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With the amount of snow they had out east I'm sure the local staffers and IA's are keeping busy.  But probably not enough claims to deploy adusters from outside that area.  They'll see a couple of garage roof collapses and some ice dam damage.  Plus some water in the basement type claims, which are usually not covered.  Some good work for the locals to keep busy until the wind/hail storms start blowing.

Waiting up here in Minnesota for the 2' to 3' of snow on the ground to melt fast and creat some water in the basement claims.

Ghost,

Winter storms are more fickle than a hurricane. Lots of snow normally does not equate to a lot of claims. It has been mentioned before in other posts that if it snows then warms up allowing all the snow to melt, there will not be a large number of claims. Ice daming can be good for a number of claims but you need the freeze, thaw, freeze cycle for that to occur. You may get some trees that snapped that hit the house and the few collapses. Auto is the best bet.

Another thing is the direct repair programs that carriers have. If an insured calls in a claim, odds are that they are offered the services of one of the carriers contractors thus negating the need for staff or i/a to go out and inspect. You mentioned the carriers handling it themselves. Allstate has gone on a hiring spree for more national cat staff.

This profession has gotten to the point that if the average appraiser/scoper works two months our of the year I believe that would be amazing. I know that there are those who love to brag that they have been out since 1992 and have not been home since. That is not the norm as we all know. I hear from friends that are still in this business and they say that the daily claims for the last 6 months have decreased and not much of an increase with the weather.

Who knows, make or break is the word for it. Very similar to what happened after 2006. Got real slow and the only saving grace was 2008.

Don,t fret the line to work USAA losses on cat. goes all the way around the USAA complex and stops at I-10, and if they (standers) don,t go home at night the fee bills will drop again.

No buford, you're wrong.  It's not accounting pin heads, its empowered desk adjusters.  The contractors go out, supply photos, write up an estimate then send it to the desk guy.  If your desk guy knows constrution and how to use estimating software, why in the hell does he need to drop money on an IA?

Thats the game plan save as much cost on adjusting expense as possible any way you can.Adjusting expense is not allowed in the loss column for rate increases, losses are. claim cost is a  direct bottom line cost of business.  Salary, office and perks is the only thing the industry has any control over.I  think a few very large auto carriers have a lawfirm that is a direct offshoot. This is probably why many carriers are are staffing up. as they will save money on outside vendors cost, quality control is not the main driving factor, again a guess.

Photo,s with a throw away camera, digital email and 2 bids will resolve most water claims in a dwelling with the homemaker and never get Mr. involved when they are sent to the national claims adjuster at the end of any computer desk  any place in the world .Regular claims account  are 50% clear water claims. The water suckers seem to have this well in hand. The also do temp board up, Smoke, Fire, Packout contents clean etc.

What the industry really needs is "clerk of the works" to keep an eye on the free help...... But that is a non recoverable cost and thats what the staff  QC person does.

olegred you may learn the higher you climb the pole, the more AH you show, and the fall is more brutaln but keep hitting clean up in the minors and the majors may give you a try out.

Every year is a make it or break it year for most. The cream rises to the top. Most adjusters ruin their health, marriage, and bank account within three years. Stick around, know policy, and write good estimates, work will be there. 

Amen brother a perfect message for this cat. adjuster church and very timely.