These courses, developed in partnership with a top insurance company, were created to teach the practical knowledge and estimating skills adjusters use while in the field working insurance claims. The discounted bundle includes courses that review different components and materials, as well as how to estimate damages to these systems and structures:

• Estimating Cabinets, Countertops, & Trim: Components of a residential kitchen, cabinets & countertops, materials, quality, & terminology
• Estimating Commercial Damage: Roofing, framing, exterior finishes, storefront windows & glass, plumbing, electrical, flooring, & fire-rates systems of small to mid-market commercial structures
• Estimating a Home’s Internal Structures: HVAC systems, electrical & plumbing systems, attics, and insulation
• Estimating Foundations, Framing, Windows, & Doors: Basic concepts in foundations and framing, windows and doors, materials, how to calculate damages, and tips on how to talk to contractors
• Estimating Interior Walls & Floors: Interior wall finishes, drywall, paint, plaster, different flooring materials, and shower tiles
• Estimating Mitigation & Remediation: Basics of estimating claims involving water, mold, smoke, hazardous material mitigation and remediation, water extraction, mold testing, equipment, smoke and fire cleanup, and pack-out and storage costs
• Estimating Roofs & Exterior Walls: Types of residential building roofs, siding, and veneers, identifying styles and materials, installing and repairing roofs, exterior wall finishes, and masonry veneers

In 2020, 97% of all homeowners insurance claims were property damage claims. Whether those involved fire, flood, or other perils, an insurance adjuster needs to understand a property’s basics before they can estimate any damages for the claim.

Who Should Take These Courses

We’re often asked, “Ok, I got my adjuster license, but what’s next? How do I actually do the job? What can I do to make myself stand out to employers?”

Our Estimating Property Damage package takes insurance claims training to the next level, giving adjusters the ability to correctly identify construction materials and building components so they can write accurate damage assessments in Xactimate.

If you’re a new or relatively inexperienced insurance claims adjuster who is planning on working property claims and you’re familiar with Xactimate, these courses are perfect for you. We do highly recommend you have a working knowledge of Xactimate or take our Tactical Xactimate Training before moving on to the property damage courses. You will be working in the software on simulated claims, so it’s vital you understand and can operate Xactimate.

Knowing your way around construction materials and building basics is vital if you want to write claims efficiently and accurately. These courses will give you the knowledge and skills to walk into a property damage claim settlement confidently.

You can purchase these courses individually and some are approved for CE credit in certain states. However, we recommend the package since it will give you the most complete skill set and save you money. If you have questions about these courses or need help deciding what training you need, get in touch with us. We’re here to help.

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Retiring Talent Opens the Door

According to Property & Casualty 360, approximately 50% of the current workforce will be entering retirement by 2028. This mass retirement will open up thousands of jobs in all sectors of insurance. That means Millennials, Gen Z, and others looking for a new career have an almost unprecedented opportunity to join the insurance industry.

The job openings expected to hit the industry by 2028 range from entry-level to the C-Suite as an entire generation moves into retirement. These positions will require various levels of skills and experience. Sources cited computer and math literacy, communication, customer service, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills as highly desired.

Potential future insurance job openings include insurance claims investigators, loss control consultants, brokers, actuaries, customer service representatives, adjusters, regulators, processing clerks, claims examiners, and junior and senior underwriters. The wide range of these positions gives people of all backgrounds and experience levels an avenue to enter this dynamic industry. This is exciting news for those (Millennial or not) interested in a new career that offers growth, stability, and great compensation. 

While we have seen some carriers laying off over the past few years, a recent Labor Market Study found that only 10% of insurers are planning to cut or lay off employees in the next 12 months, while others reported these goals:

• 72% of insurance companies expect to grow their revenue in 2024.
• 63% of carriers reported expected increases in hiring.
• 65% of property and casualty insurers plan to boost staff numbers.
• 56% of life and health insurance carriers plan to expand.

Attracting New Talent to the Insurance Industry

One of the biggest challenges for employers is the younger generations’ lack of interest in insurance careers. For example, Gen Z will make up 75% of the workforce by 2025, but according to The Pew Research Center, only 4% are interested in careers in insurance. To put it very unscientifically, that is a whole lotta jobs, and not many folks who want to fill them.

Insurers are beginning to understand that they will need to ‘sweeten the pot’ to attract the talent the industry will need in the coming years. Many are revisiting their compensation packages, benefits, and work flexibility to entice new entrants. Mentorship programs and educational initiatives are also being emphasized to guide aspiring professionals through their career trajectories.

Perhaps one of the biggest, but most important challenges to overcome in attracting new talent, is getting the word out on the benefits of a career in insurance. Insurance is a stable industry, even during a stagnant or declining economy. People will always need protection from risks. In fact, we are insuring more today than we ever have.

Employment in the insurance industry also provides more job security than many other career fields, such as the volatile tech or construction industries. That stability provides a safety net for employees so they can build a nest egg, invest, or pay off debts sooner than their peers.

Insurance also offers a variety of positions not seen in many industries. No matter what you are interested in: marketing, customer service, IT, finance, artificial intelligence, education and training, forensics, cybersecurity, climatology, and data analytics, there is a job for you in the insurance field.

Starting an Insurance Career

The ways to enter the insurance industry are as varied as the fields we listed above. But if you’re interested in an insurance career, becoming a licensed insurance claims adjuster is a great way to get started. (We are, admittedly, a little biased.)

You don’t need a college degree, years of training and education, or tens of thousands of dollars to become an insurance adjuster. You need to get your home state license, and you can begin applying for positions. You can read more about the process in How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in 5 Steps or check out the AdjusterPro blog for more articles and information.

Once licensed and working as an adjuster, you’ll learn about the insurance business and likely figure out where your skills lie. Adjusters can work in the field after a disaster, from a traditional office, or even from home. Some work directly for the insurance carrier, and others are independent contractors.

The insurance industry is on the cusp of a very transformative period. The changes will offer ample opportunities for those seeking stable and rewarding jobs in a thriving business arena. We hope you’ll consider the insurance industry if you’re looking for a new career. Opportunities are opening up every day, and companies are ready to hire talented and dedicated individuals to help fill the gaps left by a generation of talent.

If you have questions, we can help.

REFERENCES

Property & Casualty 360

Forbes

Insurance Business Magazine

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The first two months of the season are usually pretty calm. June averages only one named storm every other year, and July has averaged one named storm per year since 1950. We have seen a few early bird tropical storms pop up in May over the past few years, but these are rarely threats to life and land.

The real action, or the season within the season, happens from August to mid-October, with September 10th being the true peak of the season. This time frame is when the most powerful and destructive hurricanes occur. The African dust settles a bit while the waves increase, the currents and winds become more favorable, and the ocean temps are at their warmest during these months – all of which provide a much friendlier breeding ground for catastrophic storms.

Over the past six years, these destructive hurricanes all struck the U.S. during the peak of the season:

• 2​022: Fiona (Puerto Rico, then Atlantic Canada); Ian (Florida)
• 2021: Ida (Louisiana); Nicholas (Texas)
• 2020: Isaias (North Carolina); Laura (Louisiana); Sally (Florida/Alabama border); Delta (Louisiana)
• 2019: Dorian (North Carolina)
• 2018: Florence (North Carolina); Michael (Florida)
• 2017: Harvey (Texas); Irma (Florida); Maria (Puerto Rico); Nate (Louisiana, Mississippi)

There are never any guarantees when it comes to predicting hurricanes. Before the season started, most meteorologists and scientists predicted an average to slightly below-average season due to a strong El Niño, which helps snuff out hurricane development.

But in July, top forecasters from Colorado State University upgraded their hurricane predictions for 2023 and are now calling for a “borderline hyperactive” season in the Atlantic basin, with as many as nine hurricanes expected to form. And all of those would likely come during our season within the season.

Our Atlantic waters are extremely warm right now, tracking well ahead of previous hyperactive hurricane seasons. And typically, warmer ocean temperatures in the Atlantic fuel more hurricanes. We still have El Niño in place to tamper development, but recent signs indicate that it may be weakening.

Scientists will often use data from previous, similar years to determine likely weather events. But for 2023, there aren’t many other years with this combination of a strong or moderate El Niño and super hot ocean temps to use as a gauge. The most similar year is, unfortunately, 2005 with Hurricane Katrina.

The fluctuation of El Niño may still be the ultimate factor in determining how many, and how strong, hurricane development is in the 2023 season. The biggest concern is that IF and WHEN a storm is finally able to break through El Niño, it will have an almost unlimited supply of warm water energy. This is where we run into true catastrophes: CAT 4s and 5s that not only devastate coastal areas, but can retain their energy well into landlocked towns as cities as well.

Insurance claims adjusters know to stay ready for the hurricane season within the season. While things may have started off slow, there is no guarantee the Atlantic will stay quiet. If you’re interested in being a claims adjuster and working catastrophe deployments, it’s not too late. Check out your state licensing courses or give us a call. We’re here to help, every step of the way.

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Prepare and Plan Ahead

One of the most effective ways to combat test anxiety is through proper preparation and planning. After all, the best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.

Create a study plan or goal for yourself. Break down your study material into manageable chunks and create a realistic study schedule. (Your brain cements learning while you sleep, so spreading your learning out over time will help you to retain information.) If you leave your study time up to chance or for ‘whenever you have the time,’ you’re likely to fall behind or study inconsistently which will affect your performance later. But make sure your plan is realistic. If you can only study three days a week for two hours, don’t set a goal to finish your 40-hour course in a week.

Start studying well in advance to avoid last-minute cramming, which is a major cause of test anxiety. If taking an All-Lines or AdjusterPro course, use our quizzes and practice tests to test your knowledge in real-time. 

By organizing your time effectively and adopting active learning strategies, you’ll build confidence in your knowledge and reduce anxiety.

Actively Learn

Throughout your education, you likely engaged in a variety of learning methods. Two of the most important were active learning versus passive learning. Think of passive learning as what you most likely did later in your life: reading, looking at presentations, or listening to a lecture or lesson from a teacher. In passive learning, you don’t really do much but sit and try to absorb the information.

Active learning, on the other hand, is taking the information you absorbed and actively doing something with it to help further your understanding and retention. Younger students do a lot of active learning. (It’s probably why you remember elementary school being way more fun than high school!) Active learning takes the lesson and creates an action around it. Think back. Did your teacher turn a lesson into a game? Were there times where you drew a picture or did a craft around something your class was learning? Your teacher was employing active learning techniques to help you understand the material.

The latest research has consistently shown that students who engage in ‘active learning’ techniques feel less anxiety and perform better on exams. As you prepare for your test, think about ways to turn your passive learning of the material into active learning. This will not only help break up your routine but will help you understand and, most importantly for your exam, retain the information.

We’ve worked to include active learning in our courses but there is always more you can do!

Active Learning Ideas:

• Summarize the information
• Self-testing
• Distributed practice (studying in multiple short sessions over a long period of time)
• Translating the information into a different form
  • Repeat the information out loud or explain it to a friend
  • Take the information you’re reading and write flashcards
• If possible, move around while listening or explaining

Practice Relaxation Techniques

Learning and practicing relaxation techniques can significantly alleviate many types of anxiety, test anxiety included. Deep breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and mindfulness techniques have been shown to reduce stress and promote a calm state of mind. These techniques help activate the body’s relaxation response, which counteracts the fight-flight-or-freeze response associated with anxiety.

On test day, arrive early so your brain has time to acclimate to the test environment. Generally, the testing room is uncomfortably silent. While this might feel awkward at first, it’s actually highly beneficial. If you start to feel nervous, close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Inhale deeply through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds. Repeat this process several times while focusing on the sensation of your breath. 

If you’re having trouble focusing during the exam, add the visualization of taking a 4-second long lick off an ice cream cone, holding it on your tongue for 4 seconds, and letting it melt for 8 seconds while internally humming the international sound for delicious satisfaction. This simple practice can help you relax and improve your ability to concentrate during the exam.

Adopt Positive Self-Talk

Inner dialogue plays a crucial role in managing test anxiety. Negative self-talk, such as “I’ll never pass my licensing test,” can escalate anxiety and undermine confidence. Positive self-talk can promote a more optimistic mindset and boost test performance. It may feel a little silly, but again, this has been proven to reduce anxiety and fear.

Replace negative thoughts with positive and encouraging statements. Remind yourself of past accomplishments, hard work, and your ability to handle challenges. Use affirmations such as “I am well-prepared, and I can do this” or “I have studied diligently and am ready to showcase my knowledge.” By reframing negative thoughts in a positive light, you can counteract anxiety and build self-assurance. Start this practice early in the studying process so your brain is used to thinking this way once the test arrives.

Engage in Physical Exercise

Regular physical exercise is not only beneficial for your overall health but also for reducing anxiety.  Exercising releases endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals that help reduce stress and anxiety. Studies have also shown that physical activity can enhance cognitive function and improve academic performance.

Now it probably isn’t best to stand up in the middle of your exam and start doing jumping jacks. But adding some moderate-intensity exercise into your routine, such as brisk walking, jogging, or yoga, will benefit you in the long run. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Not only will it help reduce test anxiety, but it will also enhance your overall well-being and cognitive abilities.

If you’re able to do that, even occasionally, think about a light session on test day. (Time permitting, of course.) A quick walk or low-impact yoga session before your test will get all those synapses firing and your body (which includes your brain) ready to perform at peak levels.

Advice from the AdjusterPro Team

Our award-winning customer engagement team has helped thousands of students study for and pass their insurance tests over the years, so we wanted to include their advice for setting yourself up for success on exam day. If you’re feeling worried or struggling with understanding some of the material, give them a call.

• Get a good night’s sleep the night before
• Eat a healthy breakfast/meal before your exam
• Do not stay up all night studying or taking practice exams

During the Exam

• Focus on the questions, one at a time
• Read each question and every answer slowly and carefully
• Answer the question and move on, don’t second-guess yourself
• If you don’t know an answer, eliminate possibilities that you know are incorrect, then choose one
• Remove all distractions
• Be prepared with notepaper, pen, and calculator
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: Remember that you can do this!

Test anxiety is completely normal, but it can be overwhelming. By adopting effective preparation techniques, practicing active learning and relaxation exercises, engaging in positive self-talk, and adding some exercise to your day, you can overcome test anxiety. 

Remember, the key is to develop a personalized approach that works for you. With perseverance and these proven strategies, you can approach and pass your licensing exam with confidence.

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Just ask Wynne Dion!

Wynne had spent the past three and a half years driving for popular ride-sharing companies. While he thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with people while driving, he knew it wasn’t for him in the long term. In July 2022, after turning 56, he was ready to take a chance and make a change. But to what?

While contemplating his next move, he spoke with his daughter about potential career options. She mentioned wanting to become an insurance claims adjuster so she had just signed up for AdjusterPro’s Georgia pre-licensing course to get her license. 

This piqued Wynne’s interest. He worked as an insurance claims processing specialist thirteen years ago. He had actually considered becoming an adjuster back then but never made the move, so hearing his daughter talk about studying for the adjuster exam sparked some real excitement about this potential path. Wynne researched AdjusterPro’s Indiana adjuster course and after some thought, he made the decision to get back into the insurance industry. But this time, he would do it as an insurance adjuster. 

Pro Tip: No state license is better than another. You should always get licensed in your home state first!

He purchased the course and studied alongside his daughter that very summer. (Fun fact: while every course contains important state-specific material, there is a large portion of general insurance concepts that do overlap.) After completing the pre-licensing course, he passed the Indiana state adjuster exam on his first try in September 2022.

Wynne applied for and received his license in Indiana but didn’t stop there. He got eight other state adjuster licenses through reciprocity, making him a more attractive hire. After applying at multiple IA Firms and getting multiple offers, Wynne joined Alacrity and started his new career as a claims adjuster in the Indianapolis area. He couldn’t be happier.

“Thanks, AdjusterPro! The course, testing, and information you provided was invaluable & the cost of the course was more than worth it,” Wynne says. “As an Insurance claims adjuster your career is full of potential and growth. This is an awesome program of study and I highly recommend it to someone looking for a new career.”

Taking a chance on a new career can be a little scary. Change, after all, is rarely comfortable. But if you’re considering a career in insurance claims adjusting, we are here to help and support you every step of the way. From knowing which course to take, through the studying, testing, and application process, all the way to license compliance and continuing education, we have your back.

**We’re hoping to catch up with Wynne soon to hear more about his current position, how his training went, and what’s surprised him most about the job. Stay tuned!”

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For years we’ve been asked whether or not you need to know construction to be an insurance adjuster. Like any new career or job, there are things you’re going to need to learn. In insurance claims, constructions basics, estimating software, and insurance policies are just some of the areas that are vital to understand if you want to be successful. But just because you aren’t an expert in those areas today does not mean you can’t become one. 

This new course will give you the knowledge you need to start your career with confidence. It was created specifically for insurance adjusters by an insurance adjuster who’s been there. Matt’s been an adjuster or in a claims-related field for almost 20 years. We asked why he decided to create this course, and why it’s important new adjusters and would-be adjusters familiarize themselves with the basics of building. 

Why Construction 101?

Why should you take Construction 101? Is it really that important? Can’t you just…learn on the job? We’ll let Matt take over here and tell you in his own words.

Written by Matt Daniels

Confession time: when I first launched into property claims adjusting, I knew absolutely nothing about construction. Most people think that I’m kidding when I say I didn’t know what a stud wall was. While funny, sadly, I’m not joking.

When I started in this industry, I picked up Xactimate quickly – sketching, using, and even finding line items. But as quickly as I progressed in Xactimate, I could tell something was missing. I could find line items, but were they the “right” line items? What exactly would the construction process look like? When a contractor begins to fix the damage, what is actually needed to complete the repair? 

I had a big hole in my knowledge at it related to construction. Perhaps most importantly, I had no clue how to differentiate between what a contractor would claim was necessary versus what was actually necessary. Plus, there are so many opinions on construction. Which one is right? How do you know? Is there a governing body with the ultimate authority? 

These questions are why construction knowledge is crucial in adjusting. Xactimate and other estimating software can do a lot of the claims work for you, but only if you know how to give it the right information.

Throughout my claims career, I’ve realized that I wasn’t alone in having these questions or lacking this knowledge. But the great part is that these are things you CAN learn. And that’s why I wanted to partner with AdjusterPro to create this course. We’ll help build your knowledge about construction so you can walk into the field with confidence. If you can populate Xactimate correctly and quickly, you’ll close more claims and make more money. 

What You’ll Learn

At the end of the day, being an insurance claims adjuster means reviewing damages and creating an estimate to make the policyholder “whole” again. In this course, I’ll walk you through the following topics so you can create an accurate estimate.

• Quantity of Materials
• Types of Material
• Grade of Material
• Construction Process
  • What trades will be needed?  
  • What is the order of the process? 
  • How much debris will be created? 
  • How much will the permits cost? 
  • What building code(s) apply? 

• Roofing
  • Overview assessment
  • 6-point inspection process
  • Safety & ascension

I remember how daunting the construction aspects felt when I first started. And how frustrating and time-consuming it was to try and learn on the job. (For both myself and my managers!) We created this course to fill that void. We’ll cover basic and commonly found materials, taking you from foundations to framing, from siding to roofing, and from interior flooring to finishes throughout the home.

If you’re just starting in insurance adjusting, or licensed but struggling with the construction items during your estimate, I hope you’ll take Construction for Insurance Adjusters. It’s also great training for those prepping to take the Adjusterpro Xactimate Webinar! I know what it’s like to have little experience in this area so I designed the course I wish was available to me before I started. I know it will help you.

Matt Daniels is an Air Force Veteran and AdjusterPro Alumni. Find out more about Matt’s journey to becoming an insurance adjuster on our YouTube channel here: Adjuster Story: Matt Daniels.

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We recently talked with Chris Stanley, founder of IA Path, who says that learning to handle auto claims is one of the best ways you can boost your resume and keep yourself employed year-round.

“Knowing how to handle auto claims opens up opportunities in daily claims, which can sometimes be hard to come by as storm season dwindles,” said Chris. “Auto claims can also be a great way to get your career started, fill in the gaps between cat deployments, or to stay close to home if or when you need to.”

Auto Claims Training

Through his company, IA Path, Chris has made it a priority to make auto claims training more accessible. He’s seen first hand that many adjusters, from newbies to vets, think they need to have a background in a body shop to be good at handling auto claims.

But Chris disagrees. “Like most specialized areas of adjusting, handling auto damage claims is process-driven. If you learn the process, understand the basics, and have guided checklists and cheat sheets, you can do this job.”

In the past, training options for auto damage claims were limited and/or costly. So Chris has spent the past few years creating video training courses that were previously only available through IA Path. His courses were designed to give adjusters the confidence to inspect and scope vehicle damages resulting from a hail storm or collision.

At AdjusterPro, we often get asked about how to start in auto claims which is why we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve partnered with Chris to offer his courses through our platform! The courses are also now good for continuing education credits for a number of states, with more being approved almost weekly.

What You’ll Learn

We’re currently offering two of Chris’ most popular courses to get you started on your way to handling auto damage claims.

Independent Adjuster Guide to Auto Collision Claims: $69

Inside the auto damage collision claims course we’ll cover topics such as:

• Receiving and scheduling auto claims
• Planning your day
• The different people involved in a claim
• Taking proper photos of the vehicle
• Identifying damaged parts
• Determining the proper repair operations
• Adding additional operations based on damages
• Calculating repair hours
• Inputting damages into the estimating software
• Handling supplements

While Chris covers some basics on estimating software, this is not an instructional course so you’ll definitely want some additional training for CCC One or other industry-standard software prior to accepting live claims.

Independent Adjuster Guide to Auto Hail Claims: 4 Hours, $49

Auto hail claims are definitely some of the most common across much of the central U.S. so knowing how to work these is a great start. We’ll cover:

• Receiving and scheduling auto claims
• Planning your day
• Handling drive-in claims
• Handling field claims
• Respecting the insured’s vehicle with proper etiquette
• Inspecting hail damaged vehicles
• Paintless dent repair process
• Properly sizing hail damage
• Identifying oversized dents
• Adding industry standard markups 
• Deciding between conventional repair and PDR
• Reviewing the estimate with the insured
• Biggest mistakes on auto hail claims and how to avoid them

Depending on your state, the Collision course is worth 6 hours of CE credit and the Hail course is worth 4 credits. Again, we have pending approvals and more states will continue to be added in the future. But regardless of CE credits, if you are interested in expanding into auto damage claims, these specialized courses are a great place to start.

We are excited to help you diversify your skillset with the IA Path Continuing Education courses through AdjusterPro. To see if these courses qualify for CE in your state, visit your state CE page and scan the courses. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help.

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These specialty packages were designed to give potential new adjusters everything they needed to get started in the insurance claims industry, at a heavily discounted price!

In 2020, we partnered with veteran adjusters John O’Brien and Peter Gaetano to offer their Adjuster Success Method course as part of our new and improved Total Adjuster Packages.

For the 2022 upgrade, we wanted to address another major concern for our customers and students: construction knowledge. We’ve been asked to create a construction basics course for a long time so we’re thrilled to have partnered with veteran adjuster Matt Daniels on just that!

Matt started his career like many do, with little to no knowledge about the construction process or terminology. He was able to learn on the job, but it was frustrating, time-consuming, and created a lot of initial errors in his estimates. So he created this course to help fill that void for our customers.

The course covers basic and commonly found materials, taking you from foundations to framing, from siding to roofing, and from interior flooring to finishes throughout the home. We’ve also incorporated an updated roofing section that includes an overview assessment, 6-point inspection process, and safety and ascension information.

Construction 101 is also a great accompaniment to our Xactimate Webinar. Being familiar with construction basics and terminology will not only help you understand the claims and repair processes, it will give you the knowledge to input information into Xactimate quickly and correctly. And all of this will result in you closing claims more efficiently, making you more money.

Adjuster Success Method

This four-hour course covers everything a new adjuster needs to know and includes updated information (previously featured in GWMS) on how Independent Adjusting Firms work and how to land that first deployment.

Most importantly, the Adjuster Success Method will teach you a skill set that goes far beyond those first claims. You’ll learn how to develop a system for closing claims that will truly set you up for long-term success in the claims industry. If you want to read more about the course details, check out John O’Brien’s blog article: Career Training for New Adjusters.

Our Total Adjuster Packages are available for everyone, regardless of what state (licensing or non) you reside in. We encourage you to take advantage of the 20%+ discount that is built into our ‘TAPs.’ Not only will you save hundreds of dollars, you’ll be putting yourself in the best position to get licensed, get Xactimate trained, go to work, and know what to do when you get there.

Even though it’s changed, the Total Adjuster Package is still everything you need – plus some – all in one bundle!

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After his return, Eric wrote some initial thoughts on his deployment for us in 3 Traits of Successful Insurance Adjusters. But like any great adjuster, he paid attention to the details so he had a lot more good stuff to share.

Written by Eric Gough:

After the process of getting on your first deployment, you enter what I would call “the hustle phase.” It’s the period of time where everything starts to move really quickly. As I wrote about in the first article, you need to be ready to roll with the punches because they are going to come fast. Your first deployment requires hard work, diligence, and a whole lot of flexibility to learn the ropes. But it’s worth it when you see the nice-sized paycheck deposited into your account. If you can adapt to the hustle, you can make it.

Here are a few other things I learned while on my first deployment:

1: Take care of your body

When you don’t know where you’re living next week, or when you’ll get a break, and you find yourself generally running around like a headless chicken, it is very easy to eat fast food all of the time. It’s quick, it’s cheap, and honestly, sometimes it’s the only option in a town hit by a catastrophe. But I recommend making conscious decisions about what you eat. A few days of nothing but fast food started to wear me down really quickly. And that started to have a big impact on my performance. I was sluggish and run-down far quicker than I think I should have been.

I would suggest getting a small cooler to keep in the car that you can keep some fresh foods in. I usually had some fruits, bottled smoothies, those cheese and meat snack packs…things like that. A few salads, even from fast food joints, also helped quite a bit. That’s not to say I never had a burger, and it definitely takes some extra effort, but it is well worth it to keep your body strong.

2. Determine what transportation you need

If you can, talk with someone from the IA firm about what transportation you need. I was surprised to learn that there are often specific teams that focus on one or two-story residences. I didn’t expect to see adjusters in sedans with either a Little Giant in the trunk or a mid-sized ladder strapped to the top but there were quite a few. There were also some minivans which, honestly, seems like a great option too.

Having larger ladders might get you a few more claims, but it’s probably not worth you buying an expensive huge ladder only to need a new pick-up truck to carry it.

3: Make friends

Sounds cheesy, I know. But if possible, make friends with other adjusters you come across. Not every one is receptive and that’s fine. But finding a few allies and friends in a cat deployment situation can have multiple benefits.

For example, I saved a lot of money because I became friends with other adjusters and split living costs with them. It may not be something that big, but knowing others in town, in the same situation you’re in, can be a wealth of resources and knowledge. Who has bottled water, where to find a grocery store or decent restaurant that’s open, who still has gas or charging cables or batteries. Remember, you’re likely in a town that’s been battered and bruised and is only partially operational. Pooling your knowledge helps everyone.

There are all sorts of characters in the adjusting field, but you would be surprised how many great adjusters there are that come from diverse backgrounds and how willing they are to work with and help the adjusters around them. It’s really like one big team, but only if you become a part of it. 

4: Read every claimant’s policy

One of the best pieces of advice I received was to briefly review every insured’s policy before starting the claim. It sounds obvious but when you’re moving from claim to claim so quickly, it becomes an easy step to put off until later. Or it becomes the easy thing to cut out when you’re running a few minutes late to the next inspection.

But not knowing the specifics about the insured’s coverage can cause big issues. You don’t want to be put on the spot for binding coverage on property that may not be covered through a particular exclusion. You don’t want to waste your efforts or give false hope to someone who has a wind/hail exclusion on the policy. Those are hard conversations to have regardless, but reading the policy at least ensures you’re giving accurate information.

5. Contractors flock to storm zones

Storms don’t just create work for adjusters. I knew I’d see contractors, restoration specialists, roofers, etc. but I was floored at how many, and how quickly they arrive. It’s so important to be vigilant as some, (certainly not all,) are there solely to ‘make hay while the sun shines.’ With so much happening so quickly as adjusters and contractors flood to storm sites, the relationships between the two can become antagonistic. Some contractors will pressure you to bind coverage on non-storm-related damages. Some take advantage of insureds who just want to find the quickest way to get back into their homes so they’ll pressure them as well.

There is often uncertainty concerning damage, and that will likely go in the favor of the insured. So use common sense, and if necessary, ask someone else for their opinion. There are great contractors out there who are good people trying to make an honest living and help others. But it’s important to keep an eye out and be ready to deal with those that aren’t.

6. Ask questions, but not too many

No one expects a new adjuster on his or her first deployment to know everything. Its ok to ask questions but you need to balance that with resourcefulness so you aren’t seen as needy. I was lucky enough to work for a firm that gave me a lot of support. If you find yourself in the same situation, take advantage of it! But you don’t want to be the person who asks for help on everything, burdening your managers and taking up far more time than your fellow adjusters. You don’t want to be someone who needs verification on every decision, or an adjuster who wants their work checked in real-time.

Managers like diligent employees who make their lives easier. They also like work done correctly so the balance between the two is key. Work hard, learn as quickly as you can, and ask for a second pair of eyes when prudent. 

7. Take care of your mind

I started with taking care of your body so I am going to bookend here with taking care of your mind. Both are equally important in my opinion.

In a cat deployment, especially your first one, there will be chaos. It’s exciting but uncertain. It’s exhausting but fulfilling. You move through each day meeting insureds, inspecting homes, having tough conversations…all under the umbrella of a natural disaster. It’s likely nothing like your “normal life” and it can get emotionally overwhelming.

I think it’s really important to have one “thing” to center yourself, to ground you to reality. If you are a person of faith, take the time to say your prayers or attend virtual service. If you enjoy exercise, set aside 15 minutes to work out. Meditate, do yoga, listen to a calming podcast or devotional…whatever helps you restart and refresh your mind.

It can be an exhausting job with few breaks and little free time so spending the time you do have doing something reinvigorating and centering is important.

There is so much going on and so much to consider during any deployment, but this is especially true for your first time out after a catastrophe. Hopefully, some of the lessons I learned will give you a little insight into what to expect and provide some helpful tips on how to take care of yourself. Best of luck!

The post 7 Things I Learned on my First Catastrophe Adjusting Deployment appeared first on AdjusterPro®.

There are a lot of questions surrounding an adjuster’s first deployment so we asked Eric to share some thoughts about his experience with us.

Written by Eric Gough

Life as an independent adjuster can be pretty unpredictable. But it is also very fulfilling and can be quite lucrative. Your role and duties vary depending on which insurance carrier you are handling claims for, but one thing remains pretty constant. You must be willing to stay on your toes and work hard.

After the hiring process, getting myself to Louisiana, and spending some time working and living with other adjusters, I noticed that the folks who were really doing well had some things in common. These 3 traits of successful adjusters aren’t all you need to succeed, but I do think it would be tough to have a long, fulfilling, and lucrative career in the industry without them.

Flexible

In my opinion, flexibility is the most important quality in an insurance adjuster. This job, the location, your duties, your employer, your ‘customers’, these all change regularly. To be successful, in a given day or in your career, you need to remain adaptable and not get flustered in the midst of uncertainty.

When I got the thumbs up from the IA firm to go down to Louisiana, I was thrilled. But I quickly realized I had no idea what to expect. Heck…at the time, I didn’t even know where, exactly, I would be going. When I left Illinois to drive to Louisiana, the only thing I had in hand was an address in Lafayette where I would pick up equipment. Only after that was I given my actual work location – a few hours west in Lake Charles. So I left with no idea where I would be sleeping. Fortunately, I was able to find an open hotel room once I was there. But after a few weeks, I needed to check-out. My luck held and I was then able to find a month-to-month apartment rental to share with some other adjusters.

All this is to say, successful adjusters are flexible and adapt to circumstances as they come, or as they change. And they will change. This isn’t a job where you can plan months, weeks, or sometimes even days in advance. That kind of life isn’t for everybody, but, in my opinion, it is one of the things that makes the career so exciting and adventurous.

Organized

As I mentioned above, your actual tasks will vary a bit depending on your employer and the carrier you are representing. But if you want to be successful, i.e.: close claims and make money, you have to be very organized.

On any given day in Lake Charles, I was talking with claimants, setting inspection appointments, inspecting properties, writing estimates, reviewing the estimates with homeowners and/or contractors, cutting checks, and doing estimate reconciliations…and tracking all of it. This can all pile up very quickly, especially when you are handed a stack of 20-50 claims. You absolutely have to be able to get and stay organized.

Lack of organization also usually results in things starting to fall through the cracks, details missed, and mistakes made. As a new adjuster trying to prove yourself, that is the last thing you want. It’s important to figure out a system that works for you, make a note of every action you take and conversation you have, and keep a detailed schedule you stick to.

Confident

I want to be sure to make a distinction here: the best claims adjusters I saw in action were confident, but never cocky. It can sometimes be a fine line but one worth figuring out. Your interactions with the homeowner need to be confident enough to show that you know what you are doing, but authentic enough to establish trust.

I think authenticity is an important piece of projecting true confidence. The best adjusters were confident and knowledgeable but they were also real. They listened. They asked questions. They didn’t speak down to homeowners but were honest about the situation.

In catastrophe deployments, you are often dealing with people who are going through a terrible situation. They might be devastated, scared, exhausted, angry, or any combination of those emotions. And they may be a little wary of their insurance adjuster. Projecting confidence, being authentic, and establishing that you are trustworthy goes a long way towards satisfying the homeowner and making the claims process go as smoothly as possible during a trying time.

These 3 traits of successful insurance adjusters aren’t all it takes to make yourself a sought-after employee. But they are what stood out to me while I was on my first deployment. Together, they help you establish a good reputation with homeowners, IA firms, and insurance carriers which is vital for a long, successful adjusting career.

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