| Author |
Message |
SharleneStarner
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 1:55 pm: | |
I worked as a staff adjuster for American Family in Arizona for a while and they send their staff adjusters on CAT on a regular basis. However, this usually leaves their offices shortstaffed. They tend to hire temps but many temps don't stay past lunch because they are expected to work hard. It would seem that since a lot of companies do that those of us who don't mind doing Casualty (it is a nice break) should have a place where the carriers could find us and see if we are available. CAT adjusters as a whole are not afraid of hard work. I agree with the observation already put in above that a separate site where Casualty experienced adjusters could be found would be a great idea and that the carriers be advised that they can find qualified and hard workers at this site. |
Roy Cupps (Admin)
| | Posted on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 11:05 am: | |
I have added a new section to the CADO site which contains an area for casualty claims. Right now it is a work in progress so if anyone wants help by providing content please feel free to do so. This is an interactive area. The new section has a Q&A Section that allows visitors to ask questions and other visitors to answer them. You will also find a special roster and a special links section. This area combines the features of a forum, roster and links page into one subject specific page. The current subjects include flood claims, wind claims, mold claims and casualty claims. Click here to visit the new area now. |
HSmith
| | Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2001 - 6:31 pm: | |
Thank you, Catman2 for your comments. Yes, casualty assignments are rarer than property gigs, but not "that" rare. Some of my friends who worked the Exxon thing in Alaska (two years of pretty good income) followed it up with a year's work on the Dupont pesticide matter. Many products situations are kept pretty quiet by the manufacturer, carrier and vendor in order to control and prevent additional claims. They do occur, however.
As I see it, casualty adjusting for the independent contractor or temp employee usually falls into one of three categories:
One: Automobile material damage. Paint overspray when a painting contractor is doing a large bridge or other project and hundreds of passing or parked cars get coated. This also occurs involving chemical residues from manufacturing plants. In addition to appraising, the adjuster is often called on to handle the loss of use.
Two: Environmental and products situations. The Exxon and Dupont scenarios fall into this category. Likewise, massive food poisoning or adverse reactions to pharmaceuticals can trigger casualty cats. A train wreck spilling hazardous materials can do the same. Adjusters seeking this type of work have to be on the ready and have polished casualty skills.
Three: Going to work on a temporary basis for a carrier that is backlogged with their casualty work. The longer those claims fester, the more they ultimately cost. These jobs can be inside or outside. I have done this type of work both through a vendor and also direct with carriers. My observation is that the carries are quite pleased to have someone to call on in these temporary crisis.
In all these three situations we are discussing either independent contractor adjusters or temp employees. Cat property adjusters are also either independent contractors of temp employees and a property adjuster doing a "branch assist" can be likened to the category 3 situation above.
My point: I believe that CADO adding a casualty section will offer greater opportunies for the adjusting community and greater resources for the vendors/carriers. CADO may benefit also in acquiring new members and drawing enhanced interest from vendors/carriers. |
catman2
| | Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2001 - 12:58 am: | |
Horace,
The opportunity for independent “CAT” adjusters to be involved in liability casualty claims is rare. In-house adjusters typically handle these claims. The major exceptions are those like the Cerro Grande fire in Los Alamos when the National Park Service started that fire and Congress decided to pay for it and other blockbuster claims like the Exon Valdez oil spill in Alaska (both of which I worked). I have worked these types of claims for some companies directly as a special or temporary hire but seldom as an independent. |
Horace Smith (Hsmith)
| | Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2001 - 12:20 pm: | |
Here on CADO there seems to be much less emphasis on csaualty emergency claims than on property claims. That is to be expected.
Yet, casualty "catastrophes" do often occur and carriers/vendors need prompt assistance. Man made and "non-weather" disasters usually have a liability component. Whether a train wreck, environmental, explosion, fire legal liability, etc. etc; carriers and vendors can minimize exposure and mitigate damages by promptly dispatching casualty cat people to refine the investigations and make prompt settlements where justified.
When there is casualty property damage, adjusters can often utilize their property estimating software and other property techniques to determine accurate damages. Time element claims experience is useful in determining damages when businesses have had to curtail or cease operations due to the negligence of a casualty insured. And many of us have had heavy bodily injury liability claims experience.
My suggestion is that somewhere on the CADO site, we cat adjusters, who also love casualty work, list separately our availability and credentials, giving the carriers/vendors easy access. Perhaps this Forum would be that place.
Horace Smith |
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