Anyone could work six hours longer than their coworkers. Anyone could make spreadsheets of policies in their down time. Anyone could master Xactimate late at night after a full day's work. But they don't. they're not willing, an Carla is. That's what makes it so exceptional when someone does do these things. That's what separates the top 15% of adjusters who work all the time from those who wish they could; they're willing to do what others are not willing to do.... read more
At one pivotal point, a large, nation-wide insurance company asked the manager at the IA (IA = claims-handling company) that Carla was working for if they had a particularly talented adjuster who could help them solve a problem in California. They needed to “shut down” a storm; that is, they needed to close up the remainder of the claims (all “problem claims”) in a mere 30-days. Her manager recommended Carla without hesitation, and of course Carla knocked it out of the park... read more
Reciprocity. It makes one feel safe, like the world is a fair place. It denotes acceptance and balance, one imagines mutual exchange....... read more
One of the cool things about being a property adjuster (especially successfully) is that it requires a host of widely varied skills. On the positive side, for those interested in breaking into the business, this means that it’s an opportunity that’s not limited just to people with some specific skill-set, training or work history, such as construction. Folks with a background in technology, customer service, accounting, and more, also have a lot to offer as candidates; indeed, individuals from all sorts of backgrounds find that they bring a lot of essential skills to the table as candidates. On the other hand, there are certain areas of knowledge that require a base level of competence. One of these is - for better or worse - knowledge of construction.... read more
Each claim handled with fine print contributes to an overall culture of distrust towards the insurance industry. Each claim you handle with integrity and transparency builds your value as an adjuster, the value of the carrier you're handling claims for, and ultimately builds up the entire reputation of the industry.... read more
...many CAT adjusters fail not from lack of "technical" skill (such as construction knowledge) but for lack of an ability to communicate effectively. I learned quickly that he was right on the mark; management of expectations and the development of trust is essential to claims success in more ways than one.... read more
It takes tremendous "emotional labor" to get crystal clear on what you really want. Few really know what they want. Developing a worthwhile definite purpose is among the most rewarding - and difficult - processes there is. Actually, it's almost everything.... read more
The point is, these things that I could have done -- but didn't -- were an important reminder to me. An idea is just an idea. An intention is just an intention. A decision is just a decision. Until it's followed by sustained, focused action. And this is the hard part. Ideas are a dime-a-dozen; we all have tons of them. But "doers', on the other hand, those willing to take ideas run them to the finish line, are a rare breed. To these doers go the spoils.... read more
In the adjusting world, doing common things with uncommon attention and effort is an investment. It's an investment in yourself, and an investment in your career. The uncommon adjusters I mentioned above will never lack for work, and guaranteed they command pay commensurate to their value. The message I'm trying to pass on in this blog post is that you can do this too. Coach Dungy points out that it's a choice. We make a choice when we do the minimum, and we make a choice when we're excellent.... read more
Conclusion: if you wish to make $150k/year, your time is worth $255.68/hr! When you realize your time is worth $255.68/hr, it gives you a completely different perspective about how you invest your time.... read more
Rather than rooting for more catastrophes, I’ve turned my attention to growing in my value to the industry. This way - busy or slow - I’m always in demand. I no longer feel desperation and the need to root for tragedy just fades away. It’s part of a life philosophy I’ve been consciously trying to adapt; being in control of and responsible for my life and the results of it, rather than feeling like a victim of circumstance (e.g. busy or slow seasons).... read more
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