Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:33 am Post subject: wanting to become a licensed insurance adjuster in texas
i have been in construction all my life and am considering becoming a licensed insurance adjuster. i know a lot of people that do it as part time during times of natural disaster. they seem to make a lot of money when they are gone. i have checked into courses to help get my license but am curious still on what i do after i get it. if i was to take off to a recent hurricane do i have to be employed with one insurance company or would several companies use one person like a sub contractor. thanks for your help
To operate as an adjuster, first and foremost you are required to obtain the license. A non-licensed adjuster may face difficulties in proving his credibility. Many organizations offer online as well as classroom courses to the aspiring adjusters. You are required to enroll yourself with any of these training institutes to get prepared for the licensing exam.
The all-line adjuster's course includes the following topics,
Introduction to insurance terms and concepts
Introduction to automobile coverage
Homeowners' policy coverage
Inland and Ocean Marine coverage outline
Adjusters' bonds, practices and licensing requirements
Workman's compensation coverage
The course is such designed to meet the licensing requirements of the Texas department of Insurance.
Well, you can either get associated with an insurance agency and work for it or can work as a public adjuster.
Public adjusters work independently and are not associated with any specific insurance company. The public adjusters work on the client's behalf, ie, they get hired by the claimant to evaluate their extent of damages.
This is because, at times the claimant may not get satisfied with the inspection done by the company adjuster and may decide to get a third party opinion. The public adjuster plays an important role in this situation, he negotiates the loss with the policy holder's insurance company.
However, the experts of the adjusting profession have a split opinion regarding the usefulness of the public adjusters. The employment of the public adjuster in a claim process has both pros and cons, but when you are in significant loss, it may be worthwhile consulting an experience public adjuster as well.
Well, if you only have a short term goal in mind, then becoming a public adjuster may be the right option available for you. However, at the time of the disasters, the insurance companies may also decide to reinforce their adjuster's team to meet the demand of the time. And, hence, with the license and experience, you can then find an employment with the insurance companies as well. The demand of the public adjusters is also growing with each passing day. At this juncture, this is definitely an attractive career option for many.
OP, please don't opt for public adjuster ''profession'' (they are not well thought of frankly, in most 'adjuster' circles...sorry but it's the truth)...instead look into some independent adjusting company's most hire heavy during disaster times, and many you can work as much or as little as you want....you can work as a subcontractor and be paid by the claim....rather than hope to get a percent from how much you can try and over inflat a claim, also I can all but guarantee the money will be better, the stress less, and for SURE it will look better on a resume' should you decide to try and gain employment with a carrier.
Quote:
would several companies use one person like a sub contractor. thanks for your help
Many carriers send in their own cat teams, but many also hire independent adjusters...there are many reputable independent adjusting company's. Most are always looking for good adjusters...especially those that will travel for a cat...some independent companys only supply cat adjusters...you might want to check a site like
greatinsurancejobs.com they always have a lot of independents on their site looking for adjusters....let us know if you have any other questions we'll be happy to help if we can.. _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
Hi all,
There are some other important factors which have a pretty powerful influence over this process-
a) Public adjusters would not investigate, instruct or adjust losses for the carrier or any self-insured
b) The marine surveyors are also not worthy of the licensing act since they would also not investigate, guide or adjust such losses
c) There are certain risks identified by the state board of insurance as the "self-insured" & "self-handlers" in close connection with such insurance losses & claims. Thanks, ArindamSenIndies
Hi, the State Board of Insurance defines that anyone who is allocated to the job of supervision, analyzing & adjustment of losses would need to stand up to the provisions of the licensing act.
Hence such people who have the primary responsibility towards such tasks would also have to match up to the provisions of the said law.
Thanks, Fatman
The public adjuster plays the role of a negotiator, who tries to maximize your gain from the insurance company. Well, there is a cost involved in hiring the public adjuster, which the claimant has to bear. As lori has said, the public adjuster may ask for a share of the claim (normally 10% of the claim) as fees . Some adjusters in addition to that may also charge for commuting to the place of occurrence. This reduces the gain of the claimant.
The public adjusters have to work in a highly competitive market and often times have to solicit their services to the claimant, whereas, the company adjuster represents the insurance company and is sent to the scene by the insurer.
Once the policy holder decides to involve the public adjuster in the claim process, the dialogue with the company adjuster gets terminated. The negotiation then takes place between the adjuster and the insurance company. And as someone has mentioned above, the public adjuster doesn't investigate or appraise the damages but negotiates to maximize the insurance payout.
The role of the public adjusters is neither good nor bad. In most cases they are regulated and monitored by the state government and if their services aren't satisfactory complaint can be lodged against them as well.
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:11 am Post subject: felony from the past
I have a license but have a felony will it keep me from working for insurance co. ? _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
I have a license but have a felony will it keep me from working for insurance co. ?
It may, depending upon the nature of the felony.
Most often companies do a background check before recruiting an employee. It involves investigating into the financial well being of the individual, criminal checks and such. Hence, the employer is likely to find out about the felony and it might affect your employment possibilities.
Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: adj school?
there are a few schools in Florida that offer training and the actual test.
However, they are all $500!
is there any way to become educated/licensed for less? _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
(they are not well thought of frankly, in most 'adjuster' circles...sorry but it's the truth)...instead look into some independent adjusting company's most hire heavy during disaster times, and many you can work as much or as little as you want....you can work as a subcontractor and be paid by the claim....rather than hope to get a percent from how much you can try and over inflat a claim, also I can all but guarantee the money will be better, the stress less, and for SURE it will look better on a resume' should you decide to try and gain employment with a carrier. 
