| Author |
Message |
Dan Meler
Registered User
Username: Danmeler
Post Number: 10
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 11:58 pm: | |
Dislikes: Sometimes there's nothing to do.
Likes: Sometimes there's nothing to do.
In the early 70's I took a 2 year com. college course in Insurance Adjusting. The Good Hands People then hired me as a multiline adjuster and my career began.
Why? It seemed like an interesting thing to do.
What did I like about it? Not much...the corporate world seemed like a prison to me. I quit after about 10 years, squeezed my way into Cat Adjusting (knowing less than nothing about the business side of it) and am happy to report that it has treated me very well. My wife is licensed also but we work as a team and I consider myself the luckiest son of a gun in town. I know things are slow for a lot of folks, but last year was great and this one looks even better for us. I'm not rubbing it in anyone's face, it just proves even in slow times there are still opportunities out there for all of us...because I've never joined the Good Ol' Boy club, and I still find work somehow.
TAke care y'all
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Andrew K. Sloane
Registered User
Username: Claimsranger
Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 9:58 pm: | |
Let's see now,I had a good steady job with the GREAT STATE OF TEXAS, as an Admissions Advisor/Director of Admissoins & Special Projects for the states technical college system. I was thumpin' roofs for a retired staff Adjsuter for Trinity for a year an 1/2 before on my weekends and my vacation time to pick up some extra $$'s. Benefits are GREAT with TEXAS, pay is LOOOOOOW, then came Northridge and I really cut my teeth as an Independent on the quake, children that would not go back into the house and even adults afraid of the after shocks, 1st reason I do not do crawlspaces anymore, (Another subject We are preachers, teachers, counselors, In-laws, cousins, brothers, sisters and friends to these Insureds that do not have a clue!! I would not trade it for all the tea in china, even tho' I quit drinkin' coffee and the 1st cup I drank yesterday in 6 mnths spilled on my best pair of slacks, go figure,.! These mold claims are the hardest challenge I have had to date without question. PERIOD.!!!! Back to our other thread on change. It is absolutely undoudbtable change is every day. With every carrier and every vendor. But the "BOSS" is moving down here with me so we will meet it as it comes.! Come hell or high water, which there is alot of 'round he'ah! Just hopin' I'll be 'round he'ah for the duration. GHOUST & LINDA, Yall call or e-mail me!! SERIOUSLY, the seafood is great.!! See ya when the wind blows after this MOLDEN TRIANGLE runs the wheel off!! |
Dale Strain
Registered User
Username: Catmandale
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 5:41 pm: | |
Just to show I have way too much time on my hands, here is a link to Gordie's favorite TV show info.
http://www.thrillingdetective.com/longstrt.html |
Gordon Mathison
Registered User
Username: Lansur
Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 1:16 pm: | |
After finishing 'callege' (as Ghostie would say) - excuse me while I geddacuppa caffee - I tried constabulary work, then social work, then teaching. After watching Longstreet - remember James Franciscus and his dog? - (he was a blind adjuster/investigator for insurance companies) I thought his was an interesting and romantic profession. I could combine my investigative techniques, learned as Metro's finest, with a pinch of social work and a little college psychology and set the industry on fire as I chased down thieves and charlatans, recouping fortunes for underwriters. For if a blind man and his dog could succeed, how could I fail? All that remained was to determine the number of points to be charged on the recovery! Well, since I started adjusting in 1972, I never did much globe trotting and never got any points on what few recoveries were realized through my sleuthing. It has been quite a ride though. And for the most part, I have enjoyed the challenges. One of the greatest has been to understand and interpret policy wordings and to satisfy the policyholder or the policymaker that my interpretation is correct. Then of course you have to sell the adjustment to both. Finally, as well the rest of you soi-disants know, you may have to sell your fee, especially if the examiner has never been on the road. What other occupation allows such diverse problems with people at so many different social/economic strata? (exception noted, you encyclopedia salespersons) The only major down side to claims is that you find yourself forever in negative situations. A great deal more empathy could be shown to "real" victims but I have not found any underwriters that will pay their adjusters to do counselling. I trust this provides one more answer for Tommy. Longstreet was taken off the air shortly after he started, but I am happy to report, there remain a number of sight-challenged claims insurance persons that seem to handle their handicaps quite well, thank you very much. |
Kelley Roberson
Registered User
Username: Kelley
Post Number: 15
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 6:55 pm: | |
Every claim I ever turned in left me despising the insurance company. When I decided I wanted to make a career change I accessed my skills & knowledge against what was available. I discovered I had more than the basic skills needed to join the field of independent adjusting. I knew there had to be adjusters out there who were honest & I wanted to find them, join force with them and work all claims properly. |
Steve Beaumont
Registered User
Username: Travelingman
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 11:42 am: | |
I got into adjusting by joining GAB right out of college in 1979 and still unsure what I wanted to do in life. At the time I had no clue what an adjuster was or did. I got 5 years of great training with them and a lot of cat work, then went staff to try that end. I found that I love working with people of all walks of life on claims and have run the whole spectrum (from the best saints that God put on the earth to the worst criminals around).
Each insured that we deal with on a claim has had some problem or trauma in their life or else they wouldn't have a claim. I really enjoy working with them to help them out on the claim, assisting them where ever possible and eventually resolving their loss where they can be back to their normal lives, whether it is just putting on a new roof, replacing their entire house or business, or anywhere in between.
Since I started in the business I've found that cat work has always been the most rewarding to me personally. The rewards for me are not just monetary, but working a good cat for 2-3 months straight with the long hours, stress of the heavy workload, and high turnover of completed claims is very revitalizing. (not to forget the fact I met my wife at Hurricane Hugo). The day I stop working cat work will be the day they put me 6' under.
There is no better career I'd want to be in. |
mark salmon
Registered User
Username: Olderthendirt
Post Number: 136
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 11:12 am: | |
I started in Insurance because the only other job offer I had was as a dance instructor, and I have two left feet. But after being told that there were two ways to be successful in insurance, underwriting and marketing it didn't take me long to move to claims and I've never recovered! And of all the jobs in claims cat work is the best!  |
R D Hood
Registered User
Username: Old_dog
Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 10:28 am: | |
This may give me a proverbial blackeye, but telling the truth is what matters most, as one never has to remember what they said.
One upon a time, many years ago, I had the occasion while inspecting a loss as a contractor (DRP) to scope the loss with a carrier adjuster.
The inspection revealed that the gentleman was unable to ascertain the difference between a 2X4 and a 2X8 without the use of a ruler, much less the difference between a bar joist and a flush valve.
The insured, our mutual client, was NOT being treated fairly. This was the turning point for me.
After looking at the PA field, (and not likeing it a lot) the decision was made to change hats and do the adjusting in the correct manner.
The loss is the loss, and each loss should and must stand on it's merits. The policy always governs, no matter what any one tells you.
There are occassions in which you are directed to do other than what is , in your mind and heart, different. In these instances you should follow the directives but CYA by documenting the file like it was going to court. (And sometimes they do)
These are the reasons for being an adjuster, love to help people, (Old Boy Scout ), and delight in doing the right thing and doing it correctly.
Not everyone can do this job. Not everyone can have many years of experience, but EVERYONE can learn to treat clients as they would want to be treated, gain knowledge, check coverages and do it right the first time.
Now im really glad that im retiring soon.
(Message edited by old_dog on February 05, 2002) |
Tom Toll
Registered User
Username: Tom
Post Number: 72
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 9:22 am: | |
My question was, why did you become an adjuster and if you like the profession. Apparently no one knows why and why. Too bad. |
Tom
Registered User
Username: Tom
Post Number: 71
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 8:11 pm: | |
01/07/61 I began a career as an adjuster, starting with an excellent company, Farm Bureau. At first it was a good job, then it began to turn into other things. Helping to solve problems, assisting people in need and the list could go on forever. I love the job as a catastrophe adjuster.
I hope many of you will comment on why you do or do not like your job and why! |
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