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Men do not want women in this field. We are competition for what they feel is theirs.  That being said, Most women do not belong in this field as they have no idea how to build a house, how to repair an auto and most do not research or do anything to gain knowledge about this profession. Working in the construction field, tagging along with an adjuster, taking any and all classes to give you knowledge. Owning a certification does not necessarily qualify you to adjust that event.

Most men will assist you if you ask for help. Its the ones that resent your being there that sit and watch you fail. Then they say, "See, I told you she shouldn't be here". . in their defense, I have seen hundreds of adjusters on events, that have never adjusted before, and within 3 days they are leaving either voluntarily or not. Then the veterans are assigned those claims and they have to work their claims and work double time to catch up the new claims assigned. So, they are not friendly to "GREEN PEAS". It is the same in the automotive business. They are betting on how long you are going to be there.

Good luck on the daily claims! Most carriers have their favorite IAs they use, which have their favorite adjusters. And there is usually a long line to work through. Most companies will not hire you for dailies unless you have experience.

No special training in needed other than getting all your certifications in order for the year. Purchase your state licenses that you would like to work. Several companies offer a training class for about a week to teach you how to climb roofs, measuring, XM8 training.

Don't be offended, just get educated! You are going to have to earn their respect by climbing a few roofs. Demonstrating your skills.

Posted By jennifer on 08 May 2012 03:19 PM

As much as I hate to ask for help on here about adjusting I’m going to anyways because you people are in the business and hopefully would guide me in the right direction. The reason why I hate to ask anything is because a lot of you, one person in particular seem tell anyone that wants to get into this business NOT TO! Not sure if its because you don’t want the market to get flooded or what. So from what I have read since I have no experience in this I’m reading that the best route to go is take some class, get some license, start off on daily claims some where and then do CAT work. So, my questions how do I start daily claims, what classes, and what licenses would I need?

 

Please hold all your snide and unhelpful comments to yourself. I am a single female with no family and nothing holding me down so the traveling is not a probelm for me. In fact i wouldn't care if i didn't have a place to call home b/c i would never be there. Thanks for all your HELPFUL advise and tips.

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Hello Ms. Jennifer!

Based upon your text, it appears you are essentially a blank slate. (IE not yet licensed) First things first, what kind of research have you done and where are you getting your information (other than CADO).

What event or situation was it that put the CAT adjusting industry on your radar as a viable career choice? I ask because I(we) do not know anything about you, your situation.

What industry are you currently in?

Do you have the financial stability to handle training/travel expenses necessary for your initial licensing and introduction to an estimating platform (in most cases, XM8)

More specifically, will you be able to meet your revolving monthly financial obligations(rent/mortgage/utilities/fuel/car payments) in addition to training/travel/lodging expenses as you learn the business.

I ask because our trade is a prohibitively expensive industry to not only break into but to simply operate and keep up with licensing renewals and certification renewals.

There are multiple avenues in regards to licensing from Vinnie's house of ONLINE adjuster licensing all the way up to Vale Training Solutions. So you have classroom versus online licensing. Classroom instruction is preferable ONLY because in most programs you will have a combination of your licensing course, an adjuster101 course and an introduction to XM8(or any estimating platform) course. In addition, in a classroom environment you will have the ear of the instructor and fellow classmates should you seek any clarification on any issue. An online course is great for those looking to keep expenses down. The downside as discussed you will NOT have the ear of an instructor or classmates when needed.

Here is the thing, you should simply choose whichever you feel more comfortable with. I say this because in my entire career I have NEVER been asked how I obtained my license.

Just keep the mindset that the knowledge acquired and needed to become licensed is NOT the end of the learning process, it is merely the beginning .

The fact that you are a single female with no family obligations nor children makes you an ideal candidate in that (you will not be affected by the time spent away from family dilemma)

Sure many will tell you flatly that you should avoid this industry because you are destined to fail. Well that is true in a large % of cases, however newly licensed claims professionals have in the past, are now and will continue into the future to launch a lucrative career. Those who understand that the 6 figure income is the fruits of dedication determination and hard work over a period of years will be ok provided they do not look for the shortcuts and the "what's the fastest way to start making the big bucks' mindset.

I think (with all things being equal)women have an inherent advantage over their male counterparts in this industry because women in general tend to pay more attention to details and the subtle nuances needed to accurately adjust a risk.

Understand that regardless whether you post "warnings to keep the snide and unhelpful comments out" they are going to happen and you must have a thick skin and NOT let them affect you.

 

You have a long road ahead of you Ms. Jennifer to say for sure, but should you succeed a whole new world awaits

Posted By jennifer on 08 May 2012 03:19 PM

As much as I hate to ask for help on here about adjusting I’m going to anyways because you people are in the business and hopefully would guide me in the right direction. The reason why I hate to ask anything is because a lot of you, one person in particular seem tell anyone that wants to get into this business NOT TO! Not sure if its because you don’t want the market to get flooded or what. So from what I have read since I have no experience in this I’m reading that the best route to go is take some class, get some license, start off on daily claims some where and then do CAT work. So, my questions how do I start daily claims, what classes, and what licenses would I need?

 

Please hold all your snide and unhelpful comments to yourself. I am a single female with no family and nothing holding me down so the traveling is not a problem for me. In fact i wouldn't care if i didn't have a place to call home b/c i would never be there. Thanks for all your HELPFUL advise and tips.

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Ms. Jennifer, I must apologize in that my initial response did NOT state the obvious.  What I am saying is you have the right idea but you are a touch backwards in how things work.

Simply put, you do NOT in most cases (unless you are a staff adjuster trainee) begin your career doing daily claims and then work towards CAT's. It is the exact opposite, most independent adjusters cut their teeth working CAT's. If your performance when working said CAT's is exemplary, you have essentially earned yourself a spot on the .......CAT team for future work. When it gets to the point where you are turning in a solid consistent work product, you will then be thought of as a candidate to work daily claims.

This is how you break into the IA game, start with CAT's and move towards daily work. Now there are instances where the opposite is true. Starting your career working daily claims does happen but that is the exception and not the rule.(unless of course you become a staff adjuster trainee)

On that subject, although many of us started our careers working CAT's as IA's, that is NOT the best path for the next generation of adjusters. I say this only because the fact is rookie "independent" adjusters starting their careers by being thrown into a CAT face a steep learning curve (a sink or swim situation) Their are many IA's much more competent than I was that failed for whatever reason. My success(survival) had as much to do with luck as anything else.

The best way to break into this business is simply to get paid to learn the business. You can do so as a staff adjuster trainee with either a carrier or a larger IA firm. You get solid training(that is paid by the vendor/carrier and NOT you) adequate supervision and they will cut you loose to work your own claims when you are ready as opposed to throwing you out to the wolves and see who is left standing as with rookie IA's

Often times said carriers and IA firms look for a candidate with a 4 year degree, however I know half a dozen guys/gals who were hired as a staff adjuster trainee sans the 4 year degree.

In the end Ms. Jennifer, if you want to do this do NOT listen to any negatives, do NOT take ANY shortcuts, work hard and make finding a job be your job, put everything you have into getting your shot, I guarantee you will get that shot, it's up to you what you do with that opportunity.

Robby Robinson 

Posted By OkcLarryD on 14 May 2012 10:28 PM
Sorry, Robby.
I started working daily claims with some really good supervisors and then went staffy with better supervisors.

After many years and I mean MANY years, I went to cat adjusting with several thousand daily claims under my belt.

I always thought this gave me a leg up as I had already seen some, if not most, of the claims issues. And, I really think this is the way to go.

Happy Trails

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Larry,

I agree that the best way to start is to start as a staff trainee( getting paid to learn the business). I also concede that there are indeed some IA's who do get their start doing day claims. From your post you are a prime example of that and hence the reason I said "in most cases".

But that is the exception and not the rule. In a perfect world yes absolutely a rookie adjuster with no experience would NOT be thrown out there with NO experience and would NOT be entrusted to ensure that an insured is properly indemnified after a major event.

In closing, there is "the way it ought to be and the way that it is"