by JonathanSMclean » Thu May 28, 2009 07:00 pm
hi,
my name is Jonathan and I am 18 years old. I want to get in the door of become a insurance adjuster. i dont really know the correct schooling and requirements needed to become a homeowners insurance adjuster. if somebody could please help me out in my goal to become a part of the family that will be great! my essential plan is to get my fire, water, smoke, mold, and estimating certifications done. Then maybe take a Insurance class at a local community collage. let me know what i can do to better educate myself and improve my chances in getting a job. my past expierence include, 2 years with ServiceMaster Clean, working with insurance companies for fire and water damage restoration. So i know the basic skills needed for restoring peace of mind to our customers. let me know the fastest way in getting all my schooling done. your help is greatly appriciated!
Jonathan Baias
my name is Jonathan and I am 18 years old. I want to get in the door of become a insurance adjuster. i dont really know the correct schooling and requirements needed to become a homeowners insurance adjuster. if somebody could please help me out in my goal to become a part of the family that will be great! my essential plan is to get my fire, water, smoke, mold, and estimating certifications done. Then maybe take a Insurance class at a local community collage. let me know what i can do to better educate myself and improve my chances in getting a job. my past expierence include, 2 years with ServiceMaster Clean, working with insurance companies for fire and water damage restoration. So i know the basic skills needed for restoring peace of mind to our customers. let me know the fastest way in getting all my schooling done. your help is greatly appriciated!
Jonathan Baias
Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 11:53 am Post Subject:
I am in no way wanting to use my father as a recon company
No I didn't think you would...just that it 'could' be an issue..it could also be a benefit.One thing I'll tell you, I would suggest that you NEVER become a public adjuster..(not to be confused with an independent adjuster)...public adjusters are, well....just not well thought of, and I can't imagine how that on a resume' would ever help in landing a job (especially with a carrier)...
All larger carriers have career pages on their websites, that show openings and you can apply right on line...let me ask you a couple of things...Do you have a college degree? How old are you? Most carriers require a four year degree in pretty much anything (or equal experience) to even be considered...I'm not sure about the requirements that 'independent' adjusting companys...(remember NOT public adjusters indendent)...they (independents) work for insurance CARRIERS...some are paid commission some hourly, there are good and bad in these companys so do your homework before applying to any of them...
Were I you...I'd network my butt off with anyone I knew in the claims biz...re: openings, best way to apply etc...then I'd hit all the websites for the larger carriers...something really good and in your favor is that you're willing to re-locate...
Let us know what you find out...and remember...falling in love with an occupation or career, especially one you have really only seen from the outside...can be alittle misleading...there are down sides to the job too...course there are to any jobs....it really depends on the company, but it's a highly stressful job in a lot of ways...I'm sure you're up for it...but you need to know that..
Oh, something else I forgot..most of the larger carriers use a process (of hiring) called 'targeted selection' (or "selected targeting" as we old time, 'jaded' adjusters call it :wink: )...you might see if you can find something online about it, it will help if you get to the interview phase...it's a process/program used that is supposed to (through certain goofy questions) weed out undesireables, and weed in quality....don't buy it myself...but it seems most carriers 'bought' it years ago and are still using it...
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 04:16 pm Post Subject:
hey lori, to answer your questions, I'm 18 years old, I live in riverside, I have no education only 2 years Exp. With Servicemaster, graduated high school. I know that's pretty much nothing. But I have a question, you said "4 year degree or equivilant" does having experience apply to this or is a degree manditory? And can a certificate be considered? For example certificate in insurance(business law, construstion law) that sort of thing.
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 04:58 am Post Subject:
Hi Jonathon, some of the carriers might not mind hiring a high school grad but some may prefer candidates with higher education. As Lori has mentioned almost any major may suffice, but a degree in finance or accounting may give you an added benefit.
The degree isn't mandatory but would give you a better start. As the other posters have already pointed out your experience with ServiceMaster would certainly add to your resume.
Start applying for few insurers, it would give you an idea about their requirements. And, since you are only 18, IMO spending couple of more years in education wouldn't be a waste.
~Jeremy
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:34 am Post Subject:
"4 year degree or equivilant" does having experience apply to this or is a degree manditory?
All companys are different some require a four yr degree to even apply (as an adjuster)..And can a certificate be considered?
possibly...For example certificate in insurance(business law, construstion law) that sort of thing
Maybe, and you'd certainly want to include all you can...might be another issue too with the larger carriers...I'm not sure they hire anyone under 21...many company's put adjusters straight into company cars...could be an inusrance requirement. I would suggest that you try and get in on the ground floor of some major companys as mabye a CSR, initial claims takes in a call center...there are alot of jobs in claims that are not adjusters jobs...you'll have a lot better chance of working yourself up to an adjuster job (without a degree)...this way...most carriers will promote from within first then look outside..if you've put a couple of years in at a call center then an adjuster opportunity opens up, you'll be the first one to know (will be on the employee only website) before it hits the press, and since you are willing to re-locate you'd be an added bonus. Keeping in mind of course that no matter what job you get your goal is to be an adjuster so you want to impress your boss every step of the way...also once you are employed with a company you can talk directly to HR or the Claims recruiter and ask what you can do to make yourself more adjuster 'attractive'.Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:24 pm Post Subject:
lori,
Thanks that's what I plan on doing, it seems like it would take some time but I'm willing to do it since I will be working for my dad doing estimates. But how will I go about applying for this position? What are they looking for in an employee? And what are the requirements?
Thanks
Jonathan
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:35 am Post Subject:
But how will I go about applying for this position? What are they looking for in an employee? And what are the requirements?
I'd just check on sites like monster, and then I'd go to individual carriers sites, check their 'career' sections, to see what openings there are and apply for any I thought I'd like.Most claims dept, will require a drug test, FBI background check, and a driving record...They want people that are honest, and hardworking...same as with any employer I suppose.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:35 am Post Subject:
Most claims dept, will require a drug test, FBI background check, and a driving record...They want people that are honest, and hardworking...same as with any employer I suppose.
Does that mean that if you have tickets in your driving record you might lose the opportunity to become a claim adjuster?
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:49 am Post Subject:
Does that mean that if you have tickets in your driving record you might lose the opportunity to become a claim adjuster?
would depend on the company, how many, and how fast...most would let a speeding ticket or two go...but a history of same, and way over the speed limit could certainly hurt you...'if' you'll be driving a company car, (either one assigned to you only or a pool car)...your driving record is very important to them, when they are insuring you, accepting all the risk by giving you a car to drive.. :wink:Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 05:13 pm Post Subject:
I already have a couple of those.... That can't be good.
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 05:32 am Post Subject:
I think Jonathon that the insurer would associate associate it with recklessness and irresponsible behavior. The company would look for the quality of sincerity in an adjuster who would be able to make a wise decision at the event of loss to protect the interest of both the company and the claimant.
~Jeremy
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