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What does it take. To get a job as an adjuster

P: 8/17/2009 5:49:24 PM

gimenez_2

Member

Total Posts: 15
Last Post: 9/22/2009
Member Since: 12/14/2006

Hey everyone. Just thought I could use this site to do some venting if you will allow me I have a question that has been bothering me for some time.
I have been an adjuster for 8 years now. I have worked for firms such as Cunningham Lindsey and York STB. I have handled over 3400 losses in both daily and catastrophe situations. I have handled losses for 35 different carriers including Citizens in Florida. I am licensed in both Florida and North Carolina and have handled claims in 5 other states. I have handled claims including fire's, water, wind, mold, hail, lightning, theft, vandalism, product defect and construction defect. I have handled both residential and commercial losses including liability losses. I have also handled claims of over $2.7 Million and written estimates with MSB, Xactimate and Simsol. My question is simple. Why do none of the carriers and some IA firms I have applied for give me the time of day? This has been frustrating as all xxxx!!! I know how to handle claims with my eyes closed and one arm tied behind my back. So WHY? Sorry, but I just had to get it off my chest. Thanks for any input and feel free to vent as well if you find yourself in the same predicament.

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 8/17/2009 5:49:24 PM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

There are 13 replies to this message. There are 13 replies on this page.

P: 8/17/2009 6:01:47 PM

TRon

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Total Posts: 283
Last Post: 7/6/2012
Member Since: 9/30/2006

It appears you have had a job as an adjuster, so just remember how you did it before.

I am not trying to be a wise guy.

I Post Large, it is easy on old eyes!!

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 8/17/2009 6:01:47 PM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 8/18/2009 9:30:37 AM

gimenez_2

Member

Total Posts: 15
Last Post: 9/22/2009
Member Since: 12/14/2006

TRON,
Thanks for your reply. And you are right! I have had a job as an adjuster for the past 8 years and am happy for it. It has been a rewarding experience on many levels. I am currently following the same philosophy that got me to this point. However, even though I am signed with three different reputable independent firms I am not receiving any claims. Three firms! Of which I have proven myself to all three of them. Not only going above and beyond for them but even going further then that. It has been over 2 months since I received a claim. My reasons for posting my rant in the first place was because since then I have applied to approximately 10 different adjuster positions and I have not even gotten a call for a first interview! Why, would that be? With my experience and claims handling ability you would think that I would at least get a first interview. I do not even really care about getting the job anymore I am just perplexed that I have not even gotten that first call.

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P: 8/18/2009 9:40:23 AM

TRon

Member

Total Posts: 283
Last Post: 7/6/2012
Member Since: 9/30/2006

Keep the Faith !!!

Before there can be a job as an adjuster, there has to be claims. There are many good adjusters out there right now just as you are, trying to get that job.

I know of several adjusters that jumped from that good job of working daily's and ran to the various cats of 04, 05, and 08. Now with limited cats out there, they are looking for away to support their families, as you may be doing.

Best of Luck !!!

I Post Large, it is easy on old eyes!!

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 8/18/2009 9:40:23 AM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 8/19/2009 9:28:13 AM

gimenez_2

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Total Posts: 15
Last Post: 9/22/2009
Member Since: 12/14/2006

TRON,
Thank you for the words of encouragement. I really appreciate them. I know things will turn around soon. If not then to another field I will go.

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 8/19/2009 9:28:13 AM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 8/19/2009 2:02:03 PM

amacias71748

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Total Posts: 1
Last Post: 8/19/2009
Member Since: 10/18/2007

Have you checked your references? Is your age a factor?

Business is slow everywhere. gotta have patience

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 8/19/2009 2:02:03 PM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 8/20/2009 11:54:41 PM

JDale

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Total Posts: 13
Last Post: 7/20/2010
Member Since: 7/18/2009

Cunningham told me at the time they were looking for entry level appraisers with little or no experiance. That pretty much told me Cunningham was not a place to work.

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 8/20/2009 11:54:41 PM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 8/21/2009 4:46:45 PM

TRon

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Total Posts: 283
Last Post: 7/6/2012
Member Since: 9/30/2006

There is nothing wrong with Cunningham Lindsey, it is a great place to start.

I Post Large, it is easy on old eyes!!

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 8/21/2009 4:46:45 PM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 9/2/2009 2:43:28 PM

pcadjusters

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Total Posts: 2
Last Post: 9/2/2009
Member Since: 2/9/2008

I have been in this business for more than a few years now, and there are 2 things which much be done to last in this career. (and I am sorry, but neither of these will address you immediate need for work)

1st you must be ready to leave right now, or at least early tomorrow to head to a storm site when asked to go.

2nd you must make as many friends while on site as possible, I spend as much time as possible talking to other adjusters, getting contact information, and trying to be remembered by them. Once I get back home, I keep in contact with all of the adjusters that I know, asking if they are doing daily claims and if so for who. I get them to recommend me to the managers of the IA firms they work for and I do the same for them.

Word of mouth is the only way to keep food in your mouth. Unless you live in cities with common cats like St Louis, Dallas, etc..

I am sorry that this will not help now, but if you know any other adjusters (that don't live in your area) call them and ask if they are getting claims and let them know you are available.

Hope this helps a little.

Pat

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P: 9/2/2009 3:03:00 PM

Islindini

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Total Posts: 18
Last Post: 4/3/2010
Member Since: 2/6/2007

what state are you in? What area of the state? Why did you leave adjusting?

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 9/2/2009 3:03:00 PM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 9/2/2009 3:25:54 PM

pcadjusters

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Total Posts: 2
Last Post: 9/2/2009
Member Since: 2/9/2008

I currently live in Portland, OR, and I am still an active adjuster. And like every active adjuster, I am praying for a hurricane.

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 9/2/2009 3:25:54 PM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 9/3/2009 11:02:26 AM

Islindini

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Total Posts: 18
Last Post: 4/3/2010
Member Since: 2/6/2007

Sorry, can't help you on the daily claims as we are in Fl, but make sure you are signed up on our CAT roster - www.catmandoinc.com

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 9/3/2009 11:02:26 AM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 9/22/2009 4:39:03 PM

gimenez_2

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Total Posts: 15
Last Post: 9/22/2009
Member Since: 12/14/2006

Well, my fellow adjuster's. I have read all of your postings. And I agree with some of the things that you are saying. I agree with TRON Cunningham Lindsey is a great place to start. It was the second place I every worked as an adjuster and it was great. In response to all of you. I have thought long and hard about this situation. I have handled claims in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, North and South Carolina as well as Virgina. I have handled claims in excess of two million dollars. Both Cats and daily claims, commercial and residential. And I have come to this conclusion. I have to much experience for what the insurance carriers want to pay. They want an adjuster with one to two years of experience so they can pay them half of what I would command for the same amount of work. In some cases they will work them to the point that they will just quit. Making their claims departments into revolving doors. I have not only heard about this but have known people in these situations. Now, does that service the HO? I do not think so. Does that service the insurance industry in general? I do not think so. Does it make adjuster's look like they do not know what they are doing? Maybe. It depends on who you speak with. So, what I have decided is to leave adjusting all together. Being an independent was great!!! I could not have asked for a better career, or so I thought. Today independent firms only pay you once they get paid? Being accountable to the people whom do the leg work for you does not seem to matter anymore. I am actually still waiting for a firm (and I will not name names) to pay me for claims handled in June of 08!!! Also, the fee schedule's have plummeted. I understand that one has to be competitive and that is why these have gone down. In turn, I switched my focus on volume of claims and it worked for a while. Until the claims volume was cut by over half. This made my overhead way to high. Paying for Xactimate ($1200/yrly) as well as MSB (also $1200.yrly) on top of office costs and of course gas, which killed me and my adjusting career. Unfortunately I am not the type of person who can pray for a catastrophe to get me out of financial trouble. I can not live off of the plight of others. So this leaves me with just one choice. Hang up my hat and look for the next pasture.

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P: 9/23/2009 9:22:06 AM

TRon

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Total Posts: 283
Last Post: 7/6/2012
Member Since: 9/30/2006

Best Regards

I Post Large, it is easy on old eyes!!

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 9/23/2009 9:22:06 AM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

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