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I still contend after working as an insurance adjuster over 40 years that you will gross about the same amount as a very good hair dresser or automobile brake mechanic that works 16 hours per day, seven days per week and sleeps in their own bed each night.

Just thinkin' about it , gives me gas

Made $75,000 last year working day claims, and averaging between 2400-3700 miles a week when busy (inspections span over 2 states). Spent at least $35,000 in motel, gas, fuel and vehicle maint., and still had to pay uncle Sam something. When all is broken down i may have profited $32,500- 33,000. When i first became interested in this all of those i spoke with gladly disclosed (boastfully) on what they made, just did not mention what was spent to make that. Is it worth it anymore? Beginning to wonder, but i work for a vendor who keeps me steady overall and has asked me about the possibility of working salaried. This sounds more beneficial during slow times, but how much will i lose out on when a large storm hits? But i cannot count on a storm hitting every year, as it has already been 2 years. Everyone i know that made large sums in 2005 have damn near spent it all, if not all spent. So if you make $150,000.00 in a good year, but this may have to last you for 3 years that is not much.

I'm making just a bit less than 2 thousand a week working six and seven ten hour days as an electrician at home. I can be working at double that in two days in Las Vegas or Calif.. I also get annuity, paid insurance, and payment into two different pension plans. We have work as far as the eye can see...without a big storm!

I spend all my free time networking, certifying, dissecting policy and standing Xactimate on its head. I take days off when I get the chance to ride along with my adjuster friends. It often costs me a double time ten hour day....but I do it.

I think I know why the vendors don't rush to assign me claims. I'm crazy!

Randy Cox

Larry and Randy, your both right on. This field of endeavor will never be a get rich quick occupation. In all the years I have been a licensed adjuster, I had one very exceptional year and that was 1992, Hurricane Andrew. Companies were begging for adjusters and were paying very high dollars to get qualified adjusters and particularily General adjusters. I was a GA at the right place and the right time. One of the companies that I was handling claims for gave me a million dollar authority to settle their losses. Never again will that happen. Andrew caught many companies off guard, and as I said, that will never happen again. I met many of you on that storm, which was the plus side of that event.

If you stay in this business for many years, health issues can surface. Take care of your health and particularily your lungs. Wear a mask or respirator when in unhealthy breathing conditions. Too many non stop hours can cause emotional and eventually heart problems. Listen to your body and obey its commands, or your body will just not be able to take it.

You can make a decent living at this, but it is getting tougher to do so. Save as much as you can for the dry years and make every moment with your family count for something. Make every moment with your friends and fellow adjusters count for something. You live but one time, make it count.

Storm work is not for people with small children to raise.

That's what I've always liked about you Larry...you never say more than you mea