I became an adjuster several years ago, and I wanted to quit the first storm.

Before that I had worked for a roofing and remodeling company. I liked my job but it was not my company and I wasn't going to advance any further than I had up to that point. The owner of that company was nice to work for and he told me about an adjusting school in another state. So I borrowed $2000.00 dollars from a family member, signed up and left.

The first adjusting company I worked for, on the first storm, had a storm manager that was abusive verbally. He wasn't a very patient or caring person. Learning the basics was not happening very well. I didn't want to ask him any questions because I didn't like how stupid he made me feel. I'm not stupid and deserved more respect than that. That was the only storm that I worked for that company.

I wasn't happy about adjusting after that, but I owed money to everyone and had to bite the bullet. I halfheartedly applied at another larger adjusting company and have been working storms for them ever since.

Each storm, it gets better.

I committed to long hours and I am away from home for weeks or months at a time. I travel all over, and each storm I learn more, and make more money. I have to admit, it was hard at first.

But now I love my job! I meet a lot of good people. Sure, there are some people that are hard to deal with, but the rest of them make it worth it, and the pay isn't bad either. And if you like stories you get plenty of them from insured's, other adjusters, and managers.

When I get to an insured's house, it always surprises me when the insured asks, "Are you getting on the roof?” Some of them aren’t sure a woman can climb a ladder. If they only knew most of the time that's the easy part.

Listening is certainly the key to this business. Even if you already know something you are being told, or have been taught, another perspective can turn on the light bulbs in your head.

I've paid back the money I borrowed, and I always look forward to the next storm, and story. I'm happy I didn't quit because of one bad apple.


Nancy McAllister