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Posted By olderthendirt on 17 Oct 2012 11:51 PM
Reading all the posts is it possible to do more then just get by as a Cat Adjuster in todays market. (there have always been a few you do well no matter what). But for the average cat guy with a few years, is just getting by the best you can hope for. Or is the real money now in trainning other wanta bes. And what happens when all is left is the cannon fodder.

One thing I have learned is that no matter what happens it is the fault of the field adjuster.

 

I think all you have to do is compare the new posts & responses vs. the banner ads for training and licensing.  Also, the "how do I get started" inquiries have tapered off a lot. 

Maybe the thin field that currently exists (at least on this site) will continue to have work.  But others will need to follow. 

As an independent inside commercial claims consultant/file reviewer (but former field/staff adjuster), the talent and expertise out in the field has taken a big hit over the past few years on the IA side from my perspective anyway.  There doesn't seem to be any middle ground....really good ones that know the drill, and then those that need to be coached and weaned over from HO to commercial. 

Also, Eagleview & Pictometry are never going to replace commercial loss inspections, because there may be no prior property photo of new construction on Builders Risk policies, nor certain low population areas.  A good example is New Orleans during Isaac... new homes under construction and last aerial photos 2 years ago showing an empty lot.       

I can see how an adjuster could handle a hail claim over the phone from a paperwork standpoint, but how would you know if there was any actual damage to the shingles, gutters, siding, and so on? 

Posted By Medulus on 17 Oct 2012 03:10 AM

I, for one, am hoping there is still some money to be made out there. As of October first I quit the best job I ever had, making right in the vicinity of Texas Crop Adjuster's top years every year working on staff with a regular pay check and benefits, not to mention working conditions I could not complain about. I must be nuts. But, truth be told, catadjusting is my bliss. So, this week I'm taking a little vacation trip to Colorado. And next week I'm hitting the bricks and looking for work. Hopefully I can parlay the training and designations I gained over the last five years and the contacts I still have into enough money to get by and live the life of a gypsy again. I must be nuts. And I hope to be blissfully nuts for years to come.

 

**

Well, here you go Big Boy...back in your roots of the northeast with the supposedly "perfect storm".  Happy landing!  (Larry already took the "happy trails" thing).

Posted By ChuckDeaton on 14 Oct 2012 11:25 PM
In my humble opinion, Dirt, you are on the right track. At least one adjuster admits that he works for wages, drags shelter from one place to another and spends 4t a month to keep his show going.

When we started in this business there were no estimating programs, no certifications, no CE hours, no laser beams, GAB had a stellar property school, no cell phones, the legal climate was different and the income possibilities were limited only by physical exhaustion. Now we have innumerable schools teaching the use of the premier estimating program, get a license in 3 days and Robbie Robinson offering counseling to anyone who wants free advise.

I am engaged in rewriting an estimate, the original adjuster finished a hardwood floor with latex.

 

Ahhhhh -- the good ole days, when you could fart and piddle around writing your claims, waving your polaroids in the air waiting on them to develop, while you hand cranked your salvage hoopty you picked up at the junkyard (with your trusty wooden ladder on the roof) to idle on over to your next challenging claim that could only be handled by the greatness of Chuck Deaton.

nonsense.

Aww, Chuck, I should have asked your advice before I did anything.

Now that would be foolish.....

 Can I get a bulk rate on Chuck advice if I buy the life coach program and the power saw safety course?

Posted By Charlesp233 on 26 Oct 2012 02:00 PM

I can see how an adjuster could handle a hail claim over the phone from a paperwork standpoint, but how would you know if there was any actual damage to the shingles, gutters, siding, and so on? 

........................................

Charles, EagleView is now fully integrated into XM8. The average hail claim could be done from the examiner's desk. A few key strokes and next thing you know, you will have a college kid duct taped to the bottom of a Cessna do a flyover and wala', instant high resolution photos and all the dimensions. (Not really, although that is what Pictometry is, essentially) I am told decent damage could be seen from space. Not so obvious damage (IE light hail impacts) not so much

EagleView and Geoestimator are satellite high resolution photos. Also will come complete with accurate dimensions.

As of a few months ago, EagleView can now ALSO give you accurate wall dimensions to include every door and window on the risk.

I have wrote a bunch of discussions on these very services. What could be a great tool for the CAT adjuster could feasibly replace that same CAT adjuster,,,,at some point. Not tomorrow, but on the horizon