| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
 Posted - 12/27/2002 : 16:23:16
|
Years ago, at this time of year, I used to reflect on the carrier corporate goals and plans for the coming year; that had been fashioned and carved into stone by mid November.
As an Independent Contractor, that pause and reflection is also necessary, to create and plot a course of action; that may lead to a productive year ahead.
In that exercise, I have often wondered and argued with myself in the last 5 years, about the 'basic elements' required to be a productive person in the claims world, as an Independent Contractor.
The purpose of this thread is to give those views up, to our community, and open them to scrutiny and solicit discussion. I do so because I recognize that my opinion is just one persons judgement or belief, and that I recognize there is value in seeking the input of others. So, I am reaching out for your 'help', but also any ensuing discussion may be of benefit to others.
I am not tied to pure cat adjusting for my livelihood, that is why I reference the issue of ".... a productive person in the claims world, as an Independent Contractor"; but that should not limit the participation of others.
What are the 'basic elements'?
My take on this follows, and are not placed in any order of importance of one over another. Do you see any prerequisites of importance of one element over another? Or, is each a critical part of the chain that must be in place to be productive?
I haven't had too many fermented raisins for lunch, I really want to get a better grasp of this question that I have debated with myself and a few others for years.
1. Policy knowledge - you have to know how to read the policies you work with and be able to interpret their language correctly. You must at a minimum, know where to find the wording that is applicable to a situation and be able to explain it correctly to someone outside or inside the insurance world. You must limit your claims intake to only those that apply to the policies you know and can use. That is, your ability to 'work with' homeowners policies, does not transfer to commercial property policies or claims. On the broader issue of productivity, the 'one peril adjuster', does not have this 'basic element'. Is this too much or too little of a stated requirement for this 'basic element'?
2. Communication - the ability to speak to our 'customers' (insureds and vendors), in a way that we can relate the concepts we are required to apply, so as they are understood. The same would apply to our written form of communication. It doesn't matter what we might 'know', if we are unable to communicate it properly and professionaly. I think this is an element that anyone can be trained in to reach a proficient level. Am I overstating the importance of this 'basic element'?
3. Construction knowledge - the ability to recognize building components, sections and pieces, and how they may relate to each other. Is there any, some, or a lot of transfer of this knowledge from residential to commercial? How does a person improve their skill of this 'basic element'? How much is it necessary to know, given the 'aids' that are available on most software programs? Is 'construction knowledge' a requisite stepping stone to scope damages and estimate damages; or is it a requisite stepping stone to just one of those two items? I am 'searching' deeper here, because of my concern for my adequacy level with this 'basic element'.
4. Scoping damages - the ability to recognize damaged property, properly identify it and understand how it may relate to 'associated' components. I think this is where I have to be able to distinguish wear and tear, from actual damage resulting from an insured peril. To me, this is a room by room exercise, that I approach from 'bottom to top', or outside from grade level by building component to the 'top' (usually a chimney cap). Is this still best accomplished with a clipboard and pen in hand? Are there templates or forms that could reduce the chance of missing a 'linked' item? Would the approach to this 'basic element' be significantly different given a serious (but not total) loss from a hurricane versus a similiar size fire loss? I've never had any 'formal' training with this 'basic element'. Whatever I know about it - and I have nothing to measure it against - I grasped watching and listening to others years ago; and since have only tried to keep it simple and logical.
5. Estimating damages - the ability to take a completed scope of damages and transform it into a proper estimate of damages, using an acceptable estimating software system. Notwithstanding the considerable discussions on various software systems, and there is no intent here to get into that, is this the easiest of the identified 'basic elements' to accomplish; given the user friendly prompts available on most software systems? I don't think it is, because so little of my 'claims work' anymore involves creating an estimate, when it is required - I am truly a fumbler. Is it as simple as regular use creates familiarity? Or, is there a 'skill set' that can be identified with this 'basic element'?
6. Adjuster "savvy" - the 'street smarts', the ability to know the right questions to ask, the right way, at the right time - to get answers that will be clear and of value to the adjustment process. I think this is a critical but intangible 'basic element', am I wrong? I think this is an inherent skill, that can be improved with training, but not taught, am I wrong?
7. Marketing - I think it is fundamental that the Independent Contractor must seek out their own opportunities and create their own productivity. From a claims perspective, I don't think the mere sending of resumes to vendors is much of a marketing initiative. Likewise, limiting opportunities to one type of claim or one type of claims activity, I think harnesses one's productivity. Would this be a generally accepted view?
Are these the 7 'basic elements' required to be a productive person in the claims world, as an Independent Contractor?
Are there more, or should there be less?
Does any one element contain more than the required factors that you would envision?
Does any one element not contain a factor or two, that you would feel is required?
I'm looking to hear from the young and the old, the new blood and the old salts. |
|
|
Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2002 : 20:21:10
|
Errrr, Uhhh, CCARR...
Your basic skills list prit near says it all as to what's in my tool bag.
However, I'm a little confused. At the start the conversation seemed to be headed into carrier direction and prognostication. Is that where you want to go? I'd love to hear/tell of the rumor mill. Any sooth saying or tarot card readings on our industry is always more entertaining than the TV newscasts.
But, I'm flexible, whatever you want is fine with me. |
 |
|
|
CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2002 : 20:42:14
|
No Ghost, I'm not headed in the carrier direction with this, nor any prognostications, sorry. I also wasn't looking to see if we had matching tool bags, but more pointedly wanted you to reflect on our bags' adequacies or shortcomings.
I would like you, and the 'others', to consider and comment on the questions I asked.
So, given your flexible nature, I look forward to your more specific contemplations. |
|
|
|
Newt
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2002 : 09:42:03
|
All the subjects Clayton mentioned are tools and instructions of the trade.
We drag this around with us and some treat it as so much excess baggage, and never set goals to sharpen our skills.
Setting goals and staying on course for myself is a constant struggle, and when I waver, I try to at least run parallel. Some times opportunities avail themselves and you are better off to run parallel.
Marketing my skills doesn't concern me at the present. I want my product to be top quality, at a bargain. I always found my initiative and skills dictated my salery, therefore by hard work, my pay was never average and promotions were made. I patern my life after the book of Ephesians, it works for any one whether you are Agnostic, Christian or Jew.
This forum is the place to make mistakes, I find that making them here, just maybe I won't make them in the field. If all the members would get in here and give their stories of claims and problems we could learn a lot more. I know there are some interesting stories out there and some wierd claims. Some folks leave their work at the office and had rather not talk shop on their own time, so to speak. I got a news, your own time is where you hone your skills, the job is where you use them. If you are learning the basics on the job, you may be experimenting using trial and error. Those errors or mistakes are at someone elses expence.
Clayton after reviewing your post, I think you more or less said it all, and it is up to the individual to think about these things and come to grips with where they want to go. I would like to hear their stories. They just might change the way I look at my plans.
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Pieces & Parts to the Puzzle?
Forum Locked
