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Posted By Jeff L on 13 Jan 2010 10:07 AM
FloridaBoy, grammar nazi tactics to "demonstrate" the lack of intelligence or suggestion that dude doesn't know what he's talking about is... well, stupid.

How much does a staff guy make? It depends. More than any other industry, Insurance Adjusters have a huge pay range because of the gray area when it comes to experience and skills that go into making one a successful adjuster that is paid well. If you want to be the best adjuster ever, working a staff is in your best interest. Especially if you are new. The adage that a shed tool grows rust and becomes dull when not being used couldn't be more applicable. You want multiple causes of loss? You want to settle and close claims? Be a staff guy for a few years, and get paid enough to satisfy your bills.

The thing about CAT work is that yes, it will be there. If you're in it to win it and make a long career out of this business, then it will serve you well to work a staff role and make less money than if you are an IA doing CAT work. Insurance companies become lax in their rules during a CAT deployment by bumping figures for Proof of Loss, reserve requirements, diaries, and cut out other processes in order to close files quickly. You know as well as I do that if you get into large losses (which is where the money is at, not through the typical view of CAT vs. Daily), you'll be able to adjust and process those files completely.

I will take issue with you getting paid for mileage. That is going to go away. Same goes for photos being paid out at $2/copy.

I am not a grammer Nazi and  he purports to have a  masters degree. The economics of staff  v. independent is false. It averages out unless you are a 'family' member of a well connected CAT company. Your gross is not your net

For all we know he is a schill for the "instant adjuster" classes.

Using computers is more efficient, period. There's really nothing to argue about. As for customer service part is has nothing to do with computers. BTW my insureds read Xact estimates with no problems.

Some adjusters and file reviewers have a hard time reading X estimates.  I have had to explain several peoples estimates when I am at there home doing a supplement.  Now if adjusters would take the time to call the insureds and explain what is covered and for how much then it would not matter what software was used.  But, what people do and what they should do are not always the same thing.

It's off topic, but, really, what do you mean by someone can't read Xact estimate? All is straightforward there, remove price, replace price, total amount, depreciation and etc. May be you mean that ppl don't understand the whole process, like getting back the depreciation amount and etc. but it has nothing to do with Xact.

Posted By Olegred on 15 Jan 2010 02:43 PM

 what do you mean by someone can't read Xact estimate? All is straightforward there

 

No it is not. Note everyone can understand the shorthand/abbreviations in X, i.e, dmo masksf, fnc cwn, pnt cwn 1, pnt cwn2, flpipe and so on. Those things are completly alien to some.

Posted By moco on 15 Jan 2010 03:17 PM

Posted By Olegred on 15 Jan 2010 02:43 PM

 what do you mean by someone can't read Xact estimate? All is straightforward there

 

No it is not. Note everyone can understand the shorthand/abbreviations in X, i.e, dmo masksf, fnc cwn, pnt cwn 1, pnt cwn2, flpipe and so on. Those things are completly alien to some.

Every line in Xact is descriptive enough, say "flpipe" goes under Pipejack or boot flashing or something, and then, again, most ppl just look at the bottom line. Estimates are clear enough for the contractor, and that is what i care about.

Posted By moco on 15 Jan 2010 03:17 PM

Posted By Olegred on 15 Jan 2010 02:43 PM

 what do you mean by someone can't read Xact estimate? All is straightforward there

 

No it is not. Note everyone can understand the shorthand/abbreviations in X, i.e, dmo masksf, fnc cwn, pnt cwn 1, pnt cwn2, flpipe and so on. Those things are completly alien to some.

Those are codes YOU enter, and may memorize to avoid searching. (dmo masksf, fnc cwn, pnt cwn)
The homeowner does not see any of the codes you just typed - they see a description using complete words. 

Nonetheless, it is a rare homeowner who has the patience to absorb the granular details of any estimate that breaks the scope of work down into more than a single cover-page.

Yes Bob, i know it does not print out that way. Just a little trick on my behalf to see if Olegred would catch it, before you, as he seems to be quite knowledgable in X.

Ghost,

My sentiments exactly. I've been staying out of this one, but the word "hubris" comes to mind. Was I like that in my second year as a catadjuster? I might have been.  Truth be told, however, I was not great then but merely good.  I'm better now, but greatness still eludes me.  The difference is that now I know that.  Only those with some knowledge of Marine Insurance will truly understand when I say that I aspire to be an average adjuster.

See thats just the thing. My wife complains at me pretty often, so, on here i get to do my own complaining . I don't know if you mean to or not, but something about  a few of your post on this subject has a touch of arrogance. But again, no harm may be intended on your part.

Olegred,

My feelings are not hurt. I also don't begrudge you that you have done well so far. I applaud that. I also applaud that you have a plan and understand that there is business acumen required to being successful at this profession. And I, also, entered this profession high profile, albeit with seven years experience working for State Farm and Nationwide under my belt before going independent. I also lucked into or bedazzled my way into an amazing first four years in the business. Saw a lot of the country, ate a lot of Blue Claw Crab in my nine months in Baltimore, helped out a lot of people, made more than a little bit of cash in the process. I also have seen some lean years, and not because I wasn't good at what I did or dedicated or anything like that. There have been times that I was the only one I knew that was deployed.  One spring I didn't know anyone but Jim Flynt and I that were working.  I also wish I had a couple bucks for every time I heard, "We just don't have anybody out there working right now."  I wish I could guarantee that each year I would make as much as the year before, but that has not been the case. No matter how logical it seems that carriers would always need us, this is not how they always see it. Therefore, I am now a staff adjuster/claim analyst. I won't complain about what I make, but I will not post it in a public forum either.  Now I am in a position to assign claims to some of the better catadjusters I met while on the road.  I have a couple working on the Eureka earthquake right now that I met while working Katrina and the CA wildfires in 2007.  I knew they were good.  I knew they lived a couple hours from Eureka, so I sent the business to them.

One thing I would point out to you. Perhaps you already know it. If you are working from home, the IRS does not let you deduct per diem expenses or food expenses. I certainly would hesitate to talk about tax deductions on a public website and then state that I was working from home. Deductions you can take while on the road are not applicable when working from home. No need to discuss it further in a public forum. Just a word to the wise. I wouldn't want to see a promising young adjuster like yourself brought down by Uncle Sam.