atlanta.
I get deployed through X company for State Farm... I get sent to X state. No complaints... I get a laptop, printer, camera, ect. Plenty of stuff that is much appreciated. Pretty cool I don't have to use my own equipment not going to lie.
However, what in the heck is with State Farm's RIDICULOUS amount of paperwork in order to complete a claim ontop of their stingy billing fee?
I mean really? if I don't get 2 closed a day I'm barely making money. BARELY. Numerous people have just straight left due to these conditions and many of my coworkers have stated they will never work with State Farm again.
I ask you guys.. anyone else deployed through a company for state farm and think its ridiculous?
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I can tell you I will NEVER work for State Farm EVER again but not for the reason's you state.
I don't know SF current paperwork burden, but I have heard from multiple adjusters new and experienced that the technology is antiquated and far from fluid.
However with that being said, being your first storm, I am happy that you chose to stay anonymous because this will give you the information needed to either continue and work through it or throw in the towel and move on to another industry.
Even under the best conditions, a CAT event is simply organized chaos and that is when you have everything under control and is NOT something everyone can handle.
I tell all my newer members that you should start by closing no more than two claims a day and to not write more claims than you can close per day. After the first week or two then you need to move towards 3 to 4 a day and if you can do that consistently and submit a solid work product , stay there with 3 to 4 a day for your first event and you will do two things, 1) You will make some money and 2) you will show the powers that be that you are cut out for this kind of work.
If you are having any issues with exceeding two claims a day after a month or so now and you are honestly giving it everything you got, this is something that you need to think about because you won't make the money to justify the high overhead of a working CAT adjuster. THERE IS NO SHAME IN THAT WHATSOEVER, this is a tough tough industry and that is why we make the money we do.
Hang in there and take the advice from those that respond and make your own decision on whether to continue or call it a day.
GOOD LUCK !!!
Robby Robinson
Appreciate the advice. I'm getting through it. I busted my butt since Saturday afternoon, Sunday and again today to get through this paperwork but its getting done. I just see it at a level that is unecesarry for what the fee bills I am turning it. It would seem much more efficient to have some inside people handle denial letters, logs, ect, and have the Adjusters in the field doing what they do best.
I'm finally off my leash persay as of Saturday and I can close in the driveway which cuts down the paperwork to 1 rather than 5 actions needed to close a claim.
I've finally got a system down and its working. If this business wasn't tough, there wouldn't be any more in it.
Also, I can't multi quote on this forum... Atleast I could not figure it out. But someone commented about the old style of system. Your completely right, it is old and for the guys that have come in for their first storm, not knowing a thing about Xactimate, or even picked up a computer in the last year they are struggling bad. Even for someone like me, I am young, I build websites and do server management on the side back at home, this system was interesting to learn. Its very old style system which was probably written in the 80s and somehow is still functioning. Software like this, when it breaks you pray that there are guys still around that know how to fix it IMPO. Thankfully enough I grew up in technology and I can learn most of these things very quickly simply because my age.
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Well, XM8 issues seem to be the undisputed killer of most new adjusters. That you picked it up fairly quickly gives you a definite leg up above 90% of your newly licensed brethren.
That you spoke of "closing in the driveway" I am assuming that they have given you a draft authority. That amazes me that they are giving newer adjusters draft authority! I have a newer member as well that was given draft authority. He stated almost the exact sense of bewilderment that a modern entity is still using a type of DOS. Take NO offense at my being blown away about your draft authority, it is what it is and NOTHING PERSONAL. My guy told me although he was given draft authority, it was a mere 5,000 which seems like he couldn't screw anything up too bad with the 5 grand mark.