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Posted By BlueSkyyz on 30 Sep 2011 07:00 PM

I originally obtained a TX all lines license in 2006. I was not able to do my CE credits and after not really using my license I stupidly let it expire.  I have an extensive background in construction.  I've written flood claims in LA and Mass and wind in Miami and LA and I'm proficient in XM8 27.3  So I'm looking to get my license again and I'm wondering if I should or even could get my TX license again or if LA is reciprocal with enough other states.  Then is it worth getting SF certified?  Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.  Please don't be rude or ugly.

I won't be rude I will be polite, but I can't help it if I am ugly(blame my momma)

Yes you can get licensed again but I believe that you will have to start over and apply as if you have never had the license to begin with. Louisiana is reciprocal with any state that is reciprocal with them. Getting State Farm certified in my opinion(ONLY)is overrated and not the Holy Grail as some folks think.SOP is antiquated and extremely inefficient and almost every new adjuster I know who went to work for State Farm will never work for them again.

Posted By Tommy on 05 Oct 2011 02:31 PM
What other certifications are needed for someone with a Tx all lines license? (I am getting the the SF policy and estimatics certification in a couple of weeks as recommended by Worley.

Tommy, it is my strong belief that whilst certifications may have their place, that place is NOT with the newly licensed adjuster. There is not one single certification that will do you any good if you do not have a strong working knowledge of XM8. You must have the ability to run multiple estimates a night, one night every night. The number one reason new adjusters fail on their first storm and either quit or they are asked to leave is lack of XM8 skills.

THE LAST PLACE TO REALIZE YOU NEED MORE INSTRUCTION ON XM8 IS OUT IN THE FIELD

Carrier certifications are the exception to my beliefs as they are a necessary evil to work for said carriers. Many new adjusters are led to believe that the State Farm certification whether through Worley, Eberls, EA Renfroe, Pilot is the holy grail and the quickest path to riches. Every single one of my newly licensed members who have obtained the SF cert and went to work for State Farm have almost unanimously and without fail swear they will NEVER work for SF again. The reasoning is that the paperwork burden is ridiculously inefficient and NOT conducive to a streamlined process.

I have been told that SF has apparently seen the error of their ways and as such have begun to institute a "NEW" efficient paperwork burden and are educating folks with a 25 hour course. If that is true, then that is fantastic for all involved.

Tommy, do not fall under the ether of the certification mill at this time. It is in your best interests to limit your training dollars exclusively towards as many XM8 classes as necessary to be able to live eat and breath XM8. Your goal should be to attain level 3 knowledge of XM8. Do not need to be level 3 certified, you do need to have level 3 knowledge.

With a commmand of XM8 and a strong understanding of policy (IE...HO-1/2/3/4 etc... and DP series of policies) which you can learn for free by going to www.claimspages.com and downloading and studying the different policies. You will also find info related towards Commercial policies however as a new adjuster, it is unlikely you will be working ANY commercial claims at this point in your career.

XM8, strong policy knowledge and do whatever you can to get some field experience with ride alongs or what have you and you WILL put yourself ahead of 80% of the rookie adjusters

Good luck and god bless

Robby Robinson

I think it is very rare that those that "stick" haven't been staff at one time or another.   The initial training one goes thru as far as being able to read and interpret policy language is invaluable...and having that driven into your head.  Having a construction background, or being trained on Xact, or getting the 3 day license, doesn't mean squat if you are putting estimates together that include non-covered property or damages due to non-covered perils.  It's been said a hundred or more times on these forums that the best bet for any newbie is to get staff training first.  I think it might have been Ray that said it 99 times out of that 100!

Posted By Mike Kunze on 07 Oct 2011 10:22 PM

I think it is very rare that those that "stick" haven't been staff at one time or another.   The initial training one goes thru as far as being able to read and interpret policy language is invaluable...and having that driven into your head.  Having a construction background, or being trained on Xact, or getting the 3 day license, doesn't mean squat if you are putting estimates together that include non-covered property or damages due to non-covered perils.  It's been said a hundred or more times on these forums that the best bet for any newbie is to get staff training first.  I think it might have been Ray that said it 99 times out of that 100!

Mike,

I gotta say I agree 100%. My above advice is advice for a IA CAT adjuster. That is the way I came up and have been an IA ever since. Even with my advice, the failure rate of IA's on their first storm is upwards of 60 to70% across the board. Sad but true and the reason is as a CAT adjuster there is no learning curve, you either sink or swim.

If folks can get a staff adjuster trainee position, that is the holy grail in my opinion because you will have a learning curve and you will earn while you learn.

Yes Ray said that many times, I will miss him dearly and the industry will as well.

Posted By Alex_Chernov on 08 Oct 2011 02:06 PM
Most of the CAT guys I know never were staff. Moreover, most of them never did adjusting for most of their lives. They came from other backgrounds, sometimes completely unrelated to the adjusting. To learn what is not covered you can read HO3 policy in 2 hours or so. More than that. In my case, it was a complete reversal. I stated as CAT IA with no training, no experience. Now, 3 years later I was offered GA staff position with a very respectable TPA. Yes, my friends, I am staff now as of Oct 31. With a car, salary, benefits, and bunch of interesting daily claims. :)

Alex my friend, I am very proud of you, that is awesome!! For whatever reason I thought you were already working staff for Crawford but congrats are in order regardless.

Robby