host
CatAdjuster.org
Member
Posts:358
 | | 02 May 2008 01:39 AM |  Quote Reply
| Does reading and agreeing to a code of ethics make us professional adjusters? Are they enforceable? If an adjuster states that they have read them and agree to hold their selves to them can they now stand up and declare “I am a professional Adjuster?” Will having high morals suffice? Can ethics be used to improve professionalism in our industry? | | | Adjuster Directory | The Licensing Page | The Cane Page | |
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stormcrow
Member
Posts:179
| | 02 May 2008 02:42 PM | QuoteReply
| | | | Still sliding down the razorblade of life. | |
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sbeau4014
Founding Member
Member
Posts:328
| | 02 May 2008 03:00 PM | QuoteReply
| No, reading and agreeing to a code of ethics just means you can read and write your name. Any politician can do that, and look at those results. You have to actively practice what you are agreeing to.
No-see part one. They can say "I can read and write my name"
It helps, as one with low or no morals probably won't get into the "professional adjuster" group. Again, have to practice what you preach.
As Peter says YES! | | | |
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R_Smith
Member
Posts:15
| | 02 May 2008 05:05 PM | QuoteReply
| Can anyone cite a specific instance were an someone refused to sign a code of ethics?
Wouldn't a person who is unethical sign the code because they ARE unethical?
This document is a CYA measure to prove you did not knowingly hire an unethical person. | | | |
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katadj
Founding Member
Member
Posts:226
| | 02 May 2008 10:13 PM | QuoteReply
| Posted By host on 05/01/2008 8:39 PM Does reading and agreeing to a code of ethics make us professional adjusters? Absolutely NOT, as previouly stated it only means that we can read or understand what is read to us, anyone can agree to anything, but what will make it stick?
Are they enforceable? If an adjuster states that they have read them and agree to hold their selves to them can they now stand up and declare “I am a professional Adjuster?” Very Doubtful if they are enforceable. What body of accreudation or degree is there for a Professional Adjuster? Will having high morals suffice? Subjective question,as each persons morals are possibly suspect to anothers. Can ethics be used to improve professionalism in our industry? Proper instructionwill help improve the existing conditions. But it will take years to cull out the neer do wells and create a Professional Adjuster as we know it. | | | "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new... Albert Einstein" | |
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sbeau4014
Founding Member
Member
Posts:328
| | 02 May 2008 10:19 PM | QuoteReply
| I can see an employer using it like mentioned above, to show that everyone they hire agree to abide by their ethical standards, whatever those may be. I also see it as a tool to use when ethical standards are violated, the employer has in writing what is required of the employee, if they don't live up to that it would be grounds for termination. There are countless situations where it is used just for that purpose. | | | |
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R_Smith
Member
Posts:15
| | 02 May 2008 10:41 PM | QuoteReply
| As adjusters, what resources do we have to help police ourselves? When I was in management, I would refrain from using adjusters known to act in unethical ways. This became a point of contention when those above me instructed me to use unethical adjusters. I even received direct orders to act in an unethical way, which I refused and was one reason for my departure from the company.
What would happen if the adjuster presented a code of conduct for the company representative to sign before working the claims? I doubt any company would let their people sign the document.
What would be considered a violation of the code of ethics? Some are easy, such as accepting monetary or physical items in exchange for a favorable estimate. (I have had many offers, but that could be another topic) But what about working for multiple vendors in a disaster when you sign a contract to work exclusively for the vendor during the given disaster? | | | |
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Ray Hall
Advanced Member
Posts:887
| | 02 May 2008 11:09 PM | QuoteReply
| Why do most vendors ask for a copy of your drivers license and insurance card. To check you out if they care too. BUT, the biggie is birthdate and when they see the dob they can forego the drivers check. You young guys same for your old age (over 60) no work and no social security $$ left for you. | | | |
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JimGary
Member
Posts:261
| | 03 May 2008 02:07 AM | QuoteReply
| The code of ethics (in my opinion) gives the company ammunition in the event of a need to let you go. The ones I have read and signed were sufficiently vague to allow termination if the need arises. Again in my opinion, it give the company another layer of protection in a suit if one arises.
JWG | | | I know the voices aren't real, but sometimes they're right! | |
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katadj
Founding Member
Member
Posts:226
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sbeau4014
Founding Member
Member
Posts:328
| | 03 May 2008 02:40 PM | QuoteReply
| R Smith asks some other violations of a code of ethics, and there are many that can come into play. Some of the biggies are conflicts of interest, theft of items from from the employer or insured (ask the Rigsby sisters about this one), violation of the privacy guidelines that all carriers have for policyholder information, how salvage is dealt with, conduct in the workplace environment (sexual harrassment, etc), violation of any state of federal laws either on during working hrs or after. That is going cover a chunk of the areas that can and will get someone terminated for violations of the code of ethics. Some carriers/vendors may also consider failure to comply with statutory insurance code requirements a violation of their code of ethics
One thing I've always be a little amazed at is probably most stated that require CE work for licensing also have a sub requirement for taking x amount of hrs of ethics. Almost all of those hrs deal with the state statutory requirements, and occasionally a few of the others. I'd like to see those courses deal with a more encompasing grouping of ethical issues. | | | |
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host
CatAdjuster.org
Member
Posts:358
| | 04 May 2008 06:47 PM | QuoteReply
| I'd like to see those courses deal with a more encompassing grouping of ethical issues. We have the means on CADO to create a online course, and a requirement can also be set to require the course be taken every year. The hard part would be course content. | | | Adjuster Directory | The Licensing Page | The Cane Page | |
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okclarryd
Member
Posts:473
| | 06 May 2008 03:28 AM | QuoteReply
| Ethical behavior is hard.
Unless you are an ethical person, that is.
"Reputation" is what others think of you. "Ethics" is what you think of yourself.
The course materials could easily be a compilation of the ethics courses given in several states.
Kinda like "Generic Ethics" | | | Larry D Hardin | |
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LarryW
Member
Posts:95
| | 27 Aug 2008 01:23 AM | QuoteReply
| So, A code of ethics is indeed a waste of time. Only ethical people will adhere to the code and they don't need someone to tell them the difference from right and wrong. Unethical people will use it to get next to their victims and feather their own nests. Kinda like you have to screw your friends cause your enemies won't let you close enough. If you instill trust upon a person because they sign a code of ethics statement, then you are a fool. | | | No one is absolutely worthless, at the very least you can serve as a bad example. | |
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