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Third and wisest choice to to get a company job and really learn the business.

Posted By georgelamar on 02 Jan 2012 02:15 PM

Im a new adjuster (ive never worked a claim in my life). Ive been on this forum for a while now and ive read quite a few posts but I have a question about which makes more money in the long run.

Should I try to get on working daily claims for a company or should I try to make a job out of working CAT claims? 

 

Thanks

GeorgeL.

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olderthandirt has nailed it!!

Working daily claims as a rookie in most cases comes from surviving through your first CAT event. As we all know CAT work is tough and the learning curve is steep and is simply trial by fire/sink or swim. If you pass muster there then you could possibly venture into the realm of dailies

I was lucky as I survived my first CAT, however many rookie adjusters don't. I survived part by luck but moreso because I was taken under the wing of a group of old school adjusters.

The KEY to excelling in our biz is through knowledge, know not only what to do but WHY we do it. Someday someone (insured/PA/attorney) will ask you a question and responding to said question with "because XM8 says so" won't suffice. Until you get deployed your job is to learn everything there is to know about the HO1,2,3,4,5 etc.... DP series of policy. Learn the biz, period!!

By far the best way to learn the biz is to get paid to learn, apply to become a staff adjuster(usually requires a 4 year degree but I have many friends who got picked up as a staff adjuster trainee without said 4 year degree)

Crawford and Company/State Farm/Allstate/Farmer's are but a few carriers and/or IA firms who have staff adjuster trainee positions

Whilst I sound like a doomsayer, I am not and if you work hard and listen to instruction, you WILL survive that first CAT. I have faith in each and every rookie and I will help you in ay way I can provided you are willing to get dirty ,willing to to look beyond XM8 IA firms rosters and become a student of the insurance adjusting industry. Someone who knows the 6 figure salary is the fruits of experienced adjusters who know their job backwards and forwards   

I was licensed in November '08, courted every firm I could find and nothing but crickets and "we will keep your resume on file". I kept my day job contracting and my CE and licensing up to date (and called the nice ladies in deployment twice a month on tuesday at 8:30 am for three years). I had 2 interviews for a staff adjuster that went to the final cut but was not hired. Then Irene came along and low and behold I was deployed and didn't get sent home. While in the midst of 18 hour days and trying to keep it together a company called and said, "we have day claims for you" I called back and respectfully declined.

As soon as I came back I called said company and sent an updated resume and the same to 50 other companies. Because I made it right? Then the crickets again..... Back to contracting in the day (and networking in the night) but now I have the fever, not for money but for ADJUSTING. So I resubmit the resumes, start calling again. A month later I am working claims again. Not getting rich but working.

Keep after it, one day someone will give you a shot. It could be tomorrow, next hurricane season or three years down the road, but it will happen

Thanks guys!! I will keep at it!

George, were I currently work, a mass hiring of adjusters has taken place.  I'm in St. Louis (not sure where you are).  They hired people w/ no degrees, but a lot of customer service experience and is teaching them how to work claims.  I think location is key to finding an adjuster's position as a staff member, but you have to keep looking.  Indeed.com is a great source.  I was in your situation in 2006 and since have worked w/ two different companies (one w/o a degree) and now this one with a Master's Degree.  I've also worked daily claims (very few, but added experience).  Your resume also is crucial.  You have to bring something to the table that they feel they can use.  Have someone take a good luck at your resume and you want to modify it for the positon you are applying.  "All" organizations expect some customer service background bec you will be assisting their customers and keeping them happy.  Typing speed also helps because they can imagine that you will be swift w/ documentation.  Hope this helps and good luck!