Any insurance adjusters on here?

[Eagle19]

Looking at it as a possible career change. But I've got a few questions...I've noticed there's not many independent insurance adjusters around town(or not many that Google brings up). With my experience of working on cars, flipping boats, and building houses, I kind of know the pricing on stuff. So I think after schooling it would be a relatively easy switch over? But then again I could be wrong. Any input?

[akey]

Looking at it as a possible career change. But I've got a few questions...I've noticed there's not many independent insurance adjusters around town(or not many that Google brings up). With my experience of working on cars, flipping boats, and building houses, I kind of know the pricing on stuff. So I think after schooling it would be a relatively easy switch over? But then again I could be wrong. Any input?

The estimating software does all the pricing. Xactimate is the industry leader by far.

[texan4ut]

I looked into a few years back. I am a real estate appraiser so i thought the transition would be easy. Was at a bar/restaurant struck up a conversation with a guy he was from Florida and was an independent insurance adjuster as was in town due to a hail storm we had. He basically told me if you are going to make any money you have to be on what he called the hot list. Wherever there is a disaster you need to be ready to go on a moments notice to be on the hot list. Flooding in Texas will be a prime example adjusters from all mover the country will be brought in and will stay for weeks if not months at a time.

[akey]

Also, from my understanding, storm adjusting is where the money is at and without any big storms in a while new adjusters have trouble finding work.

[TallTexan]

From what I understand, getting your license tin Texas will be good for most states.

I have been contemplating this love for awhile.

[Eagle19]

I was reading up and read where some guys said being independent adjuster is the way to go. They were saying that way you can choose your schedule, work load, and pick and choose who you work with. They also were saying it's better to diversify so you're not just stuck in the auto insurance.

[Bily Lovec]

I believe you want to talk to this guy

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/member.php?u=25

[Mudslinger]

Took the classes, went to many classes and trainings with different big insurance companies and basically lost my ### paying for the schooling, classes and training with these companies to never get an interview or call. Be careful. There are a couple on here that i know of.

[CTR0022]

if you can handle a cubicle desk job you can go work for a big name carrier like state farm, nation wide, usaa, ect. You can land a job pretty easily as the turn over rate is normally fairly high. your not going to start off making a ton of money, 40k or so but will get good pto, benefits and 6-8% matching 401k plus potentially profit sharing. They pay for your license, training and experience. If your good and its something your into you can move up fairly quickly. You'll start making better money as you start handling more complex claims, litigated claims, fatalities and major injury claims. Depending on how good you are your looking at 60-80k plus with 10-15 years experience. I think the real benefits are good health insurance, lots of PTO (20-35 days) and a 8-5 schedule. Plus if you are maxing out your 401k and the company is matching 6-8% that adds up over the years.

Lots of options with big name carriers, easiest to get into is typically auto, workers comp with GL being a little harder. Plus if claims isn't for you, you might have an option to move into underwriting, actuary and what not since you already have your foot in the door with the company.

The independent adjuster gig can be good money at time, but generally comes with no PTO, benefits or 401k. The money is all based on natural disasters like hurricanes and such. But its one of those deals you better be ok with leaving town the second you get the call and be gone till they don't need you anymore. this might not work if you want a wife and kids. not to mention the lack of steady income. But once you build seniority the money can be more steady, but so is being away from home. My buddy works for Wardlaw and does good, but took a number of years to get to where he is now.

Getting your TX all lines adjusters license is no big deal, there are plenty of online classes you can complete.

lmk if you have any other questions.

[Bill M]

Got my license in 2010 and let lapse in 2014. Home builder experience on my resume as owner. From conversations with people an inhouse gig is very hard to come by. I know people but it didn't help me.

I'll be straight up with you, it's not easy to break into. There are some on this site but I'll let them chime in if they feel the need to.

[TWP]

Yes, public adjuster for owners of commercial real estate!

[josh3]

My dad is an independent adjuster for Allcat and strictly works USAA flood claims. He has figured the ins and outs and finds ways to be home often enough to not make mom too mad!

Storms he has worked:
Multiple hurricanes in Florida 2004 spent 1year+ there

Katrina/Rita spent 3 years working there

Ike 2 years there

Sandy 2 years working

He has had plenty of fill in work between the hurricanes from flooding too.

It's great money but lots of work and time from home too.

[Atfulldraw]

if you can handle a cubicle desk job you can go work for a big name carrier like state farm, nation wide, usaa, ect. You can land a job pretty easily as the turn over rate is normally fairly high. your not going to start off making a ton of money, 40k or so but will get good pto, benefits and 6-8% matching 401k plus potentially profit sharing. They pay for your license, training and experience. If your good and its something your into you can move up fairly quickly. You'll start making better money as you start handling more complex claims, litigated claims, fatalities and major injury claims. Depending on how good you are your looking at 60-80k plus with 10-15 years experience. I think the real benefits are good health insurance, lots of PTO (20-35 days) and a 8-5 schedule. Plus if you are maxing out your 401k and the company is matching 6-8% that adds up over the years.

Lots of options with big name carriers, easiest to get into is typically auto, workers comp with GL being a little harder. Plus if claims isn't for you, you might have an option to move into underwriting, actuary and what not since you already have your foot in the door with the company.

The independent adjuster gig can be good money at time, but generally comes with no PTO, benefits or 401k. The money is all based on natural disasters like hurricanes and such. But its one of those deals you better be ok with leaving town the second you get the call and be gone till they don't need you anymore. this might not work if you want a wife and kids. not to mention the lack of steady income. But once you build seniority the money can be more steady, but so is being away from home. My buddy works for Wardlaw and does good, but took a number of years to get to where he is now.

Getting your TX all lines adjusters license is no big deal, there are plenty of online classes you can complete.

lmk if you have any other questions.

I'm an independent, and I have a 401k....it just depends on who you work for....

you will likely have more than enough time off, but I worked for 377 days in a row, up until the middle of February, and I worked for eight months of the year from my house and never left the state of Texas. I'm having to tell them "no" right now just so I can get some stuff done at home.

Money management is key, as you need to make the money last through the times you aren't working, but if you get up high enough on the list (and this won't happen overnight)....it's like they are just throwing money at you and begging you to work claims.

Getting "in" at first depends on luck and having a big storm. A huge nor'easter, a coastal hurricane, a Boston-style snowstorm, or a widespread freeze event. A construction background is a big plus, but key is the ability to write a good estimate using Xactimate.

But that isn't the meat and potatoes of catastrophe adjusting -- the bulk of what we do is light wind and hail, with a hopeful eye to the skies for those big events, which are the real money-makers.

I still work a lot of hail and wind claims, but now I'm technically a large loss adjuster, so my experiences aren't a lot of help for someone just starting out... I work lots of total losses, disputed claims, attorney-represented claims, etc.

A typical year for me is winter storms (ice damming, frozen pipes and weight of ice and snow) from December-March, tornadoes and hail from March-August, then another batch of hail storms from August-September. A bonus like the Rockwall tornado in December can make for a really good year.

For what I do, you have to be mobile, and be able to close claims and keep them closed. You will also spend a majority of your day on a steep or tall roof, so you should be comfortable on a two-story ladder and to make extra money, be rope and harness certified.

The game has changed in the past few years -- most adjusters still have a big truck and a fifth wheel, but now we seem to move around more and have shorter and shorter deployments. I'm now more prone to fly to the storm and stay in a long term hotel or cabin.

I've said (maybe jokingly ) that I wouldn't wish this career on my worst enemy but for all the headaches and travel, it's a pretty cool way to spend your time if you like talking to people and enjoy traveling. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you fit, it's a great way to make some cash and retire early. It's kind of like working overseas -- it can really suck, but the money is the great equalizer. I've never missed my kid's birthdays, but I have missed out on a lot while I'm on the road.....

Feel free to call me -- 214-244-1329 -

I can't get you a job (not until a big storm hits), but getting your Texas all lines adjuster license is the first step.

[hooligan]

I have a buddy that works for a big name company. Hates the office part but he works 4-10s and has great benefits for the family. He really likes the work and the challenges that come with it but he does say that most days are spent on the phone or in front of a screen

[Mudslinger]

Talk to Rod, atfulldraw, he knows this business. I had all the credentials being a contractor with the adjusters lucense and also steep roof certified but still no work. All my licenses have expired. If you do get steep roof certified I have all the brand new riggings you will need for cheap. $1500 bucks new for way less than that.