Catastrophe Adjusting by Trent Massey
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Factors affecting earnings
Chapter 3: Disasters 101
Chapter 4: Licenses, resume, and equipment
Chapter 5: Deployment, travel, and arrival
Chapter 6: Assignments, mapping, and contact
Chapter 7: Residential construction
Chapter 8: Residential inspections
Chapter 9: Policies and coverage
Chapter 10: Writing estimates
Chapter 11: Closing the file
Chapter 12: Day rate, fee schedule, and other fees
Chapter 13: Conclusions
Chapter 14: Author’s Biography
Chapter 15: Appendix – Diagrams, diary, formulas, and misc. forms
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Who else could write a book from an insider’s viewpoint on catastrophe adjusting but other than a veteran catastrophe adjuster? This is the A-Z book for anyone wanting to become an independent
catastrophe property (not auto) adjuster and handle claims on residential property losses. To our knowledge, this book is the only one written by an adjuster for adjusters and specifically discusses
this career “in depth”. Trent wrote the book for three audiences:
- The reader with no knowledge of insurance claims.
- The reader who is a little aware of the catastrophe claim occupation and wants to know more.
- The reader who has already worked one “storm” and wants to seek improvement.
The book is truly a product twenty years in the making, and in many ways it teaches the reader what it took Trent twenty years of blood, sweat, and tears to learn. It is written in layman’s terms so anyone can
understand it. If anyone is contemplating a career in independent catastrophe adjusting, specifically handling residential property claims, they should buy this book first before doing anything else. In the book,
Trent takes a person from the beginning on how to enter the field, getting certified, submitting resumes, and all the way to that first assignment. He talks about traveling to storms, receiving and organizing claim
assignments, and how to communicate with policyholders. He takes the reader through the inspection process and closing claims. If you know nothing about insurance claims but want to learn more, Trent takes a
person from knowing nothing about claims all the way up to closing that first claim assignment and getting paid. Quite a journey! Trent is quick to point out that nothing can take the place of experience, but if
you have no experience then buying his book is the best place to start.
The book promises to set the record straight about property claim adjusting and laying to rest all the myths and other fictitious notions about the adjusting profession. The book is told from Trent’s observations as a
successful insider for almost twenty years. In addition, Trent teaches the reader practically everything necessary to know about the field before rushing off to that first “storm” assignment. If you want to
learn how to conduct a proper inspection, buy and read the book. If you want to learn how to provide excellent customer service from start to finish, buy and read the book. If you know nothing of adjusting
and need the most basic of tips to get started, then buy and read the book as this is for you.
Trent also discusses the history of modern catastrophes, construction basics, common homeowner insurance policies, and shows how to measure roofs. He really leaves no stone unturned either as he talks about how
independent adjusters get paid. Although he cannot reveal actual fee schedules and other confidential information belonging to specific insurers or employers, he does create a fictitious fee schedule which mimics how adjuster fee
schedules work in general so that the reader can get a better understanding of how one gets compensated for each claim.
As all occupations have their ups and downs, so does adjusting. Trent discusses these and is very frank about what expectations anyone should have going in. Good claim handling is not about just knowing how to read a tape
measure or knowing how to input data in a laptop. It is about many, many different things. If you do not get the real facts first before starting, you may go off on the wrong track. Do not make this mistake. Avoid the
certain pitfalls that are out there by purchasing and reading this book. We do not think you will regret it!
Right now there are hundreds if not thousands of individuals who will be applying for their state adjuster’s licenses sometime this year, many may not even realize yet that this will be a future career path for them. How
many of these individuals will have the necessary information to make better decisions about their future - before spending thousands of dollars and without having worked a single claim yet?
Trent believes the industry needs more professionals and he would like to see individuals such as school teachers, coaches, engineers, professional contractors, retired military officers, laid-off factory automobile workers,
college graduates, and those with MBA’s to join and help change this growing field. Of course, certainly there are other professionals who would make great additions too so hopefully everyone understands the call. But, you
cannot be part of this new and better claim frontier unless you take the necessary steps soon to join us as professional independent catastrophe adjusters. Will see you out there!
