Independent adjusters are seeing fewer deployments...

Yep... It's sad, but true!  Some of the larger insurance companies, such as State Farm, are in the middle of a complete overhaul of operations.  One of the reasons, is because independent adjusters are just too damn expensive!

An independent adjuster can make a whole lot of money on a typical 3 month long deployment.  I was bringing in $15,000.00 a month back when I was at it.  Mind you, this is before all of my own expenses; but that is a ton of cash to be giving a single adjuster for a deployment!  Insurance carriers know this, and that is why they are switching over to hiring more staff adjusters than independent adjusters.  They can keep their staff adjusters on a cushy salary all year long, and deploy them when needed.  The typical staff adjuster salary ranges from $32,000.00 to $75,000.00 per year (the higher salaries usually belonging to the senior adjusters or trainers).

If you think about the economics and business behind all of that, it is way cheaper to have a staff adjuster on your payroll than to constantly be deploying independent adjusters....

Don't let that discourage you though!  Just because some of the big dogs are restructuring their employees, work flow and office environment doesn't mean that the smaller insurance carriers are not deploying independents!  If you haven't already stopped by, please check out the Independent Firms page to see an extensive list of independent adjusting firms that are always looking to add people to their rosters.

Smaller independent firms might be a great starting point for you.  The smaller companies usually have more of a personal touch.  You aren't just another number in line waiting to be called into the office for a job opportunity.  If you can manage to score a great opportunity on a smaller adjusting firm roster; then you may very well see frequent deployment opportunities.  Especially if your manager will write you a good review!

Use these small, but frequent deployment opportunities, that a smaller independent firm can provide, to build your resumé.  A strong resumé with lots of practical deployment experience could lead to a potential staff adjusting job later on down the road.  Don't let the job application for a staff position scare you!  Lots of independent adjusters I know (who are looking to become staff adjusters) do not have a college degree, but got the job anyway.  Most insurance carriers will state that a college degree is a requirement for application.  In actuality, it is just a perk that they are looking for!  APPLY ANYWAY! Take it from me!  Insurance carriers are looking to hire based on experience.  If you are a good fit, it won't matter what your educational background is!  Put yourself out there!  Whats the worst that could happen?  Who cares if a few companies turn you down...  That is all part of a typical job hunt!  I turned down several job opportunities that didn't fit me; and I got turned away by several insurance carriers before I found a carrier that offered me a good job opportunity.

You won't know until you try!

Eberl Blog

There are alot of resources out there to inform yourself about what the weather is doing in the United States. Eberl is one of the largest independent adjusting firms in the country; and they just so happen to have a blog that provides weather updates. This is beneficial to an adjuster, because if you read carefully enough, you can figure out when mass deployments may go out. 

During big storms, such as hurricane Sandy, IA firms will often pre-deploy adjusters in preparation of immediate catastrophe work. Pay attention when companies like this make big postings! Make sure your contact information is up to date, you are listed as active on their roster, and all of your state adjusting licenses are current (and updated with your IA firm's records)!

You may find Eberl's blog here: http://www.eberls.com/blog/

If you are not on Eberls roster, it might be a good idea to apply while you are there. They work for the largest insurance company in the United States, State Farm. Which means more claims and more opportunities!

Hail is upon us

Storm season is here and hail is upon us!  Just a friendly reminder to renew/apply for your state licenses now, as IA firms will likely be sending out deployments soon!  Now would also be a great time to update your availability with your IA firm or to apply to be on the roster for a new IA firm. If you need to see a large list of IA firms, who are always looking to add new adjusters to their rosters, then please visit the IA Firms page. http://insurance-adjuster-help.blogspot.com/p/ia-employers-now-hiring.html

The more IA rosters you are available on, the higher the chances for a deployment (especially if you are new to the industry)

Back Online!

Good news everyone!

I've finally managed to get the old blog up and running onto a new site!  I know I said I was going to have this accomplished a long time ago, but.... well.... Life happened!  I was blessed enough to welcome the birth of my first baby girl into this world.  So that kept me busy for awhile!

For the most part, everything transferred over from the wordpress site.  Some pictures did not transfer over, and the coding also got goofed up in some posts.  I will be slowly correcting this information over time.  So if you experience a few glitches in the matrix, I apologize!  Feel free to visit the facebook or twitter site to notify me of any glitches you are finding so I can get em' all fixed up!

More to come, so stay tuned!

Tropical Storm Karen - Evacuations in Louisiana

Even though she is only a tropical storm, the people of Louisiana are no strangers to flooding and hurricane-type weather! Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle is not taking any chances and has called for voluntary evacuations.  As of Thursday evening these are still voluntary.  But if the storm intensifies the mayor may issue a mandatory evacuation.

New Orleans is not calling for any evacuations at this time, but is heavily monitoring the situation.

Tropical Storm Karen is headed towards the southeastern tip of Louisiana and the southern coasts of Mississippi and Alabama.  The western tip of Florida may also be affected.  Stay tuned to The Weather Channel for up-to-date coverage on the storm!  Below you will find an image from The Weather Channel of Tropical Storm Karen's projected path.

Eating a deductible is breaking the law! Do you need help finding a reputable contractor?

While some of us have been busy filling our down time from a deployment by playing Grand Theft Auto V online, watching the Breaking Bad Finale or being irritated by all of the media surrounding the Government Shutdown... Lets focus on a ethical hot topic that will have many contractors screaming in protest!  Ignoring deductibles!  This is a serious issue that could land the homeowner and contractor in jail and with some hefty DOI fines! (Department of Insurance)  As an adjuster, it is important to be aware of this moral dilemma; because roughly 85% of all contractors are going to do this! (that's almost 9 out of 10 contractors)

By law, insureds are required to fiscally participate in a loss with the insurance company.  This is why there are deductibles; and this is why everyone is required to pay a deductible to the insurance company whenever a loss is suffered.

"Eating a deductible" means that a contractor will attempt to negotiate with your insurance company so you do not have to pay your deductible on your claim.  Your contractor may make this sound like a good deal; but the problem with this is that "eating a deductible" is classified as insurance fraud.  In order for a contractor to do this, they would need to either: screw you over when you try to claim your RCBs (recoverable depreciation) or double invoice your insurance company.  Double invoicing means that they will give the insured (you) an invoice for "xxx" dollar amount, while submitting a different invoice to the insurance company for a higher dollar amount.  This higher dollar amount will conveniently be in the amount of your specific deductible.  In other terms, your contractor is purposely lying to the insurance company!  Once you (the insured/homeowner) have been made aware that your contractor is doing this, then you can be held liable as well!

Lets take a look at how most state laws will define insurance fraud.

This is the current Indiana insurance law which will hold true and be consistent with most states.  Visit your local government facility to obtain the exact insurance law in your area.

INDIANA CODE 35-43-5-4.5

A person who knowingly and with intent to defraud:

(1) makes, utters, presents or causes to be presented to an insurer or insurance claimant, a claim statement that contains, false, incomplete, or misleading information concerning the claim.

(2) presents, causes to be presented, or prepares with knowledge or belief that it will be presented to or by an insurer, an oral, a written, or an electronic statement that the person knows to contain materially false information.


There ya' have it.... That is insurance fraud!  Not a whole lot of room for grey area is there?  If you and/or your contractor are found guilty of this, then you will have performed a Class C Felony!  Once you commit a felony, you can no longer vote or purchase/carry a firearm.  You will also face jail time and hefty penalties.

Now the question is... "Is my contractor doing this?"  Unfortunately the answer is most likely, "Yes!"  Most contractors are unaware that eating a deductible is insurance fraud; therefore most are going to openly advertise that they will do the job so you don't have to pay for your deductible...  The competition is fierce out there!  Especially after a new storm hits!  Almost all contracting companies are going to feel inclined to offer "eating a deductible" to you because otherwise they don't feel like they can compete in the market.  They can be a little sneaky with how they present this to you.  They may also try to pressure you!  You may have heard this before:

• I'll just do the job for "xxx" amount less than what the insurance company pays you.  That way you don't have to worry about paying for your deductible.


• I'll give you "xxx" amount off of your total job cost as an advertisement discount; but only if you let me put my sign in your yard!


• I don't need "xxx" amount that the insurance company paid you to do your job...  I'm a lot cheaper than the competition.  If you decide to use me today I can do your job for less and you can keep the extra money!

There are other problems that can also arise from "eating deductibles."  Unless you live in a state that is RCV only (i.e. West Virginia) your insurance company is only going to give you a portion of your settlement up front.  This is called Actual Cash Value or ACV.  Without going into huge details, ACV payments are best described as "ransom money!"  The insurance company doesn't want to overpay for your claim so they want to make sure you are going to actually do the work for the amount that has been settled/agreed upon.  Your insurance company is going to ask for a contract or invoice from your contractor.  They basically want to make sure you are legally contracted to complete the work before they release the rest of your settlement to you.  If the insurance company receives an invoice from your contractor that is "xxx" less than the total claim settlement amount (assuming your contractor is not double invoicing and submits the invoice amount that he/she is actually charging you), then the insurance company is only going to pay you the costs you have incurred, less your deductible.  In other words, you are getting a crappier roof than you deserve because you will still end up paying for your deductible!

I can guarantee you if your contractor is willing to cheat your insurance company, then they are going to cheat you too!  It may come in the form of your deductible, but your contractor is going to "cut corners" elsewhere so they can still make some sort of profit on your job.  You will get a lesser quality roof if you go with a contractor who is doing the job for your deductible!

"IF YOU ARE A CONTRACTOR WHO IS KNOWINGLY DOING THIS TO YOUR CUSTOMERS..... SHAME ON YOU!"

What is Bad Faith Adjusting? Is my Insurance Company/Contractor Actingin Bad Faith?

Bad faith adjusting will end your career...

When you are adjusting in bad faith you are intentionally setting the claim up to be fixed (cleaned up) by another adjuster later on down the road.  In other words, you are being lazy!  Bad faith refers to breach of contract when dealing with all involved parties (including contractors) who will assume you are acting in good faith and fair dealing.  Acting in bad faith will end your career and can also put you in jail!

Bad faith involves being dishonest or fraudulent in a claim.  Examples of bad faith claim handling could be:

• Entering into an agreement without any intent of living up to the terms that have been agreed upon. (not fulfilling the contractual obligations to the insured based on what is written in their insurance policy)


• Knowingly misrepresenting the quality of an item you are attempting to settle with the insured.


• Intent to deceive or mislead in order to gain some sort of advantage.


• Failure to thoroughly investigate a claim.


• Failure to promptly investigate the insured's property.
  
  
  
  • Time periods that are deemed acceptable in reference to the above item will be defined in the insurance policy.


• Unreasonably delaying or denying payment.


• Refusing to settle the claim in its entirety. (intentionally providing a "less than fair/reasonable" settlement on an item)

Bad faith is also a two way street.  Insureds (policy holders) and contractors may also be found guilty of acting in bad faith.  It usually involves falsifying information in an attempt to mislead the insurance company.  Yes, this includes eating deductibles!