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and now Pilot is working on a new crew of newbies, in about 4 or 5 or maybe 6 years you will get another chance. Best you go apply at Home Depot.

Why would I go apply at Home Depot.  I have been self employed for 15 years have always made good money.  I was looking for some help not an some jack-a... answer.  Why would you even waste your time with such a reply. 

Were you not taught manners?  Good lord

Chad,

The only thing I would suggest is that you become licensed in all the states that you wish to work in. An existing non-resident license will get you deployed on the smaller storms where you make your living. I always made better money on the smaller events than the huge ones. And, by being licensed in the states that continually generate claims for storm events, you are among the few that can go on short notice to an event that will not have a catastrophe rating or name. The licensing states will allow unlicensed adjusters to work a named event for a period of time after which they must be licensed..  The smaller events require licensed adjusters from the get go.

Happy Trails

Thank you Mr. Hardin,

Of course right now I want to work in every state LOL.  I did not know it had to be a named storm to get an emergency license, that will change how I look at things.

Thank You again,

Chad W. Rundell

 

@cwrundell, I never intended a jack-a.... answer. But this is a cut throat, dog eat dog business and unless you have some special leg up or insight the work is spotty. I assumed that you have dependents, there is what appears to be a child used as an avatar, and they need support. This season of the year from now this after the snow melts is usually slow. Christmas is coming and Home Depot is hiring.

If you have always made good money why would you suddenly quit that profession, what ever it was, and decide to be a catastrophe insurance adjuster?

Larry's advice is good as far as it goes, but keep in mind that in Texas alone there are over 40,000 licensed adjusters wanting, waiting and willing to work cats.

You didn't read the original post.... If you had you wouldn't be making incorrect assumptions.  I still have a profitible construction business.  (Not as profitible as it once was but none the less it pays the bills)  As I said in the original post I gave up looking and it just fell into my lap and I enjoyed it very much and did a good job.  As for there being a lot of adjusters...  So what.  There are over 500,000 restaurants in the US 90% of which will fail.  I opened one in '91 sold it in 95' made money every year, how many contractors are out of business? 70% from '05?  I am looking for a change, dog eat dog is the way of life everything I have done has had "spotty work". 

I do appreciate your warning about how tough it is out there, I understand now.  Not so much looking for someone to tell me how hard it is....  Looking for someone to tell me what they have done that has made it easier for them.

BTW I just got day claims....  So much for six years.

and again, someone totally different asking Chuck not to be a jack....

pattern? or are we all wrong?

For Mr Rundell, yes, you should get on several rosters. Check out the companies and make yourself available. As, stated above, having multiple state licenses is always a plus.

The two of you are wrong, Rod, reality is that most adjusters are home sitting and looking for work, my guess is that the majority of newbies are idle, many are sitting home, with Christmas on the way, wondering if they are going to be paid for the work they did in 2011, while Home Depot is hiring for the Christmas season. Mr. Rundell isn't as fortunate as you are and is looking for work.

Apparently there are jobs at excellent pay, in the oilfields in North Dakota.

sounds like he is looking for advice. If you would bother to read, he is looking ahead.
you chose to respond with something less than helpful.

so he was right in his assessment of you, and I agree with him.

and to Mr Rundell - it does not have to be a named storm for work and emergency licenses to be issued, different situations will trigger the issuance of emergency licenses. Those criteria will vary state to state.

No question, Rod, it didn't take a man of your obvious intellect to make the discovery. I am and have been an "ass" and a contrarian as long as I can remember, long before you were whelped. No shame in that. If being demanding is synonymous with being an "ass" I would qualify as an Uber "ass".

But I am not a Pilot "grunt" nor do I feel the need to feed pablum to every newbie that posts on this or any other board. No, I am not a "21 century adjuster" nor will I ever be.

so were we wrong, or were we right? you've now said both.

being proud of yourself for being an ass....interesting....

perhaps you should double up on your dosage and let us know if that helps.

Hey Rod, some people do take their dose........and realize they need to and should.  Don't kick them under the bridge like a troll just because of that.  Some of the most remarkable people in history have probably needed "a dose", but didn't have it available.  I hope your little guppy is happy hanging there in mid-air gasping for his breath......never mind, I don't think they make a pill for that!

If any of you watch the tv show 'House', then you are familiar with the way that a doctor can be such an ass, but still be right. This show is just the epitome of what happens often in our world on a daily basis regardless of your industry or sector.

With that said, Chuck's point carries significant validity. Just getting a 'B' with Pilot is okay. Many 'A' rated adjusters with Pilot starved for a couple of years after the Katrina days were over.

One final point: I'd much rather have a jerk operate on my spine than some nice guy if it meant his experience demonstrated that he could carry his weight in an operating room.

I think what Rod (sorry I don't know your last name or i wouldn't be so informal) is getting at is that based on Chuck's response it was clear he didn't read the post. He just wanted to spout negative crap and tell me what a fool I am. (That is not what I was asking for)

If he had read the post he would realize that I am making money not as a CAT.
I am very aware that it is not easy getting in and getting steady work. I'm not a fool I researched before I got my license, I have a back-up plan. I can support my family while I work to make this a career. Nothing worth having ever comes easy. I heard all the stories of walking out of class and making a million dollars. I knew it was a lie.

I have dealt with people like Chuck my whole life, people who feel good about themselves if they can tell others what idiots they are and how they will never make it. Those are people I feel sorry for, they are not happy if they have to belittle someone they don't know so they can puff themselves up.

Why would anyone respond to a person asking for advice to move forward by telling them they have not got a chance if not to boost their own ego.

Rod,
Thanks for the advice, I have paid close attention to many of your posts in the past.

Chuck,
I got day claims already so much for your six years. In the future thanks but no thanks for any "advice" all I got from you was poison.

Cheers,

Chad

Posted By cwr on 12 Nov 2011 10:33 PM

Hello all,  I have been reading the forum since I first got my license in '08.  This is my first topic/question started.

After getting my license I did what all the experienced adjusters advised, however as you all know there was not a lot for the unexperienced to do in 2009, 2010 and I stopped looking as my construction business took most of my time.  Then Irene came along and Pilot called for me.  I was sent to NY and closed 126 claims in 30 days.  From what my ADMIN said I closed them well. (Not saying that I know jack sh... about adjusting because I have barely begun to understand.)  Most of what Irene brought for me was watermarked ceiling and some missing shingles.)  I loved adjusting, meeting the people, working the hours and the challenge of the whole process.  Money was ok but certainly not what made me love this profession.

My Admins, the insured and the file examiners gave me good reviews.  My understanding from them is that when they update there adjuster ratings in Jan. I will be a "B" adjuster.  Short of waiting and calling to see how the gals in deployment are doing, what should I be doing to get more work?  I am getting more licenses and certifications.  Trying to get on more rosters ect. (which to tell you the truth I feel like im cheating on Pilot, they took great care and interest in me)

"We had Andrew in 1992, the 4 in 2004, Katrina in 05 and IKE in 08. It takes many little or one big one to get ever one with a license out working. Many adjusters with thousands of settled losses are not working also. Just keep learning and you will be found some day."

                                                                  The Late Great Ray Hall, I never met the man but his help is invaluable.

Thanks,

Chad

......................................................................................................Chad,

In general, CADO receives 100's of the "I am a rookie adjuster with a question.......How do I find more work" type of posts on a monthly basis. Almost all of them are basically saying,"Why should I have to do ANY of the leg work in finding work when I can just ask for the answer from someone on CADO !!"

Yes Chuck is an "opinionated, stubborn old ass!!" but, he has earned the right to be that way. Why? Probably because he has more years experience than most adjusters have been alive(yes he was probably the adjuster for Noah's flood claim) and he has in fact given MANY adjusters plenty of advice! The issue comes from almost all his advice (or any experienced adjuster's advice) falls upon deaf ears if said advice means ANY effort and the rookie keeps asking until he/she HEARS WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR. That crap gets old real quick!

However, I don't think you are one of those kinda rookies but regardless of that we ALL need to have a thick skin to stay a player in this industry. It appears you have done your homework so I don't see any laziness in your query.

So first of all, you need to be on as many rosters as you can. You should truly get over the "guilt" of cheating on Pilot because for the most part those feelings are NOT reciprocal. You should do your homework on every company you are on rosters with. You need to find out how they pay, when they pay, what estimating software they require(in most cases , it will be XM8). Find out about past complaints(if any)

As far as certifications, those are the last thing you should concern yourself with,(the exception would be the obvious carrier certs that are required to work said claims claims like: State Farm/Allstate/USAA/TWIA/Florida/Louisiana Citizen's) Remember with these carriers"All that glitters ain't gold"

As a new adjuster, you should take yourself to task and learn XM8 better than the guy next to you. You need to be second nature with XM8,PERIOD!! Learn as much as you can with policy:HO DP and the specifics, Schedule A/B/C/D/E etc....You can do so at no cost at: www.claimspages.com

Licenses are important but are not the be all, end all  for the new adjuster. Here is what works for me:

I have my resident license from Oregon, non-resident licenses from the states of: Texas/Louisiana/Mississippi/Alabama/Florida/Georgia/North Carolina/South Carolina. I have these licenses because historically they have born the brundt of severe weather more than any other states.

It is true that already being licensed in a state that requires adjusters to work claims is important and some adjusters have been deployed for the sole reason of being licensed in said state, but if I knew what states those were, well you get the idea.

The best way to find more work is to do good when you do work. As your post indicates, it seems you have done so. When you solicit other IA firms/carriers, in addition to a cover page and resume, send an additional document with all your photocopied licenses along with copies of all certifications. Simply stated let the reader know without any delay who you are and what licenses and certs held. Even though it is listed on your resume, give them a visual of the licenses and certs. I would also send an example of the highest dollar amount XM8 estimate you have written. Let them know immediately that you are solid on XM8. Most rookies don't send a sample estimate, you should be the one who does          

 

Catadjuster X,

Thanks for your advice, I have read many of your posts and you are without a doubt a straight shooter who calls it like he sees it and has a wealth of knowledge.

I have no doubt that Chuck forgot more about adjusting last night then I know...... I just wasn't asking for how to fail. Nothing worth having is easy and I have no visions of grandeur or easy street, I will earn a career in adjusting.

Thanks again,

Chad

BTW here i am sure is a rookie mistake, I saw no reason to continue to pay for XM8 after the storm... I backed up all my files daily to an external hard drive. Anyway to print that sample estimate without paying XM8? When I try to open XM8 it tells me im expired.

Posted By ChuckDeaton on 15 Nov 2011 06:25 PM 
but keep in mind that in Texas alone there are over 40,000 licensed adjusters wanting, waiting and willing to work cats.

Its well over 80,000 last time I saw. When I got my license back in September.

Does anyone know what 80,000 licensed adjuster are doing?

Posted By ChuckDeaton on 03 Jan 2012 01:14 PM
Does anyone know what 80,000 licensed adjuster are doing?

I would think that thoes who arnt working are sitting on the computer at their house just like you are... am I right guys?