What Do Insurance Adjusters Do?

When a policyholder (an insured) files a loss claim, their insurance provider will assign an adjuster to

1) investigate the claim

2) determine whether or not there is coverable loss, and

3) determine correct compensation for any coverable losses found



What Do Catastrophe Adjusters Do?

Catastrophe adjusters (also called Cat Adjusters) work big storms where there has been a lot of damage. Because it is very important to insurance providers that loss claims from their policyholders get handled as soon as possible, Cat adjusters are often employed in addition to the regular insurance adjusters.

While regular adjusters are generally stationed/and live in one city (or area) Cat adjusters will travel around the country, going where they are needed.



What Are Independent CAT Adjusters?

While regular claims adjusters and staff Cat adjusters are directly employed by insurance carriers, independent Cat adjusters are employed by claims handling companies who have contracts with insurance carriers.

Again, this resource (Independent CAT Adjusters) is made use of by insurance carriers in order to deal with their policyholders' claims swiftly and well.

Independent CAT Adjusters may work for one or more claims handling company. It is not full time employment. Rather, you are called to work as needed.



What Are The Benefits Of Being An Independent Adjuster?

I truly believe these are great and make everything more than worthwhile.

First, you have the opportunity to travel to lots of different places in the U.S. You might work in 2, 3 or even 4 different places in a given year, depending on the circumstances.

Second, you can be rewarded quite well, financially speaking when you work.

Third, you get to meet all kinds of different people, and you truly have the opportunity to help people in need.

Fourth, you can meet and make life-long friends with other adjusters from all over the place.

Fifth, you are TRULY appreciated by the claims handling companies you work for and the insurance providers they represent for a job well done.

Sixth, you get a lot of freedom.



What Are The Drawbacks To Independent CAT Adjusting?

Perhaps the biggest drawback to independent adjusting is that it is not steady work. If there are big storms, there will be work. If there are no big storms, there is little work to go around.

This is why I talk in the CAT Adjuster POWER Manual about the importance of having other work that you can do when you are not adjusting (especially in the beginning).

Of course, storms come and go, but one thing is certain...there will always be more. Mother nature just works that way.



What Do Adjusters Need To Know?

Adjusters need to be able to:

read and understand insurance policies

identify damage and figure out what caused it

determine whether or not any damage found is coverable under the insurance policy

determine the correct amount to be paid for any coverable losses

write up estimates

work well, courteously and respectfully with other people

work hard and be professional at all times



What Sort Of Background Do You Need To Be An Independent Adjuster?

Other jobs in construction or insurance are excellent backgrounds to have for adjusting. However, it should be understood that these things can be learned, and if you are willing to work hard, study hard and pursue relevant qualifications, you can succeed in adjusting.



How Do You Get Into Independent Adjusting?

This does not happen overnight. But it does not take forever either.

Many people who are in the business are not very forthcoming with information on how to get into the business. And without some good insight and guidance, it can be confusing for someone trying to figure things out on their own.

Pitfalls are there, to be sure.

For someone new, looking to get into the business, the best thing to do is start now. Now that DOES NOT mean to put everything else aside. Doing that could have terrible personal and financial consequences. Remember...independent adjusting is not steady work like many other jobs. So (especially in the beginning) you must learn how to balance it with other things.

As you gain experience and are able to demonstrate to hiring companies that you can consistently perform to their high expectations, work should come easier and easier.

Independent adjusting is something you build into gradually, though if you don't get started now and prepare properly, you will never get into it.

It is a GREAT profession to be in. But there are preparations you must make to get into it, and to perform successfully.








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