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Posted By elizabeth on 02 Oct 2012 11:32 PM
Need advise on investing in training. What do ya'll think about an independent cat adjuster investing in auto physical damage training? or does this type of adjuster really need this training since cat adjuster usually work hail storms.  If a cat adjuster needs this training, where can you get auto physical damage training? Thanks in advance for your help.

Hello Ms. Elizabeth,

First things first, You do NOT need advise, you need A-D-V-I-C-E

What is your status as of this posting?

Are you already a licensed independent adjuster?

If yes, what state(s)?

Are you brand new to the industry?

If not, how much experience are we talking about (IE storms worked, number of claims closed, for who)?

What is your level of knowledge of using XM8/XM8 Sketch or any estimating platform(s)?

The little I know about CAT auto adjusting (my experience is solely on the property side of the industry), I learned from the experienced hands here on CADO. Some states do NOT require an adjuster's license (IE Texas does NOT require an adjuster's license) to handle auto claims.

Auto training is out there, nevertheless I recommend that you take ANY auto course from ONLY established IA firms (Worley/Pilot/Crawford/Eberl's/EA Renfroe**) My biggest caveat to you (provided you are a rookie adjuster or soon to become licensed) if you choose to take training courses from Dual Role Vendors (IE Vendors that hold licensing and training courses in addition to also being an IA (independent adjusting) firm that rosters and deploys working adjusters) is to only take said courses from those DRV's whos main source of revenue is from "deploying" adjusters as opposed to DR vendors whos main source of revenue is from "training" adjusters.

You MUST understand and be cognicent of the fact that many "job offers" are nothing more than cleverly worded "training solicitations".

In closing Ms. Elizabeth, when deciding upon which training to take, do NOT make that decision based upon someone's promise of a roster spot for those who take their training course.

You can rest assured that the above named vendors(Worley/Pilot/Crawford & Company***/EA Renfroe/Eberl's) make the lion's share of their revenue from deploying adjusters and not from training them

 ** I do not know for certain if all of the above vendors offer auto training, I know some of them do, but not positive if all five of them do.

***Crawford & Company is one of the premier vendors in my opinion. Further, their training courses and carrier certifications/XM8/XM8 Sketch/Annual NFIP Workshops necessary for initial NFIP certification (requires a minimum of 4 years of continuous verifiable claims adjusting experience) for Residential/Mobile Home/Small Loss Commercial designations, Large Loss Commercial/RCBAP designations (requires a minimum of 5 years of continuous verifiable claims adjusting experience)  and for NFIP certification renewals/ CEA certifications (California Earthquake Authority) are offered at NO cost (In most cases)

Ms. Elizabeth,

you could learn alot by hanging around auto body shops. Watch what they do when they appraise a vehicle. You could also learn a ton of stuff to give you an edge when you actually take an Auto certification course by simply using Google.