Insurance Adjuster?

My husband is going to get his insurance adjusters licsense. I was wondering, from anybody who has experiance in this field, what he can expect to bring home. He knows of a couple people who have done this and they say good things about it. He wants to use it to chase storms. Like if a natural disater hits a state he would fly down there and get claims from companies and start working. If this doesnt work out he plans to use it to get a local job. Can anybody offer us any advice or let us know what to expect. Thank you guys.
Additional Details
yeah i forgot to mention that, he will be getting his liscense in texas because they cover the most states if he gets it there. Basically he will go on a list for the major insurance companies, and either they will call him or when he hears about it he will call them and ask for claims.

You have a several issues here. First, whether the license is required or not depends on the state. If he is getting a license, it helps, but during CATs, out of state adjusters usually don't require a license if they are working for a company.

Second, you don't mention what type of experience he has. Just because he is able to pass a test to get an insurance license doesn't mean that he will understand what it takes to adjust claims, let alone CAT claims, which are very stressful. Does he have a background in property construction? An adjuster needs to understand how property is built, and how contractors charge for their services. This stuff isn't on the license test, but is absolutely necessary.

Finally, it is highly unlikely that any insurance company is going to hire an unknown 'adjuster' that goes to a storm area and hangs up his sign. Companies that do use independents during CATs either hire known independent adjuster companies, or already have a knowledge/working relationship with an adjuster. (Such as a former employee of the company.) Insurance is highly regulated, and everyone wants to sue insurance companies. They aren't about to take a major risk on an unknown person like that.

Ok, now that I have rained on your parade, let me give you advise on what to do. Before he joins the group of experienced adjusters that chase CATs, he needs to get some experience. As I said before, CAT claims are very stressful. Someone has just lost many of their things, as have their friends and family. They expect the adjuster to have all of the answers. A rookie adjuster will have many problems handling these claims. He needs to get a job with a local company (most likely an independent adjuster company) and get some claims under his belt. At least six months. A year would be better.

Next, if he doesn't understand property construction, he needs a training class. It would also be a benefit if he took a training class on auto appraisal. Many times the house and car get hit by the same CAT. If he can't provide an accurate damage appraisal for property and vehicles, he limits he usefulness.

Once he does this, he will be ready to chase CATs. And he should start off doing this with an independent adjuster company. Unless he has a great working relationship with a couple of insurance companies, he will need the backing of an established company. After five years of doing this, if he is good, works well with the insured, contractors, and insurance companies, and hasn't drank himself into a coma, he can think about going out on his own.

As for money, it depends on how fast and accurate he is. Generally independent adjusters are paid on a flat rate per case. A really good adjuster who is willing to put in 14 hour days can bring in six figures during a busy storm year. But they really have to bust their butts.

I am a National Catastrophe Adjuster for a major national company. Since I am based in Florida, I did not have to take tests for any other state. There are only, I believe 13 states that require licensing for Property Adjusters, and all of them will accept the Florida license and issue their own for you.

From the tone of your question, It sounds as though he is going to be an Independent Adjuster. Things to think about, when being an Independent (which I was for 5 years) is that there is no one covering your expenses. You will be out of pocket for travel, hotels, meals, gas, Etc.. Now, granted, IF you know what you're doing and can run and close 5-7 claims per day then you can plan on over $100K per year, as long as there is work for you. There have been a lot of Independents, starving the last couple of years since the hurricane season hasn't been much.

If you don't have much experience with construction techniques or estimating then you might want to consider trying to get in with an insurance company, if for no other reason, for the education. Then become an Independent after 5 or so years, when you will have the confidence and ability to do enough work to make money as an Independent Adjuster.

It is, by far, not an easy job. It is one thing to talk a good game when selling insurance. Putting the policy into action when there is a claim, takes a complete knowledge of the contract, and all of the interpitation involved. If you do not know the contract, you will end up spending a lot of time correcting things, which will directly effect your paycheck.

Having the adjusters license is just the first step and it is the easiest by far. Hopefully, he has some adjusting or construction experience.

If he really expects to make any money on CAT (short for catastrophe) claims he will need to either work for a large independent adjusting company (Crawford, GAB etc) or he must have contacts with independent adjutsers in the storm areas who will need to hire temporary help to handle the large influx of claims.

Sorry, but you don't just call insurance companies and ask for CAT claims, especially today with all the lawsuits resulting from Katrina claims. Companies try to be careful to hire only experienced adjusting companies, not individual adjusters. That way the adjusting company is responsible for the individual adjuster, not the insurance company.

The earnings potential for CAT adjusters can be substantial but it is not an 8 to 5 job. days of 12 - 14 hrs are common for weeks on end. In the old days I was able to gross about $1000 per day, but keep in mind that he will have expenses for food and lodging.

I strongly suggest that after getting licensed that he get a job with a independent adjusting company to get experience handling more than just CAT claims. At least that way he can have a regular income while waiting for the big storms to hit.

Just to help clear up the licensing thing, all states require independent adjusters to be licensed. Most states require a test before getting the license. Adjusters who are employed directly by an insurance company do not have to have a license in most states.

Good Luck.

I know that CAT team people make good money and even better on the road but I don't know how much.

I am confused about the license thing. Mbrcatz knows her stuff but I am an adj in KS and work KS, MO, and IA claims and we need no licensing???

First of all...I don't think he needs a license! "maybe I am wrong" But in any case. He is best getting an adjusting job with an independent claims adjusting firm, A large one..one that is multiple States. Specialize is Property adjusting. Many of these guy's are hired to "chase" CAT losses like Katrina.

We ahd a couple large Hail storms last yaerand some of my insureds homes were inspected and adjusted by a large firm contracted by pour company from 200 miles away.

They make good money..

Does he have a JOB lined up already, with an employer??? If not, he's not likely to bring home much of anything. Sure, you can 'chase storms'. If we have a hurricane season like last year, you'll be eating lots of beans & rice.

It's PRETTY DARNED HARD to get the license first, THEN get the job, with no experience at all. He's going to have to see if he can work commission or some such, with an outside adjusting firm like Crawford & Co. But even if he does, it will LIKELY be a part time job, AT BEST, for several years.

PS, you DO need a license to be an adjuster, in all 50 states.

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