Guest Blog By John O’Brien | Veteran Insurance Claims Adjuster
When you’re working as an insurance claims adjuster, your tools are more than just equipment. They’re an essential part of getting claims inspected, documented, and closed accurately and efficiently.
In my earlier article for AdjusterPro, I discussed some of the biggest mistakes I see new adjusters make. One thing I’ve learned from my years in the field is that successful adjusters know how to manage their time, their equipment, and their workload.
For independent adjusters working under fee schedules, closing more claims can mean earning more money. But regardless of how you’re compensated, time spent figuring out Xactimate, fixing mistakes, or returning to a property to take photos you missed is time you could have spent moving another claim forward.
And that’s where your adjusting tools come in.
Compared to other property-related careers, being an insurance claims adjuster doesn’t really require that many tools. But the tools you do need, including your technology and clothing, should be good quality, accessible, and well maintained.
I’ve found that following three simple rules can help you avoid a lot of wasted time and unnecessary stress. They may sound obvious, but I’ve seen adjusters struggle in the field because they didn’t make a little extra effort to treat their equipment like a vital part of their job success.
Rule #1: Eliminate Single Points of Failure
If losing one tool would make it impossible to perform an inspection or complete a claim, have a backup or alternative method ready.
If you use a digital camera, keep a spare SD card. But you also need a backup device to take photos, like a smartphone, in case your camera picks a mid-inspection moment to die its final death.
You should also have a vehicle charger and a portable power bank. You never want to ask a policyholder if you can charge your phone or camera while you’re on an inspection.
Have two tape measures, two laser measures, and two shingle gauges. Carry spare pads for your Cougar Paws if you use them. These aren’t necessarily expensive things, but not having one when you need it can cost you valuable time.
Today’s technology makes some parts of adjusting easier, but it also creates new opportunities for things to go wrong. Your phone battery dies. Your inspection app won’t load. You’re working in a catastrophe area with little or no cellular service.
Make sure you understand how your approved inspection software works offline, if that feature is available, and how to properly save and sync your photos and claim information. Always follow your employer’s or adjusting firm’s requirements for protecting policyholder information.
The bottom line hasn’t changed: Never put yourself in a position where you have to stop doing your job just to replace a tool or device.
Rule #2: Have Dedicated Insurance Adjuster Tools
Your adjusting tools can help you earn a living for years to come. So buy good tools, take care of them, and most importantly, only use your claims adjusting tools FOR claims adjusting.
As soon as you start using your equipment for other things, like personal projects around the house, you exponentially increase the likelihood that you’ll forget to put something back.
You’ll find yourself on an inspection, rifling through your truck and cursing the new picture you hung because the tape measure you used is still sitting on your kitchen table.
This extends to family and friends, too.
Don’t let others borrow your tools because the Law of Neighbors says you only get things back 50% of the time, and when you do, there’s a 50% chance they’re broken.
(Warning: That may not be an actual law, but it’s been my experience.)
Of course, if you’re following Rule #1, you’ll have a spare tool. But what happens if that one breaks or gets lost, too?
Having dedicated equipment that’s always where it’s supposed to be makes your life much less complicated. Plain and simple.
And remember, your tools aren’t limited to the equipment you carry into an inspection. Your laptop, estimating software, mobile devices, and other technology are just as important to your workflow.
If you’re interested in learning more about the equipment, inspections, estimating, and other skills involved in building an adjusting career, check out my Adjuster Success Method training course. It covers the practical side of adjusting, from finding work and performing inspections to managing and closing claims.
Rule #3: Keep Your Vehicle Clean and Organized
This may seem like the most obvious of my three rules, but I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen an adjuster open his door and have Gatorade bottles fall out and napkins fly away.
I’ve seen guys knee-deep in stuff in their truck beds hunting for a shingle gauge. I’ve been asked to lend someone batteries because the adjuster bought extras but couldn’t find them.
And I get it.
We live our lives on the road, sometimes driving more than a hundred miles a day. We eat in our vehicles, take breaks in them, and occasionally even catch a little sleep between assignments.
But that’s all the more reason to take care of your environment. In this case, your vehicle.
Keep your tools organized and in a dedicated location. Everything needs a consistent place. This reduces the possibility of losing something or wasting time trying to find it.
Organize your equipment in a way that makes sense to you. You might use labeled bins, a dedicated tool bag, or compartments in your truck. The specific system doesn’t matter nearly as much as consistently using it.
And always return things to their place.
Throwing your equipment in the truck bed because you’re in a hurry doesn’t save time. It beats up your tools, and you’ll just spend more time hunting for them later.
Clean your vehicle and throw away trash whenever you have the chance: getting gas, grabbing a snack, or stopping for a break.
Don’t let your vehicle become a trash can.
In addition to making your job harder, policyholders notice. A disorganized vehicle and scattered equipment can create a poor impression of your professionalism before you’ve even started the inspection.
Remember, you’re representing yourself, your adjusting firm, and often an insurance carrier. Looking prepared and organized matters.
Essential Insurance Adjuster Tools: A Quick Checklist
The exact equipment you’ll need depends on the type of claims you’re handling, your employer’s requirements, and whether you’re working residential property, commercial property, or catastrophe claims.
For property field adjusters, here are some common tools and supplies worth keeping organized and ready:
| Category | Tools and equipment |
|---|---|
| Measuring tools | Tape measure, laser measure, spare measuring equipment |
| Inspection equipment | Flashlight, shingle gauge, inspection camera or approved smartphone |
| Technology | Laptop or tablet, approved estimating software, phone, charging cables |
| Backup supplies | Portable power bank, spare batteries, backup photo equipment |
| Safety equipment | Appropriate footwear, hard hat, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, and other required PPE |
| Organization | Tool bag, storage bins, notebooks, pens, and vehicle organizers |
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and not every adjuster needs every item. Your equipment should match your assignments and the safety requirements of the work you’re performing.
For example, roof inspections may require specialized equipment and training. Having the right tools doesn’t automatically mean you’re qualified to use them or perform every type of inspection.
The goal isn’t to buy everything you can find. It’s to have the right equipment, know how to use it, and keep it ready when you need it.
Take Care of Your Tools, and They’ll Take Care of You
Following these simple rules for your tools doesn’t just make it easier to get the job done. It can also reduce your stress.
Every day and every claim is different. As adjusters, we never really know what situation we’re walking into, so it’s important to control what we can.
You can’t control the weather, the damage you’ll encounter, or every challenge that comes up during an inspection. But you can control whether your batteries are charged, your tools are working, and your equipment is where it belongs.
A little preparation goes a long way.
Time is money, and as an adjuster, yours is precious.
Thanks for reading,
John
Want to Build Your Skills Beyond the State Licensing Exam & Xactimate?
Getting your insurance adjuster license is an important first step, but there’s much more to learn about working claims in the field.
John’s The Adjuster Success Method course covers practical skills, tools, inspections, and strategies to help new adjusters prepare for the realities of the job.
