Deployed!

 

You may hear nothing for months and think you’re forgotten and then a hurricane shows up on the radar and suddenly you’ll feel like the most popular guy in town. Phone calls and e-mails will start pouring in and all of a sudden you’re in high demand.

You will need to make a decision and pick which vender you want to work for, and go on standby with that one. Contact all the others and thank them for thinking of you and request they keep you on their roster, however, this time you’re already on standby. This way you don’t burn bridges. Eventually, if you do a good job, you’ll be on the top of the list for your favorite vender and you won’t be concerned about being on other rosters. But never burn a bridge.  

Getting deployed is exciting and you’ll think it’s a dream come true. But, that dream can turn into a nightmare pretty quick if you’re not prepared. It’s important to know before you go. It can be a long time between paychecks and an expensive road trip if you aren’t ready to turn and burn when you hit the storm site. But, never fear—that’s why I’m here.

Okay. So, you’ve passed the test, got your license, posted your resume and now you’re on your way to, Hurricane Virgin. What should you do?

There are various idiosyncrasies depending on which vender you are deployed with and which carrier you’re representing. Sometimes you’ll be working with one vender but handling claims for different carriers. This makes it a little more confusing because, different strokes for different folks.

Basically you will be doing the same thing for everyone, but saying it in a way to suit the carrier. In other words, you’re going to be doing the same thing no matter who you work for, but one company may want you to, two-step while another wants you to waltz—either way you’re dancing, it’s just to their music.

            And since they are paying you to visit their insured and handle their claim, they have the right to determine how they want you to dance. No matter what kind of music they play or what language they want you to say it in, just remember at the end of the day, the carrier wants to know three things:

1)      Do we owe?

2)     Why or why not.

3)     If so—how much.

And they want you to tell them five different ways:

1)      Tell them with words

2)     Tell them with photos

3)     Tell them with diagrams

4)     Tell them with an estimate

5)     Tell them your bill $ :-)

We’ll cover how to tell them soon.

            Remember, never be afraid to ask questions. The vender makes money when you make money, so if you have a question—ask. Odds are if you have a question others have the same question too.

NOTE: Some adjusters will work for more than one vender. You can do this because you’re an independent contractor. I worked for three venders at one time and it about drove me crazy trying to keep straight how each one wanted their claims packaged, and I just got plumb wore out. Furthermore, if you run too thin, you’re not doing the best you can for any one.

I recommend you do a great job for one, rather than a mediocre job for several. Even if you have a lull in the action occasionally, I think being loyal to one vender, will pay off in the long run—but that’s a decision you have to make since I don’t have your energy, or pay your bills.

Take your time—you’ll get there faster…because, time is one of your a most valuable assets. 

Adjust well, 

Doug

Adjusting, everybody’s got to do it…some do it for a living

Adjusters Life@aol.com

~

DO YOU WANT TO START LIVING YOUR ADJUSTER'S LIFE TODAY, OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES?

The # 1 Best Selling Insurance Adjuster Training is at your fingertips.

Your new life as an Independent Insurance Claims Adjuster is at your fingertips.

* Everything you need to know from resume to payday.

* No sales gimmick or hook.

* Simple words penned with sweat from years of adjusting and one on one training. 

* No need spend time and hundreds of dollars with training and travel.

Adjuster’s Life comes not only with words and examples but a promise to personally assist you for*FREE* as you as you build your Adjuster’s Life.

The Adjuster’s Life thrives in any economy, you can too. Are you ready to see what it’s like to ride through a storm with an adjuster?

What’re you waiting for?

Jump in—let’s roll.

~

Let me know how I can help you live your Adjuster's Life

Oh yeah, one more thing if you've read Adjuster's Life would you mind leaving a great review on  Amazon?…and if you really like us you could LIKE our Adjuster’s Life FacebookPage?

They say it helps…whoever ‘they’ are.

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How to live the Adjuster's Life ~ from resume to payday

 Now is your time to really start living the Adjuster's Life 

 My wife and I live a life of endless summers. We spend winters in Florida and summers on a lake in Minnesota. When asked where we live we say, Florisota.

No—we’re not retired. We’re insurance adjusters.

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times. “How do I get a job like yours?”

This book is my answer.

But not only how to get the job, but how to keep it, enjoy it and make a good living at it. 

Adjuster's Life is written from raw sweaty years of one-on-one training.

I enjoyed personally training for many years. But, before long more people wanted training than we could fit in our F250.

Somewhere along the line I heard, “You oughta write a book.”

And so, here you are.

To keep it simple this book reads like a novel. I start at the beginning—like you just jumped in the truck—and we ride through a storm from resume to payday.

But…there’s more.

FREE BONUS

Click HERE to join the team

Adjuster's Life comes not only with words and examples but a promise to personally assist you for *FREE * as you build your adjusting career.

I  give you my personal contact information.  So, you can reach me with your questions…even if I’m in my sailboat.

The # 1 Best Selling Insurance Adjuster Training is at yourfingertips.

 Click HERE to start your Adjuster's Life Today

* Everything you need to know from resume to payday.

* No sales gimmick or hook.

* Just simple words penned with sweat from years of adjusting and one-on-one training.

* No need spend time and hundreds of dollars with training and travel.

The Adjuster's Life thrives in any economy, you can too.

Are you ready to see what it's like to ride through a storm with an adjuster?

What're you waiting for?

Jump in--let's roll.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR ADJUSTER'S LIFE

Check out what they're saying about Adjuster's Life:

Definitely worth every penny, great book

By C. Todd on March 21, 2015

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Great book....thanks for easing the anxiety of heading into the field, have done a zone deployment but waiting for that big one like everyone else, after reading this book, which by the way I read from front to back without putting it down! and taking in your many useful tips and years of knowledge I'm more excited than ever to get out there and ADJUST! I'd recommend this power house to anyone interested in the field of adjusting.

Great way to learn from a pro

By Michael Olding on July 4, 2013

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

This well written, fun to read and informative book offers a great value to the aspiring adjuster. Like any field one enters there is nomenclature, organization styles and traditions that dictate how one works professionally in that field ie. - 'When in Rome do as the Romans do'. Mr. Spurling has done a terrific job in presenting a good overview of adjusting life, day to day operations and provides excellent links to important industry sites, forums and tools used by the seasoned pro's. I'm happy to have found this book before I got too far along in the process as it is a true 'help guide' to further my career as a CAT adjuster. Thanks!

5.0 out of 5 starsHighly recommend this book!

ByBernice Schalleron November 12, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is fun to read and easy to follow. The author has a great sense of humor and makes learning about being an adjuster fun and entertaining. I was concerned about being able to stay organized when there is a disaster and hundreds of claims all at once, and now I have an action plan that makes sense and is achievable. Thank you Douglas Spurling!!

5.0 out of 5 starsgreat read and great info

ByJeremyon March 28, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Perfect book for those thinking about starting a career as an adjuster. Wish I would have read this years ago

5.0 out of 5 starsGood information for a prospective adjuster

ByMaryPon April 16, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I am interested in learning who adjusters are. This book paints a good picture. I am a board member of an hoa. I want to understand how to deal with claims

* CLICK HERE FOR MORE COMMENTS

Join the team  CLICK HERE AND START YOUR ADJUSTER'S LIFE TODAY

Looking forward to working with you,

Doug Spurling

Insurance Claims Adjuster School 101.1

Every day folks just like you are enjoying Insurance Claims Adjuster Jobs.

Everyday day people scour the web looking for Claims Adjuster Training.

If you’re one of them, congrats! You're in the right place: 

Insurance Claims Adjuster School 101.1

What is Claims Adjusting?

On my first deployment to a major hurricane I was a nervous green horn. I didn’t have enough confidence to make a decision and so I asked questions—lots of them.

That was good. Never be afraid to ask questions—lots of them. That’s how you learn. Especially in the insurance world—there is no dumb question.

Policy language can be confusing and can be interpreted differently. So, if it’s your first day on the job or you’ve been at it for thirty years, if you have a question, ask. Don’t be ashamed to ask. And when you ask too many, and it’s time to cut the umbilical cord, they’ll let you know. They did me. The long hours and endless flow of questions fired at my inside handler finally wore on his nerves until he blurted out:

You’re an adjuster—adjust.

I continue to ask questions—lots of them.

  

I don’t think he realized the wisdom of his words that day. I’ve forgotten his name, but still remember his words. It remains some of the best advice I’ve been given regarding adjusting even after all these years.

You may do the same things over and over, but no claim should be considered a brainless cookie-cutter exercise. Consider each and every claim as having its own unique set of circumstances and adjust each scenario against policy guidelines, and then, make a recommendation accordingly. As an adjuster you’re paid to give recommendations.

Kind of like CSI

Sometimes the human element gets involved and things get a little hairy. You may hear someone tell you that old crack in the drywall resulted from a tree hitting the roof. Perhaps. Perhaps not. Your job is to gather evidence and determine what direct physical damage was related to the insured peril. And also, just as important—damage not related to the insured peril—especially damages claimed by insured as resultant damage. We’ll get into that, in more detail later.

Remember, adjusting, in a nutshell is to let the carrier know if they need to write a check and if so; why, and how much. You are the eyes and ears of the carrier. You are to see what happened. Listen to what the Insured said happened. And document this through photos, sketches and written word. Generally the carrier is the check writer, and they will hold the final decision regarding what gets paid. 

An official statement you can make might sound like this:

“I do not have authority to extend or deny coverage.”

But, I usually say something like:

“It’s not my check book, so your carrier will make the final coverage decision. If it were my check book…I’d be fishing right now.”

This statement basically says the same thing, but in a way they’ll remember—which keeps you off the hook. And the insured is less likely to get confused and say you promised them a big fat check.

Well, that’s all for today.

What questions do you have about how to get an insurance claims adjuster job? Or insurance claims adjuster training?  

I read you correspondence and try to answer as quickly as possible.

Doug Spurling

AdjustersLife@aol.com

Join us on facebook

WANT TO START LIVING YOUR ADJUSTER'S LIFE TODAY?

The # 1 Best Selling Insurance Adjuster Training is at your fingertips.

* No need spend time and hundreds of dollars with training and travel.

* Everything you need to know from resume to payday.

* No sales gimmick or hook.

* Simple words penned with sweat from years of adjusting and one on one training. 

FREE BONUS!

Adjuster’s Life comes not only with words and examples but a promise to personally assist you for * FREE *as you build your adjusting career.

The Adjuster’s Life thrives in any economy, you can too. 

Are you ready to see what it’s like to ride through a storm with an adjuster?

What’re you waiting for?

Jump in—let’s roll.

Get your Adjuster's Life today

 You might also like:

So, You Want To Be An Insurance Adjuster?

How Much Does An Insurance Adjuster Make?

What Does An Adjuster Need To Know?

FREE Online Flood Insurance Certification!

*New* Free online flood insurance courses from the NFIP !

*New* Free online flood insurance courses from the NFIP !

Course Overview

This course satisfies the annual training requirement for Claims Adjusters to maintain active status in the database of qualified adjusters. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Bureau and Statistical Agent maintains a database of NFIP qualified independent adjusters. One of the requirements to be a "NFIP certified adjuster" is to complete certain annual training requirements.

Course Objectives:

·         Review Policy Form

·         Review Claims Manual

Primary Audience

Independent Claims Adjusters who want to become "NFIP Certified Adjusters" or maintain their "NFIP Certified Adjuster" status.

Prerequisites

None

CEUs:

0.5

Course Length:

5 hours

This link tells about the course:

http://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-1104

The link to begin the training is here: https://emilms.fema.gov/IS1104/

Adjuster Courses

NFIP Claims Review for Adjusters (IS-1104)

New and experienced adjusters seeking the necessary knowledge and skill to adjust claims for the NFIP will find NFIP Claims Review for Adjusters, formerly a 7-hour classroom presentation, essential for adjusting NFIP claims. This course defines the role, standards, and necessary requirements to adjust claims within the NFIP. In addition, it offers an overview of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy through a step-by-step outline of the similarities and contrasts found in the Dwelling Form, General Property Form, and the Residential Condominium Building Association Policy. With a focus on providing excellent customer service, this course also identifies common errors and adjustment issues where special attention is needed to ensure a high level of quality in the claims settlement process.
http://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-1104

Adjuster Customer Service (IS-1107)

Adjusters are among the first responders to interact with policyholders after a flood and therefore play a critical role in representing the NFIP. Due to the traumatic nature of a flooding event, adjusters must create and maintain a customer-centric focus during each interaction with the policyholder. Adjuster Customer Service provides guidance on using empathy, sincerity, friendliness, and other skills to communicate effectively with policyholders. The course reviews the attributes of excellent customer service and aids the adjuster in building positive rapport with each policyholder.
http://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-1107

Introduction to Flood Claims (IS-1112)

NFIP flood losses and loss settlements are particularly specialized. To adjust NFIP claims, a flood adjuster must be qualified and must complete the process of becoming an NFIP certified adjuster. NFIP adjusters achieve levels of authority based on flood adjusting experience and knowledge of the Program. Introduction to Flood Claims provides an overview of adjusting NFIP claims and reviews the NFIP Standard Flood Insurance Policy.
http://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-1112

Understanding Basement Coverage (IS-1109)

Due to coverage limitations, adjusting claims in buildings with basements can be challenging. Understanding Basement Coverage reviews key characteristics of basement buildings and discusses covered and non-covered building and personal property items located in basement buildings. The course concludes with a review of special adjustment issues.
http://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-1109

Introduction to Commercial Claims (IS-1111)

Introduction to Commercial Claims reviews the General Property Form as it relates to both small and large commercial claims, and provides a review of certification requirements, adjuster authority, documentation requirements, and adjustment standards and requirements. Knowledge in each of these areas is fundamental to meeting Program requirements for flood adjusters. The course presents two case studies that reflect real world flood adjusting experiences and challenge the learner to apply flood adjusting concepts involving policy limits, reserve estimating, and coverage restrictions.
http://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-1111