We’ll let Abbie, a mom of 3 and an Oklahoma resident, tell you more about her journey in her own words. 

Finding My Path

I was lucky to be able to stay home and raise my kids for 14 years. As many of us know, it’s an extremely tough but very rewarding job. And I do mean job! Once my kids were all in daily school, I decided to rejoin the workforce. 

I began working outside of the home in the medical and dental fields as an administrative assistant before moving into the orthodontic field, where I managed a practice for five years. After some time, I found myself going a little stir-crazy being in the office every day. I wanted to travel and see more of the country. I wanted to find a career where I felt like I was helping people or making a difference. And I wanted a job that was more financially rewarding.

I didn’t have a specific job or career in mind, so I started researching job listings that required travel. Then I ran across a posting for an Independent Adjuster. The position immediately grabbed my attention, listing descriptors like “travel,” “help others,” “investigate,” and “make a great living.” It sounded so exciting!  Those job details sounded perfect, but frankly, I had no idea what an independent adjuster actually did. I googled, “What is an adjuster?” 

It was the first of many, many searches. 

The more I learned, the more intrigued I became. I began reading everything I could get my hands on about insurance adjusting. I watched a ton of videos from AdjusterTV with Mathew Allen. I listened to Chris Stanley from IAPath’s podcasts. I attended AdjusterPro’s free webinar course, and listening to Pablo really got me excited about the opportunity. I decided then and there that this was the career I wanted. 

During the webinar, Pablo was honest with the attendees about the licensing process, what it would take to find employment, and how to set yourself up for success. I knew I couldn’t dive into this headfirst tomorrow. I needed a plan.

Although I knew this was what I wanted to do, I still had a lot of questions. I settled in to do some digging and a lot more research. Over and over again, the questions I googled were answered by AdjusterPro’s website and blog posts. By then, I knew the first step to becoming an adjuster was getting your home state license. So, in October of 2022, I made the leap.

Setting Myself Up for Success

During my research, I had grown to trust AdjusterPro, so I purchased their Oklahoma Total Adjuster Package. I felt like if I really wanted to do this successfully, I needed to start with more than just the license. It was more of an investment upfront, but the extra courses and knowledge were worth it. 

At this time, I was still working full-time because I had a family to support. I knew I couldn’t start the courses thinking I’d ‘study when I had time.’ I would have to find a way to take care of my home duties, my current job, my kids, AND still prioritize making this dream come true. 

It took some experimenting, but I found that it worked best for me to get up early in the morning and study when my brain wasn’t so tired from the hectic day. I would also study and review the week’s material again on the weekends. The course itself is only 40 hours long, but juggling working full-time and home life meant it took me a bit longer to complete.

Meanwhile, I began saving as much money as I could. During my research, I learned that independent adjusters who work catastrophes often need to be able to pay their own way until that first paycheck arrives. I’d need to potentially pay for adjusting gear, hotels, gas, food, etc. So, in so much as I could, I started cutting extra costs here and there to set aside my ‘adjusting nest egg.’ My goal was to pay upfront for these items and not start my career in debt.  

I completed my exam prep course at the beginning of December and then spent two weeks reviewing material and re-taking the practice exams until I was consistently making 90% on them. I finally took and passed my state exam in mid-December!

I was thrilled and relieved, but a big part of me knew it was just the beginning.

After passing the exam, I applied for my Oklahoma license and scheduled the Tactical Xactimate part of my package. I had waited to take this course, as well as the Construction 101 course, until after I received my license so I could use them for continuing education hours. (Something I highly recommend!) 

I saved the Adjuster Success Method course until last, which was perfect. It covers a lot of information about IA firms, how to find work, and how to handle a claim. I felt better equipped for that knowledge after taking the other three courses.

After Licensing

When you are first starting out, getting certifications and attending additional training is really important. The knowledge and experience look great on a resume, plus the networking opportunities of in-person events are really beneficial when it comes to finding a job. So I wanted to be ready and able to attend those types of trainings when I had the chance. 

I heard from many of my sources that independent adjusters are usually independent contractors. This meant I needed to treat this as if it were my own small business. It was up to me to do the research, the work, make a plan for my business, and be ready to market myself to get work.

I gathered all the information I learned about licensing, reciprocal licenses, training and certificates, and gear I needed to purchase in an outline. I made multiple to-do lists to tackle each piece of the process. I wanted all the pieces laid out in front of me so that when the time came, I had everything covered.

And since I had been saving money, I was better prepared to handle some of the upfront costs. 

In the meantime, I began applying for reciprocal licenses. I started with the wind and hail states since, as an “Okie,” I knew spring storm season was around the corner. After that, I moved on to licenses for the hurricane states. Lastly, I applied for a few additional licenses for states I wanted to travel to and work in. I finished with a total of 16 licenses. While you don’t need to take a course or exam to get a reciprocal license, you do need to apply and pay fees, so it can take some time and planning.

Next, I reached out to AdjusterPro for their resume guide and the Independent Adjusting Firm directory. These are great free resources that really help with starting your applications! I put together my resume with my previous work history, state licenses, and AdjusterPro courses. 

I began applying with the IA Firms to get on their rosters. I followed up, ensuring they received my application and spoke with their HR staff about any next steps they recommended. Once I was on their rosters, IA Firms notified me of additional training they offered. Classes about damage ID, ladder safety, wind and hail claims, policy, more construction basics, auto classes…all offered for free through the IA Firm. 

This is why it’s so important to get on rosters and follow up! You won’t get notified about the trainings they offer without being on rosters first. I was able to get key certifications for State Farm Property & Auto, Texas Wind Insurance Association (TWIA), and Allstate Property & Auto through the IA Firms. 

In the meantime, I bought the gear I needed and prepped everything so that should an opportunity arise, I’d be ready to go at the drop of a hat. Field ladders, tape measures, camera, clipboard, BullyBag, Cougar Paws…I had it all. Timeliness in claims is everything so you can’t wait to get ready. You need to BE ready when you get the call. 

I received an email from an IA Firm informing me of a 5-day Field Adjuster Kickstart training course they were holding in March. They were offering the program with a deal: if I completed a successful deployment within 90 days of completion, they’d refund me the cost of the course. It wasn’t a guarantee of employment or work, but it would be a great opportunity for me to meet trainers, network, and have face time with members of the firm. It was another investment…but I knew I had to go. 

Attending that training was more than I hoped it would be. Not only was it a great learning experience, the training led directly to my first job opportunity. Thankfully, all the planning and research I’d done, plus the advice I was given, meant I was ready! 

Are you interested in reading more about Abbie and her experience? Check out Part 2 of Abbie’s Adjuster Journey.

*Disclosure from Abbie: I enjoyed my experience with AdjusterPro so much that when a job opening became available a few years later, I applied! I now work for them in the customer engagement department, where I can help new future adjusters on their career journey.

The post Adjuster Spotlight: Abbie’s Journey from the Office to the Field appeared first on AdjusterPro®.

We’re picking up where we left off in Abbie’s journey and letting her tell you the story in her own words.

At this point, I had obtained my adjuster license, applied for reciprocal licenses in my priority states, purchased most of the gear I knew I’d need, and gotten key certifications to boost my resume. So, what was the next step?

Because I was on a lot of rosters, I received an email from a well-known IA Firm informing me of a 5-day Field Adjuster Kickstart training course they were holding in a few months. They were offering the program with a deal: if I completed a successful deployment within 90 days of completion, they’d refund me the cost of the course. It wasn’t a guarantee of employment or work, but it would be a great opportunity for me to meet trainers, network, and have face time with members of the firm.

Luckily, I had been saving funds for a while because it was going to cost money upfront. It was another investment…but I knew I had to go. 

Field Training for Insurance Adjusters

The 5-day Field Adjuster Kickstart program consisted of policy training, learning to do inspection and scoping, and Xactimate training on wind and hail claims. The last day would include a rope and harness course.

I booked my Airbnb and drove down to Texas for the Monday morning start. Before the session started, I met some of the other new adjusters and a few of our trainers. While some may approach this by looking at other adjusters as competition, I enjoyed meeting others in my position and sharing stories.

It was also wonderful to meet and visit with the program trainers. These are experienced adjusters with a wealth of knowledge. They are great teachers who answer questions and observe your work while offering valuable feedback.

On Thursday while we were in the midst of practicing inspections and scoping, a person from the Firm’s HR department called our instructor out of the room. When he returned, he called a few of us out into the hall. (I had flashbacks of getting in trouble at school but thankfully, we were pulled out for a great reason!)

He explained that a huge wind storm had gone through Kentucky over the weekend and they needed adjusters in Lexington ASAP. The group he gathered in the hall were those of us who already had our Kentucky licenses. Then he simply asked us, “Are you ready to go?”

One of the biggest takeaways I had from reading AdjusterPro’s blog articles was to say “YES!”. Say yes to the first opportunity because getting your foot in the door is often the most challenging part of starting a career in insurance adjusting. Without hesitating, I said yes! He said, “Great! This is a two-story steep, wind, and hail deployment. We’re going to get you guys trained on rope and harness now. They need you in Kentucky in two days.”

The next few days were a whirlwind! We got a full crash course in rope and harness training, finished up at the training facility, and then ran back to the Airbnb to gather our things before heading to wherever home was before leaving for Lexington. I drove back home with some other “Okies,” and while en route, we ordered rope and harness equipment to be shipped to the war room in Kentucky so it would be waiting for us upon arrival.

Six of the 14 people in our training program already had our Kentucky licenses, our gear, and the training necessary to take advantage of this opportunity. In my first blog, I mentioned that timeliness is everything in claims. I said, “You can’t wait to get ready. You need to BE ready when you get the call.” This experience exemplifies that perfectly.

My First Deployment as an Adjuster

On a deployment, you are usually given anywhere from 20-40 claims when you arrive onsite. It can be really overwhelming so you learn to take things one step at a time and rely heavily on tracking everything and staying organized.

This is especially important when working catastrophe claims. After a big storm or catastrophe, a massive number of claims get filed. By the time you arrive onsite, some homeowners may have already been waiting days or weeks with broken windows, leaking roofs, or downed trees. They’re frustrated and past ready for an insurance adjuster to contact them. It’s important to approach claimants with patience and empathy.

After arriving and reviewing my claims briefly, my first job was to contact the policyholders and start scheduling inspections. Ideally, you want to schedule at least two a day. It’s good to have an idea of what you are walking into and how long it may take although that’s never an exact science. For example, if you schedule 2 inspections for heavily damaged properties on opposite sides of town where the clients are talkative and some of the issues may be hidden, it can take you all day (and more!) to get your work done. Remember, you will still have paperwork to do on the claim after inspection so scheduling to be as efficient as possible is vital. As with everything, you get better and faster at all parts of the process the more you work. But those first claims are a real testing ground for most new adjusters.

In the beginning, I struggled to close one claim a day. It’s so easy to fall behind, which you never want to do as an insurance adjuster. This is where so many new folks start to struggle and eventually give up, especially if they aren’t trained in Xactimate. The carrier we were working for required two claims closed a day. Those that fell behind began to drown, and fast. After the first couple of weeks, adjusters who couldn’t meet the requirements were released from the deployment, i.e., sent home. If you wanted to stay, you had to learn quickly and keep up.

I closed 87 claims over the following seven weeks. It was incredibly challenging but very rewarding. In the first four weeks, I would work as much as 20 hours a day, 6 or 7 days a week just trying to get the hang of it. When people say being a claims adjuster or a claims adjuster’s lifestyle “isn’t for everybody,” this is what they’re referring to. But if you can make it through the initial bumps in the road and long hours, it’s well worth it!

Personally, I enjoyed the challenge! The intensity and pressure, while stressful, created an environment where I thrived. I loved working hard and at the same time, helping homeowners during a difficult time in their lives. On that deployment, we were given the authority to close claims quickly and pay onsite. Being able to hand the claimants an estimate and a check on the same day they got their inspection made all the hard work worth it.

The camaraderie I developed with other adjusters, both new and seasoned, was a welcome surprise. We became a true team – working hard toward the same goals. I was impressed by the adjusters’ willingness to help one another. Our managers were also fantastic, knowledgeable, and worked every bit as hard as we did. Last, but definitely not least, the trainers on our deployment were amazing! These men and women worked long hours and went far out of their way to help us close our claims. From coming out to help inspect a crazy difficult roof to answering question after question about estimates, they really were there for us every step of the way. Candidly, I don’t know if that is typical for all deployments, but that was my experience working with Eberl.

After that initial deployment, I was able to travel to different states adjusting claims, just like I had wanted. Every deployment was a learning experience, and I got better, faster, and made more money every time I took on work.

I feel strongly that my initial preparation and willingness to take advantage of that first opportunity that led to success. I would encourage you to do the same. Getting your foot in the door can be challenging so I echo AdjusterPro in advising you to say “YES!” when an opportunity presents itself.

The Best Path to Becoming an Insurance Adjuster

AdjusterPro has a ton of great resources and blog articles, like 5 Steps to Become an Adjuster, that walk you through the process. Our team is also available to answer any questions regarding the career, licensing, our courses, or finding work.

In my opinion, there is no one best path to getting into claims. I’ve known adjusters who read an article about how much money you can make on a hurricane deployment and bought a course the very next day. I’ve also talked with people who spent months or more determining whether they wanted to pursue this career. My personal journey landed somewhere in the middle. Once I knew I wanted to become a claims adjuster, I took my time and approached the whole process step by step. With a family to support, I needed to continue earning money, start saving money, and get everything in order so that when my opportunity came, I could take it without hesitation.

Every person’s journey is different, and that’s okay. One of the advantages of online courses through AdjusterPro is that you can do everything at your own pace. If you’re currently not working and looking for a new career, you can speed through training and be licensed and working in a matter of weeks. If you have a job, a family to support, or a crazy hectic life and it takes you a few months, that works great too! YOU get to decide what works best for your life.

And if you need a little help or have questions, we’ll be here. Every step of the way.

The post Abbie’s Journey Part 2: Training Equals Opportunity appeared first on AdjusterPro®.

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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He never looked back. 

Shortly after becoming an insurance claims adjuster, he realized this was what he’d been looking for all along. Who knew?

The pay was outstanding. The job got him out of the office and into the field. And, perhaps most importantly, it allowed him to help those who were suffering get on the road to recovery. Now, roughly 8 years later, he still works in the industry. So does his wife Anna. They both love what they do and can’t imagine doing anything different. 

“I LIKE BEING BOOTS ON THE GROUND. HELPING PEOPLE IN A TIME OF NEED. THAT’S WHERE ADJUSTING REALLY MAKES SENSE.” – EVAN MASON

To this day Evan and Anna still love the adventure of insurance adjusting. It allows them to meet people from all over and explore new parts of the country, even if it can be chaotic and unpredictable at times. That’s what makes the field so exciting. No two days are ever alike. But if you’re willing to work hard, be self-directed, and constantly try to improve yourself, you will be successful.

That is where AdjusterPro can help. We have the tools to not only get you started but also keep you going throughout your insurance adjuster career. And when you consider the relatively low cost of time and money to get a new career started, it’s a no brainer. Just ask Evan. He gives the lion’s share of his success in the industry to the support he received from AdjusterPro from day one.

“I OWE MY CAREER TO THIS COMPANY…THEY’RE AMAZING.” – EVAN MASON

If you’re interested in following in Evan and Anna’s footsteps, check out How to Become a Claims Adjuster in 5-Easy Steps. If you’re a military veteran considering a career in insurance adjusting, you may be eligible to have your adjuster exam testing fees reimbursed. Visit VA.gov to see if your state’s exam is covered or check out our Veteran’s Page. 

The post Evan & Anna Mason’s Adjuster Story appeared first on AdjusterPro®.

As a claims adjuster, you can make a good living for yourself and make a difference for others. Interested in learning more about how to jump into this exciting and meaningful career? Check out how to become a claims adjuster in 5-easy steps.

If you’re a military veteran considering a career in insurance adjusting, you may be eligible to have your adjuster exam testing fees reimbursed. Visit VA.gov to see if your state’s exam is covered. 

The post VIDEO: MATT DANIELS ADJUSTER STORY appeared first on AdjusterPro®.

Six weeks and four states later, they found themselves as newly licensed insurance claims adjusters in Louisiana, helping property owners get back on their feet following Hurricane Laura. It has been a surprising and often-hectic journey, but one they are glad they took a chance on.

“It was challenging at times but once we got out here and started adjusting claims, it was so worth it,” said Grace.

Grace’s father, a former insurance adjuster himself, suggested the idea. He thought it would be a great way to not only make some money, but also learn valuable skills in the process (just like he did 20 years ago). And as the busiest hurricane season on record continued to pound the Gulf Coast, the timing seemed fortuitous.

But first things first. When they decided to pursue becoming insurance adjusters, they had to start by getting their home state license. Tyler and Grace dedicated themselves to their AdjusterPro online training and both received their Florida certification in near-record time and in near-record fashion. Tyler, knowing he was on a deadline, buckled down and powered through AdjusterPro’s Florida Certified Adjuster course and exam in less than a week. Grace finished hers as the couple drove from California to Texas. Nothing epitomizes the portability of AdjusterPro’s training platform more than studying to get your adjuster license while simultaneously driving across the country. But that was just the beginning of their adventure.

Next, both needed to immediately apply for reciprocal licenses in the states where adjusters were needed to work hurricane and storm-related claims. As is often the case for new insurance adjusters, Grace and Tyler quickly realized that having a license in one state doesn’t mean that’s where you’ll end up. This is especially true when it comes to catastrophe claims. You may be needed in the hard-hit states themselves, or you might be needed in surrounding states that are short on adjusters because their resident adjusters have been deployed to the disaster zone.

Fortunately, they were able to quickly obtain other states’ licenses, including Louisiana, where they were eventually deployed. Thanks to reciprocal licensing privileges, getting licensed in other states if you already have your home state or DHS license is easier than ever.  

After a few almost starts and stops, they ended up being needed in Lafayette, Lousiana. This isn’t uncommon during an impending weather event. Independent Adjusting Firms do their best to estimate who their clients will be, number of policyholders, potential claims, etc., but a few miles, a few degrees, or a few hours can drastically change their needs. It is always an evolving situation and adjusters need to be ready to change with the tide.

Fortunately, Grace and Tyler were eager and ready to go where needed. While the go-ahead orders were a sigh of relief in some respects, they quickly realized the work had just begun.

“We were stuck in limbo for a bit…waiting to see if and where we were needed. We were excited to finally get the green light,” said Tyler. Catastrophe planning has been even more complicated for insurers and IA Firms during the record-setting 2020 season. The U.S. had multiple disasters happening all over the country, some simultaneously. And with back-to-back hurricane landfalls in Lousiana, and almost constant fires on the West Coast, many adjusters were being moved in and out of the disaster zones for their own safety.

Tyler was the first to deploy with Pilot, one of the country’s largest independent insurance adjusting firms out of Alabama. While Grace waited for her orders, she was able to gain some experience while assisting Tyler with his early claims. He admits the learning curve was pretty steep in the beginning. But thanks to virtual support agents available through Pilot, and the hands-on training he gained in his AdjusterPro Xactimate course, he was able to get up to speed a lot more quickly than if he had tried to do it on his own. 

“If you’re putting in a ton of work and you’re really giving it your best, there are a lot of resources out there to help guide you through the process,” he said.

Soon after, Grace got word from Allcat Claims Service that they also needed her services in Lafayette. Despite being a new adjuster, she quickly learned the ropes and was cranking out three claims per day towards the end of her deployment.

“There’s a flow to what I have to do to each building and each roof. But in the short time I’ve been working, I’m developing a process and figuring out how to build a good claim,” she said. “The money’s not bad either,” she added, smiling.

With only a few weeks left in their deployment, Grace and Tyler feel like they’ve “lived a lifetime” in a few, albeit intense months. But they also both agree it’s given them invaluable experience and has provided them with great options for the future.

Grace has been in talks with Allcat about a potential deployment to California, where insurance adjusters are in high demand following the record-breaking fire season. She will need to obtain her fire certification but then she can hit the ground running. With wildfires, unfortunately, becoming an almost constant threat out west, Grace could be well-set for the future. Tyler, on the other hand, is keeping his options open and may focus on using his degree from the University of Colorado. But neither hesitated when asked if they would be up for using their experience next year when hurricane season ramps up again.

“Absolutely,” they both said enthusiastically.

“There were times I thought I was going to be in over my head. But once I was in the field, I realized that if you are willing to work hard, you can do this job…and do it well,” said Grace.

Explore More About Insurance Adjusting

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We love getting to know our students and hearing their stories. And if you’ll forgive the bias on our part, Bettina has been one of our favorites. Her path to insurance adjusting isn’t what most people consider “typical.” She didn’t come from a construction or restoration background. She’d never worked in insurance or roofing. 

“I was a bit older and I didn’t have time to start working my way up from the bottom again,” Bettina says. Instead, she needed to create an opportunity on her own. “Now that I’ve been in the claims industry for a while, I see that becoming an adjuster later in life is actually pretty common. This is often a second or third career for people.”

Bettina called AdjusterPro and learned what steps to take if she was serious about becoming an adjuster. “I had to do something, and I had to do it fast. At that point, I was unemployed, alone, and in a new town,” she explains. “I called AdjusterPro based on my friend’s recommendation. I talked with them multiple times and asked a ton of questions before moving forward. They were always there to help and made me feel like I was their only customer.”

The Licensing Process

Bettina was excited to check the adjuster exam off her list. But it turns out passing the test on her first try was the easy part for her.

“The more difficult part was figuring out the application process after I passed my test. It can be very confusing depending upon which state you are getting licensed in. But anytime I had a question, I called AdjusterPro and they would help. Even if they didn’t know the answer right away, they’d find out. AdjusterPro gave me excellent advice, and I followed it precisely.”

Support for Emerging Insurance Adjusters

After getting her license, Bettina was determined to find a way to make herself stand out from the rest of the pack. 

She networked. She called and followed up and talked with people at adjusting firms. She stayed after training and introduced herself to managers. “I sought out the advice of people I respected and wanted to emulate,” she says. “I went and found those people. I asked a ton of questions and picked the brain of every recruiter who would give me five minutes of their time…and I made sure my resume stood out against all others.”

Bettina believes in the fundamentals of networking and communicating. She says there’s a ton of work out there, but you can’t sit back and wait for a phone call. You have to be willing to go out and find it. “You have to show people how hard you’re willing to work. I let every recruiter know I was willing, ready, and available. Most importantly, I let them know that if they called me, they could be assured of a ‘YES’ for any opportunity.” But Bettina’s efforts didn’t stop there.

Positioning Yourself as a Working Insurance Adjuster

When it came to finding work and earning a steady paycheck, things weren’t always smooth sailing. But Bettina was determined to be successful. 

“As an inexperienced adjuster, I knew I could increase my chances of employment if I got additional state licenses. But I didn’t know where to start so I turned to AdjusterPro again. They understood the industry and how high the demand was for licensed adjusters for New York. They recommended I obtain my New York license and while it definitely a challenging exam and application process, it was great advice.”’

After getting some experience under her belt, Bettina found a specialized niche of insurance claims that she’s passionate about –  environmental claims. “When a pipeline explodes or there’s an oil spill and a company takes responsibility, they also become responsible for any resulting insurance claims. Whether they are individual or commercial, whether it’s property damage or lost business and wages, the claims all need to be processed. It can be a huge, complicated endeavor but I love it.” 

Why A Career In Claims Adjusting Attracts Go-getters

Starting a new career later in life was full of challenges for Bettina, but she said the reward is worth every bit of road traveled.

“I like the excitement of being on the front line and helping people,” said Bettina. That’s just one reason she, and many others in claims adjusting, are drawn to the profession. While originally from New York, Bettina spent close to 30 years in Florida after college. She’s been through the storms, the floods, the hurricanes. “I remember one year, we had 4 hurricanes in six weeks. It was terrible.”

She saw firsthand the hardship of losing your possessions and the emotional toll it takes on people. More importantly, she said, you see how long the recovery process is. Long after the news cycle has changed and the cameras have moved on, people are still struggling to get their lives back to some sort of normal. But for so many, it can take months, even years. “Having been through those disasters, and seeing my friends and neighbors struggle…it gave me compassion. It made me a better adjuster.”

So in the midst of these disasters, Bettina found her calling, even if she didn’t realize it at the time. “There’s nothing like those first weeks after a hurricane. Everyone bands together to help each other and I like being a part of that. I can be the bright spot in someone’s otherwise terrible day,” she explains. “I can be the person that shows up when they feel alone and hopefully bring them some good news amidst the devastation. And sometimes, in really tough situations, I can be a shoulder to cry on.”  

Qualifications and Continuing Your Education as an Insurance Adjuster

It takes continual effort but taking additional training and gaining certifications is something Bettina thinks is incredibly important for every adjuster, whether new or old. She still continues to take classes regularly “to stay fresh and up to date.” Examples of her supplemental certifications include Xactimate® Training through AdjusterPro, the California Earthquake Certification, and the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) certification to name a few.

“Early on, I made sure to obtain as many certifications and take as many additional classes as possible. And I still keep all my certifications current, even if it’s something I don’t necessarily need at this stage of my career. But every time I put a license or class on my credit card, I reminded myself that I was making an investment in my future,” she says. 

While Bettina’s path to adjusting wasn’t what most people think of as “traditional,” she’s proof that with grit and determination, you can be successful. “I realized I couldn’t wait for a knock on the door. No one was going to come and hand me my dream career.  I had to go out there and get it.”

If you’re interested in a career as an insurance claims adjuster, AdjusterPro can equip you for the road to success. Get in touch to discover more.

The post Becoming Your Own Hero: How One Insurance Adjuster Found Her Dream Career appeared first on AdjusterPro®.

In my interviews of adjusters who fall into the top 15% of performers (typically as identified by their employers), at least six traits clearly materialized. First let’s list them, then we’ll return to our story about Carla.

The 15%:

1. genuinely like (maybe even love) adjusting
2. are willing to do what others are not
3. are fanatical about constant improvement
4. are open-minded, but understand the limits
5. believe in what they do and care
6. understand it’s about customer service
7. build trust with key people.

Almost immediately, as I started to interview Carla, one thing became clear; this is one seriously driven person. She is not playing around, she’s in it to win, and failure is just not an option. She possesses characteristic number two in spades; she’s willing to do what others are not willing to do. What follows is that she gets results that few others get; she gets to dwell in the rarified air of high-level success in the claims business. Let me go into a bit more detail.

First, I should mention that as driven as she is, she’s also humble and thrifty. Carla recounted to me that she was given some advice by a manager getting into the field. He told her that the storm she was getting in on might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – she may never make this kind of money again – so she should make it a chance to get ahead in life. She took this to heart.

At the time, she was living on $1,500/month and continues to live on much less than she earns to this day, even as the company she grew thrives. This is in stark contrast to what she calls the “storm chaser” mentality. She notes that while colleagues were buying new rims for their Escalades, new boats, and fancy houses with their CAT adjusting windfall, she was living on next to nothing, quietly saving, making the most of the opportunity and preparing for the future.

Next, she determined that whatever was thrown at her, she was going to exceed expectations. This was all the more impressive because she recognized that (in her opinion) she was actually less qualified than some of her coworkers. Rather than let this deter her, she determined that she would work all that much harder to win. She would say yes to any assignment; on the one hand, no job was too low for her, on the other hand, no challenge went unaccepted.

For instance, she struggled with Xactimate Sketch. To counter this, she spent her off hours practicing until she not only mastered the program to the point where she had a distinct edge over her more tech-saavy colleagues. This attitude, this determination to win at all costs, drove her to work “unreasonably” long hours, especially because, at the time, she didn’t know the industry as well as others. Often she would be chased out of the office at two in the morning, still hard at work. The janitors got in a habit of finding her and forcing her to leave because they were finished and had to lock up the building!  Carla was willing to work a full six hours longer every day than all of her coworkers.

It’s impossible to work like this and not be noticed. Her employer soon realized that anything they assigned to Carla would soon be mastered and completed, and with care and attention to detail. She developed a reputation as the person who could get it done.

As I recounted in my first post about Carla, a time came when her employer’s client (a well-known insurance company) was in a bind and needed an adjuster to help them with a delicate situation. When they asked her employer if they knew of an individual capable of handling the situation, without hesitation, they selected Carla.  She was given 30 days to “close up” a storm that the carrier’s adjusters were having trouble closing, and she did it. I asked her how, and she replied “failure was just not an option; I was going to get the job done no matter what, even if that meant not sleeping” (I’m paraphrasing). She told me with pride that she did do it; all but one claim in litigation that couldn’t close (and she’s rightfully proud of this accomplishment).

OK, I’ll wrap this post up. As I reflected on what Carla did (and still does), I realized that anyone could do what she did. She herself confessed that she was not smarter, faster or better than the next person. Anyone could work harder than their coworkers. Anyone could make spreadsheets of policies in their downtime. Anyone could master Xactimate late at night after a full day’s work.

But they don’t. 

They’re not willing, as Carla is. That’s what makes it so exceptional when someone does do these things. That’s what separates the top 15% of adjusters who work all the time from those who wish they could; they’re willing to do what others are not willing to do.

I’ll write more on this topic as soon as I can, folks.  Thanks!

The post Top 15% Profile Number One: Carla (2 of 2) appeared first on AdjusterPro®.

Carla entered the claims business with some reluctance after Hurricane Katrina hit, ending her “comfortable” job in a bank. I first met her as a student in our Xactimate class back in ’05.  Shortly after class, she began her career as an inside adjuster (inside adjuster = working in a call center helping to close smaller claims). Her managers soon realized that she would quickly and thoroughly master every position she was given, which got her promoted to positions of continuously greater responsibility. 

For example, at one point she was promoted to the mold unit. She voraciously attacked the task of learning everything there was to learn about mold, mold laws, and mold claims. She stayed up late on her own time, even making spreadsheets of mold facts, state laws, and policies! Eventually, she graduated to outside claims, but was still seen as the mold authority in the company; if a mold issue arose, she was called in as the “guru.”  Her skills were in demand, and her career was on a great trajectory.

At one pivotal point, a large, nation-wide insurance company asked the manager at the IA (IA = claims-handling company) that Carla was working for if they had a particularly talented adjuster who could help them solve a problem in California. They needed to “shut down” a storm; that is, they needed to close up the remainder of the claims (all “problem claims”) in a mere 30 days. 

Her manager recommended Carla without hesitation, and of course, Carla knocked it out of the park. She closed all of the claims except one in litigation, an accomplishment still admired as an almost superhuman. Doing this greatly improved the reputation of the IA she was working for, earning them a significantly larger contract (i.e. more claims) from that carrier. She helped her IA firm grow, and in so doing, she developed a bullet-proof reputation as an adjuster who could “get it done,” no matter what the situation.

Unfortunately, there was a setback; at one point Carla had to undergo surgery that took her out of work for a season. When she had fully recovered and was ready to resume claims work, she notified her old IA but it seemed that she had been pushed down the totem pole under other less-qualified adjusters. This surprised and dismayed her, but she was not discouraged.  She knew she had developed a great reputation, tremendous trust, and a number of key relationships in the industry. Moreover, she had saved a great deal of money.  

So what was her next step? She just decided to start her own IA Firm!  Her new company quickly earned several contracts to handle claims for smaller insurance companies, and the claims began to flow in.  This is where I found Carla at the time of her interview; running a successful and growing IA. Her little claims company is thriving; the carriers she represents love her service, the adjusters she employs are fiercely loyal, the claimants they help are given 110%. It’s a true success story.

So, the question I had for Carla; how was she able to achieve this success? I’ll give you a spoiler for the next post; the answer is that Carla thinks and acts in ways that are exceptional. When I say “exceptional” I don’t mean miraculous; I mean she has developed deep habits that enable her to do things others are not willing to do.  In the next blog post, we’ll look at some of these key characteristics that set her apart, and we’ll examine how you can adapt these same traits to get similar results.

Stay tuned….

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