Comments on: Fee Schedules

By: Daniel Kerr

Daniel Kerr — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:08:23 +0000

Ejimmyp -

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!

By: Ejimmyp

Ejimmyp — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:02:33 +0000

Daniel,

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

By: Daniel Kerr

Daniel Kerr — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:42:52 +0000

It really depends on what type of work you’re interested in doing and how you like to work. Staff adjusters tend to have stable gigs that pay a fairly modest entry level salary (35k range) with benefits and nearly all tools of the trade provided. Independent adjusters must be self-directed workers as they set their own schedule and frequent extended travel should be expected. Compensation is commensurately higher and a good independent adjuster earns well over 100k a year. Lots to say about it – what do you have in mind?

By: jondylan

jondylan — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 01:08:11 +0000

I’m not sure if this is the right page to ask this but, when first starting out in this career and you get the appropriate documents so to speak would you apply to become a staff adjuster for a company or try and head out independently?

By: Daniel Kerr

Daniel Kerr — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:00:01 +0000

That’s a great question and not smug – I understand completely. If we’re talking about pre-licensing studies either in preparation for the state exam or for a pre-licensing type of exam (Texas and Florida), the answer is going to almost always be an emphatic Yes! you do need to take the coursework. The reason is that the content of the exams has very little do to with the nuts and bolts of inspecting a loss and consequently with construction, etc. It has everything to do with insurance policy, regulatory statutes governing the claims process, and a host of other fairly technical insurance related information. So, how much do you know about Inland Marine insurance? General liability? Fair Claims Settlement Practices? If you’ve got that all dialed in already, then your fine. If you don’t, and I don’t know why anyone would unless they were already in the insurance industry, then I would strongly recommend the coursework. Let me know if this helps and thanks for writing in!

By: mmeyer

mmeyer — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:43:52 +0000

I have had a custom home building co for almost 35 years. I have built mostly extremely expensive homes in the 1 to 4 million range in New England. I am looking to slow down a bit, and semi retire. Do I NEED to take the 40 hour course pryor to exam? Not to be smug, but I would find it hard to believe there in anything I do not know ot havent encountered in my years of building.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:08:37 +0000

Paris, thanks for writing in. Louisiana is a bit new to this issue of reciprocity – having only started licensing adjusters in 2007. Their rules are a bit difficult to interpret and, to be honest, I’m still not 100% certain where they stand. If you read their rules regarding reciprocity it would indicate that you could obtain a Texas non-resident license and then reciprocally obtain your Louisiana resident license. I tend to believe this is the case. But, depending on who you talk to (internal communication within bureaucracies appears to be lousy) at the Louisiana Dept. of Insurance, you may be told differently. Let me know how it goes. – Daniel Kerr

By: Paris

Paris — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:21:24 +0000

Thanks for the great info. It has taken a lot of the guess work out of the process for myself as a future adjuster. I am a Louisiana resident. There are several schools that informed me that the Texas license would be enough to get me going. Louisiana gave me a different story so I have done nothing. I see now that I must get my Louisiana license first and go from there.

Thanks Again
Paris