Thank you for the advice Ray. This is what I've been prepping for since the winter of 05. I listened to the advice (yours included) here almost exactly 3 years ago, got hooked up with Farmers for nearly 2 years (on top of 5 years estimating experience), then a year doing restoration work, paid off the mortgage, bought a few rent houses for some investment income and made some reserve funds. I know I don't know everything about this yet but I'm ready to hit this one running.

I do have a question on this particular statement " Do not leave unless you have that vendors fee bill with the carrier that you will be assined to." I don't quite follow you here. Is this like subcontracting where I want a contract for my services in hand before I leave the office? I want to make sure I do this right. Appreciate it Ray.

Tim

I would think southern gulf coast would be Yucatan since its in the southern gulf

Don't get too anxious!  You don't want to get down there and sit and wait for the claims.  Remember, it will probably be a few days after Gustav hits before any claims start to roll in.....

Remember to up to date with your vaccinations.....tetnus and HepB

PLEASE REMBER TO BRING CASH OR TRAVELERS CHEQUES AS THE ATM'S AND BANKS WILL NOT BE FUNCTONAL FOR SOME TIME.

ALSO THE ACCOMODATIONS MAY NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS AS THEY HAVE NO WAY TO VALIDATE THEM

Let's not all get all heated up and in a hurry.  The damages will become evident in a day or two and then the claims will start a day or two after that.

Maybe............

Happy Trails

Larry, your right on. I figure claims will not be coming in for 5 to 7 days after Gustav leaves. I never get in a hurry to head to a sight. Now is the time to start looking for accomodations. As Dave said, take plenty of cash with you.

Most every place I have called from New Orleans west to Houston is booked solid until at least this coming weekend.  Then it's anybody's guess as to what will open up as far as lodging.

The Applebee's Parking Lot Guy tells me he is already in Lafayette and has a hundred and fifty claims to handle.

Steve see if he can handle 50 more losses.  Just kidding.  I hope we are not at that point.

It appears according to today's news that the fine citizens affected by Gustav will be allowed to return to inspect damages starting Thursday and business owners starting Wednesday. Just about the time Hanna is scheduled to hit. Could be a very interesting scenario. Especially with Ike not far behind. Tend to agree with Alan Jackson that our value increases exponentially with each storm. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

If two more were to hit in two different areas, or states, yes, this would get very interesting. The companies and vendors may have to pay us what we are actually worth. It will require warm bodies to help though, this creating a clean up scenario. Hann, in my opinion, will hit somewhere up the east coast. Ike, who knows and there are more behind him. Perhaps we can actually make a living this year and next. At least we can hope.

Hanna, Ike and now Josephine. Could it be that this year the demand for quality adjusters will outstrip the supply? For the past two years we have all contemplated leaving the profession or we have found alternative means of putting food on the table. This year might be a true test of adjuster availability. Earlier this year I attempted to put together an association of "Top Tier" adjusters. The reception to the idea was lukewarm at best. I suspected folks were occupied elsewhere or with something else, maybe we'll find out.