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Subject: Starting out...

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Michael Taylor User is Offline

Posts:1

02/03/2008 5:25 PM
Since I graduated college back in 2003 I started looking into positions as a property adjuster with a goal of getting enough experience to obtain a position in SIU (my degree is in CJ). I spent about six months looking with absolutely no luck, so I took positions in a different fields to gain some "professional" experience that I could apply to the adjusting profession. One position encompassed working with adjudicated juveniles (conflict resolution, problem solving, etc); another was in construction as the assistant supervisor/lead foreman. I have some Exactimate & 3rd party estimating experience. I have again been looking for a position as an adjuster with numerous companies but I've only gotten 2 phone interviews & 2 face to face(Same company). I've put that I'm open to relocation, etc...but I'm not having any luck. I've been thinking about obtaining the AIC designation on my own to make myself more attractive to potential employers but I'm not sure that would help... Anybody have any pointers, comments, or suggestions?

Roy Cupps

CatAdjuster.org
Texarkana, TX
Member

Posts:327

02/03/2008 7:05 PM
Hi Michael, Review these threads and forums for information. Recent Thread >>How to get Started Recent Thread >>Getting Started Recent Thread >>Associate in claims Forum >>Current Getting Started Forum Forum >>G etting Started Forum Archive Forum >>Getting Started Forum Archive # 2 Forum >>The Newbee Corner

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Ray Hall

Adjuster
Houston, TX
Member

Posts:810

02/03/2008 8:09 PM
Michael I suggest you apply to the Auto/Casualty carriers. They will only hire people with a 4 year degree to start from the bottom and in 3to 4 years you could move into SIU, but you may be promoted faster as an adjuster.

Tim Johnson User is Offline

Hot Springs, Arkansas
Member

Posts:83

02/05/2008 8:56 AM
Michael, Might I suggest since you are out of colleage now for 5 years that you go into the health care field, the supply and demand field, transportation, funeral home, anything but the claims business. This is not a good career path any longer. The I/A world sucks and the staff is not much better. I have three friends, all over 50 years old that work for Allstate, Foremost and Safeco. Each and every one of them are facing being laid off this year due to downsizing. The carriers are utilizing DRP, preferred contractors in order to reduce LAE. Deductibles are higher and folks are afraid of cancellation if they file a claim. With all of these factors plus no major events for 2 years we are all out here scrapping for day claims.

Tim Johnson

Larry Hardin User is Offline

Adjuster
Oklahoma City, OK
Member

Posts:328

02/05/2008 5:39 PM
I have decided to give up adjusting and am currently in training to be a doorman at a local massage parlor.

Larry D Hardin

GW Moco

Posts:38

02/06/2008 11:10 PM
I am considering going back to my former occupation (State Trooper). I really wish now i would have did more homework before diving in head first, and seeing $$$$. The vendor is waiting longer and longer before paying, carrier becoming more and more demanding as well combing through all reports with a fine tooth comb,and i feel like i am spending a $1.00 to earn $0.75. I seriously have about had it, at least with law enforcement i know when the pay is coming, how much it will be and can budget.

Bob Harvey User is Offline

Gold Member
California, Central Coast
Member

Posts:388

02/07/2008 12:37 AM
The vendor is waiting longer and longer before paying, carrier becoming more and more demanding. ...at least with law enforcement i know when the pay is coming. Give them a citation - and let them know that if they bring your account current that you will let them off with a warning. Let your gun sort of stand out from your hip while your warning rolls off your lips... and keep a straight face.

Wesley St.John User is Offline

Posts:19

02/08/2008 10:45 AM
I got started because it looked like a good way to make a living doing basically what I have been doing for a number of years anyway, with the exception of the reporting elements. I'm an engineer and have been performing commercial property condition assessment, PCA, work all over the country for the last 12 to 15 years. Everything from a small strip shopping center to all of the airports for the state of Hawaii. And I worked for the SBA after Ivan in Florida so I have some disaster experience. I have over thirty years total in the construction and engineering industries. I spent a lot of money and energy getting an array of certifications, all that I could without a set number of years in the business. My goal is to apply my experience in commercial construction, engineering and inspection to the insurance industry. But after over 2 years without writing a single claim, other than for practice, I told my wife if I don't get out before long I am going to chalk this venture up as a waste of time and money.

Ray Hall

Adjuster
Houston, TX
Member

Posts:810

02/08/2008 12:44 PM
This a hard lesson for new people to learn. If the only training you have ever had is a license school and several 2-3 day school to learn an estimating program your chances of ever working an insurance claim is very unlikely. That is if a large weather event never takes place again, which is not likely The tornados on 2/5/07 is a good example.Several hundred are now working on thousands of claims,buy it is not a Katrina where thousands of adjusters were working on millions of claims. It takes a monster hurricane or 10 large cities hailed out for thousands to work..

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