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I am glad you had such a wonderful experience. I am in hopes more newbies take advantage of this offer of schooling. Sounds like a winner and a lot of good people in place to teach what adjusters need to know. Good report.

You might put up their web site so others can go there to get information.

I was interested to see what you had to say about US Staffing.  Have you been able to pick up much work from them after completing their course?  I have been in touch with them and they are wanting me to register for next week's class.   I have been handling claims for about 8 years now and am trying to decide whether I want to go through them for the course, or look into taking the course/test online.  Any input would be appreciated.  Thanks.

SteveG, as of yet, I have not received any work form them. I remain confident, however, that I will. I am curious, if you have been adjusting for 8 years, what do you hope to get from training? Do you not have your Texas All Lines license? If that is what you are looking for, I had a great experience with the instructors there.

Get all of the information at: www.usstaffingadj.com 

Thanks for your prompt reply to my query, USCatAdjuster. And you're right, I do not have my Texas license yet. That is because I have been able to get by without it so far, working mostly here in LA where my first 6 years before Katrina were as local staff adjuster. There are cheaper and more convenient ways for me to get the license since I need the piece of paper more than the actual training, but I was considering using them for the course if that meant it would give me a leg up in getting some work for them during this slow period.

Steve G.
Reality check. If they had enough work to go around you would still be on the bottom of the list with USCatadjuster. Maybe a little higher up with 8 years exp. How many have taken their course in the past year? A 1,000 or more???? It is evident their ad is a little deceptive. You and USCat think they will start giving you work right away.

If you take the 150 question test online you have to pass it on your own which may be difficult. If you take one of these courses they give you all the answers
and it is no fail as long as your body is warm when you take it.

Alright, King.....do tell. How does a "newbie" like me get work. I am all ears. Instead of insinuatiing that I am delusional, how about a little advice?

a little advice? ........... 1. Send resumes to as many adjusting firms as you can identify.... 2. Ask questions of any firm that wants you on their roster (a) what carriers do they contract with? (b) ask how many cat claims, by year, have they been assigned in the last 5 years? .... 3. Research yourself who the major carriers are and attempt to align yourself with the firms that handle the majority of the claims in the lower 48 ..... 4. Be prepared for a long wait. Most major IA firms want 3-5 years experience..... 5. There are scores of start-up IA firms in the last 3 years. Many are looking for client business themselves. Realize that many of the newer firms actually employ a small number of "core" adjusters.... 6. Hope that this fall numerous hurricanes hit the U.S. coastline in highly populated areas............ 7. always have 12 months living expenses held back in reserve, or stay close to your daytime job....

 

USCat,

 

If you want my advice I have prior post filled with advice. However, you seem to be more intelligent than most as evidenced by a few big words even though one is misspelled. I will give you some restrained thoughts.

 

As a Catadjuster you are an Entrepreneur. You own your own business. You are self employed. You are the one responsible for income that comes to your business and how much. This is a totally different thought process from having a job. You are supposed to be the one with the answers. If your name is on a roster that mine is then you are my competition. Educate yourself to find your own answers and then ask for advice. Did you ask at the training school that you paid big bucks for how do you get work? Why don’t they teach this as part of the curriculum?  The answer to that question would have been worth what you paid.

 

This is not a job where you see how little you can do to pick up a paycheck every other week.

 

Free Advice:

 

(1)    Read everything you can in the archives of Catadjuster.org... The answers to your         questions are there. It is up to you to find them.

 

      (2) Go to Claimsmentor.com; They are geared to helping the newbie.

 

      (3) Go to free conferences and seminars given by IA firms. In the past year I have gotten over 50 hrs of CE credits, Carrier certifications, earthquake, wind and NFIP for free. For example: ICA is putting on a seminar next week. Free NFIP cert., other good CE courses and 2 days Xactimate training ($200-$300 Value). Free excellent lunch (3 days) at 5 Star Hotel.  400-600 adjusters to network with. When you see this many adjusters together at one time you realize that you are in competition for the work that does come available. I went last year and it was very worthwhile.

(4)  Network with anyone and everything. Establish relationships.

 (5) During the impending hail season???? (Could this be a year without hail?) make your self available as an apprentice to an experienced adjuster without remuneration.  This would be worth more than any training school you would pay big bucks for. Experience is the best teacher. You might be able to connect with the IA firm he or she is working for.

If you are already doing these things then you have a chance just keep digging and educate yourself. If you are not doing these things then you are clueless and had better find a job.

King,

Thanks for the input; it confirms that I am doing all of the right things. I just might have a chance.

Tejasjayb and CantonKing, you both have provided some great advice for USCatAdjuster. I'm hoping you can give me some advice. I have been an inside claims adjuster since 1995 and am considering becoming a CAT Adjuster. There are a number or reasons for wanting to make the transition. I will list the most pertinant... 1- would like to get out the office as I currently sit at a desk 8 hours/day. 2- I like the idea of owning my time. (I understand that there isn't compelete control as one has to work when the catastrophe hits). 3- I understand you can make some pretty decent money when you are working although the days are long. I am hoping that by working hard when the work is available (I've heard 18 hr days), I might be able to take more time off... a couple months instead of just the few weeks I currently get. As I don't have appraising exerience, I know I will need to get some additional training to make the transition. Will my 11 years experience as an inside claim rep help me get my foot in the door? In order to help me make that decision, can you give me some realistic idea of what I might expect... specifically the pros and cons? What to expect the first few years while one is gaining experience and building their reputation. What are some realistic income expectations? Realistic work conditions? What keeps you in this field? Thank you!

I would suggest getting field property experience in the regular claims arena first.  Wait until you experience a handful of catastrophes as a field adjuster and then make the switch.  Regular claims field experience will make your switch to catastrophe-only claims a much smoother transition.

Here are a couple of threads that address some of your concerns.  I know you are simply looking for helpful information, but discussions about income on a public forum is not professional, but, as you can see, it has been done...

"They don't just hand you the keys" http://www.catadjuster.org/forum/tm.asp?m=27675

"How much can you really make?" http://www.catadjuster.org/forum/tm...3&key=

Your questions have been answered many times over, so I would suggest searching CADO's forums that people have contributed to since 1995.