| Author |
Message |
Russ Lott
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 1999 - 10:17 pm: | |
I agree whole heartedly with your post, the companies that do not have the startup capital to fund a storm should not go on the prowl for more business than they can pay for. When we turn a file in, if it is accepted by the firm, we should be paid per the contract. There is something inherently wrong with contract employees being asked to fund the operation of a storm. |
Jim Flynt
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 1999 - 9:44 am: | |
Why should we be "the bank" for the adjusting firms you are talking about by giving them interest free no risk non-collateralized loans?
The adjusting firms you are talking about are asking adjusters to fund their operations and payroll.
I agree wholeheartedly with you. Check before you leave. The good companies will not ask you to do this. The companies that do ask you to finance their payroll generally are also going to give you a hard time on getting your holdback to boot. |
Concerned2
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 1999 - 1:32 am: | |
I said I wasn't going to post again after my two entries under the "Value of pen names". However, there is an issue all of us should address as Hurricane Season kicks off. That issue is the increasing problem with getting paid. As someone who has many years experience, let me say that on a storm, until recently, it was customary to have advances for the adjusters when they arrive and to pay weekly based on either the previous weeks invoices or day rate count. There was one company in Texas that services a major national company that steadfastly insisted that they would pay every 2 weeks based on what part of your invoices they had been paid and received. This was not acceptable to most adjusters. This practice seems to be on the increase and I urge you all to shun companies that do this. They are effectively making you an involuntary partner in their business who shares the risk but not the overall profit. Getting involved with companies who cannot or will not fund their payroll will cause you financial problems on the road and make you highly stressed. The "we'll pay you when they pay us" practice is B.S. and should not be tolerated. In the cases where they are withholding and you are a "part-time temporary employee" of the CAT company, this practice is possibly not legal under Dept. of Labor standards for payroll. In the case of independent contractors, it's a cloudier issue.
Before you pull out of your driveway for one of these companies, I urge you to get it clear that they are able (and willing) to pay for your hard work and expertise. You are a long way from home, living in a motel, under a lot of pressure and spending your own money like water to keep up with the demands. The very least you deserve is to be paid well and paid often. There are a lot of people out there looking to mess around with your money..don't let them. Take a stand! Good luck to all. |
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