Forums

Guys, have you not heard it is what that is on the inside not outside that counts.

Back about 30-40 years ago lawyers were going to blend and started wearing jeans and the like. That did not last long because they were loosing cases in the courtroom when going up against a lawyer in a suit in part because the jury expected a lawyer to be in a suit and discounted those dressed in jeans as inferior.

Someone said you may not be able to player the part but at least you can dress the part. I do not think sending our kids off to school, church, etc looking like bums is in their long term interest. I have seem belly buttons showing at interviews and guys with no less than 10 ear rings. Someone is telling someone first impressions are not important.

I wear the Dickies work pants with the cell phone pocket.  Don't use the pocket for cell phone, I just like the pants.

They are a thick, super permanent press, stain resistant, fade resistant material.  They come in colors - grey, black and khaki are nice.

They are about $19 - $22 at Wally World or the like.

Even though they are men's pants they fit well, and hold up under abuse - sliding on roofs, etc.

I do wear the insurer-supplied polos because they are free.  They are all men's sizes and so don't always

fit well in the shoulder, but tucked in with a belt, I manage to look presentable.

I do wear the insurer-supplied polos because they are free.

I have not worked for a logo shirt company in about 9 years. At one time Allstate had white oxford cloth with a pocket for $20.00 from Landmark. I purchased several and had the long sleeves cut and hemed. The last one,s I wore.

If they insist you wear the no pockets shirt from China, they should furnish matching parachute cloth pant and a clown nose.

TMI

First impressions are lasting.....

Let's look at it from the insured's point of view. You ring their door bell and what they see is the person who is going to make an impact on their life--you are the one with the checkbook-remember?. Do you look believeable? Do you look like a professional who knows what they are doing? Would you believe a person who shows up with their shirt tail hanging out, clothing rumpled, shoes dirty and worn out and with yesterday's beard? Would you believe this person when they tell you there is no damage? or would they think you were simply too lazy to look? Would you believe a woman who shows up with tight jeans and a Harley t-shirt and tells you they are your adjuster? You may very well be one of the most honest conscientious knowledgable adjusters in the world but I wouldn't believe you. My next call would be either to my agent or the carrier asking for another adjuster.

You see, the insured's hasn't gotten past that first impression when they opened the door and there you stood.

I have heard just about all the excuses out there. Most of them begin with, "What difference does it make how I look so long as I am closing claims?" Well, it does make a difference when the phone starts ringing and it's the carrier telling the supervisor to send another adjuster back out. You may never know why that claim was re-inspected or why you had to split the billing with the second guy. The insured may have been so put off by your physical appearance they didn't point out all the damages (which you should have found anyway) or in some cases just didn't want to deal with someone who looked like they had slept in their clothes and didn't know custom millwork from a 2x4 and didn't care. IF you don't care about you then why would you care about their claim?

It all boils down to perception of pride. If you take pride in your appearance then the perception is that you take pride in your work and know what you are doing. There is a reason for those free logo shirts other than for identification. It is to prevent the Harley t-shirts and whatever else you may wear that is totally inappropriate. Yes, they do make great paint rags!

While I am on this pride business and Steve, I apologize for adding more to the mix, but would you track mud into your own home? If it's muddy outside, then do the interior first or if that would knock you too far off your game, then please take your shoes off at the door. Photos from the insureds of the muddy footprints you left behind on their white carpet do get in the hands of the carriers. It's that pride thing again. If you look like a bum and treat their home like a barnyard then you have just removed the last twinkle of confidence they had about you.

There was a reason adjusters used to wear jackets and ties. Think about it for a minute. The insured sees someone who delivers the perception of being a professional in the carrier's office and they are personally going to handle your claim. Would you believe them? Probably. While you may have a hundred claims sitting in your vehicle--the only one the insured is concerned with is one--theirs! I admit those days are mostly over but there are still a few carriers who do prefer them.

Remember you are representing the carrier regardless of what your actual employment situation may be. Ask yourself if you would want someone who looks like they just crawled out from under the bridge to be in a position to affect, in all probability, your greatest investment--your home.

The same scenario applies to a commercial claim.  The insured may have millions at stake and someone who can affect not only his livelihood but the livelihood of his employees is you.  If you are a professional then look like one.

There is another angle to the pocketless logo shirts that has not been mentioned.  How many like myself have to use reading glasses to write notes and roof measurements, but can't walk a roof safely with the glasses on?  Over the years I have tried various ways to carry my glasses. The only thing that works for me is a good pocket on my shirt for my glass case so I can pull my glasses out and in many times per day.  If they are in a pants pocket, they get smashed and broken when climbing around roofs or under a house.  Only a loose fitting shirt with a good size pocket works.

Linda your post on this subject demands an encore.

How about something like this for the carriers to think about. An iron on logo that could be ironed onto the shirt made of oxford cloth in white, pale blue, pale yellow  and khaki. The shirts can be purchased at any department store for less than $20.00 each, and light starched for less than $1.00 each day.

The carrier furnishes the logo and the adjuster can work a 3 month storm at a cost of $100.00 for shirts and $100.00 for laundry and not look like he slept in his PU.

It is obvious this subject is important from the number of replies and views of this thread.

Olive - my reference was to camouflage pants (BDUs)  not the style worn by EMT - Police - etc.  That style has been accepted by everyone that I know of.

Here is a simple dress code that I am currently working with:

Collared shirts, slacks, socks and shoes are required.  No camouflage fatigues, blue jeans, t-shirts, sandals, sweat pants, sweat shirts or shorts are acceptable.

Donny