Simply Snap, Speak & Send

Tags - Popular | FAQ  

PrevPrev Go to previous topic
NextNext Go to next topic
Last Post 10/01/2016 1:05 AM by  Ben Kennedy
Dedicated, Serious NEWBIE looking for ADVICE!!! Please read!!
 2 Replies
  • : Yes
Sort:
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Author Messages
klhthomas
Guest
Guest
Posts:2


--
09/24/2016 10:15 PM

     

    Hello,

     

     

    Thank you for taking your time to read my forum post. I will give a brief description of who I am and my backround and then go right into what I am seeking.

     

     

    My name is Kevin Thomas, I am from Ohio. I am currently 23 years old and have a history a little different than that of a claims adjuster. At 17 I joined the US ARMY. Before, during (reserves) and after the ARMY I was a commercial roofer (Foam Roofing, no shingles). When my time was finished with the ARMY I became a corrections officer for a little shy of 2 years. I then decided I wanted to work for myself. I started my own Landscaping business and flipped houses on the side. I got my Adjusters License for Ohio last fall. Since then I have only finished 5 claims. I pushed aside my adjusting to focus on my landscaping business, because quite frankly I am a very subpar adjuster...

     

     

    What I am seeking.

     

    I am seeking some advice.. A mentor would be great, but I know those are hard to find. I am very serious about adjusting, I truly want nothing more than to be a very very good one. The reason I only have done 5 claims and then put adjusting on the back burner is because I simply do NOT know what I'm doing... I roll up to the house, and its a simple roof. Hail damage? No big deal right? Wrong.. I literally do not even know where to begin, measurements of what? just the roof? from the ground up? and then at that, I knew there was more to it then just shingles, but one end had a branch that went through the roof. So now we are talking about rafters? Support beams? I don't know.. and when it comes time to line item it up in Xactimate, I truly don't even know how to make the claim valid for what actually will need to be replaced. I don't want to omit anything and hurt the insured.. So its just very stressful. Ive had basement leakings due to cracks and such and replacing personal items, water heaters, electrical? I don't even know where to begin... I want to be a cat adjuster and I cant even write up damages for a consolidated room....

     

     

    I truly want to be great, I am willing to put in the time. But where do I start? I feel I need to become a subject matter expert when it  comes to EVERYTHING that a home is built on and with.. Do I need to get a bachelors in residential construction? I obviously know I don't, but it feels I need to. Any advice will help, anything at all. Truthfully I am willing to put in the work. Please email me anytime KLHTHOMAS@GMAIL.COM or feel free to reach out on here. Thank you so much. I genuinely appreciate your time.

     

     

     

    0
    klhthomas
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:2


    --
    09/29/2016 9:01 PM
    I've gotten a few emails, and for that I am truly thankful! Any other input on here guys and gals? I'm sure I'm not the only guy looking for help ;-)
    Thank you again.
    0
    Ben Kennedy
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:4


    --
    10/01/2016 1:05 AM

    Many IAs start out working for a carrier as a staff adjuster. Farmers is the most common starting place - they train very well, but most of their offices have very high turnover. Its a great place to go for two years or so because of the training and the experience as you will be well prepared for the next large storm.  

    Even if you received an assignment without this experience, I'm not sure I would take it.  Over the years I've seen a lot of sad cases where inexperienced adjusters make a really good effort, but something doesn't quite come together, they can't close files, and they wind up losing money.  

    Regarding college, it isn't required to do well: a fair number of EGAs at top-tier IA firms don't have college, and you certainly don't need it to adjust with IA firms on a 1099 basis once you have experience. Soft skills and a decent level of ability with technology are more important now and will be much more important in the future.

    I truly want to be great, I am willing to put in the time. But where do I start? I feel I need to become a subject matter expert when it comes to EVERYTHING that a home is built on and with.

    You need to have enough knowledge of trades so that you can negotiate, scope, and report reasonably.  

    0
    You are not authorized to post a reply.


    These Forums are dedicated to discussion of Claims Adjusting.

    For the benefit of the community and to protect the integrity of the ecosystem, please observe the following posting guidelines: 
    • No Advertising. 
    • No vendor trolling / poaching. If someone posts about a vendor issue, allow the vendor or others to respond. Any post that looks like trolling / poaching will be removed.
    • No Flaming or Trolling.
    • No Profanity, Racism, or Prejudice.
    • Terms of Use Apply

      Site Moderators have the final word on approving / removing a thread or post or comment.