|  | | Author | Messages | |
Tom Toll
Life Member
Moderator
Posts:791
 | | 04/29/2008 7:29 PM |
| Citizens is about the most dysfunctional organization that I have seen in my 47 years as an adjuster. They are "ruling" themselves out of assistance from competent adjusters. Who wants to work, during a catastrophe, for an organization that is going to fine you for getting up in the morning. Not me.. They can take their business and put it where the sun doesn't shine. Yes, they need a director of operations and someone who has a clue as to what common sense is. I can't say I blame them for wanting competent adjusters, their just going about it all wrong. I am sure there are some vendors who will bend their adjusters over though, after all, greed is what rules our society now. | |
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. | |
| Mike Kunze
Nebr
Posts:298
| | 04/29/2008 11:38 PM |
| Tom, might I just say it is a good thing lately to see you showing your "not so Mr Nice Guy afterall" persona. In the past I had been a little critical (tongue in cheek, of course) of you for being too warm and fuzzy. Now that you have taken this new approach, is it because you have had enough after 47 years and it really doesn't matter anymore? Or is it because no one is looking or whoever is looking doesn't care, and it doesn't matter? I've always been one to take a direct approach and maybe now & then regretted it a couple days later if I might have hurt someone's feelings, but it was never intended that way. The folks I've worked for have never had a problem with it because they understand my nature, but do you see the climate changing just in the past 2 years more than it had in your previous 45? Frightening isn't it? I think I can speak for about a half dozen other regulars that we may not always be politically correct, and may ruffle a feather or two, but usually only to entice further discussion. Happy Trails!! (I borrowed that, thanks Larry) | | | |
| Tom Toll
Life Member
Moderator
Posts:791
| | 04/30/2008 8:24 AM |
| Mike, warm and fuzzy? Not hardly. I believe in having a postive attitude about all there is in life, as this allows you to become more motivated to do this work. I believe in diplomacy, first and foremost, but when that diplomacy falls upon deaf ears, then the posture requires changing. I feel we all realize that Citizens is in a complete state of chaos and they need to re-think their posture in the adjusting arena, or they will not have quality people working for them. Yes, times have changed this profession. Some of the vendors and companies have become subjects of La La Land. No longer can we have extensive windshield time without some form of fuel or mileage allowance when we are paying $3.50 to $4.00 per gallon for fuel. I don't think a Toyata Prius would work in this business with all the equipment the companies expect us to carry. So, yes, I am changing my posture to a more forward way, at least on this subject and of others. I should have retired three years ago, but I love this business and will do everything I can do to change it, for the benefit of future and present new adjusters. | |
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. | |
| Les Lammers
Ft. Myers FL
Posts:49
| | 04/30/2008 9:02 AM |
| Posted By Tom Toll on 04/29/2008 7:29 PM Citizens is about the most dysfunctional organization that I have seen in my 47 years as an adjuster. They are "ruling" themselves out of assistance from competent adjusters. Who wants to work, during a catastrophe, for an organization that is going to fine you for getting up in the morning. Not me.. They can take their business and put it where the sun doesn't shine. Yes, they need a director of operations and someone who has a clue as to what common sense is. I can't say I blame them for wanting competent adjusters, their just going about it all wrong. I am sure there are some vendors who will bend their adjusters over though, after all, greed is what rules our society now. Things are changing in this business and not for the better. The CAT business is becoming more like temporary staff w/o benefits. The control exerted by the carrier/vendor may jeopardize the independent contractor status of the adjuster. I received an info package/ adjuster agreement from a vendor where the adjuster is docked $25 on each file that 24 hour contact is not made. Contact being defined as speaking with the insured on the phone. Leaving a message does not qualify as contact. You must also use a carrier specific version of Xactimate. The file requirements etc. were more stringent than Citizens Florida and the schedule was lower. The carrier is third or fourth tier and the losses would be widely scattered. You will spend 2X time on each file. The vendor will bring in more adjusters to compensate and each adjuster would receive fewer claims. I do not see how you could operate profitably. | | | |
| Larry Hardin
Adjuster
Oklahoma City, OK
Posts:252
| | 04/30/2008 11:07 PM |
| Well, Les, the answer is pretty simple from over here in my recliner.
Stay at home.
Plant some tomato plants.
Water and prune as required.
Breathe deeply.
Save your gas money for your retirement or for more tomato fertilizer.
Seriously, .............. if it costs me a lot more to do the same thing, I can't keep it up without more coming in. If my employer tells me up front that they are going to have very restrictive penalties for not complying with their guidelines and I don't think I can comply, ........... I'm gonna plant some tomatos. | |
Larry D Hardin | |
| Les Lammers
Ft. Myers FL
Posts:49
| | 05/01/2008 7:59 AM |
| Posted By Larry Hardin on 04/30/2008 11:07 PM
Well, Les, the answer is pretty simple from over here in my recliner.
Stay at home.
Plant some tomato plants.
Water and prune as required.
Breathe deeply.
Save your gas money for your retirement or for more tomato fertilizer.
Seriously, .............. if it costs me a lot more to do the same thing, I can't keep it up without more coming in. If my employer tells me up front that they are going to have very restrictive penalties for not complying with their guidelines and I don't think I can comply, ........... I'm gonna plant some tomatos.
Absolutely. I have been in this business 24 years 16 in CAT and if I stay in it I will work regular claims at home.
Here are file requirements for Met Life and the fee schedule is attached at the end of the post as a PDF. Working for this carrier also requres a special version of Xactimate. Looks just like Citizens. Comments? Overhead 10% / Profit 10% (20% combined)Application limitations:3 or more trades with unique discipline. Roof is excluded.Agreed with licensed contractor, public adjuster or attorney documented in the file.Xactimate· No Base Service Charges· If it is necessary to inspect a roof then a roof sketch is required regardless of damage· Description of slopes – Front Slope, Right Slope etc. Please do not use North, East, South or West.· All interior damaged room(s) must be diagramed· Elevation and Left Elevation.( Elevation Sketches can be hand drawn and scanned into the documents) Exterior must be diagramed and written in Elevations, i.e. Front Elevation, Right Elevation, Rear· Prefer diagrams done in sketch· Estimate should be written in the following order: DWELLING COVERAGE· …………………………………………………… Roof· ……………………………………………………..Exterior Elevations· ……………………………………………………..Interior Rooms· ……………………………………………………..OTHER STRUCTURES· ..................................................................................Detached Garage· ……………………………………………………..Shed· ……………………………………………………..Fencing, pool etc.· ……………………………………………………..CONTENTS· The above format can be easily done in Xactimate 25 and 24.· Window and door openings· Included in area scope and diagram and excluded from scope, diagram and estimate.· Interior and exterior areas.· Materials quality default to "Better" value.· construction materials. Insure that we pay what is owed. Exceptions made on per line, room or estimate based on workmanship and quality existing· Remove/ Replace operation application limited within scope.· Remove and Replace are separate operations to be used on roof shingles.· …………………………………………………Remove - .RFGARMV· …………………………………………………Replace - RFG240S on 25 yr 3-tab· …………………………………………………Remove - RFGARMV· …………………………………………………Replace - RFG280S on 30 yr 3-tab Embellished· …………………………………………………Remove - RFGARMV· …………………………………………………Replace - RFG300S on Laminate.· …………………………………………………Replace Felt - RFGFELT15· size) …………………………………………………R&R Chimney Flash – RFGFLCH(appropriate to· All other operations, drip, step, vents, plumbing boots etc. are Replace only.· 10% waste added for gable roofs and 15% added for hip roofs on shingles only· slope only or reflects entire roof etc. Drop down note under the first line item explaining what it reflects, i.e. reflects the front and rightPDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version www.pdffactory.com· not have both over the same area. If Ice & Water shield is applied you must deduct the appropriate amount off of the felt as you do· Application of the appropriate amount of depreciation based on the age and condition of the roof.· Dumpster will be added to the roof as DMODUMP ( appropriate size per scope)· calculation would be 240lbs x 24squares = 5760lbs or 2.88 tons. (This would require a 12 yard dump – DMODUMP< Drop down note under the dumpster with calculation of debris wt. i.e. 24 square roof 25 yr 3-tab· Gutters, Facia and Siding are written in the Elevations as described above.· each effected room: Interior damage estimates involving paint or paint and drywall repair will include the following in· Masking & protecting floor – PNTMASKFL· Masking & protecting walls (if only painting the ceiling) – PNTMASKSF· repaired area only” Priming of new drywall only(not the entire room) – PNTS with a drop down note “Priming for· Painting all continuous surface i.e. entire ceiling, and/or all continuous walls. PNTP2· the walls sustained damage. Do not paint walls if only the ceiling sustained damage as you do not paint the ceiling if the only· Contents Manipulation appropriate to room – CONLAB· Photos· No less than 4 even if this is a denial or below the deductible on an inspected claim.· photos could mean you will have to revisit the claim for no extra time and expense. Sufficient amount of photos to justify the estimate. Too many photos will not hurt. Too little· hits per square Hail claims must have a test square on each slope. Replacement of slope is justified by 8 or more· Minimum Charges· No multiple minimum charges related to the same trade in the same estimate.· describing what the Minimum Charge covers i.e. “Minimum Charge reflects repair to drywall in the Living room, Dining room and Master bedroom. Square foot price does not meet or exceed the minimum charge.” If the minimum charge applies to more than one area it should be included in a drop down note· Debris Removal awareness.· Container size to match tear out scope. (truck load, 10 yd, 15yd, 20 yd, 30 yd)· Line item excluded from Overhead and Profit (exception = truck load).· Write In to include Note.· Detailed description to provide clarity to the customer, contractor and supervision.· Lump Sum & Over rides need Company approval.· ITEL Carpet Analysis· Required on all rooms with more than 100 square feet of floor covering for carpet only.· FCCNFCP is to be used – see attached Flooring in Sketch document· Sales tax compliance based on state and local rules.· Proper application of estimate Header and Opening Statement· MetLife Auto and Home Header & Opening Statement on all losses.· State specific language included with the above as require· Estimate package to include the following:ü Activity DiaryPDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version www.pdffactory.comü Estimateü Statement of Lossü Diagramsü Photosü Supporting DocumentsMetLife Auto & Home www.pdffactory.com Ò PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version Note that an ITEL evaluation is required on all rooms where carpet is replaced that measure more than 100 sf. Fee schedule is attached. The following Guiding Principles have been created as a means to support consistent, uniform and fair claim handling practices. They serve as a road map for the handling of Homeowner property claims for MetLife Auto & Home. Guiding Principles of Homeowner Claim Handling · Customer Service is our number 1 priority · Customer contact with in 24 to 48 hours of receiving the claim · Pay what we owe under the insurance contract · Xactimate estimate is required on all claims · Adjusters must personally inventory all personal property with the customer. · Building losses are settled on an Actual Cash Value basis, subject to the replacement cost terms of the policy (when applicable) · Personal property losses are settled on an Actual Cash Value basis, subject to the replacement cost terms of the policy (when applicable) · Completed estimate returned through Xactnet the day of the inspection. · Adhere to the MetLife Auto & Home Property Adjusting Standards. · MetLife Homeowner Estimating Standards · · · · |
 Attachment: 15159248171.pdf
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| Tom Toll
Life Member
Moderator
Posts:791
| | 05/01/2008 9:56 AM |
| You can thank generation "Y" for all these changes, many of whom have never been out on a loss and do not have a clue of the work involved. If the trend continues, they will be hell bent to find qualified adjusters that are desperately needed on complex losses. Time will tell. | |
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. | |
| Les Lammers
Ft. Myers FL
Posts:49
| | 05/01/2008 2:54 PM |
| Posted By Tom Toll on 05/01/2008 9:56 AM You can thank generation "Y" for all these changes, many of whom have never been out on a loss and do not have a clue of the work involved. If the trend continues, they will be hell bent to find qualified adjusters that are desperately needed on complex losses. Time will tell. Staff will handle those. :-) The real point is that with those file requirements you will be able to close fewer claims. The vendor brings more adjusters...if they can find them and makes the same percentage. The field man loses here. Les | | | |
| R .D. Hood
Founding Member
Adjuster
New Hope, Pennsylvania
Posts:196
| | 05/01/2008 6:35 PM |
| | The PDF File of Fee Schedules is Met Life version 2007, not the current Citizens schedule. | |
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new... Albert Einstein" | |
| Les Lammers
Ft. Myers FL
Posts:49
| | 05/01/2008 7:57 PM |
| R.D. the requirements and fee schedule are Met Life, not Citizens. | | | |
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