CatAdjuster.org Forum Archives
 All Forums
 Community
 Organizational Discussions
 Goals Discussion
 Forum Locked
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

catadj

USA
17 Posts

Posted - 08/05/2003 :  11:52:51  Show Profile
Forum Transfer Posted By: katadj

1) To provide truly competent, knowledgeable, concerned and dedicated personell to the IA Vendor or carrier.

2) To foster education in all areas of the trade, to whcih the BOA member is entitled to participate.

3) To obtain recognition of the talents and worth of the BOA member as opposed to they that are not.

4) Obtain BOA discounts from national motel / hotel groups, auto rentals, and office suppliers, as well as any other vendor that BOA will support, such as computer hardwear, softwear, estimating programs, etc.

5) Establish regional meetings as often as possible, to bring members up to speed on all related topics.


And there is surely more to follow:

olderthendirt

USA
370 Posts

Posted - 08/05/2003 :  12:34:53  Show Profile
Should we not be looking at a structure that can be applied to all properly licenced independant adjusters. If we develope this for cat adjusters only, will we be taken seriously?
Go to Top of Page

trader

USA
236 Posts

Posted - 08/05/2003 :  13:06:38  Show Profile
Thats the problem, property adjusters come in three or more catagories. From top to bottom. All Ins. Co staffed first, 1 General, 2Sr. 3staff, National IA, Same. Local IA same...Then the Stormers 1. Co. exp. before the road. IA (Local) before the road.... then contactors before the road, then hail only, then wantabee's. Sorry but that the way it is and 50 years is getting close to too old for most vendors 60 is "when are you going to retire" and the ridge walk speach. I think all property adjusters must have regular claims experience, but I dont hire the roof climbers.
Go to Top of Page

Ghostbuster

476 Posts

Posted - 08/05/2003 :  16:03:22  Show Profile
Trader, it would be helpful if you first write your posts on paper and review for clarity. I think I understand your post but am mightilly confused. I think I may agree with you but cannot tell yet.

Please, everyone, be as clear as possible when you compose a post. Otherwise, we can't understand you.

Go to Top of Page

katadj

USA
315 Posts

Posted - 08/05/2003 :  17:06:41  Show Profile
Ok, Points are well taken:

1)It appears the first order of business is to establish qualification criteria and designations.

This can be established by passing the proposed tests, presenting required testimonials, agreeing to the by laws, rules and requlations that are in the process of being formed.

It may be that there are several designations in each cataglory as suggested by CC. It will be in the best interests of all to establish these designations and criteria A.S.A.P.

2)Is CADO open to staff as well as CADO members and non members?

IHMO, CADO should be open to all applicants that can meet the qualification criteria and all should receive the same designation, be they Staff, IA or CAT adjusters.
Go to Top of Page

CCarr

Canada
1200 Posts

Posted - 08/05/2003 :  18:43:23  Show Profile
I agree fully with the summation as noted in Dave's last post.
Go to Top of Page

Tom Toll

USA
154 Posts

Posted - 08/05/2003 :  20:10:45  Show Profile
I also agree with catadjuster. We are all of the same brotherhood, some just have more learned knowledge and trench knowledge.

As I have been preaching on CADO for many years. Prepare your post on MS Word, check for grammatical errors and spelling before posting on CADO. If you have difficulty in spelling or grammar, this is a good instrument to use. Poor spelling and grammer can reflect on your perceived ability.

I thoroughly believe that is is an humble beginning to an organization that can be of significant value to all adjuster's, and to all viable and competent vendors. Gentlemen and ladies, there is no place for pomp and circumstance at any point during this building process. We all have value as humans, and it is equal. Some endeavor to obtain as much knowledge as possible, and some just want to burn em and turm em with or without the knowledge. You cannot, under any circumstance, turn and burn a file and have a good file. You short someone, somewhere, when you work a file and boogey down the road.

I applaud this effort, and the effort will succeed! May the weather gods be with us and the sense of fairness from the companies and vendors.
Go to Top of Page

Ghostbuster

476 Posts

Posted - 08/15/2003 :  21:24:46  Show Profile
Here's a little story.

Once apon a time in a land far away...which is to say yesterday at a large Realtors office, I was the featured speaker at a 45 person meeting. While I was waiting for my cue to go on, I sat thru a report on their trade association events and on how their PAC was working to promote and even save their commissions and fees.

I thought to my self, "Self, the CADO kids should be here for this." I heard there are over 5,500 real estate agents here in Bexar county alone,and every one of them is a card carrying member of their trade association. Then, later, here on the bulletin board I read of some yokel who is proud of his working roof 'CLAIMS' for a roofing company and now has his license and wants to join our esteemed ranks based on his wonderful experience as a roofer.

This illustrates just why we must urgently create a big time, serious as death, PROFESSIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATION. The kind like the Roofing Consultants Institute, or the National Association of Realtors, or even the American Pent House Call Girls Guild. We must promote ourselves and distinguish ourselves as being the only valid choice available to handle a contract of property insurance. We must rid this industry of the inexperienced souls until they can prove themselves as worthy. And, I sure as HELL do not mean some three week adjuster school in Bumfuzz, Oklahoma or a Cracker Jack box state license either. (Ya know, a box of Cracker jack would taste good right about now.)

We must organize now. We must be selective and somewhat expensive to prove that we are indeed, true professionals. We must have a PAC to lobby for our very survival, because we all know the dirty little secret is that our one true enemy is the very industry we must provide our services to, and who is constantly thinking of new ways to do without us.

Yeah, I know, that is an inflammatory thing to say...but it is true! And, you and I and all of Gods creatures know it. The real perversity of it all is that we love solving a pile of other peoples problems. A REAL adjuster thrives on it. Clayton and Jennifer and Linda and Dave Hood and lots of other of you psychos out there understand this odd dichotomy. We love claims and insurance work but are at serious odds with the methods and direction that the company honchos are taking the industry. They have lost sight of the fact the insurance is NOT a quick profit tent sale. We are a lonnnnng term institution. We will be there tomorrow and the next day and years from now when you are worm food, insurance is intended to be there in the future when you need it. We are the ones who fulfill the promise sold by the agent. We are the ones who fulfill the contractual obligations. WE are the one true PROFESSIONALS that arrive in white sedans to save the day. WE must therefore, create a professionals organization to promote and, indeed, save our selves from the carrier honchos who have either forgotten or forsaken our worth to the insurance equation.

As there is no one else who will fight our battles, we must fight for ourselves. We must selectively organize this trade association with strict guidelines to honor those who have paid their dues and those who WILL pay their dues as true professionals.
Go to Top of Page

katadj

USA
315 Posts

Posted - 08/15/2003 :  22:22:01  Show Profile
Kudos, GB.

A few years back a close friend from Canada, (BC Bob) made a statement here. That was, the only time he felt that the clients were in good hands was when they were in his hands.

How appropriate that was then and more so now.

We, the few obstinate, truth serum injected professionals, who choose to put rightiousness, caregiving, and down home treatment to those in our care have become a rarity.

We truly care that the insured gets every penny they are entitled to, and not one penny more. But we do care that they are treated fairly, honestly, and with the respect that a client deserves.

They do not know the policy, we do. WE have the responsibility to apply every coverage we can find to the benefit of the insured, not just the carrier.

When the day comes that every insured is treated as they should be, the world of professional adjusting will have regained it's rightful place.


Until that time arrives, only those that truly belive in this calling as a profession will honor the commitment. The rest will be naught but cannon fodder.

If it ain't the truth, if it ain't right, then it ain't gonna happen on my watch........

Edited by - katadj on 08/15/2003 22:26:19
Go to Top of Page

olderthendirt

USA
370 Posts

Posted - 08/15/2003 :  22:57:58  Show Profile
What more could be said.
Go to Top of Page

stevendemars

USA
12 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2003 :  02:49:10  Show Profile
In reading this topic, what I find most disturbing is how the term "Organization" seems to keep drifting back to terms like "wannbes", roof-walkers", etc . . .

Insurance has existed for hundreds of years, even before this country was founded. Yet, to this day there is no "Adjusters Union", "Brotherhood of Adjusters" or "Association of Adjusters".

Then on the other hand we have roofers, carpenters and building contractors who have been organized in their profession for over 200 years here in the USA and abroad. Some of these people obviously took "THIER" profession seriously enough to organize and provide a path to enter thru education along with encouragement for potential new members. These are some of the same people trying to enter the adjusting field. Instead what I see here is a discouragement fraternity trying to form. Guess if you were not born an adjuster, you can never be one!

Most of what I read is a condescending tone toward all persons that are not "true" adjusters based on what ever standards you have come up with in your minds as to what a "real adjuster" is.

You guys scoff at the all the adjusting schools, yet you do not offer or plan to offer anything better. All you want to do is attempt to create road blocks for any newcomers . . . .

Any organization that is not "fully" on one side or the other will never grow or succeed. Face it, you are either business or labor. You can not just represent a select few of yourselves and expect the clout of everyone when you need them. Again, if you do not offer a clear encouraging path to newcomers you will never grow nor succeed. I see where the list of those registered to this board is over 165 pages long, yet it appears less than a dozen are involved in this idea. Perhaps if potential newcomers like myself were not thought of as "scum", there would be far more involved.

This topic caught my attention because I thought that by reading it I would find info valuable to me to help enter this profession. All I found was condescending remarks towards me.
"A Wannabe" The most clickish profession in the world is that of a cop . . . even they have a path of encouragement and help for new officers.

The reason I am replying to this topic, I am a "WANNABE" that approaches everything he does in a very professional manner learning everything he can about his profession. So sign me a "WILLBE"

Steven DeMars
Go to Top of Page

olderthendirt

USA
370 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2003 :  06:11:35  Show Profile
You raise some interesting points. The key to your post is the last paragraph. the schools serve a role, but many leave the schools believing that they are all they ever need to be. You also see this in the company ranks, new examiners etc with the schooling and the attitude, and believe me the customers are the ones who suffer. It is easy for those of us who started in the filing room to get our backs up when a former roofer or a 1 peril wonder who knows it all is in our sites. But for the most part all the long timers I know will stop and help. Understand that after 30+ years in this business, every time I work a storm I am still learning (and when I have a senior moment relearning). Also you will find in any group only a small % will ever stick their necks out. Steven we need to hear from you and from others who are serious about this business.
Go to Top of Page

Ghostbuster

476 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2003 :  06:51:30  Show Profile
That's right, there is a huge difference between contracting and the settlement of a loss under a contract of insurance. That certain contractors make the career jump into this field thru extensive education in real arenas of education, as our Jim Flynt has done, is the honorable venue. Where are those venues? Well, howza 'bout those venerable institutions called the C.P.C.U., or A.I.C., or even taking real insurance courses at a local community college. This most basic of information can also be learned by calling most any insurance company claims office and asking things like, Is there a local claims association that can steer me towards insurance courses?

Steve, your right, there is a rising level of resentment directed at those who show up at a storm with no insurance experience but with a new out of the box license expecting to make the Big Buck$ while recieving on the job training. This ire is directed not just at them, but ALSO, at the VENDORS who send them out! The days of sending out all your relatives and drinking buddies are long gone. And, it was wrong to do so even back then.

The goals of the CADO trade association must include not just training and certifications, but also, political lobbying to seek legislation to protect and promote our chosen profession of catastrophe adjusting. That's right...we must protect ourselves from the incompentent among us and the carriers and vendors who seek to cheat us from our deserved compensation and work place opportunities. This is not without precedent. Look around and notice that it was the independent car dealerships that organizied and lobbyed all the legislatures into passing laws that prevented the manufactuors from selling their product direct.

They protected themselves, we must too.

Edited by - Ghostbuster on 08/16/2003 06:56:31
Go to Top of Page

stevendemars

USA
12 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2003 :  09:48:43  Show Profile
First of all. I want to thank you guys for the "nice" replies to my post. I do understand your frustration with people entering your profession without the right training, experience and most of all, the right attitude. I have already lost one profession to the under trained and over night professionals. I was a polygraph examiner. We did work for police departments, banks, retail, security guard companies, etc . . . . The industry had associations out the kazoo and every state had licensing. What they did not have was a clear path of education leading to the production of qualified examiners. Eventually, after 50+ years the non-professionals eventually caused enough grief to the public that the federal government stepped in and now that profession no longer exist. Trust me, a clear path of "required" training/education along with "real" continuing education is the ONLY thing that will effectively weed out the non-professionals. It is not that the required relevant education makes a better professional, it is the large and contiuous hurdles that a non professional will not contend with. Instead of forming an association to lobby and protect your selves from the vendor and carrier, join in an effort to create legislation that will foster professionals through training. This will eliminate the numbers of non-pros and overnighters. Supply and demand will keep your rates up. Look at the trucking industry. Anybody used to be able to secure a commercial drivers license and start driving. Now with the new CDL requirements you see far higher pay being offered and thousands of jobs.

Steven DeMars
Go to Top of Page

Ghostbuster

476 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2003 :  13:54:10  Show Profile
Good points!...No, better than that...Excellent points!
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 Forum Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
CatAdjuster.org Forum Archives © 2000-04 CatAdjuster.org - Adjuster to Adjuster Go To Top Of Page
From CADO to you in 0.17 seconds. Snitz Forums 2000