We talked last time about being logical. As we talk about the attributes of being a good adjuster, you’ll find areas that come naturally to you and some that don’t. Most of these traits can be learned with some focused attention.
It’s my firm belief that anyone can become an excellent adjuster. It’s our job here at 2021 Training to show you how that’s possible regardless of your background and experience.
Attributes of a Successful Claims Adjuster #5 – Have Computer Skills
The average age of new adjusters is 40-50. I’ve talked to so many who wish they’d known about this opportunity years earlier, but that’s a discussion for another time.
Computer skills are extremely important as an independent adjuster. Back in the day, computers weren’t used much and the real “skill” was being able to figure out what was covered and not covered for a claim. We live in a society of technology. Technology has given us a flood of information that is being incorporated into our work.
Here’s a quick list of computer related skills that I was expected to have on my last deployment. I needed to be able to:
• Use email to correspond with the insured and the CAT company
• Create and send PDF documents
• Resize photographs on my computer
• Connect my laptop to WIFI from my cell phone
• Download pictures from my camera or cell phone to laptop
• Make frequent backups of my work files
• Use a variety of web sites to look up and/or log information
• Use Xactimate to adjust claims
This list isn’t meant to be complete or exhaustive, but it’s meant to give you an idea of things you should be comfortable with. As with most places of work, there are people around who will help you with small details of things you’re learning, but I encourage you to get your laptop out and make it your new best friend.
If you think there’s even a possibility of adjusting claims on the spot, then I’d suggest you put all your equipment in your car and see what it’s like to write a claim in your car. Plug in your AC converter and hook up your printer. Sit in your car and write a claim, then print it. You will only know what works and what doesn’t work by trying things out. Do you find it hard to sit with your laptop in your lap? Perhaps you could install a portable computer desk in your car.
Each CAT company has its own procedure for tracking and managing claims. They have a system for recording your activities. They can’t run their business without knowing that you’re doing your job. So the bottom line is that you need to be VERY comfortable with computers. You will have enough company specific things to learn while you’re on the job, so you don’t need the added complication of learning your computer skills at the same time.
If you don’t feel comfortable with your computer, there are many classes out there that can help you. It’s well worth your time now.
Next Attribute – Care About People
2021Training.com provides training and CE’s for adjusters, including licensing for the state of Texas. We create affordable online training and provide an interactive experience by delivering audio/video training that’s highly regarded by our students.
Attributes of a Successful Claims Adjuster – Part 7
Last time we talked about caring for people and how it’s an essential element to doing your job as an adjuster. Some of these principles seem so simple, but the truth is that they’re the core elements needed to find the success you’re looking for. Continue to follow along as we look at the last two attributes.
I’m sure those of you with a few years under your belt are immediately hearing Aretha Franklin singing R-E-S-P-E-C-T. The rest of you should consider yourself fortunate that you\’re learning adjusting much earlier in life than the rest of us. So why spend the time even discussing something that seems so basic and simple as respect?
The truth is many adjusters get out into the field and they forget the importance of respect. Without it, your adjusting career will be cut short. You may get one or two deployments, but you will soon be pushed to the side and not called for future deployments. That’s why this is such a big deal.
Some things are obvious when you think about how respect applies to being an adjuster. You need to be respectful to the homeowner who just had his roof damaged in a hail storm. You need to be respectful to your field supervisor who calls to make sure you are closing your claims. You need to be respectful to the coordinators who feed you claims.
But what about the homeowner who’s behaving like a jerk? If you’ve been an adjuster for any period of time, you probably just cringed. Why? Because we’re told to never say anything bad about a homeowner or their attitudes. But the truth is, you will run into unpleasant people out there. Most of the time it has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with the situation. You were just the person to whom they vent the frustration that’s been building before you arrived on the scene.
When you have that difficult person, treat them with respect. How many times you ask? Every time.
I know your first thought might be, ”But you don’t know what they did.” You’re absolutely right. But we’re professionals and we need to treat them with respect. You need to be able to conduct yourself in a professional manner no matter what your environment. That person has paid their premiums and is owed their coverage. It doesn’t take long as an adjuster before you hear about some new hot head adjuster blowing up at a homeowner. It happens. The result is always the same. Claims are pulled from the adjuster and they’re left to go home and never return. No insurance carrier can afford the liability of someone being treated in a less than professional manner regardless of the circumstances.
So be mindful of how you treat those around you. Be the adjuster who sets the mood for the relationship, not the one who follows the mood of others. I’ve had several insureds meet me by yelling that they’re going to sue everyone. Every time, they backed down and became a pleasure to work with once they understood why I was there and how I could help them. Respect wins out.
Our last Attribute is Having a Business Mindset
Attributes of a Successful Claims Adjuster – Part 8
I’m glad you’re still reading this 8 part series about the attributes of a successful adjuster.
I hope they’re serving as effective reminders of needed personal skills. It’s important to recognize your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Let’s look at the last attribute now.
Attribute of a Successful Claims Adjuster #8 – Having a Business Mind
There are two types of adjusters out there. The ones who understand that this is a business, and those who don’t. This is what will affect your pocket book the most.
Adjusters understand that they can make a large amount of money in a short amount of time. When you can bill $1,000 a day for your claims, it’s not that hard to earn significant money.
But you need to think of the long and short term ramifications of all of your actions. Business minded adjusters will look for ways to be quicker and more efficient. If you’re new, check out ways people are getting creative.
Some things are easy. Have you heard people say that the longer your ladder, the longer you’ll stay? Why is this? Because you are more self-sufficient. Therefore, does it make sense to save $200 and buy a smaller ladder? What if you were able to work a storm for 2 weeks longer because you had a ladder that would get you on top of most houses in the area?
If you bill $1,000 a day and have expenses of $150 a day, you’re making $850 profit per day. An additional 14 days of work would net you an additional $11,900. So does it make business sense to get the smaller ladder just to save a few hundred dollars? Of course not.
Creative adjusters think outside the box. Some adjusters hire drivers. They find a friend who needs income and hire them to driving them from claim to claim. Their reasoning is simple. If they can be productive writing claims and making calls as they commute, then they can close more claims every day. This gives them a two-fold benefit.
First, if they close two more claims a day and net a potential $600 and they’re paying the driver $100/day, then they just made $500 more that day.
Second, what is the CAT company most interested in? Adjusters who can close claims quickly and accurately. You will be left on storms longer because of the amount of extra work you can get done in a day.
There are so many things you’ll see out in the field. I’ve seen adjusters who rented homes during large catastrophes. They then rented the rooms out to other adjusters who needed a place to sleep. So in the end, they managed the house, living rent free for the few months they were working claims.
That’s puttping more money back into your pocket.
Others buy RVs to drive from location to location to avoid the expense of hotels. This can be especially cost effective if you’re continually busy. I wouldn’t suggest this at the beginning of your career, though. Don’t buy all the big things, such as a new truck or an RV, thinking the money will never stop. It could cause cash flow problems if things slow down for 3-4 months.
You need to think of your adjusting work as a business. Look at the long term and short term aspects of your choices and how they affect your money. Be smart and mindful as you work. At 2021Training, we talk about some of these principles in our Practical Adjusting class. Make sure you take this class especially if you’re a new adjuster. It will save you A LOT of money in the future by learning the information taught in that class.
There you have it. The 8 Attributes of as Successful Adjuster:
- Can Do Attitude
- Be a Self Starter
- Be Resourceful
- Be Logical
- Have Adequate Computer Skills
- Care About People
- Be Respectful
- Have a Business Mindset
Please share with us what other attributes you’ve found important in your career. To Your Success!
2021Training.com provides training and CE’s for adjusters, including licensing for the state of Texas. We create affordable online training and provide an interactive experience by delivering audio/video training that’s highly regarded by our students
Attributes of a Successful Claims Adjuster – Part 8
I’m glad you’re still reading this 8 part series about the attributes of a successful adjuster.
I hope they’re serving as effective reminders of needed personal skills. It’s important to recognize your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Let’s look at the last attribute now.
Attribute of a Successful Claims Adjuster #8 – Having a Business Mind
There are two types of adjusters out there. The ones who understand that this is a business, and those who don’t. This is what will affect your pocket book the most.
Adjusters understand that they can make a large amount of money in a short amount of time. When you can bill $1,000 a day for your claims, it’s not that hard to earn significant money.
But you need to think of the long and short term ramifications of all of your actions. Business minded adjusters will look for ways to be quicker and more efficient. If you’re new, check out ways people are getting creative.
Some things are easy. Have you heard people say that the longer your ladder, the longer you’ll stay? Why is this? Because you are more self-sufficient. Therefore, does it make sense to save $200 and buy a smaller ladder? What if you were able to work a storm for 2 weeks longer because you had a ladder that would get you on top of most houses in the area?
If you bill $1,000 a day and have expenses of $150 a day, you’re making $850 profit per day. An additional 14 days of work would net you an additional $11,900. So does it make business sense to get the smaller ladder just to save a few hundred dollars? Of course not.
Creative adjusters think outside the box. Some adjusters hire drivers. They find a friend who needs income and hire them to driving them from claim to claim. Their reasoning is simple. If they can be productive writing claims and making calls as they commute, then they can close more claims every day. This gives them a two-fold benefit.
First, if they close two more claims a day and net a potential $600 and they’re paying the driver $100/day, then they just made $500 more that day.
Second, what is the CAT company most interested in? Adjusters who can close claims quickly and accurately. You will be left on storms longer because of the amount of extra work you can get done in a day.
There are so many things you’ll see out in the field. I’ve seen adjusters who rented homes during large catastrophes. They then rented the rooms out to other adjusters who needed a place to sleep. So in the end, they managed the house, living rent free for the few months they were working claims.
That’s puttping more money back into your pocket.
Others buy RVs to drive from location to location to avoid the expense of hotels. This can be especially cost effective if you’re continually busy. I wouldn’t suggest this at the beginning of your career, though. Don’t buy all the big things, such as a new truck or an RV, thinking the money will never stop. It could cause cash flow problems if things slow down for 3-4 months.
You need to think of your adjusting work as a business. Look at the long term and short term aspects of your choices and how they affect your money. Be smart and mindful as you work. At 2021Training, we talk about some of these principles in our Practical Adjusting class. Make sure you take this class especially if you’re a new adjuster. It will save you A LOT of money in the future by learning the information taught in that class.
There you have it. The 8 Attributes of as Successful Adjuster:
- Can Do Attitude
- Be a Self Starter
- Be Resourceful
- Be Logical
- Have Adequate Computer Skills
- Care About People
- Be Respectful
- Have a Business Mindset
Please share with us what other attributes you’ve found important in your career. To Your Success!
2021Training.com provides training and CE’s for adjusters, including licensing for the state of Texas. We create affordable online training and provide an interactive experience by delivering audio/video training that’s highly regarded by our students
