American Claim Institute

Become An Independent Catastrophe Adjuster!

      This web site was created to provide original educational and training tools such as E-books and videos to those individuals interested in learning more about the field of independent catastrophe adjusting. Most anyone who owns a home or car either has made an insurance claim in the past or probably knows someone who has. If that claim was for damage as a result of hail, tornado, hurricane, flood, or other catastrophic event, chances are the claim was handled by an independent adjuster. All the major insurance companies including the top three carriers employ independent adjusters by the thousands each year following natural disasters. After the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, there was an immediate shortage of skilled and experienced independent catastrophe adjusters to meet demand. After Hurricane Katrina, had our country suffered just one more unprecedented impact from another massive hurricane, earthquake, or other disaster, God only knows where insurance companies would have found the personnel to assign and distribute claims. Thank God this did not happen, but what if it had?

      Independent catastrophe adjusting is a wonderful occupation – for the right person. It is rewarding in many ways. Those involved have the opportunity to help turn tragedy into hope. A conscientious and dedicated adjuster has the chance to shape positive attitudes and sway opinions. An adjuster must be professional at all times and to be knowledgeable about a variety of insurance issues. It is sometimes said adjusters know a little about a whole lot. An adjuster must know how to communicate effectively but more importantly must know how to listen. An adjuster must know how to provide excellent customer service and then deliver it.

      The real job of claim adjusting is challenging, particularly if performed correctly. Having competent and professional adjusters handling claims is the expectation of millions of policyholders in America and every single insured that holds this expectation is right. They want someone with more than just a license on a piece of paper, and they deserve it. As adjusters when we fulfill these expectations, and then some, our job is very satisfying!

Is Catastrophe Adjusting Right For You?

      The personal rewards of catastrophe adjusting includes helping others, traveling throughout the country, and working as little or as much as one desires depending upon one’s own financial goals. Furthermore, this career can be lucrative. We are always fearful of discussing the income possibilities of this career as it can be misunderstood. Often individuals enter into this field for the wrong reason - primarily money. Yes, one can make a lot of money working as an independent catastrophe adjuster, but that cannot be the main reason one decides to pursue this path. For everyone that has made a lot of money, there are equally those who have not. For those who did not succeed, their failures occurred after spending thousands of dollars on schools, licenses, equipment, and traveling hundreds of miles from home just to realize they made a mistake. Why? The reasons vary but the main cause is not being prepared beforehand with the necessary knowledge and reasonable expectations about handling insurance claims. Had they been given the right insider knowledge about claim adjusting, their results would probably have changed. Some might have succeeded and others might have decided alternatively to avoid the career all together. Ask any current independent catastrophe adjuster and he or she will probably tell you they knew someone in this business before they entered it. I am sure this is true for many of those individuals who failed too. For those who failed, how much bad advice and information did they receive from others which led to their demise? Most likely it was a lot.

      Almost anyone it seems can get an adjuster’s license and send out resumes. When a Hurricane Katrina size storm makes landfall, it is a 99% guarantee that anyone with a license can get an assignment as an adjuster. The mistake made by most is thinking having a license or working one storm makes one a professional adjuster. Nothing is farther from the truth. Becoming a professional adjuster takes hard work, dedication, and skill. However, the good news is whether you have worked one storm already or perhaps considering entering into this career, you can become an adjuster if you are willing to make the effort. If you do, we can say the rewards should be far greater than you ever imagined. Are you willing to do what is necessary to become a professional independent catastrophe adjuster?

Facts To Know:

1. Thousands of thunderstorms occur every single year in the United States!
2. Millions of homeowner and auto insurance claims are filed each year in the United States following losses caused by natural disasters from hail, tornado, hurricane, flood, and other!
3. In any normal active hail or hurricane season there is a shortage of high quality, skilled, and competent independent catastrophe adjusters!
4. In an unprecedented hurricane season like the caliber of the 2004 or 2005 years, there are shortages of independent catastrophe adjusters, period!

What Are The Minimum Requirements To Be Accepted As An Independent Catastrophe Adjuster?

      Unlike other careers like accounting, engineering, teaching, etc., there are no rigid or lengthy academic prerequisites to be considered for work as an independent catastrophe adjuster. One does not need a college degree. There are no long series of other courses necessary to qualify nor does one have to pass a physical exam. Some companies do require drug screening though. Being considered for work as an independent catastrophe adjuster is rather easy, compared to many other professions. The basic requirements to begin include passing a state adjuster’s license exam and owning a dependable vehicle, computer, ladder, tape measures, etc. If one has construction or auto repair knowledge, this is helpful too. Is that it? No, once passing an exam you must submit your resume to several of the dozens of independent catastrophe adjusting firms who are under contract to provide independent adjusters for the large insurance companies. Furthermore, many insurance companies require their independent catastrophe adjusters to be certified with them, which the independent firms will help you do this. In addition, you will have to learn one of the few estimating software programs utilized by insurance companies today. Again, these independent firms can help in that area too. Some of these independent companies may have further qualifications they seek from their applicants. If you are selected for an assignment or “deployment” as it is known in the industry, you will be on your way to finding out first hand what it is like to work as an adjuster. Oh, and it takes a “storm” to create a deployment – something we have not had much shortage of lately.

      If you guessed that practically anyone can become an adjuster in this field relatively quickly, then you would be right. And, there lies the problem too. When just about anyone can get into the trade, then just about anyone does. Would the insurance companies prefer to see a higher qualified individual handling their client’s claims? Yes, they would. Unfortunately, there are not enough individual independent catastrophe adjusters who would qualify as exceptional. If you decided to pursue this career, would you work to become exceptional? If you think you have the “right stuff”, please come join us and help!

Wanted: New Independent Catastrophe Adjusters Who Want To Deliver Exceptional Customer Service To The Insurance Consumer!

      The key to succeeding in this field is making sure you are the right person for this job. Our hope with the material offered on this web site is to provide you with enough answers and insider viewpoints so that you can make the right career choices – for you. Should you choose to pursue this career, whether for long term or short term, you have the right to know as much information as possible before investing thousands of dollars on schools, licenses, equipment, etc. We strongly urge those who want to pursue this field to eventually sign up for some professional training, certifications, claim schools, etc., but only after buying and reading the e-book, Catastrophe Adjusting, by Trent Massey. You have the right to know what are the facts of this business and what are nothing more than myths and exaggerations perpetrated by a few. You have the right to know what will be required of you. You have the right to know beforehand what true expectations you should hold and you should not have to wait to learn these afterwards. Buying this e-book will help clarify all this and more for anyone interested in becoming a professional independent catastrophe adjuster.