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Well, Jessi, you didn't actually ask a question, but I will assume you want feedback on, "I was told to obtain my license in NC then obtain FL or TX".
That is good advice, but woefully inadequate. Licensing alone will not prepare one for deployment (which hasn't stopped thousands of people in the past LOL!). There are multiple threads and hundreds of posts on this subject on CADO.
You did not describe your background, so I will offer my two cents based on knowing nothing about you. Since working with an experienced adjuster is probably not going to happen unless you already know someone in the field very well, I would suggest getting any kind of work with a contractor that will expose you to the elements of construction.
Attend as many conferences and seminars as possible and get to know (and maintain contact with) as many people as possible. This will cost you a lot in travel, lodging, and fees but will pay off in the long run.
Join ClaimsMentor and network with those members in your area. Start a claims study group similar to the one I joined in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in 2006.
Order modules from CPCIU and work towards a claims designation such as AIC. Obtain generic ISO policies and study them. Join online discussions about coverage issues.
Subscribe to insurance industry publications.
Invest in Xactimate Levels I, II, and III certifications instead of vendor-sponsored XM8 training.
Practice writing estimates with PowerClaim. Gale Hawkins and his staff are very accommodating to adjusters as far as temporary activation of the software and value our feedback.
Make sure you have the necessary equipment when the next large claims event comes to pass. This includes ladder(s), measuring tools, chalk, magnet, office supplies, laptops and printer, GPS, air card, etc. Checklists have been posted online that will help you determine what you need to have packed and ready to go.
Research safety issues and get proper high-and-steep training and equipment.
Compose a well-written resume and apply to a few reputable claims vendors. Try to avoid the less-than-honorable and/or under-capitalized vendors.
Speaking of capitalization, have a reserve fund of up to $10K to take up the slack between deployment and eventual cash flow, which will be at least a matter of weeks. Do not run up your credit card(s) during your first deployment. Going over 60% of any available credit limit, even if your balance(s) are paid off each month, will ding your credit score (I discovered this the hard way).
Make sure your vehicle is up to the task and well-maintained.
Have a plan in place to take care of your responsibilities at home while you are away.
Maintain physical and mental fitness (some would argue that I am hopeless as far as the latter).

All things considered, for many newly-licensed adjusters a call center situation would be a great way to obtain basic information and experience, as the level of assistance will be much greater than working field claims. The day rates offered, while not as remunerative as in times past, are still nothing to sneeze at, especially for the inexperienced. And the networking opportunities are excellent.

If you are fairly young, especially if in possession of a BA or higher degree, consider entering adjusting as carrier staff. You will start at a modest salary, but the benefits and paid training are very valuable. You may, after negotiating the corporate world for a number of years, decide to become an independent adjuster, at which point you will be very desirable to independent vendors.

Good luck and keep us posted as to your decisions and experiences! -Lee Norwood

Thank you for the feed back.

I guess my actual question was, Should I go for the TX or FL first as NC does not offer training classes, just a speed course to pass the exam.
I would prefer to have some knowledge with a license, not just the license. I know when my family received their licenses, they went through indepth training and education.

I have been looking at different courses and talking to others in the industry to insure I make the right decision in course providers and licensing.

I also agree with your recommendation on employment, I do not want to be another newbie out there with no clue as to what I am doing. I have started working on seeking employment in call centers, restoration companies, etc to obtain working knowledge both in the field and with the programs

Jessica

Posted By Rookie on 22 Feb 2012 09:52 AM
Thank you for the feed back.

I guess my actual question was, Should I go for the TX or FL first as NC does not offer training classes, just a speed course to pass the exam.
I would prefer to have some knowledge with a license, not just the license. I know when my family received their licenses, they went through indepth training and education.

I have been looking at different courses and talking to others in the industry to insure I make the right decision in course providers and licensing.

I also agree with your recommendation on employment, I do not want to be another newbie out there with no clue as to what I am doing. I have started working on seeking employment in call centers, restoration companies, etc to obtain working knowledge both in the field and with the programs

Jessica

Jessica, the knowledge gleaned from a 3 to 5 day course is nowhere near enough to be deployable. That is NOT to say that those classes are pointless, but do not rely on them to educate you on everything you need to know. All companies(training vendors independent adjusting firms)  are in business for one reason, to make a profit. A licensing course is NOT designed to prepare you for deployment, it is designed to give you the minimum amount of information necessary to become licensed. If it is a combo class(Licensing /XM8) which many are, their goal again is NOT to prepare you for deployment but to give you the basics of becoming licensed and a basic understanding of the estimating software of choice (90% of times said estimating software is going to be XM8)

Yes you will learn more from a classroom course as opposed to an online course because you will have the ear of fellow students and the instructors themselves. However, I have never been asked where or how I got licensed and further, I have never heard of ANY adjuster not getting deployed over someone else "because" they took an online course as opposed to the other individual taking a classroom course.

You are being told to focus on Florida and Texas for one reason, those state "resident" licenses are reciprocal with all states (sans California/Arizona/New York/Hawaii/Nevada) that license independent adjusters. However, since you are a resident of North Carolina, you can ONLY obtain a non resident Texas/Florida license because North Carolina DOES license independent adjusters. If North Carolina had no license requirement you could use Texas /Florida as your "Home" state and therefore obtain the resident license reciprocal with 32 other states.

Many people mistakenly believe they can bypass their home state requirements of taking the adjuster exam by getting a Texas/Florida license because the two are reciprocal with your home state. NO you cannot, not anymore. If you have a Texas/Florida NON resident license, you cannot gain your home state by reciprocity. Let me qualify that statement, there are a few states that do(IE...Louisiana). Even as a resident of North Carolina with a Texas/Florida non resident license you will still have to take the North Carolina adjuster exam.

Prior to your specific case, understand that the most important education necessary for deployment to ANY event comes "after" initial licensing. You must learn to do your reports and estimates in your sleep "before" deployment. Realizing you need more XM8 instruction(or any software instruction) is an expensive lesson when you come to that conclusion whilst in the field. Far too many rookie adjusters leave their first and last event dejected and "BROKE" because they become overwhelmed and either quit or are asked to leave. Under qualified adjusters in the field is a huge disservice to the...................insured. This industry is an expensive industry for independent CAT adjusters, know that going in.

If you don't know anyone already established and successful in this industry that will guide you and mentor you(friend/family member), you face an uphill battle, just know that. This is an extremely tough industry to break into, PERIOD! This industry is extremely tough to make a steady income, PERIOD! If you wanna make a 100K in this industry, the easiest way to do so is to start the year with.......200K.

Most rookie CAT adjusters (upwards of 60+%) will fail during their first event. Sad fact, but true! However , with that being said 40% or thereabouts WILL succeed. Sounds kinda bleak however remember that a baseball player in the Major Leagues who fails 70% of the time at the plate will make it into the Hall of Fame with a .300 lifetime batting average.

In your case, I would strongly suggest you apply with major insurance carriers as a staff adjuster trainee. You will be paid to learn the business and that is by far the best way to go. It would help you if you hold a 4 year degree (in anything) however I have had more than a few  of my members land staff adjuster trainee positions sans the 4 year degree. 

If you go the independent CAT adjuster route, you will face a steep learning curve, sink or swim, PERIOD! Whether a rookie adjuster on your first storm or a seasoned 20 year veteran, you will both be expected to close claims,lots of them in a fairly chaotic environment.

For your specific situation Jessica, assuming you wish to go the independent route, this would be your best route. Obtain your North Carolina independent adjusters license. North Carolina is a bit unique as opposed to most other states in that your independent adjusters license is a lifetime, meaning it never expires.....ever. No annual or bi annual  renewals. However, you will be required to 12 continuing education credits per year.

Take your North Carolina adjuster's exam online. Once you have done so, you will then be able to obtain Texas and Florida and quite a few other states through reciprocity(without taking any other state exam). You will still have to apply and pay for each states license. Here is the really important advice (others may differ) you do NOT need umpteen adjuster certifications. Certs do have a place in this industry, but that place in most cases is NOT with the rookie adjuster. Once licensed, you should concern yourself and focus your attention and money on two things: estimating software and policy knowledge.

Take as many courses as necessary to master your estimating software and report writing skills (in the vast majority of cases as an independent CAT adjuster you will be dealing with XM8). Mastery of your estimating software WILL mean the difference between success and failure for the rookie adjuster.

Just as important to your XM8 skills is becoming fluent in the language of your craft: Policy. You must know the HO-1,2,3,4, etc............series of policies and the DP (Dwelling Policy) series of policies. You must know the differences between schedule A/B/C/D/E etc......... .Commercial policies whilst important to know about is something that rookie adjusters in most cases will not have alot of exposure to in the early part of your carrier, but it's still important to know. Understand you do not need to commit to memory ANY of the policies but you MUST know how to quickly and accurately seek out relevant coverage issues. You really need to know policy because you do not want to recommend replacing a roof based upon deferred maintenance. One of the best things about learning about insurance policy is that you can do so for minimal to no cost. You can read about and study relevant policy till the cows come home by going to www.claimspages.com

In closing, master your estimating software and have a solid understanding of policy BEFORE you accept a deployment, your success and the insured's right to competent representation depends upon this.

 

Jessica, I wish you all the best in your chosen career path. Understand that it will be the hardest thing you have ever done. Many have the mistaken idea that CAT work is easy money, it is not. But remember that nothing worth doing is easy, but if you commit to becoming a student of learning all things about the world of adjusting, a whole new world awaits.

 

 

Robby Robinson    

Pre-licensing and review courses might help you to pass the actual licensing exam. These courses give you an idea regarding what the actual licensing exam is all about. By the way, there are course providers that offer licensing courses along with pre-licensing or exam preparations.