Put on my examiners hat and reviewed (based on what oyu told us). Could justify 13 hours, but would have called the PA to confirm time at site.

From an examiner's point of view here is what the billing should have been, based on the description of the notes, estimate, etc.

rec loss and set up in integra, grid location and prepare to call insured..... 3.5 hrs -------------------------------------------------------------2.0
called atty and left message................................................................1.0 hr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------.1
called atty, spoke with receptionist .....................................................1.0 hr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------.2
called again, spoke with atty office, got PA's # .....................................1.0 hr----------------------------------------------------------------------------.2
called PA, left message to schedule appt to inspect................................1.0 hr -----------------------------------------------------------------------.2
contact made with PA, appt set for ---------...........................................1.0 hr -----------------------------------------------------------------------------.5
file on diary, sending status report. appt is next week.............................1.0 hr ("report" was a copy of his file notes) ----------------------.3
inspected loss with PA........................................................................5.0 hr (had detail on scope in notes) -------------------------------------2.0
reserve set.......................................................................................1.0 hr (same as 'report" above with a reserve inserted) ------------------.2
called carrier left message for coverage amouonts...................................1.0 hr ----------------------------------------------------------------------.1
began writing estimate.......................................................................5.0 hr ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------.5
reviewed and continued estimate and reporting.....................................5.0 hr --------------------------------------------------------------------------.5
completed estimate...........................................................................3.0 hr ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.5
called PA, meft message to discuss estimate..........................................1.0 hr ------------------------------------------------------------------------.1
spoke with PA, rev est and dep and reached an agreement.....................1.0 hr (as per PA depo there never was an agreement)-----.4 
all requirements completed, submit closing for review..............................2.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------1.5

Total is 9.3 hrs.  The work product speakd for itself.  The file, if properly documented and handled could be billed for more; however, from reviewing the wording in the notes this may still be too high. 

It appears the adjuster's time entries were creative to get to the number he had to justify to cover the flat fee amount of the tier below.  Steve's comments about T & E (minimum $700.00) and billable hours versus actual hours sums this delima up very well. 

Write down your start and stop time on everything related to a claim. Charge exactly what you put into it and you will be okay. Make the entries as soon as you finish your time. Don't put it off, as you may forget something you have done. I have always done this on T&E commercial files and make plenty of income.

I agree with Tom . Bill honestly and keep sound records of your activities . There are over 400 different tasks that can be inserted into a file to justify your charges. I'd be happy to share the list if you send me an e mail. Insofar as the fee audits conducted by carriers are concerned even the most experienced adjusters feel discomfort when some bureaucrat second guesses their fee. This armchair quaterbacking underlines the lack of trust and professionalism between the employer and those they have chosen to represent them. I will not work for a carrier that subjects my files to audit. If they don't trust me to be honest upfront why the heck are they hiring me in the first place. After thirty three years in this business it amazes me to see the fees being charged. Citizens offering $58.00 an hour on Time and Expense. Guess what skill level you get for that? The old adage you get what you pay for applies. Pay an adjuster properly and expect proper service. Seems a fairly simple equation to me .

Marc Dubois E.G.A.

marcd@kingston.net

On large commercial losses (over 100K) it seems many of the carriers will allow the adjusters to bill one hour for each $10,000 of the damage estimate. Take a flood loss of $500k  is 50 hours times the hourly rate and the NFIP rate is 2.1% of $500K is $10,500.  or $220.00 per hour. Take the fee bill ever time you can if you have the option. Not very many EGA's are getting anything near $220.00 per hour ; except the energy adjusters for the international firms.