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dano009
46 Posts |
 Posted - 10/30/2003 : 22:39:40
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| Stay away from American Claims Service. Steve Cooks is a partner in the company that operates up in Fresno. They mainly do auto appraisals for Unitrin, AIG and Horace Mann. I worked several auto claims for them back in August, and still haven't been paid on them. The BS line is that the carrier hasn't paid ACS yet, so ACS can't send me a check. Thundebird Cat from the same area code (909)called me a few days ago to go on standby. Told them I wasn't interested. Couldn't tell me how she got my name. Maybe ACS and Thurderbird are getting into bed together for this fire gig. |
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caddodream
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2003 : 23:42:33
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| Ghostbuster, sounds like a real familiar tune....are you sure they did not say Alternative instead of American...I think about 1000 where called by them for Isabel...same type of adgenda....? |
American Red Cross Chapter needs your support. |
Edited by - caddodream on 10/30/2003 23:44:18 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 07:51:25
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The news of the devastation and continuing loss keeps pouring in from many news sources. However, specifics regarding carrier exposure or involvement is just starting to emerge.
I get my colors mixed up sometimes as I don't have either of their mugs on my coffee table, but there are big blue MRU's driving around the affected area with good hands dispensing ALE checks.
A reliable source tells me that Allstate alone have over 1,100 new claim files in the "In Bucket", with 75 IA cat adjusters on site and another wave of 20 expected this weekend; in addition to their staff cat team on location. There is considerable anticipation that this carrier will receive 100's more new claims and possibly 1,000's more.
I don't know who would be on the list of the top 5 writers of personal property insurance in the affected area, but it would be interesting to know; then to measure the reported Allstate involvement and guesstimation of others relative to that list.
It's unfortunate that the CADO "On the Road" checkpoint is not used to any degree. Why is that? If used, it would emerge as the old developing Poloroids in your hand, as the group photo of what adjusters, vendors, and hence carriers were involved. |
Edited by - CCarr on 10/31/2003 08:03:50 |
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1NuCat2
10 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 12:48:52
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| Has anyone heard the latest on smoke damage claims in SoCal? |
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danmeler
25 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 13:43:39
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| Talked to my buddy today who is on the ground in San Diego for Farmers. He has 5 large losses in hand with more to come. Says he was just told Farmers has had 1400 claims reported, including 300 total losses. I'm guessing SF, Allstate, Farmers and 21st Century are the big players in this one(?) |
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Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 16:22:22
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An important aspect of being a storm trooper is that we go anywhere, anytime to help people put there lives and property back together. We see ourselves in various heroic images because we really are the ones who the Insured needs to save them from economic disaster. These self images are shaped principally by the TV and movie characters we watch during our formative years. Whether it be the Lone Ranger, or Superman, or the Cavalry coming over the hill to save the wagon train filled with the Swedish Bikini Team, it is this core image we have of ourselves that keeps us on an even psychological keel. As such, we also inwardly expect the Insureds to realize their role as 'victims' to be helped or saved.
As you come off a storm like a hurricane where you have melded into the local persona of the population, it is natural to have a great sense of accomplishment. "Hey!, You did some good out there!", you say to yourself. And, you are right. Now comes the call to head to Southern California.
Off you go, filled with all sorts of gung-ho and fresh knowledge and high morale on how to help this new group of people that have suffered the peril of fire, or earthquke, or wind storm, or whatever peril it is. In any other part of the country, your perceptions of how an Insured should act would be correct, with adjustments for regional quirks. But...this ain't real America. This is Southern California. These folks were loaded for bear when the earthquake occurred and they will be loaded for bear with this one. Did I mention YOU are the bear? They are in this not to get their normal lives back together with you helping them, they are in it to suck all the money they can out of their insurance policy and you are the funnel. You are not the hero riding the white horse to save the day, you are just a funnel to be manipulated as much as possible to make the money flow their way.
I would not be surprised that some adjusters have lawsuits filed against them before they ever cross the Colorado River going to the storm office to check in. I have hestitated more than a few times in making this post as it is very negative. But it always comes down to the concern that those heading West need to have a different mindset than normal when going on the road.
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 21:08:24
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Not really a negative post G'man, and not really a lone point of view on society in that part of the country.
However, does that not make the job more interesting, intriguing, and add more challenge?
The 'mindset' you portray that adjusters will meet, with heightened awareness and adjustment to their own mindset, is a big part of what will make this a great 'journey' for those that cross the Colorado and aim for the smoke.
These are real 'meat and potato' claims. These are much more that just yes'um claims. The challenges will be fascinating to deal with, from the expectations of the insured, carrier and commish, to legal involvements, municipal or state ordinances, etc etc.
This is where an adjuster will need to apply all they have learned about the actual adjustment of claims. This is not for the "inspect and estimate" set.
I'm not suggesting at all that it will be easy or rewarding every day, but this situation should be a seasoned and experienced adjuster's dream assignment. I seriously mean that. With all the (i & t)s taken care of properly with your vendor on deployment, this fire cat is the place to be, to professionally apply the tools of the trade and use your skills to truly adjust claims.
It is this type of situation where I personally truly regret that I am not an active cat adjuster at this time, nor associated with a carrier directly involved in resolving these claims.
It's all about that "what door do you open next", thing. |
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LAW1526
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 21:13:17
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Ghost, your commentary and wisdom so honorably shared on this sight has always been an education to me, It’s help me to keep my eyes open, one ear to the ground and always looking and listing for the gang of bad guys that might be on my trail behind me.
Your last posting seems a little troubling to me. If we don’t ride into town, the town will become unruly and out of control between the town’s people and the carriers. We supposable are the professionals to bring peace back to the town on any grounds from east to west. We should be able to adapt to the terrain and environment we place ourselves into and not be intimidated by this unfamiliar land or its people. As a contract professional we should have our compensation for our services understood and in writing before we spend one minute of our professional time under fire.
When I ride into town on my big white horse (it’s actual a 16.5 hands 1200 pound Appaloosa mare) it’s always with the same vigor. The geographical location, the populous, the legal system, the government or any other potential threat does not intimidate me. My job is to do one thing and one thing only to make sure the town’s people and the local carrier honor the contract they both entered into. If a gunfight breaks out I’ll stand behind my gun and fire back. If the headman in charge pulls out a shotgun and requires me to take advantage of the town’s people, or the towns people threaten me with hanging it will be in protest under duress. When my journal is brought into court for the judge to judge me, my history of the events will be there to see in color, my unchanged entries will speak for them self’s and the truth will be there. If I get flesh wounds in the arms or legs for not paying attention, I will stand up bleeding and admit my mistakes, hopefully to learn not to ever take the fatal hit. It’s the law of the land.
When it’s time to leave and hit the old lonesome trail again, it will most likely be with battle wounds and campfire stories to tell. I can assure you it will be with my head held high until the next gunfight. I’m not the hired gun nor I’m I the hero. I’m just another hard working cowboy on an Appaloosa mare from somewhere doing the job I chose to do.
Without the much need organization of Texas Rangers this industry so desperately needs, we stand alone as individuals fighting our own battles one at a time. This may sound naive as a response to your posting but it’s the truth. We cannot all just stop working because of the issues you have brought here to this forum. We as individuals must persevere through these times.
Our futures in this business totally rest in the hands of the individuals who will eventually found, organize and present the new Professional Adjuster Organization to us all. In the mean time we will all work at risk. Everyone I have spoke with about this organization (that doesn’t exist) says the same thing “we really need one, but it will never happen. Adjuster have been talking about it for years”. We can’t join something that doesn’t exist. So once again some group of individuals are going to have to develop this organization everyone claims they want before we can join as member. If the organization in my opinion doesn’t target the entire adjusting community from cat to staff it will never have a chance, if it even has a chance at all?
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 22:15:28
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Damn fine prose Lenny, Giddy up go! I wish there was a 'Duke' movie on late tonight or a rerun of Lonesome Dove.
You led right to the need, like a horse to water, and that trough must be accessible to all adjusters, as you say. Good time to add my thoughts to the comments of the wrangler headed to a new homestead in the Virginia territory, in that I don't agree that establishing regional or state associations first, with a plan to unite them together later, will work. You have to start with one trough and standardize the goals, plans and whatever the organization wants to do; then set up regional pockets later.
"Even if it has a chance at all"? It has all the 'chance' that people are willing to contribute to make it happen. It's not really 'chance' that is in the way, it is committment. |
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Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 22:34:24
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Very good post, Lenny, with excellent imagery. I agree with the thrust you bring forth. It is our duty to go. Likewise it is our duty to advise the distance to the next water hole and about the band of outlaws waiting in ambush around the next bend.
As you say, at the end of the day when the dust settles, our restful sleep is dependent on how our conscience is judging our soul.
Happy trails to all this starry, starry night. |
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KileAnderson
USA
875 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2003 : 22:40:27
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I hope you guys have fun. I have been benched from the last couple of rodeos. I have been sentenced to a lifetime of cleanup work in purgatory (aka Paducah, Ky).
Haven't seen home in 6 months but I also haven't heard the wolves sniffing around the door in quite a while. It's nice to get a couple of checks a month every month.
I'm pretty sure the Thai food is much better in SoCal, but the Bar-B-Que is much better here. |
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jlombardo
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2003 : 05:08:01
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| Wow....I am impressed!!!! No , I mean that in a good way.....But the basic question is still one of economics.....it is about being a professional and being treated and PAID that way.......Therein lies the problem....carriers and vendors throwing the adjuster to the wolves....unarmed.....naked..with both hands tied behind your back....I will ask all of you..... AT WHAT PRICE GLORY......we are not here to subsudize the vendors or the carriers....and Clayton, although the challenges will be many and the opportunities to use all that one has learned vast, I think this is far from a dream assignment and closer to a nightmare......As staff, the gig might be a dream, but not for the IA's ......the cariers will throw the IA to the wolves every time....I saw the Cal Insuance Commissioner on TV last night.....he is out for the Carriers Blood......Then a rep from Farmers was on and said "we will not raise our rates due to this catastrophe.." should be interesting for those that go... |
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ALANJ
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2003 : 05:57:49
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| Does everyone remember Quackenbush? The old Ins, Commish. The one who sold the EQ policyholders out for campaign contributions from the carriers. This explains the new atitude in CA. |
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2003 : 10:36:24
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Why would California be a dream gig for a staff adjuster and the opposite for an IA? I think everyone out there is going to earn their money out there.
Lombard, let me help you down from that soapbox. What an adjuster gets paid does not determine whether he is a professional or not. I know more adjusters that don’t earn their pay than those who don’t make what they put into it.
And I have said this before but here it is again. An organization to let adjusters come together and share information to stay informed, real good idea. An organization to leverage some type of more profitable position, not so good. There are people standing 20 deep to take other’s chip in the big game. Who wants to be the first to stand up and say “Mr. Vendor, I won’t crank my truck for less than $$$$ percentage of the billing because I am a professional adjuster. Here’s my membership card.”
“Who’s next in line please?”
Sorry I won’t see you in California either. I’m not in the first wave. Prior commitments and all. Maybe on clean-up in December 2006!
CD
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Edited by - CatDaddy on 11/01/2003 10:37:18 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2003 : 11:19:48
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PoppaCat, isn't there a bit of a contradiction in your former comments?
If your 'measurement scale' is weighted heavier with adjuster's who "don't make what they put into it", and if that is measured by skill, effort, committment, knowledge, professionalism, and things of similar ilk; then IF those types were the "I am a professional adjuster", and IF you (or whoever makes the call) could/would only deploy 'that type' - wouldn't you be looking for 'that type' in the line that formed?
I think, correct me if I am wrong, that you or any carrier (not necessarily a vendor) want the "best of the best" to handle their claims. That 'best of the best' has varying definitions, I'm sure, but the concept seems to fullfil the goal? |
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Update on Fires in California
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