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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
 Posted - 05/04/2003 : 15:42:52
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I didn't have room for the complete topic;
"Available Services & Finding, Selecting and Engaging a Professional ...." (Independent Contractor Insurance Adjuster)
I just can't help it! Really, I can't help but think of the many things that have been discussed on CADO concerning the above, over the last year or so. This reflection was acutely brought to mind while studying the web site for "Professional Quantity Surveyor"
First, so there is no misunderstanding, CADO is a good and valuable site and offers several valuable services to adjusters. My comments are not directed as a comparison of web sites.
It is more the "trade" versus "profession", or the "individualism" versus the "institution", or the "pick me" versus the "finding, selecting and engaging process"; that came to mind.
What cat adjusters primarily do - "inspect and estimate", has a strong similarity of process in the general overview, of what a 'PQS' or 'CEC' does. But, that seems to be where the similarities start and stop.
It is worth a look into their world, and at how they portray themselves to their peers and vendors.
They even have a 14 page pdf document titled as per the thread topic.
http://www.ciqs.org |
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LAW1526
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2003 : 23:09:22
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Clayton: In a recent post I brought to your attention an organization I belonged to called the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). This organization in my opinion is a very close match to the insurance adjusters profession. The primary function of a safety professional is the prevention of catastrophe accidents to person and facility in the work place. However the majority of the job is to investigate the cause and the cost of damage to facility and person as a result of catastrophic accident. Report these findings in the format specific to company management, company insurance carriers, Federal OSHA, State OSHA and to who ever else wants a report.
The organization in harmony with industry and governmental organization assists in setting the standards for the implementation of work place safety standards, accident investigation procedures and training requirements for the safety professional. By having the ASSE certification is like adding an educational B.S. to your resume to potential employers. It tells the potential employer that you have received all the necessary training and or education and work experience required under a standard set of guidelines established for the industry. One could work for Lockheed, Bechtel or IBM with out having to cross train for each industry. There may be some special S.O.P. (Standard Operating Procedure) specific to a company in the way they conduct business, otherwise the function of your job is the same in all companies. The investigation procedures, reporting forms, ect:.
I could see something like the following for our industry:
Mission Statement for American Society of Independent Adjusters (A.S.I.A.) or American Society of Insurance Adjusters (A.S.I.A.)
The American Society of Independent Adjuster (ASIA) was founded (you decided the date), in (city and state), with (as many who have pride in their profession). Its philosophy is to promote harmonious action in the insurance claims handling and educate members in all matters relating to the handling of insurance claims. This non-profit organization will dedicated itself to advancing the independent adjusters profession and enhancing the knowledge and capabilities of independent adjusters.
ASIA will play a key role in the development of many important national programs and standards. Society members will serve on federal committees, support key insurance claims handling legislation, and sponsor claims handling awareness and professional development activities.
By developing a disciplined organization as the ones you have identified and the one I have for this profession would be of enormous benefit to the insurance carriers, vendors., adjusters and to the objective the insurance policy. With an ASIA certified adjuster the insurance carrier and the vendor is assured the adjuster has received their company’s qualifications and training requirements for hire. It assures the insured that the adjuster carriers the credentials required to inspect their loss, like an attorney, doctor or engineer if they were to hire one or have one appointed to them. The individual adjuster is assured he or she has met the qualification for the industry standards and most of all provides him or her with the self-esteem of knowing they are at the top of their profession as equals to their peers.
If one adjuster inspected more claims in a day than another it would only mean that adjuster is more organized or ambitious, it would not mean the adjusters is working to a different set of rules.
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2003 : 23:59:10
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Oh my Lenny, you can't imagine the 'fuzzies' I get knowing that at least one other person shares this similar image and cares enough to post about it.
However, it is with regret that I feel we are like two lone wolves on a barren plateau, crying out in the night and no one is listening or answering.
If the ASSE has a web site, could you post the link here? Thanks |
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olderthendirt
USA
370 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2003 : 09:01:01
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| While ASIA is long over due and the industry needs a professional organization, it is never going to happen. A true professional is subject to professional disipline, and the companies and the adjusters would never stand for that. Meanwhile we have many young company people who will look you in the eye and say "I am a professional" and mean it, right before they commit some unprofessial act. We are stuck with being closer to the oldest profession then we ever will be to a true profession. |
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Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2003 : 14:32:02
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Uhhhh...there's another Lone Wolf over here howling that same tune.
ASIA...? Welll...I guess that acronym might be sorta okay, at least until we can put our collective noses together to consider any other ideas.
For this, I would drive across all of Hell and half of Texas to attend the creation of a professional association that has some teeth to it. Of course, tho, I will be the one wearing a paper grocery sack over my head. |
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katadj
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2003 : 17:50:42
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I won't wear a sack, I'd wear a BIG smile and support the association 110%.
Everyone who has been in this trade for 10 years or more, realizes that it is time for an overhaul.
The Carriers are so fed up with poor reporting, in-accurate and misleading files that have to be reopened, the Vendors don't get paid for poor work, they are tired of the lack of quality.
The independent adjuster's that care can't get enough work, because the pricing is less now than it was 10 years ago, and they do not wish to provide their excellent skills for peanuts.
This lets the work go to those that choose to work for the peanuts, and the result is what we are witnessing now. The "slam dunks" the "Turn and Burn" whatever you wish to refer to them as.
It really simple, "You ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
I'm In.
UAIA? ( United Association of Independent Adjuster/Appraisers)?
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Edited by - katadj on 05/05/2003 17:55:14 |
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LAW1526
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2003 : 09:08:34
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Clayton, the Web Site is www.asse.org.
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catmanager
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2003 : 18:52:18
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| I agree with your assessment katadj, and UAIA sounds good to me..!!! |
Edited by - catmanager on 05/06/2003 18:52:48 |
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Catmannn
42 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2003 : 22:28:51
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UAIA will not work, as we have tooooooo many non-professional west texas roof jumpers. Now the way to get to the point is thur a vender. If one of large venders stood up and only hired the best, at the fair wages for the best in the business, then F the rest of them.
Houtz |
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Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2003 : 06:44:18
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As usual, negative waves, Moriarity...always with the negative waves. The abiding purpose, the raison-de-etre is to raise the level of the bar to make the carriers and vendors come to us because of our having weeded out the unqualified and less than desirable who sprout up like chickweed and crab grass.
The vendors absolutely do not want tire kickers and rag pickers, (to use and old expression of Walter Pilot), because it interferes with their cash flow. That is what prompted them to have to institute expensive training programs, hire storm managers and supervisors to try and control the level of quality because of the lack of competent people that swarmed like termites out of the woodwork lured by the siren song of Big Buck$ in a short time. And, in spite of the carriers heavy handed attempts at file supervision and reinspections, the work was still screwed up due to the basic incompetence of the person who last week couldn't spell adjuster but now he is one.
Folks, as professional problem solvers, we are the acme of the hierarchy of the adjusting business. When the call comes to hit the road, the carriers and the Insureds need true professionals to get the job done right. The vendors need the job done right in order to trust those who they send out to represent them. A strong professional association with high standards is the solution to the problems of competence, compensation, and image. |
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katadj
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2003 : 09:50:26
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Ghost, as usual your explantion is "on the mark".
I wonder how many, Carriers, Vendors and Adjusters will support this?
Perhaps you can create a poll?
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catmanager
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2003 : 10:30:12
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| Anything that would enhance credibility to the less than ideal image of our profession would get my vote. It would have to be something real, not just another seminar with snoozers in the back that walk out "certified" in something because they were there warming a chair.... |
Edited by - catmanager on 05/08/2003 19:01:59 |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2003 : 10:55:37
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If you guys want to discuss "certification" we could start with the suggestion that there are already the AIC (Associate in Claims), the CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) and the RPA (Registered Professional Adjuster) cerrtifications/designations, all three of which have some rather stringent educational and testing requirements, and which all three are widely recognized within the insurance industry as standards of excellence.
Are any of you suggesting 'certification' more stringent that these three programs? If not, then conversely are you suggesting something much weaker?
It just seems to me you are trying to reinvent the wheel when it is already there readily available for any adjuster seeking education, advancement and recognition.
Or am I missing something here in the dialogue? |
Edited by - JimF on 05/07/2003 10:58:56 |
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olderthendirt
USA
370 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2003 : 18:37:57
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| Jim what is needed is a mix of education and experience, and the authority to grant and remove membership. That and a commitment from enough of the vendors to respect and use ASIA people and we might get someplace. |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2003 : 18:50:12
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Mark (Older Then Dirt): WHO is going to be the 'granting' "authority" to grant and "remove" membership under your scenario?
The RPA designation, especially, reflects a mixture of education and experience, although in truth, there aren't many adjusters without significant experience holding the other two (AIC and CPCU) designations as well. |
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fivedaily
USA
258 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2003 : 21:36:09
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I just made a cursory glance at the Registered Professional Adjuster site and think it may be what so many people say they want for cat adjusting. I wonder, is anyone on this site already a member??? It seems attainable by anyone willing to put in the work on a continuous basis. I wonder it RPA has any sort of interest in working with cat adjusters in a way beyond what they do for just "plain" adjusters. Like, working to create a special designation or something. For those that carry the flame for a professional organization, this might be what you want. What do you say, Clayton? Ghost?
http://www.rpa-adjuster.com
Jennifer |
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"Available Services & Finding, Selecting and ...."
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