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We just entered two blogs in the past few days with auto claim training options as well as info on auto adjusting income based on interviews with an adjusting firm owner. It's interesting as a website and blog site owner to see auto adjuster claim training as one of the most frequently used search terms used to locate our sites. We're running a whole series of adjusting firm owner/manager interviews this week on the blog if you want to check back for more info in addition to what is listed in these links. Note the links to these blog entries is on the CADO home page on the blogs tab -just look in lower left hand side of the blogs page for the Dimechimes Adjuster Information Blog where Roy posted it.

Here are the links:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/200...do-i-have/

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/200...sp-claims/

David, Deborah's post give you some good long term options. I started as an auto adjuster and I am having a hard time gatting property assignments here locally. If you have a local vendor wanting you to handle some daily auto claims locally, you will need a crash course (no pun intended). I would suggest finding a local body shop that would let you hang around and maybe show you the rapair process. You can also find a local adjuster to ride along with, buy him/her lunch. The basics can be learned in a very short period of time, From that point only experience will make you better.

On the suggestion of  becoming a staff adjuster, just realize that the process is somewhat different for a staff adjuster. With Farmers for example, you write only what can be seen and clearly photoed, It didn't matter if you had to write 5 supplements. As an independent, you only get paid once, and that amount is going to be $45-75. The more time you spend on that assignment, the less you make per hr. You do not want to be doing a lot of supplements.

Hope It Helps

JWG

I ran an auto training unit for a major carrier several years ago.  Daily work is primarily going to be collision.  Cat work will be primarily flood and hail.  Vale Tech has a formal training program that is 3 weeks and $$$. Some of the vendors offer classes from time to time as well.  If you have the time and the money, this will be the fastest way to learn.  Otherwise, I would start with a copy of one of the Mitchell Collision Estimating Guides.  These books are the paper form of what is available for the computer.  You might stop by a body shop or claims office and ask for an old one.  It's a great excuse to introduce yourself and your purpose.  You will need to work with an adjuster/estimator one on one at some point to actually learn how to write an estimate. The books have a wealth of information that will get you started.  I would  concentrate on learning the various car assemblies first, i.e. door, hood, bumper, fender, etc.  Then progress further.  The forward and appendix of the book have general estimating procedures and some other good information.  Mitchell used to have a collision estimating training book you might find on eBay or Amazon.  They also have online and DVD fee based training through Mitchell University.  I-CAR workshops are another resource.  The instructors are usually local and may prove to be a good networking or mentoring resource.  You will need to become familiar with the auto policy and the ISO Personal Auto Policy is a good place to start.  There are several places on the web to download one of these.  Good luck with your endeavor. 

Hello everyone,

I am brand new at this and I have got to tell you I can't peel my eyes off of these forums. The information exchanged is extremly helpful. I am trying to switch industries and make a leap over to the auto adjusting with eventual progression into the home side of things as well. I have a (probably very obvious green horn) question. If I want to start in the auto side and continue to do work indipendently once I transition into the home side of adjusting should I get an "all lines" license or should I go with the "Texas adjuster p&c?" Basically, which of the two can do both if any is my question. If anyone could advise I would greatly appreciate it, keep up the great blogs I will be tuning in on a regular basis to try and help get some of this green worn off! Excuse this if it has already been posed as a question and I missed it, I have a friend who works with acd auto claims direct that might be able to help me get a foot in the door but I want to start off on the right foot!

Jarod,

This may answer your question. There are two lines in adjusting.

1. Multi-lines adjusting- which means you work property and casualty, cat events, day claims, house fires and etc…

2. All-Lines- Is required for worker’s compensation

So, basically most adjuster’s have a Multi Lines or Property & Casualty which allows you to work in 99% of the field. Auto adjusting is taking specialized classes and hopefully working with an experience adjuster as well.

State Farm requires IDL class and then taking a 2 to 3 day class learning to work the claim, parts of auto and the required auto estimate program.
Some companies offer free disk or other adjusters may have a disk they will let you borrow.
AM-Family has testing for Automobile and RV Classification as well. This can be taken on line and in the class room. I believe you take a pre test to qualify and then go to class. CNC Resources is offering an Auto class in February of 2008.

Another good ideal is to find an experience Auto Adjuster that could help you with the programs and most of all learning the correct auto parts to be input in the program.

Either way you can remain independent unless you go Staff Adjuster. The good thing about being Auto and Property certified makes you more versatile in the adjusting field.

As with Auto as well as property learn your policy!

Good Luck!

Jarod,

Your more than welcome!! As I told you earlier my husband has done this for 35 years and he advised me to tell you if you would like he would be glad to help you!! Send me an PM and I'll relay you his email and phone number. Again Good Luck!!

Jerod,

Texas was mentioned earlier then a reference to p&c vs all lines. In Texas there is only an "all lines" license but it says "P&C" on the license itself.  It covers virtually any type of adjusting except Workers Comp which requires a separate license.  This is also true in Oklahoma.  With the Texas license many states have a reciprocal agreement that allows adjusting the same type of coverage as in Texas.  If you want to do any Workers Comp adjusting, also get a WC license, but if you only want to do WC fraud investigating, get a PI license or a WC license.  The PI license covers some gray areas of investigating where your adjusters license (either p&c or WC) may not give you proper license to investigate.

Rick Hansen

The adjuster's license is all you need to investigate claims so long as the claim was assigned by an insurance company which can include a self-insured business.  If an auto owner wants you to do an investigation without a request from the insurance company, Texas and Oklahoma says you need a PI license unless the vehicle owner is self insured.   Accident investigations (work related &/or construction accidents, for example) and fraud investigations  that are performed without a contract with an insurance company or as part of an insurance claim you are adjusting normally requires that you have a PI license. If you are an employee of an attorney you can do the investigations under his law license, but if you want to offer your services to multiple attorneys to do workers comp or any other fraud or accident investigation then you have to have a PI license according to both Oklahoma and Texas.  I imagine this is the same in most states.  However, both Texas and Oklahoma generally require you to have 2 years experience doing investigations to get the license, and insurance adjusting experience counts.  There are other methods of becoming licensed such as working exclusively for a licensed PI agency.