Hey Guys and Gals,

I have been in the information technolgy field for serveral years now, and have been thinking of a career change.

I have a good friend who is an adjuster and the job description sounds very interesting!  His only advise was "Go get certified and get on with a company basicly"  For his defense we only chatted breifly on the subject.

Other than just going to the 3 day class, and passing the tests.  What else would I need to do.

Any advise would be a great help! 

Thanks

Jon Kurz

Get more than 3 days of training, which is a joke. Go to Vale Tech and learn how to be an effective adjuster, then try to get with a vendor and learn in the field, riding with someone with experience first. This is not a learn it in three days business.

First of all, I am not thinking this is a get rich quick business.

I just kindly asked for a little "Advice" for a new venture I'm thinking of taking.  If the older blood cant guide the newer generation how are things going to change.  I'm just looking for a little education on the topic.

Thanks  

Jon,

It's actually your buddy that yanked my chain. Literally thousands have failed in the last two years by thinking that all they need is a certification and to get on someone's roster.  It gives us all a bad reputation when someone goes out to adjust claims with a three day course and a Texas adjusting license. I know you have to start somewhere.  We all had to start somewhere.  I have helped several get started in the past, so I am open to new people if they will help the profession rather than hurt it.

Since I am trying to triage and assign Ike claims right now, I don't have time to go into more detail. All I can say is that the answers to your questions can be found in any of a hundred threads on this board. Most of them start something like: "I just got my Texas adjusting license. What do I do now?" 

Thanks for the reply Steve,

Again in my buddies defense as he was walking out the door he said that, and also he would go into more detail when he got done with his training this afternoon.

I live in the DFW area and I am thinking of doing the vail national school, rather than a 3 day course.

Thanks for the input Steve!

-Jon

Steve,

 I am new here also. I have been a staff adjuster for 30 years and now breaking into the IA. In MD we do not need a license. I understand I will need a TX license but does that work for any other state.There are claims in OH and KY as well as TX.

 Plus since the company provided laptop, programs  and car. What programs do I need to get and how much? O got an email from countrywide adjusting but the contract sounded bad. Too long on payment and no recourse against them if thatcarrier goes bankrupt or doesn't pay. I requested more info and they did not respond yet.

 I appreciate your help. Keep your sanity!

Lynn,

You can get a temporary license in Texas. The vendor usually has the necessary forms. If you go to Houston I would bring a laptop and get an estimating program when you find out what the vendor accepts or requires. I am using Xactimate but there are other programs available.

Send me an e-mail if you like. I do know a solid outfit in Louisville that should have claims if you do not want to venture to Texas. However. I do not know how much damage there is in Kentucky. I am going to Texas as soon as I can find accomodations.

BTW, are you retiring or quitting a job to go IA?

Pay $350.00 get your Texas non resident License, Pay another $1,200.00 for a decent Laptop, Another 300.00 for a decent All in one printer, Another 225.00 for a camera, Get a Bi Annual Subscription to XM8 for around $600.00, Buy a 100' & a 35' Tape measures for around 50 bucks, Spend another few hundred on Clothing, Buy a PDF Maker program for around 120 bucks, Buy a decent ladder that will do 2 stories for around 120 bucks, Spend another 400 bucks on stuff you'll never use or stuff I forgot, Then call around make a reservation @ $100 Bucks a nite (If they are open and have power & Internet) Buy an Internet card and spend another 60 bucks a month, with a 2 year contract, Allot yourself 40 bucks a day for food (Thats if you can find some) Get a ATT Phone cause Verizon and The others are either tied up, or not working, Then Smack momma on tha ass and teller your a juster by trade now and you'll see her whenever, and go down to Houston and get yer ass handed to ya, and come onto cado site and ask People what to do!

Oh and Don't forget the hat! Jest Sayin!!!!!!!!! Good Luck

C'mon, Roy.

Don't beat around the bush like that.

Tell 'em what you're thinkin'

To someone new, it is incredible what we spend just to go to work and do the job.  Back in the days of new Distos,  $500 for a lazer measuring device was nothing.  Now, they are $100 at Lowe's.

We have all spent a fortune in equipment, supplies, new gadgets, satellite systems (Roy), ad infinitum.  And, thought it was all worth it.  The times, they are a-changin' folks.  A really good camera is $99, the lazer thingy is $99, Xactimate is still waaaay too much and so is Integraclaim.  Gas is over $3.50 a gallon, diesel is $4.00 a gallon.

And the IA firms are offering discounts and cutting fees and percentages.

I found a really good training class to be a Walmart greeter that is free.  Yes, free.