If at all possible, I would strongly recommend taking both programs. The Total Adjuster program is essential as it gives you the legal authority to handle claims through the licensing portion and the estimating wherewithall through Xactimate Training. The PTC I supplements this through a more technical consideration of the entire scoping process – material identification, damage analysis, standard protocols for various common situations, etc. What about taking the Online Total Program? It combines online licensing, PTC I, and a 12-hour online Xactimate webinar – here is the link – Online Texas Total Adjuster Program

Let us know what you’re thinking about and what works best for you – thanks!

Thank you,
Alan

I think its an amazing investment. You can spend 100k plus and 3 to 4 years of your life in graduate school to get an advanced degree or 3 to 4 weeks and a few thousand to get yourself ready to be an independent adjuster with a six-figure earnings potential. It’s not for everyone, but in terms of an investment, it’s got a ridiculous upside compared to the investment. Others may disagree, but I’ve seen many, many folks knock it out of the park in a short period of time. If you choose to pursue it, I wish you the same!

Best,

-DK

I think if at all possible its advantageous for both husband and wife to have gone through the same licensing, certification, and training. Two heads are better than one and furthermore the closer you two are aligned in your approach to interpreting policy, scoping a property, writing an estimate, the better. Depending on best you learn, either the Classroom or Online Total Adjuster Program offered through AdjusterPro would be the ideal way to get started.

If only one were licensed its likely that only that person would be officially on the payroll.

Best,

-DK

You have a strong background that sounds very well suited to transitioning into this field. The first steps are licensing, certification, and estimating software training (I recommend either the Classroom or Online Total Adjuster Programs offered through AdjusterPro). As you are working your way through these initial steps, you’ll want to joining multiple IA firm rosters and I’d start with the ones that handle contracts for major insurers like State Farm and All-State – firms like Crawford, Pilot, E.A. Renfroe, Worley, Eberls, and so on. Visit the Well-Adjusted Job Board for latest IA opportunities with these and other lesser known firms – and on the subject, lesser known firms can be fantastic to work for with more of a family environment – just be sure to exercise due diligence in considering any employer.

Beyond that, I’d take as much time as you can to pour through the postings here as well as on the Well-Adjusted social network (see Job Board above). There are many articles and countless forum threads that touch upon what it takes to get started.

Let me know if I can be of any assistance and best of luck!

I am considering becoming an IA and would like to get some real world feedback on what it takes to get going, where/who are the best independent firms to work with, etc. I have owned my own business’s for the last 20 years mostly in Technology but worked in the Construction Management field for 5 years when I was younger. I have traveled for work as much as 80% of the time and am a well experienced “ROAD Warrior”. Any advise or resources you could point me to would be appreciated