Hello all,

My IA firm is concluding its losses in the midwest and moving back to handle Gulf Coast claims.  I don't really want to go to LA and TX, as I'm only 4 hours from home here so my wife can come visit me when she has time.  I think they were expecting a lot of claims but I'm pretty sure the carrier has cut the firm off because about half of the adjusters they brought up were "lolwut" quality.

I called around and another IA firm has claims in this area and is willing to work w/ me.  The fee schedule is pretty much identical because they are working with the same carrier.  I'm thinking a lot about jumping ship.

That said, I would like to work with this firm in the future.  I've closed 65 claims in under 14 days and should make very good money from my time here, but relocating will cost me 3 down days (huge) and about 750 in direct costs.  I have no problem with any of them personally - I've been treated fairly - and they are one of the larger carriers.

Anything even remotely unethical about transfering companies when they are trying to relocate me halfway accross the country (100% at my expense)?  Are they likely to black ball me on the claims that I've closed if I transfer to another company?  Are they likely to not want to work with me in the future because I won't relocate?

If you have any kind of relationship with your current carrier(s) & feel comfortable with them, why don't you just ask them directly?  If you've done a good job, and they don't have anything substantial for you at the moment... see what they have to say.   Just make it known that you are going to leave yourself open to come back if something breaks loose with them.  Do you have someone that can pick up the scraps for them while you go on to the other stuff?

I think you are really asking about the relocation.

Yes, they will think and say bad things about you.

For about 10 or 15 minutes.  If they have any regard for their adjusters, they should understand you wanting to stay where you are.  If you're correct and the firm has been cut off by the carrier,  you may want to move on in any event.  If you are a top producer, they might sweeten the pot to get you to go south where the claims are.

Just remember that old adage ..............."to thine own self, be true"

Who are these two firms, anyway?

In this industry a lot has to do with .....What have you done for me lately. I have a good relationship with my primary vendor and they really work with me. I was in a postion where I needed to leave a Cat site while working an event this past spring in Indy. They listened to my concerns and worked with me and I was extremely grateful. Whenever the tropics got active I remembered their understanding  my situation and I committed to them. My commiting to them for this years hurricanes had more to do with our working relationship rather than fee shedules etc.

It is refreshing in this day and time to still at times be able to handle things with a handshake and youre word.

(David, this is not pointed directly at you, this is for anyone who thinks being an Independent Catastrophe Adjuster is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow) 

One of the biggies is the fact, which has already been mentioned, all the costs of doing business fall on you.  All the costs.  Hotels, food, office supplies, equipment, gas, health insurance, vehicle expenses, the list can go on and on.  Not to mention that most of your waking hours are devoted to work.  When you're not working in some capacity, you're not earning any money.   You can consider that a minimum of 1/3 (or more) of what you earn will be devoted to expenses, and take into consideration your tax burden, its much more than that. 

Anyone who deploys to an assignment spends unproductive time on the road, spends $$$ on road expenses, not to mention the wear and tear on your body.  Starting off an assignment already tired and fretting about money, work and family takes its toll on people.  Stress is a killer.  I repeat, Stress is a killer. 

If your marriage cannot withstand extended time apart, this is not for you.  If your finances cannot withstand possibly months of nothing coming in and it all going out, this is not for you.  If you think  you're going to work "regular" work hours, this is not for you. 

As an IA you won't be in the office as one might be if they were staff, or a 'desk adjuster' but there are still 'bosses' to answer to.  Probably more actually, because for everyone the buck stops right at you.  Since you're an IA ,the people at the office may not know you as well as they would someone who is a staff adjuster and when an insured calls and screams about how you didn't call back, or how you were rude, or some other thing they tend to call and complain about, you will certainly have to answer to that.  Until they get to know you, realize you're reliable and not an unreasonable person, they will have you under scrutiny, and you will have to prove yourself. 

All that's gold doesn't glitter, and the "glamor" of being on the road or the lure of being a "rich cat adjuster" just isn't the reality that some will lead you to believe.  There is a lot to be said for a quiet little life with your family, a job that pays you a decent wage and being able to have a life to live that you enjoy, as opposed to being alone the bulk of the time in some strange town wondering when next you'll hold your loved ones in your arms. 

Just my .02 worth