Adjuster Estimates

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Last Post 11/04/2011 6:15 PM by  Roy Estes
Newbie Question -- What should I do next?
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Florabama
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02/01/2010 6:49 PM

    Hello folks. Brand newbie here!. I've been reading the site for while, so I hope my first post this isn't too dumb of a question.  I've gotten licenced in Florida (I live in Pensacola) and have begun sending apps to different cat adjusting companies. I've taken a local Xactimate course and am continuing to study at home with Xactimate DVDs purchased from the company. All of the apps I've filled out have asked about certifications. Of course, I don't have any as of yet. In the opinion of the experienced adjusters, which certification would be the most helpful for me to work on first?  

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance!

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    claims_ray
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    02/01/2010 7:09 PM
    Whatever certifications that you can get without going too far into debt while working at the nearest Applebee's.
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    Florabama
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    02/01/2010 7:40 PM

    Which certification was what I was looking for, and I'm retired from a 30 year career with the power company and have a retirement income, so the only time I go to Applebee's is when I meet friends there for happy hour .   

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    wstj
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    02/01/2010 8:46 PM
    Since you live in Florida I would get the Citizens certification. Your not far from Mobile so Pilot holds a number of certifications during the first 5 months or so of the years like State Farm, American Family & Allstate. The also hold a NFIP Flood class. Their class is demanding but good. I have worked for them and they are a good outfit. Good luck! Maybe this year will be a busy one.
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    Florabama
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    02/01/2010 8:52 PM
    Posted By wstj on 01 Feb 2010 08:46 PM
    Since you live in Florida I would get the Citizens certification. Your not far from Mobile so Pilot holds a number of certifications during the first 5 months or so of the years like State Farm, American Family & Allstate. The also hold a NFIP Flood class. Their class is demanding but good. I have worked for them and they are a good outfit. Good luck! Maybe this year will be a busy one.

    Thanks a million.  Any other advice for a newbie?

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    ChuckDeaton
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    02/04/2010 12:38 PM
    Join a gym, cardio vascular fitness is a must.
    "Prattling on and on about being an ass with experience doesn't make someone experienced. It just makes you an ass." Rod Buvens, Pilot grunt
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    Florabama
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    02/10/2010 3:20 AM
    Posted By ChuckDeaton on 04 Feb 2010 12:38 PM
    Join a gym, cardio vascular fitness is a must.

     

    Thanks, for the advice -- any and all is apprecicated and taken to heart. I am in pretty good shape. Exercise three to four days a week and teach scuba diving plus do a lot of diving for fun -- but not right now -- waiting for the water to warm up a bit 



     

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    Ray Hall
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    02/10/2010 12:02 PM
    For about 6-7 years I have offered to review files for new people and make suggestions. I have only received one persons estimates that I would approve. Most were so poor it was a complete waste of my time. I did not get more than 6 or so. I don,t lnow if this is a true story, but it was about Dr. Denton Cooley a famous heart surgeon in Houston. In younger days he practiced tying knots in penny match boxs instead of goofing off.

    If I had never written a claim before and did not have a computer program I would do it by hand and send it to vendors and see if you an get on "the call list". Thousands of people want to learn on the job, but NO ONE has the time to waste on teaching when a big one hits. A storm is no time to learn, unless you will measure roofs for FREE.
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    Florabama
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    02/10/2010 1:14 PM

    Thanks Ray. I know I'm not ready right now, but I'm hoping to be ready by the start of storm season. I'm still learning Xactimate and have never touched Integreclaims. When I spend  a few more days learning X-Mate, I was planning to estimate my own house using the Training Price List. We had damage in Georges and Ivan and I was going to simulate that. What would you charge to take a look at it and give me some pointers?

    The Insurance part of Adjusting is what concerns me more than anything. I've got a pretty good understanding of residential building construction having served as a Residential Energy Consultant for the power company for ten years. I probably did close to 6000 energy audits on new and existing homes and when a contractor had a problem (back drafting fire place, moisture, uncomfortable) they called me. I was a companywide Manual J (residential HVAC Load Sizing) instructor and a Manual D (residential duct design) instructor and a state of Florida class one energy rater which meant that I certified blueprints for energy efficient mortgages and was responsible for making sure new homes met the Florida Energy Code.  I had to be knowledgeable about every component of a home from the foundation to the roof and how variables like different insulation or attic ventilation or an improper HVAC installation changed the way the house performed and had to master several different software programs to do it all, so nothing about adjusting scares me except the insurance part .

     I know beans about the insurance part. I was dumbfounded for what passed for a licensing course to become a Florida adjuster. To be a good adjuster, I know I need more knowledge about insurance, but outside of becoming a staff adjuster, I'm not sure where to get it. Any suggestions would be appreciated?   



     

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    Medulus
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    02/10/2010 4:13 PM
    My advice -- if you want to learn about insurance:

    Go to the AICPCU.org website and start working on the AIC designation. Four courses ....possibly some of the toughest you have ever taken in your life. Don't take more than one course at a time. Each course gets you 24 continuing education credits toward the requirements of your Florida license. When you are done you will know more about insurance than many adjusters who have been working in the field for 20 years or more. When you are done, you get to put the letters AIC after your name, and people do notice.
    Steve Ebner CPCU AIC AMIM

    "With great power comes great responsibility." (Stanley Martin Lieber, Amazing Fantasy # 15 August 1962)
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    Florabama
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    02/10/2010 4:39 PM
    Posted By Medulus on 10 Feb 2010 04:13 PM
    My advice -- if you want to learn about insurance:

    Go to the AICPCU.org website and start working on the AIC designation. Four courses ....possibly some of the toughest you have ever taken in your life. Don't take more than one course at a time. Each course gets you 24 continuing education credits toward the requirements of your Florida license. When you are done you will know more about insurance than many adjusters who have been working in the field for 20 years or more. When you are done, you get to put the letters AIC after your name, and people do notice.

    Excellent! That was exactly what I was looking for. I'm headed there now to check it out.  Thank you so very much.
     

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    Roy Estes
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    11/04/2011 6:15 PM

    LOL Steve "some of the toughest you have ever taken in your life." Speaking from pure experience HUH! LOL

    Trust me Steve I feel you ! I still don't know how you managed to tough it through the CPCU Program! Heck I bought the flashcard and deluxe learning program and still failed the AIC test before my Old A** passed, I started on the CPCU Program and I always considered myself a relatively intelligent person, until now I think it'll take me several years  to pass this program ....... Thats why I decided to get my SCLA First (A little easier)

    WHY CANT THEY MAKE IT LIKE THE CURRENT TEXAS LICENSE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, SIT IN A ROOM FOR A DAY OR SO AND PAY YOUR $250 BUCKS AND WHEN YOUR DONE YOU A JUSTER BY TRADE.

    I GOT MY TEXAS LICENSE THE HARD WAY,  I GOT BUSTED RUNNING CLAIMS IN 1986 in TEXAS, and Was forced to Pay 50 Bucks to the state of Texas and they send me a license. I think it was the Texas railroad commission who was over licensing at the time had one every since.

    "Each of us as human beings has a responsibility to reach out to help our brothers and sisters affected by disasters. One day it may be us or our loved ones needing someone to reach out and help." RC ESTES
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