Making a responsible decision to become an insurance adjuster, particularly an independent insurance adjuster, means knowing what equipment, equipment, or “things” an adjuster should have in the field. Because independent insurance adjusters operate as independent contractors, they are often required to supply their own adjusting equipment. In general, there are 8 things that every independent adjuster should be aware of in the field. These items are not simply luxuries, but rather necessities, without which work becomes difficult, if not totally impossible.
Here are the 8 essentials:
Essential n. 1: a vehicle.
This is a bit of a no-brainer. The real question is what type of vehicle should an independent adjuster drive. Some people are under the impression that a claim cannot be handled properly unless it arrives first in an F-350 Turbo Diesel Dually. Certainly there are benefits to owning a powerful truck in the field, but in this author’s opinion, the best vehicle alternative is probably a smaller, fuel-efficient car. With folding and telescopic ladders available everywhere, you can neatly store your ladder in the trunk of any average-size sedan or coupe. Independent adjusters can drive a hundred miles or more daily, so the issue of fuel economy should not be taken lightly. Plus, negotiating your way through a busy street in Miami or New Orleans is much easier in a nimble Accord than in a blocky Hummer. And finally, in some areas, adjusters may not draw attention to themselves. Parking in a high-crime neighborhood in a $ 50,000 car wouldn’t make me feel entirely easy. For my money, I’d rather go unnoticed in a ’01 Camry. Obviously, the question is ultimately resolved with the type of vehicle you are comfortable with. But keep in mind that the job can be done just as effectively on a small coupe as it can on a full-size pickup truck.
Essential n. 2: navigation device
A good GPS system could be the best investment an independent adjuster can make. Independent adjusters, especially when dealing with catastrophic claims, can analyze four to six properties in one day. These properties can be spread over a surprisingly wide geographic area. Using a traditional paper map is ridiculous compared to the astonishing speed and accuracy of a dash-mounted GPS system. In fact, I’d estimate that a GPS system saves an adjuster at least an hour a day on lost turns and forced stops to consult the Rand McNally. Project this over a month and you’ll have a good 30 hours, or a whole day, of time saved. That’s four or five additional claims closed per month. In some cases, I would estimate that a GPS system can increase an adjuster’s efficiency by as much as 10 claims per month. Cat adjusters are paid per claim, so that’s an additional $ 2,000 to $ 5,000 in pocket per month. And finally, the frustration alone that a GPS avoids is worth the price.
A dash-mounted GPS is a good option. Most models have more features than you’ll ever use, so keep it basic and don’t bother with anything over $ 700. A much lower-priced option that is still packed with features is a program like Microsoft Streets. and Trips. This $ 100 program is designed to be installed on your laptop and comes with a GPS device that connects to your computer via a standard USB connector. Streets and Trips lets you take 10 destinations, find your current location, and calculate the fastest way to visit all 10. This is a great feature when planning your day’s claim route.
Essential n. 3: laptop
The days of handwritten affirmations are over. Electronic budget preparation and delivery is now standard and a laptop is the technology for the job. Xactimate and MSB IntegriClaim are the most widely used estimating programs and have minimal system requirements. Expect to have a laptop with at least a 1 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, 1.5 Gig of available free hard disk space, and a monitor resolution of 1024X768 or higher. With that in mind, don’t let unaware sellers or websites push you heavy graphics packages or upgraded sound cards if you’re shopping for a new laptop. You want to write estimates with this computer, not to play Halo on a network in a college dorm.
Some adjusters have recently started using tablet-type laptops (laptops with touch screens that rotate and fold in on themselves). In theory, an adjuster could take such a laptop on a residential or business claim, hold it like a clipboard, and write off most of the budget electronically on the property. However, as usual, tablet technology is slightly behind the conceptual and promotional curve. I recommend waiting a few more years for the functionality of the technology to catch up with the concept (which is good).
Essential n. 4: a good straight
Roof damage from hail and high winds results in tens of thousands of claims annually, and property adjusters must be prepared to spend some time on roofs. A good ladder is your connection to the roof. Most of the accidents that affect claims adjusters involve ladders and the interchange between the ladder and the roof. Having a stable ladder should help give the adjuster peace of mind.
There are three types of stairs in common use. Folding ladders are a great option for adjusters. They come in a variety of models, all of which generally break down to around 5 feet in their folded state. It’s small enough to fit in virtually any trunk, unless the trim vehicle you choose is a Miata. Wood models are even available in collapsible form and are a better option than aluminum when working in areas where power line encounters can be a concern. Another very compact ladder is the telescopic ladder. Telescopic ladders are generally the most compact ladders on the market today. The main drawback, and it is a very important one, is that a step will occasionally disappear when sufficient weight or the wrong directional force sends a rung of the ladder towards the one below. This can have disastrous results. If you go for a compact, I would recommend the foldable variety. Traditional ladders are generally quite stable and secure, but they can’t match the versatility of the folding ladder.
Essential n. 5: digital camera
A claims adjuster must represent as accurately as possible the damage or lack thereof to the claimant’s property, literally painting a picture in which file reviewers can assess the situation remotely. Sketches and watercolors aside, you need a camera, and if you want to close claims quickly, you’d better go digital. Some claims with multiple types of damage may require hundreds of photos, and scanning that type of number manually would be a nightmare. Digital cameras are fast, efficient, and designed for electronic quotation delivery. Don’t bother with an SLR or, for that matter, anything that costs you over $ 300. You want something smaller, something lightweight, and preferably with a good return policy. In the process of making an endoscope, particularly when climbing ladders and maneuvering over ceilings, it is extremely easy to drop the camera, sometimes several floors down. A good return policy ensures that your purchase is safe. When it comes to megapixels, anything over 7-8 megapixels is probably overkill. Remember that digital cameras require an excessive amount of batteries, so make sure you always have at least three spare sets before you go out to claim your scope.
Essential n. 6: measuring devices
There are two broad initial determinations that are made when assessing property damage: what is damaged and how much? Metering devices tell you how much. A simple 25-foot tape measure is your first tool. From there, you should at least consider expanding your toolkit to a laser tape measure. Imagine that you are analyzing the scope of a residence with interior damage in several rooms. The first room is quite large and cluttered. Instead of trying to run 18 feet of tape from your FatMax through the couch and electronics in one direction and then another 22 feet through a set of bars in the other direction, just click once in each direction and go! ready! You already have your measurements. If you measure 5 or more rooms in a house, you will probably cut 15 minutes off your exploration time. Over the course of a month, this saved time will result in more claims closed. Now some people don’t trust the accuracy of the laser meter, and in fact some insurance companies don’t allow their adjusters to use them. In my experience they work exceptionally well, but check with your claims manager before parading your new Disto through the office. A rolling measure can also be helpful, especially for roofs where a traditional 25-foot tape measure will rarely be enough to measure every length of roof. Again, in some cases, the use of continuous measurements is not allowed, so check with your claims manager.
Essential n. 7: tool belt
In addition to your digital camera and various measuring devices, there are a few other items that are essential for a claims adjuster. This invites the logical question of “Where do I put all these things?” The answer is a tool belt. Standard contractor tool belts are sufficient, but pale in comparison to the variety that are custom built for claim adjusters. Custom adjustment tool belts are specifically designed to carry the necessary tools of an adjuster. Imagine climbing the ladder with both hands while safely carrying a digital camera, tape measure, measuring wheel, clipboard, chalk, tilt gauge, and tile gauge. Standard tool belts may or may not do this, but they certainly can’t do it as safely and intelligently as custom-made belts. Stay organized and safe with a good adjustment tool belt.
Must-Have # 8: The Fitter’s Dress Code
Adjusters are almost always expected to observe a dress code. The particular code may vary from company to company, but in general, you should expect to wear a sharp polo shirt and khaki pants. Jeans are useless and T-shirts, unless specifically distributed for use in the field, are too casual. You want a professional and competent appearance. Shoe fit is another consideration. Since you will be spending time on rooftops, consider getting shoes that have strong traction. Leave the loafers at home or you risk skidding down a sloping roof. Specially designed boots called Cougar Paws, with felt-like material bonded to the bottom, were developed with walking on the roof in mind. In any case, remember that an independent adjuster spends a lot of time on their feet and comfort and traction are the name of the game.
Having the right equipment is essential for an independent insurance adjuster because it allows them not only to do their job, but to do it with maximum efficiency. And an efficient claims handler is an adjuster who will never go hungry.