| 10/24/2012 1:47 PM |
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At this time a rapidly strengthening hurricane is going to cross Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas. But what then. Some modleing is suggesting a sub tropical blow to the NE with widespread 60 to 70 mph winds heavy rain and or snow. If this developes could see a billion dollar storm (ref: Dr. Jeff Masters), or it could go out to sea. Something to watch the weekend.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like his passengers.
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ChuckDeatonLife Member  Senior Member Posts:1110  
| 10/25/2012 1:44 PM |
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If you have never had the occasion to work a winter storm in the Northeast, take advice from someone who has. Think about it long and hard. New York has the strongest and most stringent licensing laws in this country. Your vendor cannot get you a temporary New York license. This is the land of Public Adjusters. The days are short, it is cold and wet and most homeowners commute.
Go work on Long Island, in the dead of winter, and then post a narrative on this site, detailing your experience and let us know if you would repeat the experience.
Remember what happened with Hurricane Issac. Many claims reps were called out and then sent home. "Prattling on and on about being an ass with experience doesn't make someone experienced. It just makes you an ass." Rod Buvens, Pilot grunt
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| 10/25/2012 2:54 PM |
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It would be warmer then were I am working, but the only thing that would keep me from a winter break would be an assignment in the Bahamas. It is looking more likley that this will be a major event of the CONUS. Worst case south of NYC and north of Washington. It would certainly be a learning experience for the newly trained. Then maybe some spring cleanup for the vertrans.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like his passengers.
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Jud G. Advanced Member Posts:509 
| 10/25/2012 3:26 PM |
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New York. You will either love it or hate it.
I love New York. I've been there for several assignments and would love to go back. The state frequently declares states of emergency that enable the DOI to quickly permit Temporary Licenses. This occurs often because of the stark contrast in population to the amount of available adjusters.
If you don't have a two (2) story ladder, you will need one. For other adjusters, a combination of commercial losses and having loss consultants at your fingertips will free you up from the two story ladder necessity. By the way, if a carrier doesn't allow a two (2) story or steep roof allowance, they are giving you a very strong indication about how they will treat you and more importantly, their customers. If they don't offer these allowances, they likely aren't interested in seeing that you conduct a full inspection/investigation, much less your safety. The lack of a full inspection prevents you from preparing a decent estimate. An estimate that doesn't allow for reasonable costs won't allow your flat rate bills to have the intended effect. Furthermore, this estimate will create numerous phone calls and un-billable time down the road. I could go on, but it would create the need for another thread.
I've had the best success on the customer service side of this storm. The people up there are very business savvy. They are quick to pick up on your weaknesses. If you don't have your stuff together, you'll get eaten alive quickly. Like anywhere else, the Golden Rule still applies; treat them just how you expect to be treated in return.
Expenses are very high; gas, lodging, meals. Yet, so are the construction costs. Flat rate files will show a reciprocal increase and have their desired impact on your net billing. Make sure you include access costs and mobilization as these are justifiable allowances and can make crucial differences between a loss that gets settled or gets thrown into the supplement file.
Traffic is heavy, so allow yourself decent margins of time when scheduling appointments. They have cell phone laws, so make sure you are hands free. Thus, the pace of your file closures will likely be a little slower, so just get used to the pace. It's kind of like switching from wind claims to flood losses; different pace, but once you adjust, your're fine.
From a geographic standpoint, New York loss adjusting serves as the greatest place for opportunity as a career-Catastrophe Adjuster. You will find no other place in America that will test your customer service skills, construction skills, personal time & money stewardship, policy skills, coverage awareness (like Chuck said, PA's are everywhere), and driving skills to this level all at one time.
The construction costs don't really have that much of an impact on your billing, but the real kicker is mainly the geographic density. Being able to condense your appointments very tight and often throughout the length of the assignment is the real reason that makes these assignments very worthwhile.
Good luck and choose to see it as a great opportunity (in a realistic and healthy understanding of New York) as opposed to an assignment to be feared.
P.S.: Pre-deployment is the point in time where your choice on the right attitude will have a significant bearing on the success and/or failure of your assignment in New York.
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Jud G.Advanced Member Posts:509
| 10/25/2012 3:28 PM |
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I have my eyes set on the Bahamas. I would just need about 2-5 files and I will be set for months.
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| 10/25/2012 9:30 PM |
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Can't help but wonder what it's like scoping hurricane damage in the NE in January. Would love the chance to find out.
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| 10/26/2012 8:06 PM |
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Chuck
Just wondering...Do you ever have anything positive or nice to say about anything? I have only been on this site for about 6 months and have never saw a positive or nice comment from you. You are really negative about new adjusters. I have been doing this for 7 years this coming January. I have stayed as busy as I want to be for the last 6 1/2 years. The first 4 months was just mostly taking classes, but since then, it has been full time work. Maybe it is about time you retire? |
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Tim Wieneke Member Posts:92 
| 10/27/2012 12:08 PM |
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I haven't worked claims in Long Island yet but plan to do so with this storm. I have worked Chicago claims my whole career and did live in Boston for two years, during which I worked at Liberty Mutual's headquarters and reported directly to one of the VPs there. Again, I haven't been a claims adjuster in New York yet but I worked with the insurance industry people there while in Boston. If you do this storm, this is the time to look like a white collar professional who climbs a ladder. Their perception of insurance professionals is suits. I won't be wearing one but it is the time for clean business casual wear (I may even *gasp* wear a tie). I know everyone is officially supposed to be business casual anyway, but we have all seen adjusters in jeans and t-shirts. You never know in New York if the house you do a claim on is owned by an insurance executive that could make your career. This is one to have your game on. |
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ChuckDeatonLife Member Senior Member Posts:1110
| 10/27/2012 2:10 PM |
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Racerdown, since you only have positive things to say, please, give us a rundown of the types of claims you handle and the net net, money wise, banked in your years. All of the newbies need a guide and a successful guy, like you, would be an upbeat guide. You could take this opportunity to counter my constant dose of reality.
Oh! As regards retirement, I've only been doing this for 40 years and have been on this site since inception, so I don't have any intent to retire.
My suggestion is that, rather than being a lurker, you register and get involved. This business needs successful people to comment. Tell these newbies how you did it, something about your personal life and the money you make.
Don't hide out, post under your name. "Prattling on and on about being an ass with experience doesn't make someone experienced. It just makes you an ass." Rod Buvens, Pilot grunt
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rbryanhinesMember Posts:119
| 10/27/2012 8:57 PM |
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Chuck
Your post do tend to be a bit negative. Yes its based on truth that you have found through your own experiences but sometimes people just have to experience things on their own.
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HuskerCat Veteran Member Posts:762
| 10/28/2012 12:00 AM |
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Posted By Tom Allen on 25 Oct 2012 09:30 PM
Can't help but wonder what it's like scoping hurricane damage in the NE in January. Would love the chance to find out.
I checked the calendar, and it is October. Why would one worry about scoping in January? If you are 1'st wave...git'r done! If you are 1'st wave, and the late reported claims are still coming in...that's the time to wonder.
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ChuckDeatonLife Member Senior Member Posts:1110
| 10/28/2012 1:00 AM |
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HuskerCat, I worked in S Louisiana from 2005 till Oct of 2010. Crown Weather says that on Monday they expect Sandy to be pushing waves of up to 50', not that I believe that, but Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike did not come close and Ike wiped the Bolivar Peninsula. Friends are working Ike claims today and Ike hit in 2008.
Ivan destroyed the beach in Pensacola and adjusters were there for months. I am working tornado claims in N Alabama that are nearly 2 years old.
I have to agree with Tom and say that, yes, there will be adjusters scoping claims in January.
"Prattling on and on about being an ass with experience doesn't make someone experienced. It just makes you an ass." Rod Buvens, Pilot grunt
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ChuckDeatonLife Member Senior Member Posts:1110
| 10/28/2012 1:00 AM |
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HuskerCat, I worked in S Louisiana from 2005 till Oct of 2010. Crown Weather says that on Monday they expect Sandy to be pushing waves of up to 50', not that I believe that, but Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike did not come close and Ike wiped the Bolivar Peninsula. Friends are working Ike claims today and Ike hit in 2008.
Ivan destroyed the beach in Pensacola and adjusters were there for months. I am working tornado claims in N Alabama that are nearly 2 years old.
I have to agree with Tom and say that, yes, there will be adjusters scoping claims in January.
"Prattling on and on about being an ass with experience doesn't make someone experienced. It just makes you an ass." Rod Buvens, Pilot grunt
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MedulusModerator Veteran Member Posts:786
| 10/28/2012 1:17 AM |
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Flynt and I worked an assignment in New York and Connecticut for a good portion of 2004. It is a tough area to work in, but if you are detail oriented and willing to work hard you will find it a lucrative region to work. Jud Gardner's earlier post is spot on.
As far as scoping in the northeast in January, ice storms and the like were my bread and butter for years. Advice to Texas adjusters -- don't climb roofs in January in sub-freezing temperatures. Black ice on a roof can be deadly.
Steve Ebner CPCU AIC AMIM
"With great power comes great responsibility." (Stanley Martin Lieber, Amazing Fantasy # 15 August 1962)
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HuskerCatVeteran Member Posts:762
| 10/28/2012 1:25 AM |
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My point, gents...was don't worry about January if you get the work now. Wonder later about the winter wonderland. But yes, agreed, it is late in the year with cold weather, frost, limited daylight hours, etc. If Sandy is as predicted, this will be a drawn out ordeal.
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JustinAdjusting Guest Posts:5
| 10/28/2012 7:40 AM |
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Chuck Deaton has forgotten more about adjusting than most of you will ever know. If trying to share his forty years of experience with you is not helpful, then don't read it. Go out there and learn it the hard way. Have you every heard of a book called "Adjusting 101"? If you haven't then look it up and see who wrote the book.
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HuskerCatVeteran Member Posts:762
| 10/28/2012 11:33 PM |
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A lot of us old f*rts have forgotten more than we ever knew. That's why we post it here to remind ourselves. What was the question again?
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okclarrydVeteran Member Posts:954
| 10/29/2012 8:55 AM |
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Question?
There was a question?
Larry D Hardin
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olderthendirtMember Posts:160
| 10/29/2012 9:02 AM |
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It was definately a question, but the question is what was the question?
Life is like a sewer, what you get out of it depends on what you put in it
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Jud G.Advanced Member Posts:509
| 10/29/2012 12:40 PM |
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Question; Does there have to be a question?
"...Discuss, Share, Learn..."
The latest update has this storm's surge rated at the highest destructive potential ever at 5.8 on a scale of 6.0. It beats past storms such as Katrina, Rita, Andrew and is the highest since this scale began in 1969.
I guess a lesson here is don't let the storm's Category 1 status fool you. See the following link: http://www.wunderground.com/blog/Je...ynum=2280. |
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