| Author |
Message |
D Wong Whey
Registered User
Username: Dwongwhey
Post Number: 91
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 11:26 am: | |
Bob, having read what the others have advised, let me add my two cents worth.
Where Best and some of the other guides CAN be helpful to your business, is particulary where and if you are handling auto appraisals and accident investigations.
The others are generally correct that most carriers work outside claims with independent adjusting firms in their coverage areas from lists of approved adjusters.
Automobiles and common carriers often travel outside and beyond more local and regional geographic markets, and they also are not limited by distance to where they become involved in transportation accidents. Especially but not limited to remote areas, but as well those areas where the carrier doesn't usually handle accident investigations or appraisals, they then go to the Best Guide or other resources to find a local independent to handle these claims. Not only can they involve auto appraisal and accident investigations, but also PIP, 3rd party liability, as well as cargo losses.
If you are a full service independent adjusting firm with the experience and expertise to handle these transportation losses, then I might well consider continuing with the Best guides at least, and possibly the others.
As I said, just my two cents worth. Hope this helps. |
Dan Meler
Registered User
Username: Danmeler
Post Number: 8
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 11:29 pm: | |
Bob,
I agree with Horace...blind advertising in this business is next to useless. If you have enough business to suit you, just do a good job for your present clients and stay on top of what makes them happy. If you need or want more business, contact the carriers you want to work for and find out how to get on their approved lists. Get on the lists then check in with the managers regularly. If it seems potentially worth it, travel to see some of them so they know who you are when you call. The key is persistence and the personal touch. But, as you and everyone else knows - product quality speaks for itself once you get your foot in the door. Good luck.
Dan Meler |
Horace Smith
Registered User
Username: Hsmith
Post Number: 9
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 12:31 am: | |
Bob, I'll be candid. I've worked from both sides: a claims manager for a carrier and also as an Independent Adjuster.
Best's and its competitors send plenty of free directories to carriers, risk managers, TPAs, etc.
Most claims staffs, however, already have lists of approved or favorite adjusters and the only way to get your foot in the door and be added to the approved list is through marketing. I might say creative marketing. Most carrier claims staffs know or have an opinion about the Independents in the territories where they produce the most business and receive the majority of their claims. If a claim comes in from a remote area of the country (for that carrier) then and only then are they likely to go to Best's, Claim Service Guide, etc.
As an owner/manager of an Independent, I never received more than 4 or 5 assignments annually that I could attribute to being listed in one of the books. And yes, those were usually carriers or risk managers that considered me to be in a remote area.
Bottom line: if you feel that you are a strong marketer or have a strong marketer on your staff, skip the directories.
Horace Smith
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Bob Morris
Registered User
Username: Bob_morris
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 7:13 pm: | |
I am an independent adjuster that has recently taken over the business due to my father's death. Now is the time to renew our ads in the AM Best Guide, Bar List Publication, CAG, etc. My question is: What, if any, of these publications are worth the advertising fee? Are these used by carriers and other independents?
Unfortunately, prior to my father's passing we did not discuss the "nuts and bolts" of this area of the business. We thought that we would have much more time before I took over the business. I had worked for him, contractually, for the past 9 years and am a competent and thorough adjuster and appraiser, but don't have the knowledge as far as the advertising goes.
Any input or suggestions would be welcomed and appreciated.
Thanx,
Bob Morris |
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