Adjuster Talk: Recent Episodes
Jason Heenan
Dive into the world of insurance adjusting with the "Adjuster Talk Podcast," hosted by Jason Heenan and presented by Royal Adjusting Services. This podcast offers a blend of insightful interviews, industry expertise, and practical tips, making it a valuable resource for both novice and seasoned adjusters. Join Jason as he explores the latest trends, shares real-life stories, and provides expert advice on navigating the challenges of the adjusting profession. Sponsored by Royal Adjusting Services, Adjuster Talk is your go-to source for all things related to insurance adjusting. Subscribe now and stay ahead in this dynamic industry!
In this episode of Adjuster Talk, join Jason as he uncovers the unexpected thrill of being an independent adjuster. Jason shares riveting stories from the field, from busting deceptive homeowners and shady contractors to surprising encounters with law enforcement officers. Explore the intriguing and sometimes shady side of the adjusting business in this captivating episode. Get ready to hear the ins and outs of adjusting and the exhilarating experiences of busting bad actors.
"Because once an insured gets busted doing deceptive things like that,
the whole credibility of the claim comes into question."
~ Jason Heenan
This Week on Adjuster Talk:
· Importance of Ethics: Upholding ethical standards is crucial in the insurance industry to maintain trust and credibility.
· Job Security in Adjusting: The diverse nature of adjusting offers job security, especially in cases of fraud investigation and claim-busting activities.
· Technological Advancements: The podcast highlights the significant technological advancements that have revolutionized the insurance adjusting landscape over the years.
· Personal Accountability: Personal integrity and honesty are essential for insurance adjusters and claimants.
· Impact of Fraud: Exposes the impact of fraudulent activities on insurance claims and the importance of professional vigilance in detecting such attempts.
· Professional Conduct: Emphasizes the need for professional conduct and ethical boundaries for insurance adjusters and claimants.
· Industry Insights: Provides insights into the complex and dynamic world of insurance adjusting, offering a deeper understanding of the profession’s challenges and rewards for newcomers and seasoned professionals.
· Resource Recommendations: Visit ruraladjustingservices.com and explore adjuster talk for educational resources and contact information for independent adjusting trainers recommended by Jason Heenan.
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
This episode explores the qualifications and potential crossover careers for individuals considering transitioning to independent insurance adjusting.
I delve into the unique skills and experiences that make individuals successful in this field, drawing from insights gained from those transitioning from construction, real estate, and staff adjusting. I share valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals from these backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of remaining updated with technical skills in the ever-evolving industry.
This discussion aims to provide meaningful insights and resources for those considering independent insurance-adjusting careers.
"It's not as easy as just showing up and saying, hey,
we have a good crew; we have a good history." ~Jason Heenan
Today on Adjuster Talk:
· Importance of Independent Adjusting: Insight into the significance of independent insurance adjusting and the ever-changing insurance claims landscape.
· Unique Career Crossovers: Exploring the ideal candidates for adjusting from backgrounds such as construction, real estate agents, and staff adjusters.
· Challenges and Rewards: Understanding the hurdles and advantages of transitioning into independent insurance adjusting from various professions.
· Technological Evolution: Delving into the significant impact of technology on the insurance adjusting industry over the past two decades.
· Professional Growth and Adaptation: Reflecting on personal and professional growth over 20 years in the industry.
· Insights into the Claims Industry: Uncovering the day-to-day challenges and successes in the field of independent adjusting.
· Future of Insurance Adjusting: Previewing upcoming topics and episodes, catering to newcomers and seasoned adjusters.
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
Welcome to Adjuster Talk with your host, Jason Heenan. In this episode, Jason delves into the world of independent claims, adjusting, and becoming a residential adjuster. He shares valuable insights on the best areas for claims if you're an independent adjuster, offering a deep dive into weather patterns and cities with great opportunities for adjusters. Join us as we explore the exciting world of claims adjusting and learn about the educational alliances available for those interested in getting started in the industry.
"There's just so many different ways to get insurance claims and figure out how to help that situation or add value to that situation." ~Jason Heenan
This Week on Adjuster Talk:
· Importance of Independent Adjusting: Gain insights into the significance of independent insurance adjusting and the evolving landscape of insurance claims.
· Personal Career Reflection: Jason shares personal anecdotes and experiences from his early career, providing a firsthand perspective on the challenges of independent adjusting.
· Evolving Technology: Understand the significant technological advancements in the insurance adjusting industry over the past two decades.
· Hurricane Deployment: Explore the realities of being an independent contractor during a major natural disaster as Jason reflects on his first deployment after Hurricane Katrina.
· Two Decades of Experience: Discover the wealth of experience and knowledge accumulated over 20 years in the industry.
· Professional Growth: Learn from Jason's journey and the lessons learned throughout his career in independent insurance adjusting.
· Industry Insights: Gain a deeper understanding of the highs and lows of the insurance claims industry, including the day-to-day grind and the impact of industry leaders.
· Future of Insurance Adjusting: Delve into the upcoming topics and episodes that will offer a comprehensive view of the world of independent insurance adjusting, catering to newcomers and seasoned adjusters alike.
Contact Jason:
For more information on independent insurance adjusting and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit Royal Adjusting Services or Adjuster Talk for exclusive programs and educational alliances.
Resources Mentioned:
· IA Path with Chris Stanley
· Adjuster University with Jeremy Reddick
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
Welcome to Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan, where I delve into the world of insurance adjusting and the opportunities it presents. In this episode, I share my journey and insight into why adjusting can be a lucrative and fulfilling career path. I discuss the various aspects of the industry, from handling claims for roofing repairs to the challenges and excitement of being part of large-scale events such as hurricanes. Join me as I explore the reasons why adjusting might be the right career choice for you.
"The skill of it is knowing how to identify things that are damaged, knowing what the repair or replacement process would look like on paper,
and then providing good customer service and writing a report."
~ Jason Heenan
Today on Adjuster Talk:
· Importance of Independent Adjusting: Gain insights into the significance of independent insurance adjusting and the evolving landscape of insurance claims.
· Personal Career Reflection: Jason shares personal anecdotes and experiences from his early career, providing a firsthand perspective on the challenges of independent adjusting.
· Evolving Technology: Understand the significant technological advancements in the insurance adjusting industry over the past two decades.
· Hurricane Deployment: Explore the realities of being an independent contractor during a major natural disaster as Jason reflects on his first deployment after Hurricane Katrina.
· Two Decades of Experience: Discover the wealth of experience and knowledge accumulated over 20 years in the industry.
· Professional Growth: Learn from Jason's journey and the lessons learned throughout his career in independent insurance adjusting.
· Industry Insights: Gain a deeper understanding of the highs and lows of the insurance claims industry, including the day-to-day grind and the impact of industry leaders.
· Future of Insurance Adjusting: Delve into the upcoming topics and episodes that will offer a comprehensive view of the world of independent insurance adjusting, catering to newcomers and seasoned adjusters alike.
Contact Jason:
For more insights or to connect with Jason Heenan, visit Royal Adjusting Services
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
Anssi Viljanen is an independent insurance adjuster in Los Angeles, California. Along the way, he experienced playing roles in the real estate and solar energy industries and was a limo driver. After listening to the Adjuster Talk podcast, he credits his inspiration to becoming an adjuster. Anssi’s career took off just after Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc across America.
Anssi joins me to describe what he’s been doing in the past year, how he completed 700 insurance claims in a year, and the projects he’s currently working on. He explains how he manages his time, especially when handling multiple claims. Anssi also shares the story of when he was bound for deportation in California and ultimately missed his wedding.
“700 claims in a year sounds like a lot, but it breaks down to about a 40-hour workweek.” - Anssi Viljanen.
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- The number of claims he does in a week and his strategies for time management.
- How he got into the business of being an independent adjuster.
- Some of the examples of claims he's experienced handling.
- How he met his wife and his effort to be with her.
- The story of when he was deported and missed his wedding.
- How his then-fiancee got him out of the deportation cell.
Connect with Anssi Viljanen:
- Email: anssiadjusting@gmail.com
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
Today, with over 20 years of experience as an independent insurance adjuster, Jason discusses the lesser-known challenges and risks in his field. He shares personal stories about dangerous situations like dealing with aggressive dogs, encountering homeowners with firearms, accidents related to ladder use, and how surveillance technology affects investigations. Jason also highlights the long-term risks, such as skin damage from being outdoors for extended periods.
Join us to learn about the real and often overlooked dangers that field adjusters face every day.
"If it were an easy job with no risk, it would not pay as well."
~Jason Heenan
This Week on Adjuster Talk:
· The various risks independent insurance adjusters face as they conduct fieldwork.
· The importance of being prepared for potential dangers such as dog bites and defensive property owners.
· The significance of ladder safety and the potential risks of falling.
· How interactions with contractors and homeowners can present unexpected hazards during inspections.
· Modern security features like ring cameras impact the investigative process.
· The long-term risks of outdoor work include exposure to the elements and potential skin damage.
· Adjusters must be vigilant and well-prepared for their work's physical and emotional challenges.
· The importance of understanding and addressing the risks inherent in the insurance adjusting profession.
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts!
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
Today, Jason delves into the world of insurance claims adjusters, shedding light on the various types of adjusters and their roles. Jason provides an insightful overview of the different types of claims handled within the industry, from independent residential and commercial claims adjusters to auto and property claims adjusters. He also discusses less commonly known roles such as liability claims adjusters, workers compensation adjusters, and catastrophe claims adjusters.
As someone with many licenses and an extensive background in the field, I provide valuable insights into the various landscapes of an adjuster’s responsibilities, shedding light on how these professionals navigate and assess a wide array of insurance claims.
"If you're a claims adjuster and something big hits and you know how to conduct investigations, write estimates, and get some claims closed,
those are the days you're training for right there."
~ Jason Heenan
This Week on Adjuster Talk:
· Various types of claims adjusters specialize in different areas such as property, liability, auto, workers' compensation, and more.
· Liability claims can arise from scenarios like car accidents, slip and fall incidents, or pet-related injuries and are often handled through a policyholder's insurance.
· Workers' compensation claims involve evaluating work-related injuries, overseeing treatment, and monitoring the injured individual's progress.
· Catastrophe claims adjusting is a significant aspect of the field, demanding preparedness and versatility from adjusters to tackle large-scale, impactful claims effectively.
· Subrogation claims involve reclaiming losses from culpable third parties implicated in property damages or inside, such as manufacturers or installers.
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts!
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
Independent adjusting can be one of the best career choices you will ever make. It gives you the freedom of most work-from-home occupations without the mundane experience of being stuck at home for 40 hours a week. One of the best ways to boost the adjusting experience is by joining or working with an IA firm.
How do you know if an IA firm is good or bad? What should you watch out for?
Today, I discuss some of the best ways to determine if the IA firm you’re scouting is worth your time or a pass. I describe why winter is a slow month for all of us and when it starts picking up. I explain some risks to consider in being an independent adjuster and how to prepare for slow and fast months. I also share how you can start working with Royal Adjusting Services and the type of adjusters we want on our team.
“Check to see what a company’s rates are only after you’ve decided they’re good or bad to do business for through doing your homework.”
~Jason Heenan
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- Why winter is a tough time for independent adjusters.
- Preparing for the big and small quarters as an independent adjuster.
- Knowing how to find the right IA firm.
- The types of behavior you need to watch out for in IA firms.
- What makes our firm different from other firms?
- You need to ask an IA firm the questions.
- The risks to consider when choosing an IA firm.
- Some of the reasons why you should work for us.
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
On today's episode of Adjuster Talk, I delve into the crucial question of why a particular independent adjuster or adjusting company would stand out from the competition. With so many unique resumes flooding our desks, it's essential for independent adjusters to articulate their value and explain why insurance and adjusting companies should choose them for claims and files. Join me as I share insights on this important topic, drawing from my 20 years of experience in the insurance claims industry.
"A king's army is going to be really dressed right... We want everyone to look uniform and professional and be warm and safe." ~Jason Heenan
This Week on Adjuster Talk:
· Distinguishing Yourself: Independent adjusters must stand out without disparaging the competition, focusing on their skills and professional profile.
· Business Practices: Royal Adjusting Services emphasizes decentralized operations, personalized schedules for adjusters, and a strong focus on meeting schedules and training to enhance productivity and professionalism.
· Health of the Adjusting Firm: Prioritizing the health of individual adjusting businesses forms the foundation for the success of the adjusting firm as a whole, creating a strong, supportive network within the industry.
· Mindset and Customer Service: Emphasizing a customer-oriented mindset, excellent cycle time, and exceptional customer service are vital for success in the adjusting business, fostering trust and reliability among clients.
· Professionalism and Support: Providing professional attire, emphasizing hydration, and promoting a supportive work environment are crucial for adjusters' well-being and productivity, reflecting a strong commitment to their success and comfort.
· Importance of Communication: Good communication skills, especially after hours or during special occasions, are crucial in establishing trust and reliability and enhancing professional relationships and interactions.
· Scan Misconceptions: Understanding common misconceptions about the frequency and significance of follow-up scans after a cancer diagnosis is essential for informed patient decision-making, promoting clarity and peace of mind.
· Types of Scans: Recognizing the differences between PET, CT, and MRI scans and understanding the circumstances under which each is preferred is critical for patients and doctors, ensuring comprehensive and accurate diagnostic procedures.
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
Ideally, your team of adjusters should be the best of the best, capable of balancing every claim they get and processing them on time. However, we’re not living in an ideal world, so we won’t always hire the best, even if we try with our best recruiting skills. Regardless, we still have to know who deserves to be praised and rewarded for their impact on our company.
How do we determine who the best is?
What criteria should we have when looking for our team’s top adjusters?
In today’s episode, I share the five characteristics of a top adjuster. I discuss the importance of organization, especially during a crisis such as the pandemic or the Big Freeze of Texas. I share how our company adapted to COVID-19 and highlight the importance of always being ready for a new claim. I explain the importance of having quality communication skills - both at work and in life in general. I also discuss why any top adjuster should be passionate about what they do and always have goals aligned with the company.
“A top adjuster is certainly going to have goals,
and they're going to know how to achieve them.”
~Jason Heenan
This Week on Adjuster Talk:
· Importance of Business Metrics: A top adjuster focuses on business metrics to ensure efficient performance.
· Preparedness for Opportunities: Being prepared for daily challenges and opportunities is fundamental for success in insurance adjusting.
· Effective Communication: A top-performing adjuster must have great communication skills and responsiveness.
· Setting Measurable Goals: A top adjuster establishes measurable goals, ensuring ongoing professional growth and success.
· Passion and Diversified Skills: Top adjusters often demonstrate passion and possess diverse skills from other trades or hobbies, contributing to their success.
· Understanding the Claim Process: Efficiently managing the claim process, including thorough notes and timely updates, is crucial for success in insurance adjusting.
· Operational Agility: Adapting to industry changes and seizing new opportunities, such as virtual claims processing, demonstrates professional agility.
· Future of Insurance Adjusting: Gain insights into topics and upcoming episodes that offer a comprehensive view of the world of independent insurance adjusting, catering to newcomers and seasoned adjusters alike.
ELEVATE YOUR CAREER AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER
Visit Adjuster Talk to download our exclusive guide, Five Ways to Improve Your Independent Adjusting Career.
This essential resource contains insights and tips to enhance your professional journey.
Remember, a polished presentation at a claim isn't just about knowledge; it's also about gear and attire.
Royal Adjusting Services supports you in every way, ensuring you make the best impression every time.
Don't wait to take your career to the next level; head to Adjuster Talk today and start transforming your future.
Adjuster Talk with Jason Heenan
Your premier podcast for all things insurance adjusting!
Join us as we share insights, industry trends, and insider knowledge that matter to aspiring and seasoned insurance adjusters.
Listen everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Apple | iHeart | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon
Royal Adjusting Services handles the full spectrum of claims and catastrophes, specializing in residential property claims with a mission to provide a better, faster, and more cost-effective claims experience, and is proud to bring you the Adjuster Talk podcast.
So, whether you're an independent adjuster looking to join a leading team or an insurance agency seeking unparalleled service, Adjuster Talk is your window into professional claims adjusting.
You finally made it on your first deployment as an Independent Adjuster when all the sudden you realize, "Hey... this is harder than I thought!"
The panelists,
- Chris Stanley
- Jason Heenan
- (Everyone else is working the storm!)
Break down how to handle a deployment on a major event, including tricks for making a great first impression, advise on how to schedule your days to not get overwhelmed, and much much more.
Listen to this episode and get some insight from veterans with 35 years of combined experience.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
With all the opportunities to go work claims in Florida for Hurricane Ian some adjusters are asking,
"Should I stay or go?"
The panelists,
- Chris Stanley
- Jason Heenan
- Koby Hearn
Break down what they believe you should think about as you consider going on a deployment or staying in your local area.
This is a big decision!
Listen to this episode and get some insight from veterans with 35 years of combined experience.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
Hurricane Ian has just devastated Florida and the East Coast and a lot of adjusters are needed to help.
Now is a great time to be an independent adjusters especially if you are new.
With all this activity and offers of work which deployment should you accept?
The panelists today,
- Chris Stanley
- Jason Heenan
- Koby Hearn
Each offer advice on how to know which deployments to accept and which you shouldn't.
They all have a message they want shared with you... DON'T BE GREEDY!
Find out which deployments are right for you by listening to this special edition of the Adjuster Talk Podcast.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
Change can be frustrating, but it is an inevitable part of any industry. The independent adjusting world is no different and you will constantly hear people talking about how we're going to be replaced by robots among other things.
In today's Adjuster Talk podcast episode our panelists will tell you their honest opinions on the changes they've seen and what to expect next.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Tinecia Johnson of IA Path & JTL Appraisal Group
- Max Olson of IA Path and MDO Adjusting
They discuss
- The biggest change that has happened since they started
- What they see coming in the near and distant future for the Adjusting Industry
- The upcoming changes of how Insurance works as a whole
- How to be prepared and have a rock solid mindset when getting started
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
Whether you are doing desk adjusting, catastrophic property claims, or daily auto claims, there's a dollar amount you need to be hitting to make it worth your while.
In today's Adjuster Talk podcast episode our panelists will discuss their take on how much you need to be making each day to be sustainable.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Tinecia Johnson of IA Path & JTL Appraisal Group
- Max Olson of IA Path and MDO Adjusting
They discuss
- How long Chris and Jason have been growing their beards
- How much the panelists made on their first day as an Independent Adjuster
- Different perspectives of what the daily numbers should be for Desk, Auto, and Property
- Do you really need to make six figures a year?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
Are you just getting into adjusting? Do you wish you could ask four industry professionals what they wish they had known before getting started?
In today's Adjuster Talk podcast episode our panelists will discuss their entrance to the world of adjusting and the most important things they think you should know.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Tinecia Johnson of IA Path & JTL Appraisal Group
- Max Olson of IA Path and MDO Adjusting
They discuss
- What they thought the industry would be like when they got started
- Tips on what to expect and how to navigate your first year as an IA (3 tips per panelist)
- How to diversify your business and get more work
Max's Storm Chase YouTube
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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
One of the trickiest things we face as an IA is managing a healthy lifestyle while being on the road and swamped with claims.
In today's Adjuster Talk podcast episode our panelists will discuss their strategies for staying on top of their diet and mental health while working in the field or at the desk.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Tinecia Johnson of IA Path & JTL Appraisal Group
- Max Olson of IA Path and MDO Adjusting
They discuss
- What their favorite road trip food is
- Suggestions for what to eat and what to avoid
- How to make sure your mental health is taken care of when swamped with claims
The proof is in the pudding, these tips for managing your health as an IA will help you feel better AND be a better adjuster.
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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
What really scares you in life? Snakes? Spiders? Getting your file rejected by QC?
In today's Adjuster Talk podcast episode our panelists will discuss their fears in adjusting and beyond.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Brad Fancher of IA Path & Allen Adjusting
- Matt Allen from AdjusterTV
They discuss
- What is your biggest fear in life overall?
- The time when Matt almost got in a head on collision
- How to not freak out when getting started as an IA
- Gaining experience and knowing when it's time to ask for help
New adjusters wonder no more! Find out how to navigate the fears you may have an independent adjuster, listen now.
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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
Getting a ton of claims is AWESOME... until you realize you haven't had any time to spend with your family.
In today's Adjuster Talk podcast episode our panelists will try and answer that very tough topic.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Brad Fancher of IA Path & Allen Adjusting
- Tinecia Johnson of IA Path & JTL Appraisal Group
They discuss
- What surprised us the most about becoming an IA
- Real life examples of when our panelists let claims overtake their life
- How to say NO!
- Tips on how to structure your business and claim your life
Find out the best tricks to balance work and home life as an independent adjuster, listen now.
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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
You may have asked yourself, "Is there a way to make money without a license ?"
In today's Adjuster Talk podcast episode our panelists will try and answer that question.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Brad Fancher of IA Path & Allen Adjusting
- Tinecia Johnson of IA Path & JTL Appraisal Group
They discuss
- Ways our panelist have made money outside of adjusting
- Creating relationships with industries related to ours
- Thoughts on photos and scope & desk adjusting opportunities
If you aren't encouraged on all the additional ways you can make money in the industry without a license, you better listen to this one again!
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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show
Everyone has heard about how much money can be made on a big hurricane, what things do you need to know to be prepared?
In today's Adjuster Talk podcast episode our panelists will try and answer that very tough question.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Brad Fancher of IA Path & Allen Adjusting
- Tinecia Johnson of IA Path & JTL Appraisal Group
They discuss
- True stories from the front lines of a hurricane disaster
- How to be prepared for your first deployment
- What things should be expected of you from your IA firms
- How to talk to the insured after a major catastrophe
New adjusters wonder no more! Find out how to handle your first big deployment on a hurricane, listen now.
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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Join the IA Path Community for on demand adjuster training, access to mentors, and a community of over 500 adjusters.
Being a business owner is hard, being an independent adjuster that owns their own business may be even HARDER!
But what is the hardest part?
That is what we asked our panelists of veteran adjusters in this episode of the Adjuster Talk Podcast.
You'll never believe some of the stories that come out in this episode!
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Brad Fancher of IA Path & Allen Adjusting
- Tinecia Johnson of IA Path & JTL Appraisal Group
They discuss
- Why being an independent adjuster is so hard
- Horror stories from being an adjuster
- Getting guns pulled on them
- Jerry Springer style claims
- How to manage the stress of being an IA
- The complicated nature of claims
This episode is so action packed and entertaining, don't miss it!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Join the IA Path Community for on demand adjuster training, access to mentors, and a community of over 500 adjusters.
It is the question every new adjuster asks, "How much money will I make?"
In today's Adjuster Talk podcast episode our panelists will try and answer that very tough question.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Brad Fancher of IA Path & Allen Adjusting
- Tinecia Johnson of IA Path & JTL Appraisal Group
They discuss
- How much they each made their first year as independent adjusters
- How much you can expect to make as a new independent adjuster
- How to answer this awkward question when a family member asks
- Who in the world is Uncle Hank?
New adjusters wonder no more! Find out how much you will make in your first year as an independent adjuster, listen now.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Join the IA Path Community for on demand adjuster training, access to mentors, and a community of over 500 adjusters.
Getting fired is never fun, but as an Independent Adjuster being blacklisted by a major insurance carrier feels like a death sentence to a new adjuster.
Today on the Adjuster Talk Podcast, the adjuster panelists discuss getting fired as an independent adjuster.
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Brad Fancher of IA Path & Allen Adjusting
They discuss,
- If they’ve ever been fired or blacklisted
- If it is a career ender
- How to avoid being blacklisted or fired
- Plus stories from their adjusting career to help you
If you’ve been blacklisted or you are scared of being fired as an independent adjuster, this episode is for you!
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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Join the IA Path Community for on demand adjuster training, access to mentors, and a community of over 500 adjusters.
IA Path relaunches the Adjuster Talk Podcast with a new podcast format.
The format will be a panel of successful adjusters answering the biggest questions that you have or will face in your career.
Today's topic is "How Much Money Does an Independent Adjuster Need to Get Started?"
The panelists on today's episode are
- Chris Stanley of IA Path
- Jason Heenan of Royal Adjusting Services
- Brad Fancher of IA Path & Allen Adjusting
You'll hear from them
- How broke each panelist got in their adjusting careers
- How much money you can expect to spend in your first year as an adjuster
- The ideal amount to have saved to be ready for your new adjusting business
- The least amount you can expect to spend to get started
- The cost difference of getting started in auto and property claims
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com
Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"
Join the IA Path Community for on demand adjuster training, access to mentors, and a community of over 500 adjusters.
Adjusters are no stranger to an influx of claims, especially during a natural disaster, but it can be overwhelming, especially if your agency is still starting. This is often the case when it comes to long, cold winters and intense hurricanes. If an agency is ill-equipped to handle the sudden volume of claims, things go downhill fast. This is why it’s critical to be prepared for major disasters, as the next storm of claims can and will be overwhelming to any agency, big or small.
In today’s episode, I share how an insurance adjusting firm can best prepare for an influx of claims, especially those brought about by natural disasters. I explain how the cold months can negatively affect a home’s or apartment building’s pipelines. I discuss the various processes adjusting firms conduct with each claim, especially how tedious they can get. I describe the main parts of an adjusting firm and how agencies should focus on networking when hiring. I also discuss why I would, instead, hire someone with no experience in the field but is well-versed in various types of software.
"Scaling is the part of the business that requires the most amount of tact."
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- The difficulties of scaling an insurance adjusting business.
- How winter can affect a home's stability and safety.
- The four main parts of an insurance adjusting firm.
- Some of the benefits of working for an IA firm.
- The various processes involved when there are a massive number of claims.
- The importance of networking when it comes to recruiting adjusters.
- Why you should hire someone with no experience but an expert in software.
- Understanding what a good start looks like.
Resources Mentioned:
- Xactimate
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Ideally, your team of adjusters should be the very best of the best, capable of balancing every claim they get and still processing them on time. However, we’re not living in an ideal world, so we’re not always going to hire the best, even if we tried with our best recruiting skills. Regardless, we still have to know who deserves to be praised and rewarded for the impact they have on our company.
How do we determine who the best are?
What criteria should we have when looking for our team’s top adjusters?
In today’s episode, I share the five characteristics of a top adjuster. I discuss the importance of being organized, especially in a time of crisis such as the pandemic or the Big Freeze of Texas. I share how our company adapted to COVID-19 and highlight the importance of always being ready for a new claim. I explain the importance of having quality communication skills - both at work and in life in general. I also discuss why any top adjuster should be passionate about what they do and always have goals aligned with the company.
"All top performers are great communicators."
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- How we measure how organized an adjuster is.
- What to do when a claim takes longer than 168 hours to process.
- What it means for the adjuster to be always prepared for an opportunity.
- How COVID-19 and the Big Freeze in Texas changed the way we did business.
- What it means to have quality communication as an adjuster.
- The information the insurance companies hand over to adjusters for claims processing.
- The importance of being a passionate adjuster.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
John Bachmann is a claims leader in the insurance industry and considers himself as an ‘insurance nerd’ and a “Claims Guy.” He is also the co-author of the Adjuster's Resume Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Insurance Adjuster Resume, where he wrote about how adjusters can improve their resumes and boost their acceptance rate. John has almost a decade of experience working in the adjusting industry where he also served as a mentor and professional coach for other claims adjusters.
In today’s episode, my friend Chris Stanley interviews John to discuss why adjusters would benefit from having an up-to-date resume. He describes what a resume should be and what information it’s supposed to contain from the viewpoint of an adjuster. He discusses how resumes are handled today and the various automated processes yours go through upon submission. John also explains why some of the most important adjusting skills can be learned in other professions.
"A resume is an advertisement of you: your story, what brought you where you are today, and why you want whatever job you're handing that resume for." - John Bachmann
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- When a good resume is great for all adjusters.
- Why adjusters still need to update their resumes.
- What John believes a resume is supposed to be.
- How you can increase your resume's ability to attract employers.
- The keywords you need to include in your resume.
- The automated systems that your resume goes through upon submission.
- The adjusting skills you learn from non-adjusting jobs.
- Incorporating communication and integrity in your profession.
Connect with John Bachmann
- Adjuster's Resume Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Insurance Adjuster Resume
Connect With Chris Stanley
- IA Path
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Providing proper customer service in any industry is mandatory, but more so when you’re an insurance adjuster. Adjusters deal with clients who range from being annoyed to being at the lowest point of their lives, so it matters how we handle their claims from start to finish.
How soon should you respond to a claim request? What are some of the metrics you can use to calculate your response time? Should you provide customer service surveys?
In today’s episode, I share some of the steps you can take to make sure you’re providing proper customer service without sacrificing your business schedule. I describe what cycle time is and why it’s an important metric in our industry. I explain some of the factors involved when a claim becomes a bad experience for the customer. I also share how our business has fared during the lockdown and how we successfully implemented virtual adjusting.
"Cycle time is easily measured by an Excel spreadsheet."
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- Why customer service surveys are important
- Why Cycle Time is the key metric for insurance companies.
- Relating customer service to cycle time.
- Why you should get the claim off to a good start, even if it's a bad claim.
- Why a claim can turn into a negative experience.
- How you can perform virtual adjusting.
- Managing our company’s cycle time during the lockdown.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Insurance adjusting is often a pretty straight-forward job. You receive a claim, verify the authenticity and compute the value. However, our job can also involve playing detective, such as when dealing with subrogation. Subrogation can be a really tricky job and is not for someone who doesn’t like asking questions or someone who doesn’t have an eye for detail.
What are some of the skills you need to have when it comes to subrogation?
In today’s episode, I describe what subrogation is and what our role is as adjusters. I explain some of the important details when dealing with a subrogation case as well as what you should be keeping an eye on. I discuss a few examples pertaining to water and fire damage, even when a car drives through someone else’s house. I also share some of the critical habits to build on before pursuing a subrogation case.
"There is always a reason to subrogate and it is always a good reason."
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- What you need to be aware of when investigating a claim that deals with subrogation.
- Defining subrogation and a few example situations.
- How subrogation is investigated and damages to watch out for.
- Determining whether a situation is a potential liability.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Charles Alexander is a video content creator and owner of Your Charles Alexander, a company that focuses on video marketing services. They offer explainer videos for those working in finance, insurance, and those in an advisory role. Charles is known as an expert when it comes to social media marketing, email marketing, and business development. He is also appointed Director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center.
Charles joins me to discuss the impact video has brought to lead generation and marketing. He describes his journey and how he became a full-time video content creator and explains how critical video marketing has become since websites became a mainstay of any brand and company. Charles also shares his thoughts on automation and outsourcing as well as advice on how to make the best videos - especially the first one.
"There's never a perfect way to get started than just to get going."- Charles Alexander
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- Charles' experience as a small business coach and explainer video creator.
- Why many businesses fail and close after the first five years.
- Why hard work alone is no longer viable if you're chasing success.
- Marketing techniques, websites, and the type of video you should publish.
- His thoughts on outsourcing and the automation he's applied in his business.
- Why video is like exercise equipment.
- Charles' advice on getting started with making video.
Resources Mentioned:
- Vyond
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
Connect with Charles Alexander:
- Your Charles Alexander
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Garrett Kurtt is a licensed insurance adjuster in Texas and Colorado as well as the Founder and CEO of OneClick Code, an app that provides real-time, accurate roofing codes for adjusters, roofers, and estimators anywhere in the US. He developed the app after realizing how inefficient it was to acquire roofing codes, which ultimately cost businesses time and money. In 2008, Garrett also founded EcoBlast Claims, a company that helped streamline the claims process for those affected by tornadoes, fires, and other catastrophic disasters. Garrett holds several certifications, including an EPA Lead-Safe certification and a HAAG Commercial Roof Inspector certification.
Garrett joins me today to discuss how OneClick Code works and how it can speed up the claims process for insurance adjusters. He discusses the skills he has gained over the last decade and how he utilized his experience in leading his company. He shares his work experience before founding OneClick Code and why he started the company. Garrett also describes the challenges of automating claims estimates as well as the type of data that the OneClick Code app provides to its users.
“You can’t automate an estimate - even if you know the manufacturer’s specs, even if you know the areal measurements, you know all of the components - without the code.” - Garrett Kurtt
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- What OneClick Code is and why Garrett decided to create it.
- The traits that allowed Garrett to be different and become a great leader.
- Garrett's experiences in contracting, roofing, and adjusting.
- Garrett's definition of claims consultant and claims advisor.
- The data that OneClick Code provides to make claims easier to verify.
- Who can benefit the most from their software?
Connect with Garrett Kurtt:
- OneClick Code
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Independent adjusting can be one of the best career choices you will ever make. In a way, it gives you the freedom of most work-from-home occupations, but without the mundane experience of being stuck at home for 40 hours a week. One of the best ways to boost the adjusting experience is by joining or working with an IA firm.
How do you know if an IA firm is good or bad? What should you watch out for?
Today, I discuss some of the best ways to determine if the IA firm you’re scouting is worth your time or worth a pass. I describe why winter is a slow month for all of us and when it starts picking up. I explain some of the risks to consider in being an independent adjuster and how to prepare for slow and fast months. I also share how you can start working with Royal Adjusting Services and the type of adjusters we want on our team.
“Check to see what a company’s rates are only after you’ve decided they’re good or bad to do business for through doing your homework.”
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- Why winter is a tough time for independent adjusters.
- Preparing for the big and small quarters as an independent adjuster.
- Knowing how to find the right IA firm.
- The types of behavior you need to watch out for in IA firms.
- What makes our firm different from other firms.
- The questions you need to ask an IA firm.
- The risks to consider when choosing an IA firm.
- Some of the reasons why you should work for us.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
For over two decades, Mark Hoversten dedicated his professional career to the insurance adjusting industry. After pivoting from running a roofing company in Central Iowan, Mark started his adjusting career in 1992 after the destruction caused by Hurricane Andrew. For the next 28 years, Mark focused his career on crop liability claims, large commercial loss claims, and high-end residential claims.
Today, in honor and memory of the late adjusting great, Mark Hoversten, I share an encore of a previous podcast episode with Mark where he explained why it’s critical for new insurance adjusters to build a solid reputation and the challenges many new adjusters face when beginning their careers. He discussed the impact that turning down deployment opportunities can have on a new adjuster’s future career and why it’s beneficial for new adjusters to learn how to handle a wide variety of claims before narrowing their niche. He also shared the challenges he faced throughout his adjusting career and how he balanced raising a family while being deployed in the field.
“The one thing you have to understand is - your territory is going to be the entire United States. You have to be willing to travel.”
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- Why he decided to start his career after the destruction of Hurricane Andrew
- How he handled long breaks from deployment
- How he balanced raising a family while working claims
- The challenges Mark faced throughout his career and what new adjusters should be prepared for
- The importance of staying open to new deployment opportunities
- Mark’s description of a “dream adjusting firm”
- The importance of building a strong reputation
- His thoughts on the staff adjusting process
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Starting a business is never easy. The same is true for starting an IA firm. There’s a lot of risk and uncertainty and you simply never know what the future will hold. There are many challenges and obstacles to overcome, from building a team to getting your first client. At Royal Adjusting Services, it took us 1,000 days - almost three whole years - to finally get our first client. It took a lot of effort and a lot more patience, but we stay focused and it finally came into fruition.
What did we do between day 1 and day 1000?
What challenged us as a team and how did we solve those challenges?
Today, I share how Royal Adjusting got started, what made us want to launch an adjusting company, and the reason behind its name. I share what it was like in the first 1,000 days of launching our IA firm and bust some of the prevailing myths about starting a business, specifically an independent adjusting firm. I discuss the key moments we encountered as a team that made us take the company to the next level. I also explain what sets an ‘average joe’ apart from an entrepreneur and share some key tips from my daily thought process.
“The business will flow your way eventually. You just have to remain positive and focused.”
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- The humble beginnings of the Royal Adjusting company.
- The pivotal point when we decided to start the company and how we got the idea for the name.
- Why it took us 1,000 days to get our first client.
- The difference between an entrepreneur and a regular person.
- The mistakes we made and what we learned along the way.
- Connecting Kung Fu Panda and the secret of being an adjuster-preneur.
- Why being up to date could make or break your business.
Resources Mentioned:
- Gary Vaynerchuck
- Joe Rogan
- Jocko
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
It’s no secret that when you pursue a career with enough dedication, you will be successful in it. This is the same with insurance adjusting. How you grow as an adjuster depends entirely on which type of adjusting you want to do: Public, Staff, and Independent adjusting.
Which type allows you to become successful in your preferred way?
Today, I discuss the three types of insurance adjusters, their similarities, and what distinguishes them from each other. I share examples of what each type of adjusters do on a day-to-day basis and the scope of the claims they work on. I explain each adjuster’s risk appetites and their work flexibility when it comes to leads and processing. I also share how I chose to become an independent adjuster.
“You don't have to be a part of a catastrophe in order to be a successful independent adjuster.”
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- Similarities and differences between public, staff, and independent adjusters.
- What public adjusters do and the claims they process.
- Why public adjusters are the most risk-tolerant of all types.
- Staff adjusters and why they're not as discussed as other types.
- The versatility of staff adjusters in the insurance adjusting industry.
- What independent adjusters do and what sets them apart from other types.
- The pros and cons of independent adjusting.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
In any industry and profession, getting started and taking any opportunity that comes your way is critical to getting on the road to success. After some time - as your career flourishes - the opportunities you grab become more niche, more focused toward your long-term objectives. You’re still learning, you still want to become better, but at this stage of your career, you also have to determine when and how to say no. Saying no to opportunities may sound counterintuitive, but some are simply not worth the moral compromise.
Today, I discuss the importance of having honesty and integrity as an independent adjuster. I share stories of moments when I was tempted to choose profit over service and what I learned from them. I explain why you should never accept money from contractors and what could happen if you do. I also describe how you can differentiate a good opportunity from a bad one.
“Anytime you find yourself focused more on the money than on the service, you have lost sight of your objective.”
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- What you can expect as an independent adjuster.
- Recognizing opportunities that are consistent and inconsistent with your objectives.
- The temptations you will have to deal with as an adjuster.
- Why you should never accept money from a contractor.
- My experiences in being honest and moments where I said no.
- Knowing your strengths and weaknesses as a person and as an insurance adjuster.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Kathy Schueler is an independent adjuster that has been part of the Royal Adjusting team since December 2018. In her first month, she only had one claim to work on. Today, she delivers over ten claims a week, and processing claims for Royal Adjusting isn’t even what makes up the majority of her day. Despite that, Kathy says she prioritizes claims for our team because we’re the only company that offers an incentive-based pay program for adjusters. Before joining Royal, Kathy worked as a Project Manager and Senior Estimator for Premier Restorations, a company that helps people repair homes damaged by natural disasters.
Kathy joins me today to share why she left a career in restorations for a career in insurance adjusting. She describes what it’s like to work with Royal Adjusting and how the incentive-based pay program helps her manager her work priorities. She explains how her claim tracking system works and her review of the RCS setup we use. She discusses the importance of documenting everything and making sure you track emails and calls carefully. Kathy also shares the tools she always brings with her when working on an insurance claim.
“The bonus incentive program helps me prioritize my claims pretty easily when I get back to the office.” - Kathy Schueler
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- What it's like to work with Royal Adjusting compared to other companies.
- What the incentive-based pay program is and how it helps Kathy prioritize claims.
- How Kathy became part of the adjusting industry and her prior career trajectory.
- Managing her work and how Kathy deals with the frustrations of the job.
- What Kathy does when the work becomes too overwhelming.
- Kathy’s claim tracking system and how it works.
- Kathy’s thoughts on the RCS and how it can be improved.
- The role of the claims manager in claims documentation.
- The tools Kathy always brings when she's working on claims.
Resources Mentioned:
- Geomni
- EagleView
Connect with Kathy Schueler:
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
AT042 Property Appraising to Insurance Adjusting with Mark Koncz
Over the last 16 years, Mark Koncz has established himself as an expert in real estate appraisals throughout the Akron, Ohio region. He is the founder and owner of MJK Appraisals with an interest to transition into the insurance claim adjusting industry.
Mark joins me today to share his experience with working as a property appraiser and his desire to begin transitioning his company into the insurance adjusting industry. He shares what it was like to work his first claim during the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma, the challenges he faced, and how he overcame them. He also shares the similarities in workflow between property appraising and claim adjusting as well as the customer services skills you need to be successful in both fields.
“Between adjusting and appraisals, there’s a lot of crossover.” - Mark Koncz
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Why he decided to transition from property appraiser to insurance adjuster.
- How he’s transitioning into the adjusting field.
- What it was like to work through the post-Hurricane Irma destruction.
- The challenges he faced while working through Irma and how he overcame them.
- How much he earned from closing 20 claims in 10 days during Hurricane Irma.
- Utilizing resources to maximize productivity and increase your knowledge.
- Strategies for building your network.
- Customer service skills you need for appraising properties.
- Similarities between property appraising and insurance adjusting.
- Average income for home appraisals per completed report.
Resources Mentioned:
- National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters (NACA) Conference
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT041 Pivoting from Painting Contractor to Insurance Adjuster with Jordan Cox
Jordan Cox is a 31-year-old former painting contractor who ran a successful painting company based in Greenwood, South Carolina for seven years. As he got older, he began to realize the hardship and stress that his career placed on his body and decided to pivot his career. He began working as an independent insurance adjuster shortly after Hurricane Irma devastated Florida in 2017.
Jordan joins me today to discuss what inspired him to pivot his career from being a successful painting company owner to becoming an independent insurance adjuster. He shares how he got started and how helping his father in the fix and flip real estate industry as a young boy helped him learn many of the skills he needed to become a successful insurance adjuster. He also shares what it was like to work his first claim, the importance of being able to make quick decisions, and the importance of being disciplined in managing your time and money.
“Making quick decisions is key to this business.” - Jordan Cox
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How he got started as an insurance adjuster.
- His biggest challenges while just starting out.
- How millennials are helping to shape the industry and cultivate the adjusting environment.
- The importance of being confident in your decisions.
- His strategy for measuring and sketching roofs.
- What he’s most apprehensive about regarding being an adjuster.
- The importance of saving “emergency money” to help you through lean times.
- What is a 1099?
- How much income should you set aside for taxes?
- The importance of being disciplined with your bookkeeping, accounting, and paying taxes.
- How to get added to more rosters and get more claims as a new insurance adjuster.
Advice for New Insurance Adjusters:
- Participate in ride-along when you’re just starting out.
- Network with other adjusters.
- Plan ahead for your financial future, especially for the lean workload periods.
- Be disciplined in paying your taxes.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT040 Insurance Adjusting with Compassion and Integrity with Emily Whisman
Emily Whisman is an insurance adjuster with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Prep Program (Phase I). Through the program, she helps homeowners throughout the Houston, Texas region rebuild their lives following the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017.
Emily joins me today to share her experiences while working with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Prep Program. She explains how the program works, how homeowners can qualify for the program and her role as an insurance adjuster and home inspector with the program. She also shares some of the challenges that many homeowners have faced since Hurricane Harvey, the perimeters she checks for during home inspections, and why she feels being compassionate and showing up with integrity when meeting Hurricane Harvey victims is critical to building rapport and trust with the homeowners.
“Develop a compassion to serve that is stronger than your compulsion to survive.” - Emily Whisman
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- How FEMA’s Phase I Texas Rebuild Program works.
- Qualifications for homeowners to participate in the Texas Rebuild Program.
- Her role while working with the program.
- Why many homeowners are skeptical of insurance adjusters and contractors after Hurricane Harvey.
- How being a female insurance adjuster and home inspector can be beneficial in building trust with homeowners?
- How the Texas Rebuild Program is streamlining their processes to become more effective and productive.
- How FEMA inspectors work with contractors.
- How she prioritizes damage repairs based on the budget allowed for each home.
- Bridging the gap between FEMA inspectors and builders.
- Maintaining compassion, authenticity, and integrity.
- How her previous experience as a chiropractor and yoga instructor helps her in her role with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Program.
Resources Mentioned:
- Texas Rebuild Project
- Lemoine Company, LLC
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT039 Women in the Independent Adjusting Industry with Crystal Dubois
Crystal Dubois previously worked in the aerospace field when an opportunity in adjusting popped up as soon as she lost her job. In a short time, Crystal was able to travel to Texas, train, and now does her inspections.
Crystal joins us today to share the sacrifices she makes as a mom and now as an adjuster to provide for her family. She explains how she balances work and learning the skills she needs to perform while making quality time to spend with her family. She also explains that being part of the Texas Rebuild Program has taught her valuable adjusting skills, which she’ll soon need for more contract jobs.
“Independent adjusting is changing the face of the industry with more women needed in the workforce.” Jason Heenan
In this Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- What are the essential skills a beginner adjuster needs to close a claim
- How opportunities in adjusting are popping up across Texas
- Learning organization strategies from a novice adjuster
- Why a career change is sometimes a good thing for your life
Resources:
- Texas Rebuild Program
- Adjusters Gone Wild Facebook
- Adjusterology
- Jeremy Rettig - Adjusting To 6 Figures Business
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT038 Checking Back In with Westin Vance Post Hurricane Harvey
Opportunities lie at any moment. It is especially crucial in the business of an independent adjuster. In November, I spoke with Westin Vance about his experiences with natural disasters. Today, I’m chatting with him about his moments after Hurricane Harvey. Westin enlightens us about his dedication to helping those affected by Harvey and how the Texas Rebuild Program and living a healthy lifestyle support his unexpected career opportunities.
Aside from being a health and exercise enthusiast, Westin shares his must-have hacks for staying active while working as an independent adjuster. Working with a team of coworkers, Westin explains the necessity of supporting each other, living well, and committing to offering reliable service to skeptical homeowners.
“When you’re an indispensable and reliable adjuster, you never know where your opportunity will be the next time.” - Westin Vance
In this episode of Adjuster Talks:
- Building relationships and connections to leverage your career path
- How to stay productive with overwhelming paperwork, calls, and clients
- Lifestyle hacks to keep you healthy and motivated
- Why FEMA sponsors the Texas Rebuild Program as a way to promote reconstruction after Harvey
Resources:
- Texas Rebuild Program
- Adjuster Central
- Texas Prep Program
- Royal Adjusting School Program - coming soon
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT055 - Becoming a Successful Claims Adjuster with 16-Year Adjusting Veteran Shemekia Bowens
Shemekia Bowens is a claims adjuster for AmTrust Financial Services, a financial services company that offers diverse underwriting portfolios to their clients. She has been a professional claims adjuster for over 16 years, has handled a wide variety of claims, and has helped thousands of clients. One of the most important lessons she’s learned in the industry is how you should never forget to be human and give clients a sense of compassion during the most horrible times of their lives.
Shemekia joins me today to share the wisdom she’s accumulated as a 16-year insurance adjusting veteran. She shares what made her decide to become a claims adjuster and what made her stay. She explains how you can tell the kind of client you have during the initial call and what you should do to be prepared when meeting them. She also provides tips for those who want to succeed in this type of career.
“Don't be afraid to try and do something different to achieve your goals.” - Shemekia Bowens
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Shemekia's experience in insurance adjusting claims and what she specializes in.
- Why she chose to build a career in being a staff adjuster.
- The techniques she implores when dealing with rude or grumpy clients.
- Some of the claims she's handled in her 16 years in the industry.
- How adjusting affected the way she raised her child.
- The next step in her career and how she plans on pursuing it.
- How she teaches people about the value of wealth management.
Connect with Shemekia Bowens:
- AmTrust Financial
- Email: meko955@gmail.com
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingServices.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at
AT054 - It's All About Relationships and the Hustle with Kagan Blackburn
Kagan Blackburn is an independent adjuster who has an amazing work ethic. He’s what you can call an expert hustler. His mindset when it comes to accomplishing his tasks is clear-cut and makes him stand out from the rest, but his humble upbringing keeps him grounded. He enjoys helping other people grow and repair their lives and being an independent adjuster enables him to do both.
Kagan joins me today to describe what it means to be a hustler in the insurance adjusting industry. He discusses some of the habits he’s developed that enable him to be successful in his career and how networking and building relationships have impacted his career. He also shares how he got started in the industry as well as the people who helped and inspired him to pursue the life of an independent adjuster.
“What’s going to separate you from those other people that are sending emails - it’s going to be following up.” - Kagan Blackburn
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Kagan's unique skill set that helped him become successful in the insurance adjusting industry.
- When he became interested in independent adjusting and who inspired him.
- Knowing the people to call and how he contacts them.
- Communicating in a way that connects with people.
- The challenges he faced in his career as an independent adjuster.
- His experience in dealing with auto claims.
- What he is currently working on with Chris Stanley.
Resources Mentioned:
- The World of Auto Industry Claim Adjusters with Chris Stanley
- The Insurance Adjusting Industry is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT with Chris Stanley Part 1
- Chris Stanley on Getting Into Auto Insurance Adjusting Part 2
Connect with Kagan Blackburn:
- Email: kaganblackburnia@gmail.com
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingServices.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on
AT052 Chris Stanley on Getting Into Auto Insurance Adjusting Part 2
Chris Stanley is the founder of IA Path, a company dedicated to providing independent insurance adjusters with the best online training, support, and networking opportunities to begin and excel as an insurance adjuster. He has over a decade of experience as an insurance adjuster and appraiser, working primarily with automotive catastrophe claims. In addition to transforming lives and impacting careers, he is the author of the Amazon bestseller, Hail Adjuster’s Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Being and Becoming a Catastrophic Independent Auto Hail Adjuster.
Chris rejoins me this week to discuss his upcoming book and how it aims to help more adjusters get started in the industry on the right foot. He shares some of the initial steps adjusters need to take to succeed in this industry as well as mistakes many new adjusters make as they begin their careers. He also explains the three key phases of an insurance adjuster’s journey.
“Learn how to actually do something in claims before you even get your adjuster license because getting your adjuster license is a journey all on its own.” - Chris Stanley
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How his upcoming book can help new adjusters get started and become successful.
- The steps required to become a successful insurance adjuster.
- The 3 phases of becoming a successful adjuster.
- The importance of treating your adjusting career as a business.
- Mistakes to avoid as a new adjuster.
- The importance of separating your business and personal finances.
- How to promote your adjusting business.
Connect with Chris Stanley:
- IA Path
- Hail Adjuster’s Playbook: A Step by Step Guide to Being and Becoming a Catastrophic Independent Auto Hail Adjuster
Adjuster Talk Exclusive Offer!
Learn how to set up your auto adjusting business the right way with IA Path’s Auto Adjuster’s Crash Course LIVE training series! This course will show you the step-by-step process of starting your career as an insurance adjuster - from how to start your business to how to write an estimate and assess auto damage… and so much more!
This course alone is valued at $500, but as a loyal listener of the Adjuster Talk podcast, you’ll also receive an exclusive offer - a full suite of valuable, archived training - that’s OVER $2000 VALUE for only $500! You’ll learn how to handle claims such as hail, flood, CCC1 and more.
Visit AdjusterTalkAuto.com to claim your exclusive offer today!
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dy
AT051 Chris Stanley on Getting Into Auto Insurance Adjusting
Chris Stanley is the founder of IA Path, an organization dedicated to helping independent insurance adjusters get the training and support they need to succeed in the industry. He is the author of the Amazon bestselling book: Hail Adjuster’s Playbook: A Step by Step Guide to Being and Becoming a Catastrophic Independent Auto Hail Adjuster. As an independent adjuster with over a decade of experience, he is committed to helping others transform their adjusting career into a vehicle to achieve their goals and realize their dreams.
Chris joins me today to share his journey as an independent auto adjuster and the high and low points of his adjusting career. He shares how he realized the dire need for training and support services for auto adjusters and what inspired him to create materials to help other adjusters get started in the industry. He also explains the importance of having reasonable expectations on the financial aspects of being an insurance adjuster, why adjusters need to consider themselves as business owners instead of employees and shares a behind-the-scenes glimpse of his upcoming book project.
“You can’t expect to walk into any industry - much less adjusting - if you don’t have reasonable expectations about what you’re getting into.” - Chris Stanley
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- The high points of his auto adjusting career.
- How working as an auto insurance adjuster has empowered him and his family to achieve their goals and dreams.
- How he identified the need for auto adjusting training services.
- The importance of having reasonable expectations before deciding to become an insurance adjuster.
- The importance of thinking like a business owner instead of an employee.
- His latest book project.
Connect with Chris Stanley:
- IA Path
- Hail Adjuster’s Playbook: A Step by Step Guide to Being and Becoming a Catastrophic Independent Auto Hail Adjuster
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingService.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on
Francisco Aragon is an independent claims adjuster in the Phoenix, Arizona region. He has been in the insurance adjusting industry for almost eight years but has previous experience with insurance claims since his former role as a sales representative. Francisco is experienced in multi-state licensed daily and catastrophe claims, handling different claims due to water, wind, hail, fire, and even hurricanes. He boasts of being able to write accurate estimates onsite.
Francisco joins me today to share what it’s like to be an adjuster in the Phoenix area. He describes his experience with being his own boss and the skills he honed to get to where he is today. He explains the importance of a good work ethic and why being lax won’t get you anywhere in this industry. Francisco also offers advice to those who are thinking about becoming an insurance adjuster.
“If you're complacent or lazy, you probably won't last very long in this job.” - Francisco Aragon
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- What Francisco is doing right now to train for his hobbies.
- What the market is like in Arizona.
- The typical claim he works on within the Arizona area.
- His life before being an adjuster and how he became part of this industry.
- His best and favorite claim story.
- The work routine he has and his work ethic.
- The importance of being fast and in proximity to this type of business.
Connect with Francisco Aragon:
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Anssi Viljanen is an independent insurance adjuster in the Los Angeles, California area. Along the way, he experienced playing roles in the real estate and solar energy industries as well as being a limo driver. He credits his inspiration in becoming an adjuster after listening to the Adjuster Talk podcast. Anssi’s career took off just after Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc across America.
Anssi joins me to describe what he’s been doing in the past year, and how he managed to complete 700 insurance claims in a year, and the projects he’s currently working on. He explains how he manages his time, especially when handling multiple claims. Anssi also shares the story of when he was bound for deportation in California and ultimately missed his wedding.
“700 claims in a year sounds like a lot, but it breaks down to about a 40-hour workweek.” - Anssi Viljanen
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- The number of claims he does in a week and his strategies for time management.
- How he got into the business of being an independent adjuster.
- Some of the examples of claims he's experienced handling.
- How he met his wife and the effort he put to be with her.
- The story when he was deported and missed his own wedding.
- How his then-fiancee got him out of the deportation cell.
Connect with Anssi Viljanen:
- Email: anssiadjusting@gmail.com
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Michael Ryan is an independent adjuster with over 15 years of experience. He is perhaps one of the most hardworking adjusters I’ve ever met, having closed well over 3,000 claims in just the last three years. His bread and butter consist of Daily, CAT, and Flood Insurance. Never one to settle on his laurels, Michael once did claims every day, raking in 40 claims a week, and he still wanted to have more.
Michael joins me today to share why he changed the business strategy that made him successful for over a decade. He describes his work process now and its pros and cons. He shares some of his favorite adjuster stories and the lessons he’s learned from them. Michael also explains the critical skills he acquired before he became an adjuster and how they have helped him in this industry.
“When I'm on the road I know I'll have 18 solid hours a day to do what I’ve got to do.” - Michael Ryan
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- Why Michael is cautious when it comes to metal roofs.
- The change he made to his business and what inspired him to change.
- Why having many clients is both a blessing and a curse.
- Comparing workloads at home and on the road.
- When his insurance adjuster career started and what led him on this journey.
- The skills necessary to become a good adjuster.
- Recalling some of his most exciting claim stories.
- Where he's been for the last five years as an adjuster.
Connect with Michael Ryan:
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Westin Vance was once part of the Royal Adjusting Services team. He earned his adjuster license just before Hurricane Harvey devastated homes all over the country. Before he became an adjuster, Westin was busying himself working for a law firm as he prepared for law school himself. It didn’t take long before Westin realized being a lawyer wasn’t for him. He has since begun to train his body with Jiu-Jitsu and his mind with business strategies and independent adjuster knowledge.
Westin joins me today to share his life after he parted ways with Royal Adjust Services and the lessons he’s learned when it comes to building authentic relationships. He explains why chasing money is not the only way to be successful in an industry. He also discusses the time he worked with me at my company, the wisdom he gathered, and what made him eventually go his own way.
“Money is just a side effect of effort.” - Westin Vance
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- The events that transpired after Westin started working with Royal.
- What his life was like before he planned on becoming an adjuster.
- The milestones he achieved thanks to being an adjuster.
- Why focusing on the money is not going to make you successful.
- How my company thrived when Westin was still part of it.
- Forming relationships in any industry and how it paves the way for success.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Levi Castleberry is an insurance adjuster providing claim services to customers in the Garland, Texas area. He works for WORLEY, a diversified risk management company that is capable of handling a large number of claims ranging from hurricanes and hailstorms to fires and floods. Levi’s journey to becoming an adjuster wasn’t easy, with many of his initial claims requiring long-distance travel and sometimes risking his life just to get a good photograph.
Levi joins me today to share his story and journey on how he became an insurance adjuster. He describes the challenges of having no experience in this industry, what his first claim was like, and the type of claims he currently focuses on. He discusses some of the drawbacks of being an insurance adjuster and the most challenging aspects of the claim process. Levi also shares some of his favorite experiences while working in the field.
“Sometimes you're going to be thrown in situations where it's not going to be easy, but guess what? The claim has got to get done.” - Levi Castleberry
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- How long Levi has been in the business of being an adjuster.
- The types of claims that make up the bulk of his business.
- How he was introduced to the world of insurance adjusting.
- Knowing when to decline a claim or a company.
- What it was like soliciting his first claim and what makes it a challenge.
- The most mentally challenging part of the claim process.
- Some of his favorite claim stories.
- The drawbacks of being an insurance adjuster.
Connect with Levi Castleberry:
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Kagan Blackburn is the Owner of Blackburn Claims LLC. He is an independent adjuster that many would consider an expert hustler, busy with the next claim right after the last one. He also helps multiple corporations and private individuals with their local assignment needs. Kagan says being an independent adjuster allows him to help other people grow and fix their lives.
Kagan joins me to share how his business has been since we last had him on the show. He describes his life before he ventured into the world of independent adjusting. He explains how he sets boundaries between life and business. Kagan also describes some of the everyday struggles that independent adjusters experience on their way to success.
“This career can be negative if you let it. However, it can be very positive if you allow it to be as well.’” - Kagan Blackburn
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- Kagan's business and when he decided to become an independent adjuster.
- What his life was like before adjusting and what it is like today.
- Why he uses two separate phones for his family and his business.
- The common challenges of being an independent adjuster.
- How customer service has become fast-paced in the last few years.
- The various improvements he made in his life since becoming part of the independent adjuster industry.
- How being a guest on the show has helped his career.
Resources Mentioned:
- It's All About Relationships and the Hustle with Kagan Blackburn
Connect with Kagan Blackburn:
- Email: kaganblackburnia@gmail.com
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Anssi Viljanen previously worked in the solar industry as well as a limo driver in California. In 2017, while facing over $40,000 debt, he learned about the devastating destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey. After deciding to lend aid to help homeowners rebuild their lives, Anssi began working property claims in Texas with Royal Adjusting Services.
Anssi joins me today to learn more about my experiences while working in the field as an insurance adjuster. We discuss how I turned in over 10,000 insurance claim reports throughout the lifetime of my experience as an independent adjuster. We also share “war stories” we’ve had throughout our careers and discuss some of the most interesting - and scariest - experiences we’ve had while working in the field.
“Getting together with adjusters, it’s always so much fun to hear some of those old ‘war stories.’” - Anssi Viljanen
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- My career as an independent adjuster and how I turned in over 10k claims, independently, throughout the lifetime of my career
- How Anssi’s career began as an adjuster
- Reminiscing on my first insurance claim
- Crazy experiences we’ve had while working claims
- The importance of making safety a TOP priority while working in the field
- Working with Public Adjusters
- The sewer backup claim I worked while in Chicago
Connect with Anssi Viljanen:
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Chris Stanley is a huge advocate for independent adjusters. He is the founder of IA Path, an all-in-one mentorship, licensing, training, and job placement program designed to help new adjusters start their career on the path toward success. With over a decade of auto adjusting experience, Chris has trained over 1,000 independent adjusters through his program. Additionally, he is the Amazon bestselling author of multiple books for insurance adjusters, including The Hail Adjuster’s Playbook.
Chris joins me today to share how IA Path got started and their mission to help new adjusters begin their career. He explains why it’s critical to stay committed to your career goals and recognizing new opportunities to advance your career. He also shares why it’s important to focus on a specific niche to achieve success in the adjusting industry and how his program can help new adjusters discover the career path that is most suitable for them.
“We still have opportunities - they just look a little bit different.” - Chris Stanley
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- How IA Path got started and how it helps new adjusters
- The importance of staying committed to your goals and recognizing new opportunities
- How the adjusting industry has evolved over the last two decades
- Why you need to focus on a specific niche and become a specialist
- The biggest challenge for new adjusters
- The pros and cons of working as a staff adjuster
- The importance of receiving proper training
- What it really takes to become a successful insurance adjuster
- How his program helps new adjusters find the career path that is perfect for them
Resources Mentioned:
- The One Thing by Gary Keller
Connect with Chris Stanley:
- IA Path
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Welcome back to Season 2 of the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan. Adjuster Talk is the show for insurance adjusters by insurance adjusters, connecting you with the most successful people in the industry.
In this episode, I share who I am and how becoming an insurance adjuster has impacted my life and career. I share the kind of insurance claims I’ve worked and the states my career has allowed me to visit. I also share what you can expect to learn by tuning into Adjuster Talk and the inspirational stories we will share each week from new and experienced property adjusters.
“The purpose of Adjuster Talk is to just give a window - a brief look - into what we do as independent adjusters.” - Jason Heenan
What to Expect in Season 2 of Adjuster Talk:
- Conversations with experts and fellow insurance adjusters
- Inspirational stories from people who have been where you are and have found success
- Follow-ups with previous guests who started their adjusting career during Season 1
- Updates on relevant industry news - as it happens
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Brandon Kinney is the Operations Manager at Electronic Restoration Services (ERS), a national leader in the restoration and recovery technology space since 1993. The company specializes in recovering and restoring residential and commercial property that has been damaged by fire, mold, lightning, and other natural disaster events. Brandon is an affiliate of Adjuster Talk and Royal Adjusting Services and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University.
Brandon joins me today to discuss how ERS contributes value to the insurance claims process following a natural disaster. He explains why their company focuses exclusively on electronic recovery and restoration services and how working in this field has impacted his life and career. He also demystifies common beliefs regarding electronics damaged by water and shares his experience while working on insurance claims during Hurricane Harvey.
“It’s a pretty common myth that if any electronic gets wet, it’s immediately done-for.” - Brandon Kinney
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- Brandon’s career journey and the services offered at Electronic Restoration Services
- Common myths about water damage with electronics
- The type of electronic damage claims his company handles
- The relationship between insurance carriers and the people they work with
- How working in the insurance industry has impacted Brandon’s life
- His experiences while working insurance claims in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
- Why ERS focuses strictly on electronic restoration and recovery
- How ERS contributes value to the insurance claims process
Resources Mentioned:
- HAAG Engineering
- Email: JHeenan@RoyalAdjustingServices.com to join the email list and learn more about upcoming continued education classes
Connect with Brandon Kinney:
- Electronic Restoration Services (ERS)
- ERS of Texas on LinkedIn
- ERS of Texas on Facebook
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Aaron Berkowitz has an outstanding history and experience as an entrepreneur. He has worked on his own - off and on - since he was 8 years old. His entrepreneurial and vagabond spirit, coupled with his childhood experiences, has been the driving force that makes him such a successful independent adjuster.
Aaron joins me today to share how his adjusting business has evolved since 2017 and why he’s now focused on improving his life and taking advantage of the time off between deployments. He shares how his childhood upbringing has impacted his career as an entrepreneur and the driving force that keeps him moving toward his goals. He also shares why he decided to stop using social media and explains why it’s critical for adjusters to identify what they want and take the necessary steps to achieve your goals.
“Define what you want. Until then, you will not go anywhere but in circles.” - Aaron Berkowitz
This week on Adjuster Talk:
- How Aaron’s business has evolved since 2017
- Why he is taking advantage of the slow periods between deployments
- How he maintains his health and fitness throughout his travels
- How his entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at such a young age
- The driving force that keeps him moving forward
- How he determines if he’s made successful strides toward his goals
- Why he decided to stop using social media and how it has impacted his personal and professional life
- The importance of identifying what you want and taking the necessary actions to achieve your goals
Resources Mentioned:
- Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus by Jesse Itzler
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Jimmy Sizemore’s career as an independent insurance adjuster initially began during the destruction that followed Hurricane Harvey in the Fall of 2017. Using the skills and experience he gained from his previous career in the veterinary industry as well as connecting with other claim adjusters; he answered our “call to arms” to help assist the hundreds of thousands of homeowners that were devastated by the impact of the massive CAT-4 storm. His previous experience helped him develop the people skills he needed to communicate well with customers as well as the technical skills necessary to use various software programs and tools to close claims effectively and efficiently.
Jimmy joins me today to share his story on what it’s like to be a first-time insurance adjuster during a catastrophic weather event. He shares the challenges he faced while working in the field for the first time and the decisions he made when transitioning from a steady career environment to becoming an insurance adjuster. He also explains the importance of staying committed to becoming successful as an insurance adjuster, why being resourceful and developing solutions to overcome various obstacles is critical to your success, and the lessons he learned from the Help Room that impacted his performance while working in the field.
“It was an amazing decision - probably the best one I’ve made in my life.” Jimmy Sizemore
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingService.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Jeremy Rettig is an independent insurance adjuster, real estate investor, and the founder of Adjusting to 6 Figures, a company dedicated to helping new independent insurance adjusters build a successful career through support and online education and training. He is passionate about helping new adjusters learn the skills they need to kick start their careers, improve their techniques, increase efficiency, and create the success they deserve in the industry.
Jeremy joins me today to share why he decided to start Adjusting to 6 Figures, how the concept was born, and how he’s been growing and expanding the company to help more adjusters learn the techniques and strategies they need to become successful in the field. He shares some of the challenges he has faced while scaling his business, why he decided to launch an online training platform instead of focusing on one-on-one training, and his perspective of competing with similar companies within the adjusting industry. He also explains how helping others learn and grow can impact your personal growth and development, his perspective on the future of IA companies, and why he believes many insurance companies prefer managed repair models instead of independent adjusting models.
“The only way to grow when you reach a plateau is by helping others grow.” - Jeremy Rettig
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How he is juggling his adjusting career while building his business.
- Why he is passionate about helping other adjusters.
- Why he decided to start Adjusting to 6 Figures and when the concept was born.
- Challenges he has faced while scaling his business.
- Why he decided to change his teaching model from one-on-one training to creating online courses.
- His perspective on competing with other training facilities in the adjusting industry.
- How helping others learn and grow impacts your personal growth and development.
- The importance of continuing your education as an adjuster after getting your license.
- The concept behind the Adjuster-Finder tool.
- Are independent adjusting companies and their business models considered to be obsolete for insurance companies?
- Why insurance companies prefer managed repair models.
- The most challenging aspect of the managed repair models for the property adjusting industry.
- Why trust is a significant advantage for independent adjusters.
Connect with Jeremy Rettig:
- Adjusting to 6 Figures
- YouTube
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingService.com
Paul Wilcox graduated high school in 2015. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew devastated the southeast region of the United States, affecting millions of homeowners in its wake. Shortly after, Paul began researching and educating himself on becoming an insurance adjuster through various trainings, resources, and participating in dozens of ride-alongs with experienced insurance adjusters. Since then, he has obtained his adjusting license and has helped countless homeowners rebuild their lives following the Hurricane Harvey catastrophe.
Today, Paul shares what inspired him to become an independent insurance adjuster and the impact that being dedicated to learning the industry has had on his career. He explains the similarities between being an adjuster and being an entrepreneur the importance of gaining industry experience before handling your first claim, and the challenges he faced as a new adjuster. He also shares how adjusting claims through Hurricane Harvey opened new doors of opportunity for his career, what the Texas Prep Program is, and the similarities and differences between being an adjuster and working with the program.
“If you can get really good at one thing, then you can get really good at everything else.” - Paul Wilcox
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How participating in ride-alongs helped him learnt the necessary skills to become a successful adjuster.
- The personal handbook he created to help him effectively work through his first claim.
- What it was like working through Hurricane Harvey.
- The importance of staying dedicated and committed to learning the industry.
- How the experience of the help room’s work environment shaped his personal work environment.
- Using healthy competition to increase motivation and impact your success.
- Staying fit and healthy while adjusting claims.
- The amount of time he committed to working claims during Hurricane Harvey.
- The importance of getting enough sleep and how it impacts your performance.
- How adjusting claims during Hurricane Harvey opened the door to new opportunities.
- What it was like to work with the Texas Prep Program.
- Similarities and differences between adjusting claims and working with the Texas Prep Program
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Over the last 16 years, Mark Koncz has established himself as an expert in real estate appraisals throughout the Akron, Ohio region. He is the founder and owner of MJK Appraisals with an interest to transition into the insurance claim adjusting industry.
Mark joins me today to share his experience with working as a property appraiser and his desire to begin transitioning his company into the insurance adjusting industry. He shares what it was like to work his first claim during the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma, the challenges he faced, and how he overcame them. He also shares the similarities in workflow between property appraising and claim adjusting as well as the customer services skills you need to be successful in both fields.
“Between adjusting and appraisals, there’s a lot of crossover.” - Mark Koncz
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Why he decided to transition from property appraiser to insurance adjuster.
- How he’s transitioning into the adjusting field.
- What it was like to work through the post-Hurricane Irma destruction.
- The challenges he faced while working through Irma and how he overcame them.
- How much he earned from closing 20 claims in 10 days during Hurricane Irma.
- Utilizing resources to maximize productivity and increase your knowledge.
- Strategies for building your network.
- Customer service skills you need for appraising properties.
- Similarities between property appraising and insurance adjusting.
- Average income for home appraisals per completed report.
Resources Mentioned:
- National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters (NACA) Conference
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Shemekia Bowens is a claims adjuster for AmTrust Financial Services, a financial services company that offers diverse underwriting portfolios to their clients. She has been a professional claims adjuster for over 16 years, has handled a wide variety of claims, and has helped thousands of clients. One of the most important lessons she’s learned in the industry is how you should never forget to be human and give clients a sense of compassion during the most horrible times of their lives.
Shemekia joins me today to share the wisdom she’s accumulated as a 16-year insurance adjusting veteran. She shares what made her decide to become a claims adjuster and what made her stay. She explains how you can tell the kind of client you have during the initial call and what you should do to be prepared when meeting them. She also provides tips for those who want to succeed in this type of career.
“Don't be afraid to try and do something different to achieve your goals.” - Shemekia Bowens
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Shemekia's experience in insurance adjusting claims and what she specializes in.
- Why she chose to build a career in being a staff adjuster.
- The techniques she implores when dealing with rude or grumpy clients.
- Some of the claims she's handled in her 16 years in the industry.
- How adjusting affected the way she raised her child.
- The next step in her career and how she plans on pursuing it.
- How she teaches people about the value of wealth management.
Connect with Shemekia Bowens:
- AmTrust Financial
- Email: meko955@gmail.com
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingServices.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved
Jordan Cox is a 31-year-old former painting contractor who ran a successful painting company based in Greenwood, South Carolina for seven years. As he got older, he began to realize the hardship and stress that his career placed on his body and decided to pivot his career. He began working as an independent insurance adjuster shortly after Hurricane Irma devastated Florida in 2017.
Jordan joins me today to discuss what inspired him to pivot his career from being a successful painting company owner to becoming an independent insurance adjuster. He shares how he got started and how helping his father in the fix and flip real estate industry as a young boy helped him learn many of the skills he needed to become a successful insurance adjuster. He also shares what it was like to work his first claim, the importance of being able to make quick decisions, and the importance of being disciplined in managing your time and money.
“Making quick decisions is a key to this business.” - Jordan Cox
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How he got started as an insurance adjuster.
- His biggest challenges while just starting out.
- How millennials are helping to shape the industry and cultivate the adjusting environment.
- The importance of being confident in your decisions.
- His strategy for measuring and sketching roofs.
- What he’s most apprehensive about regarding being an adjuster.
- The importance of saving “emergency money” to help you through lean times.
- What is a 1099?
- How much income should you set aside for taxes?
- The importance of being disciplined with your bookkeeping, accounting, and paying taxes.
- How to get added to more rosters and get more claims as a new insurance adjuster.
Advice for New Insurance Adjusters:
- Participate in ride-alongs when you’re just starting out.
- Network with other adjusters.
- Plan ahead for your financial future, especially for the lean workload periods.
- Be disciplined in paying your taxes.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Kagan Blackburn is an independent adjuster who has an amazing work ethic. He’s what you can call an expert hustler. His mindset when it comes to accomplishing his tasks is clear-cut and makes him stand out from the rest, but his humble upbringing keeps him grounded. He enjoys helping other people grow and repair their lives and being an independent adjuster enables him to do both.
Kagan joins me today to describe what it means to be a hustler in the insurance adjusting industry. He discusses some of the habits he’s developed that enable him to be successful in his career and how networking and building relationships have impacted his career. He also shares how he got started in the industry as well as the people who helped and inspired him to pursue the life of an independent adjuster.
“What’s going to separate you from those other people that are sending emails - it’s going to be following up.” - Kagan Blackburn
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Kagan's unique skill set that helped him become successful in the insurance adjusting industry.
- When he became interested in independent adjusting and who inspired him.
- Knowing the people to call and how he contacts them.
- Communicating in a way that connects with people.
- The challenges he faced in his career as an independent adjuster.
- His experience in dealing with auto claims.
- What he is currently working on with Chris Stanley.
Resources Mentioned:
- The World of Auto Industry Claim Adjusters with Chris Stanley
- The Insurance Adjusting Industry is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT with Chris Stanley Part 1
- Chris Stanley on Getting Into Auto Insurance Adjusting Part 2
Connect with Kagan Blackburn:
- Email: kaganblackburnia@gmail.com
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingServices.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter,
AT040 Insurance Adjusting with Compassion and Integrity with Emily Whisman
Emily Whisman is an insurance adjuster with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Prep Program (Phase I). Through the program, she helps homeowners throughout the Houston, Texas region rebuild their lives following the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017.
Emily joins me today to share her experiences while working with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Prep Program. She explains how the program works, how homeowners can qualify for the program, and her role as an insurance adjuster and home inspector with the program. She also shares some of the challenges that many homeowners have faced since Hurricane Harvey, the perimeters she checks for during home inspections, and why she feels being compassionate and showing up with integrity when meeting Hurricane Harvey victims is critical to building rapport and trust with the homeowners.
“Develop a compassion to serve that is stronger than your compulsion to survive.” - Emily Whisman
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- How FEMA’s Phase I Texas Rebuild Program works.
- Qualifications for homeowners to participate in the Texas Rebuild Program.
- Her role while working with the program.
- Why many homeowners are skeptical of insurance adjusters and contractors after Hurricane Harvey.
- How being a female insurance adjuster and home inspector can be beneficial in building trust with homeowners?
- How the Texas Rebuild Program is streamlining their processes to become more effective and productive.
- How FEMA inspectors work with contractors.
- How she prioritizes damage repairs based on the budget allowed for each home.
- Bridging the gap between FEMA inspectors and builders.
- Maintaining compassion, authenticity, and integrity.
- How her previous experience as a chiropractor and yoga instructor helps her in her role with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Program.
Resources Mentioned:
- Texas Rebuild Project
- Lemoine Company, LLC
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
A former professional in the aerospace field, Crystal Dubois made an astonishing career shift when an opportunity in insurance adjusting presented itself to her shortly after her work in the aerospace industry ended. Crystal traveled to Texas for training during the course of a major disaster and now is called out to do a variety of insurance adjusting inspections.
Crystal joins us today to share how she balances work, family, and learning the skills she needs to grow her career as an insurance adjuster. She also explains that being part of the Texas Rebuild Program has taught her valuable adjusting skills, which she’ll soon need for more contract jobs.
“Independent adjusting is changing the face of the industry with more women needed in the workforce.” Jason Heenan
In this Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- What are the essential skills a beginner adjuster needs to close a claim
- How opportunities in adjusting are popping up across Texas
- Learning organization strategies from a novice adjuster
- Why a career change is sometimes a good thing for your life
Resources:
- Texas Rebuild Program
- Adjusters Gone Wild Facebook
- Adjusterology
- Jeremy Rettig - Adjusting To 6 Figures Business
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT038 Checking Back In with Westin Vance
Westin Vance obtained his insurance adjuster license shortly before Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc for millions of American homeowners. Prior to becoming an adjuster, Westin graduated from college and was working in a law firm while preparing to attend law school. He quickly realized that working in the law industry wasn’t what he truly wanted for his career. He became a Jiu-Jitsu trainer and business owner while learning the ropes of independent insurance adjusting.
Westin joins me on today’s episode to recap his career in the insurance adjusting industry since our last discussion on episode 30. He explains what the Texas Rebuild Program is and what it’s like to work for a government-funded program, the opportunities available to independent adjusters through the slower winter season, and the importance of prioritizing your health, fitness, and wellbeing while working insurance claims. He also explains the mindset required to be successful in the industry and the importance of seeking help, guidance, and resources as a new insurance adjuster.
“It’s all about being flexible.” - Westin Vance
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- Adjusting opportunities during the winter season.
- What is the Texas Rebuild Program?
- What it’s like working with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Program and government-funded programs.
- Challenges associated with the Texas Rebuild Program.
- The importance of building relationships.
- The importance of prioritizing your health, fitness, and getting adequate sleep as an adjuster.
- The importance of properly scheduling your claims and calling customers.
- The mindset required to become a successful insurance adjuster.
- The importance of seeking help, support, and resources as a new adjuster.
Resources Mentioned:
- Texas Rebuilds
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT021 The World of Auto Industry Claim Adjusters with Chris Stanley
Chris Stanley is the author of The Hail Adjuster’s Playbook and founder of Independent Adjuster Path (IA Path), a company dedicated to helping people learn the necessary skills to become an independent auto adjuster through online education, support, tools, and services. Chris started his career as an independent auto adjuster specializing in catastrophe and hail damage claims. Throughout his career, he realized the underserved market for training new adjusters the skills they would need to become successful in the field.
Chris joins me today to share his experience as a damage appraiser for the automotive industry. He explains how your network impacts your skill level and opens new doors of opportunities, the types of deployments you can expect as an auto catastrophe adjuster, and the importance of having perspective throughout your career. He also explains why auto adjusting is often one of the best ways to “sneak into” the property adjusting side of the industry.
“It’s really the entrepreneur’s playground in the adjusting world.” - Chris Stanley
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Why building your network is critical to your success as an automotive insurance adjuster?
- Qualities of an “A-List” adjuster.
- The importance of managing your schedule.
- How demographics can affect your workload.
- How supplements work in the auto adjusting industry.
- What it’s like to work with automotive dealerships.
- The importance of creating a Plan B.
- How entrepreneurial skills can be beneficial for automotive claim adjusters.
- Scaling your auto adjusting career.
- The importance of gaining perspective.
- The importance of being prepared and how it can help you advance your career.
- Overcoming the “mental barrier of entry” into the adjusting industry.
Chris Stanley’s Advice for New Auto Adjusters:
- The number one thing you have is your network.
- It’s not your skill that people are interested in, it’s you. If you’re not interesting, it’s going to be hard to get work.
- The people who want to make this work will find a way to make it work, no matter what it takes.
Connect with Chris Stanley:
- IA Path
- Chris Stanley on LinkedIn
- IA Path on LinkedIn
- Independent Adjuster Podcast
- The Hail Adjuster’s Playbook book or Audiobook
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at
AT020 Climbing the Adjusting Corporate Ladder with Chris Smith
Chris Smith is a former insurance adjuster who has climbed the corporate ladder within our company, Royal Adjusting Services, to become the Director of Claims. Over the last two years in this position, he has helped streamline many of our internal and external processes to run more smoothly, educate new adjusters, and work seamlessly and more easily with the adjusters within our company.
Chris joins me today to share his experience of starting as an independent insurance adjuster to being promoted up the corporate ladder to the position he holds today. He shares is work-life balance strategies and explains the importance of prioritizing your day to maintain productivity. He also explains why networking and being ambitious are the keys to advancing your career as an insurance adjuster.
“Connecting with people, connecting with other adjusters and companies, is where you build relationships.” - Chris Smith
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- His responsibilities as the Director of Claims
- How he advanced his career to the position he holds today.
- The importance of making your first contact calls on insurance claims.
- The importance of surrounding yourself with good, like-minded people.
Chris Smith’s Advice for New Insurance Adjusters:
- Connecting with other adjusters, other people within this industry, is what’s going to help you succeed even further.
- Take every attribute you have and utilize them to your benefit to help other companies.
- If you don’t know something, go out there and learn it.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Anssi Viljanen is an independent insurance adjuster from Los Angeles, California. He has worn many hats and tried a variety of jobs - from real estate to solar energy and driving a limo before beginning his adjusting career. He found his true calling when he listened to an episode of the Adjuster Talk Podcast and took it upon himself to offer his assistance on an entirely new career as an adjuster after Hurricane Harvey.
Anssi joins me today to share his journey after one year of becoming an independent adjuster. He shares how he manages his time while handling over 700 claims in his first year and how hiring a driver helped him be more productive and economical. He also shares why he finds this career so rewarding and how he determines whether a water damage claim requires a simple repair or a complete replacement.
“It’s a special feeling when you help a homeowner with a flooded kitchen and you wake up the next morning with a short text that just says ‘Thank you.’”
Connect with Anssi Viljanen:
- Email: anssiadjusting@gmail.com
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingServices.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Chris Stanley is the founder of IA Path, a company dedicated to providing independent insurance adjusters with the best online training, support, and networking opportunities to begin and excel as an insurance adjuster. He has over a decade of experience as an insurance adjuster and appraiser, working primarily with automotive catastrophe claims. In addition to transforming lives and impacting careers, he is the author of the Amazon bestseller, Hail Adjuster’s Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Being and Becoming a Catastrophic Independent Auto Hail Adjuster.
Chris rejoins me this week to discuss his upcoming book and how it aims to help more adjusters get started in the industry on the right foot. He shares some of the initial steps adjusters need to take to succeed in this industry as well as mistakes many new adjusters make as they begin their career. He also explains the three key phases of an insurance adjuster’s journey.
“Learn how to actually do something in claims before you even get your adjuster license because getting your adjuster license is a journey all on its own.” - Chris Stanley
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How his upcoming book can help new adjusters get started and become successful.
- The steps required to become a successful insurance adjuster.
- The 3 phases of becoming a successful adjuster.
- The importance of treating your adjusting career as a business.
- Mistakes to avoid as a new adjuster.
- The importance of separating your business and personal finances.
- How to promote your adjusting business.
Connect with Chris Stanley:
- IA Path
- Hail Adjuster’s Playbook: A Step by Step Guide to Being and Becoming a Catastrophic Independent Auto Hail Adjuster
Adjuster Talk Exclusive Offer!
Learn how to set up your auto adjusting business the right way with IA Path’s Auto Adjuster’s Crash Course LIVE training series! This course will show you the step-by-step process of starting your career as an insurance adjuster - from how to start your business to how to write an estimate and assess auto damage… and so much more!
This course alone is valued at $500, but as a loyal listener of the Adjuster Talk podcast, you’ll also receive an exclusive offer - a full suite of valuable, archived training - that’s OVER $2000 VALUE for only $500! You’ll learn how to handle claims such as hail, flood, CCC1 and more.
Visit AdjusterTalkAuto.com to claim your exclusive offer today!
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help y
Chris Stanley is the founder of IA Path, an organization dedicated to helping independent insurance adjusters get the training and support they need to succeed in the industry. He is the author of the Amazon bestselling book: Hail Adjuster’s Playbook: A Step by Step Guide to Being and Becoming a Catastrophic Independent Auto Hail Adjuster. As an independent adjuster with over a decade of experience, he is committed to helping others transform their adjusting career into a vehicle to achieve their goals and realize their dreams.
Chris joins me today to share his journey as an independent auto adjuster and the high and low points of his adjusting career. He shares how he realized the dire need for training and support services for auto adjusters and what inspired him to create materials to help other adjusters get started in the industry. He also explains the importance of having reasonable expectations on the financial aspects of being an insurance adjuster, why adjusters need to consider themselves as business owners instead of employees and shares a behind-the-scenes glimpse of his upcoming book project.
“You can’t expect to walk into any industry - much less adjusting - if you don’t have reasonable expectations about what you’re getting into.” - Chris Stanley
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- The high points of his auto adjusting career.
- How working as an auto insurance adjuster has empowered him and his family to achieve their goals and dreams.
- How he identified the need for auto adjusting training services.
- The importance of having reasonable expectations before deciding to become an insurance adjuster.
- The importance of thinking like a business owner instead of an employee.
- His latest book project.
Connect with Chris Stanley:
- IA Path
- Hail Adjuster’s Playbook: A Step by Step Guide to Being and Becoming a Catastrophic Independent Auto Hail Adjuster
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingService.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook,
In last week’s episode, I introduced you to Brock Hargrove, a 5-year independent insurance adjuster with Royal Adjusting Services. Over the years, Brock has not only handled many of our daily claims, but he has also helped train many of our top adjusters through our ride-along training program. He shared some of his insights on a few of the most common challenges that many new adjusters face when transitioning into the field.
On today’s episode, Brock shares how he manages to mesh his professional life as a daily claims adjuster and building company owner with his personal life. He shares tips, strategies, and tools he uses throughout his busy work day to keep his schedule straight, plan his workday each day, and stay on top of claim corrections and phone calls.
“You have to stay proactive in it. I think it’s the number one thing to keep up with everything you’ve got.” Brock Hargrove
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Workday structures and planning strategies
- Using mapping software
- How being readily available and prepared for claim corrections can impact your success and reputation in the insurance adjusting industry
- Productive and efficient ways to map your daily claims route
- Appointment setting techniques and being influential
- Making time for your family as an independent adjuster
- CAT work vs daily claims work
Brock’s Advice to New Adjusters:
- Make the jump, but make a clean jump.
- Keep your head on straight and focus on what you want to do.
Resources:
- Badger Mapping Software
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royalyadjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Many new adjusters ask the question: “What’s the hardest part about working as an adjuster?” Some experienced adjusters may say that the hardest part of the job is leaving their families while others may have a difficult time overcoming the fear of climbing a ladder to inspect a homeowner’s roof, but my guest today shares a unique point of view on what he believes is the hardest part of the job.
Brock Hargrove has been working with our company for about five years as a daily claims adjuster. He handles many of our claims – from fire, wind, and water damage to liability investigations. He is also one of our top picks to send new adjusters to for their first few ride-along training sessions due to his vast knowledge and skill in handling a wide range of claims. In today’s episode, Brock shares his story of how he learned about the real estate adjusting industry, why he took the leap to become an independent adjuster, and an interesting story of a recent ride-along while training a new adjuster and how he turned that experience into a valuable lesson.
“The ‘people person’ part is the stuff you can’t teach.”
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How Brock obtained his adjusting license online
- How long it took to receive his first claim after receiving his license
- Why developing people skills is often the hardest – and most overlooked – aspect of the job
- Working with homeowners and contractors
Resources:
- Adjuster Pro
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royalyadjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Aaron Berkowitz joins me once again on today’s episode of Adjuster Talk to share his insight, knowledge, and experience of working as an independent claims adjuster. On today’s episode, he shares tips on working with claims managers and what your goals as an adjuster should be – beyond the money.
He also shares one of his earliest, and worst experiences as a claims adjuster just starting in the field and the lessons he has learned along the way to make his business successful and profitable.
“The smart adjuster doesn’t put pressure on their claims manager.” – Aaron Berkowitz
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Working with claims managers
- Evaluating expenses
- The pros and cons of being a firm owner
- What your “end-game” goals should really be as an adjuster
- Aaron’s definition of “hard work”
Resources:
- Weather Nation
- The Weather Channel
- Reed Timmer
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Aaron Berkowitz is an independent catastrophe adjuster from Salinas, California. Aaron has been in the adjusting business since 2009 and he joins me on the show today to share his story on how he got started in the business, what keeps him motivated, and the secret to his success.
We also discuss how social media and today’s technology has impacted the way property insurance adjusters work from day to day, how it differs from the way our older mentors ran their businesses, and the importance of staying prepared for inevitable weather related catastrophes nationwide.
“The preparedness doesn’t stop on any level.” – Aaron Berkowitz
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Staying excited about the job and how it helps keep you motivated
- Aaron’s scoping and claims writing strategy to help him make the most of his time
- How to develop a scoping and claims writing strategy that works for you at any skill or experience level
- How to get your first two claims when you’re just starting out
- Why being disciplined is critical in the adjusting industry
- How to be prepared for inevitable, weather-related catastrophes
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT037 Transitioning from Construction to Adjusting with Matt Whitmire
Matt Whitmire is a former representative of a construction and building company based in Texas. Earlier this year, he decided to transition his career from the building and construction industry to becoming an independent insurance adjuster.
On today’s episode, Matt shares his experience of transitioning from construction to adjusting and how he managed his time between working a full-time job while learning the skills required to be successful in the insurance adjusting industry. He explains how he overcame the mental barriers associated with transitioning into a new career, the time he and his family spent to mentally and physically prepare for the transition, and the importance of being committed to learning the ropes and doing the job correctly. He also shares his experience while working his first few claims this hurricane season as well as the lessons he has learned from mistakes he made on those claims.
“It takes some time. It’s a commitment, but if you’re going to do it - do it right.” - Matt Whitmire
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- His experience with transitioning from construction to insurance adjusting.
- How he managed his time between working full-time and being trained as a new adjuster.
- His in-field experience while working claims.
- Overcoming the mental barriers associated with transitioning your career.
- The importance of being committed to changing your career.
- Taking time to mentally and physically prepare for a career transition.
- What inspired him to become an adjuster?
- The importance of setting a steady working pace while handling claims as a new adjuster
- The support and resources he received as a new adjuster.
- Overcoming challenges associated with learning new software and technology.
- The importance of being comfortable while adjusting claims.
- Why downloading your pictures on-site is critically important.
- The equipment he used in the field.
- Staying organized while working insurance claims.
Resources Mentioned:
- Eberl Claims Services
- Schedule It
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT036 Insurance Adjusting Technology and Software with Clint Harper
Clint Harper is a veteran insurance adjuster with Royal Adjusting Services. His career initially began in the adjusting industry before he decided to take time off to tend to personal events in his life. During the destruction that followed Hurricane Harvey, he decided to restart his career as an adjuster to help homeowners rebuild their lives after the catastrophic event.
Clint joins me today to share his experience while working as a claims adjuster during Hurricane Harvey. He shares how the adjusting industry has changed over the years since his previous deployments, the importance of controlling your emotions and being professional while in the field, and overcoming obstacles related to new technology and software programs available to adjusters to help them streamline their workflows. He also explains the importance of managing your finances effectively between catastrophic weather events and how calling customers can impact your ability to build their trust.
“There’s so many new apps in your cell phone that you can use to get your claims mapped out properly.” - Clint Harper
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- His experience working as an adjuster through the Hurricane Harvey catastrophic event.
- How the industry has changed and evolved throughout his career.
- Representing the adjusting company and insurance company professionally.
- The importance of controlling your emotions while in the field.
- The importance of planning your day around your travel route.
- Using scheduling and mapping programs.
- The balancing act between understanding construction, claims, and technology.
- Overcoming fears associated with being a new insurance adjuster.
- The importance of budgeting and saving money for the slower storm seasons.
- How answering and returning customer calls helps build trust.
Resources Mentioned:
- Schedule It
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT035 Working with Unbiased Consultants with Kurt Richardson of Praetorian Consultants
Kurt Richardson is the President of Praetorian Consultants, LLC., a construction consultancy firm offering unbiased property assessment services to commercial contractors and insurance companies. Prior to founding the company, Kurt worked as an insurance adjuster with Royal Adjusting Services.
Kurt joins me today to discuss how his company helps contractors and insurance companies receive unbiased property assessments on various insurance claims. He explains the role that construction consultants play while working with insurance adjusters in the field, the programs he has helped establish - such as the Shelter At Home Program - and what it’s like working with federal and government agencies. He also explains the challenges often associated with identifying insurance fraud and the importance of understanding insurance policies and coverage as a consumer.
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- How his company helps commercial contractors and insurance companies receive unbiased property damage assessments.
- The benefits of using third-party construction consultants.
- How insurance adjusters can work with construction consultants to assess property damage.
- Working with federal and government agencies.
- How the Shelter At Home Program began.
- Qualities and requirements needed to become a successful construction consultant.
- Challenges associated with working under tight deadlines.
- How insurance carriers can benefit by working with smaller independent adjusting firms.
- Using technology to your advantage as an independent business owner.
- Working with the millennial generation in the insurance industry.
- Identifying insurance fraud.
- How educating insurers can help reduce or eliminate insurance fraud.
Connect with Kurt Richardson:
- Kurt Richardson on Facebook
- IVHydroPros
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT034 Attending Meetup Events While Working Adjusting Claims with Jeremy Rettig
Jeremy Rettig is the founder and CEO of Adjusting to 6 Figures and Makenzie Properties of New Jersey. Adjusting to 6 Figures focuses on helping independent insurance adjusters be successful in the field as well as their careers through education and support. Jeremy initially started his career as an independent adjuster before recognizing the need for additional support and guidance for new adjusters within the industry.
On today’s episode, Jeremy shares how he created networking and meetup events while working in the field while working claims after Hurricane Irma’s catastrophic destruction. He discusses the importance of encouraging others who are considering a career in adjusting to begin networking with other adjusters through local networking events such as Meetups. The importance of receiving adequate training and support for new adjusters, and the value of riding with experienced adjusters when you’re just starting your career in the adjusting industry.
“Ride alongs are the biggest part of the training process.” - Jeremy Rettig
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- Attending meetup events to network with other adjusters while working claims.
- Encouraging others to start their career as an adjuster through networking events.
- Collaborating with adjusting firms to grow your independent adjusting business.
- Training new adjusters to be successful in the industry.
- The importance of seeking training, guidance, and mentorship as a new adjuster.
- The benefits of attending local meetup events.
- Lessons you can learn from riding with experienced adjusters.
Resources Mentioned:
- Meetup.com
Connect with Jeremy Rettig:
- Adjusting to 6 Figures
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT033 The Entrepreneurial Side of Independent Adjusting
Thousands - if not millions - of people are beginning to consider becoming an entrepreneur. As each year passes, more and more people quit their jobs to follow their dreams and start their own businesses. The independent insurance adjusting industry is often considered a breeding ground for entrepreneurship.
On today’s episode, I’m discussing the entrepreneurial side of independent adjusting. I’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being an insurance adjuster and the importance of investing in yourself and your skill sets. I’ll also explain how to set yourself apart from your competition by developing your resume.
“The best investment you can make is in yourself.” - Jason Heenan
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- Advantages and disadvantages of being an independent insurance adjuster.
- The importance of mentorship in the adjusting industry.
- Factors that help cultivate entrepreneurial ideas and concepts within the adjusting industry.
- The importance of developing and investing in yourself and your skills.
- The importance of developing your resume.
- How to improve your skills and knowledge between storms.
- How independent adjusting is a breeding ground for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- The benefits of entrepreneurship.
- The importance of engaging in conversations about money and finances.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Jason Timmerman is the President and owner of Ridge Top Aerial Technologies, LLC., a company dedicated to helping insurance adjusters and roofing contractors receive precise roof diagrams through satellite and aerial imagery. He initially started his career as an insurance adjuster before discovering the specific, third-party need that could help thousands of adjusters across the country.
Jason joins me today to share his experience while working as an insurance adjuster and how this experience inspired him to start his company. He explains the systems he set up as an adjuster to allow him to streamline his process as well as shares tips and strategies new adjusters can implement to be more productive throughout their day.
“You never know who you’re meeting today, what position they will be in tomorrow.” - Jason Timmerman
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- What inspired him to start Ridge Top Aerial Technologies.
- His experience as a new adjuster during Hurricane Rita.
- Lessons he learned while working in an office setting at an insurance adjustment bureau.
- The importance of building your network as a new adjuster.
- Managing work-life balance as an insurance adjuster.
- Creating a system to manage your workload.
- Using text messaging to contact insurers.
Resources Mentioned:
- Schedule It
Jason Timmerman’s Advice for New Insurance Adjusters:
- Build your network.
- Attend conferences and industry events.
- Stay open to new opportunities.
- Promote yourself as a person that goes the extra mile.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT031 Lessons From a New Adjuster with Anssi Viljanen
Prior to becoming an insurance adjuster, Anssi Viljanen worked in the solar energy industry and a limo driver for several years. After hearing about the devastation that impacted the Houston, Texas region, he decided to pivot his career to become an insurance adjuster.
On today’s episode, Anssi shares what it was like to get involved in Hurricane Harvey and how he encouraged his friends to become insurance adjusters despite their fears and uncertainty. He shares how he discovered the adjusting industry and what it was like to be a new adjuster in the industry during a massively devastating weather event. He also shares the valuable lessons he has learned throughout his journey, tips on being more productive while handling insurance claims, and the importance of new adjusters seeking mentors to help you through your first insurance claims.
“Relying on the infrastructure of mentors and helpers is really important.” - Anssi Viljanen
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How he got started as an independent adjuster
- How he rallied his friends to help his new career path
- What inspired him to become an independent adjuster
- His first claim experience
- The importance of managing your time and developing a strategy and system to be productive
- Working as a team with your spouse to be more productive and efficient
- Simplifying the process of writing insurance claim reports
- The importance of finding and working with a mentor as a new insurance adjuster
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT023 Post-Disaster Heirloom Restoration with Jeremy Lawrenson and Craig Campbell
Craig Campbell works with FRSTeam - Fabric Restoration Service Team - a company specialized in helping homeowners rebound after a natural disaster through drycleaning and laundry restoration, clothing restoration, and textile restoration services. Jeremy Lawrenson works with Homeowners of America, an insurance company dedicated to helping homeowners protect their property investments through a wide range of comprehensive insurance packages.
Craig and Jeremy join me today to discuss the importance of building relationships within the insurance adjusting industry and the impact that these relationships can have on streamlining processes as well as customer service and support. They share their most memorable - and challenging - experiences while working with homeowners, adjusters, and claims, as well as how they got started in the restoration and adjusting spaces. Craig also shares how he handles post-disaster heirloom restoration claims and the challenges and psychology often associated with these claims.
“The most important part of the process is developing that relationship upfront.” - Jeremy Lawrenson
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How Craig works with adjusters and contractors.
- How he helps homeowners restore their fabrics.
- How he got started in the fabric restoration industry.
- The impact that cigarette smoke has on the fabric restoration process.
- The importance of building relationships and networking.
- How relationships impact customer service and the claims adjusting process.
- Their most memorable - and challenging - experiences while working insurance claims.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Jeremy Lawrenson has worked in the insurance industry for over a decade, handling a wide variety of claims including worker’s compensation and bodily injury. For the last four years, he has worked as a staff adjuster with Homeowners of America, a company dedicated to offering customers with a wide range of comprehensive insurance coverage and claims services.
Jeremy joins me today to share his experiences while working within the insurance industry, how he transitioned his career from working in worker’s compensation to bodily injury before finally settling on staff adjusting, and what it’s like to work as a staff adjuster with Homeowners of America. He shares some of the most challenging and heartbreaking claims he has handled and settled throughout his experience, the challenges associated with identifying fraudulent claims, and the challenges of enforcing policies while considering the client’s best interests. He also shares how becoming a staff adjuster has impacted his - life financially and personally, how the company’s culture impacts his desire to “take care” of the company, and why he prefers to work as a staff adjuster instead of being independent.
“It starts at the top. When you get treated well and you get taken care of during the slow times, it is a lot easier to work those hours and spend that time during the storm seasons.” - Jeremy Lawrenson
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How he transitioned his career from working with worker’s compensation claims to becoming a staff insurance adjuster
- Challenges associated with policy enforcement while considering human interests.
- The most heartbreaking claim he has settled.
- Protecting the company against fraudulent insurance claims.
- Challenges associated with identifying fraudulent insurance claims.
- His experience as a staff adjuster.
- How becoming a staff adjuster enables him to spend more time with his family.
- The company’s culture.
- Why he prefers to work as a staff adjuster instead of being an independent.
- Balancing your personal values with your career in the adjusting industry.
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingService.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
James Corey’s career initially began as a staff accountant after graduating from college. After working in the accounting field for about two years, he quickly realized his dream was not crunching numbers and decided to pivot his career to a more exciting - and dangerous - role as a forest firefighter with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). After fighting fires for a number of years, he decided to pivot his career again to become a staff insurance adjuster with the American Modern Insurance Group.
James joins me on today’s show to share his experience as an accountant and forest fighter, why he decided to work as a staff adjuster, and how one phone call enabled him to begin his new career journey despite not knowing anyone within the adjusting industry. He shares how his experiences and skills in his previous careers have helped him transition to his new role as an insurance adjuster and how this transition has impacted his life. He also shares how the company trained and prepared him to work in the field, the support he receives from the company as well as his fellow staff adjusters, and the tools he uses while adjusting claims.
“A big thing you learn - whether it’s in accounting, firefighting, or oil fields - is the ability to adapt to different situations. And with claims - every claim is different.” - James Corey
Resources:
- Symbility Property Solutions
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingService.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Damon Hawkins is an independent insurance adjuster and the founder of Steepgear, LLC., an apparel company providing roof safety products specifically designed to reduce the risk of falls and accidents. The patented product is designed to prevent or slow the descent on virtually any roofing material or surface including wood, metal, composite, tile, plywood, and underlayment. The idea for Steepgear apparel was initially inspired from Damon’s years of working in the roofing industry as well as an insurance adjuster and the several instances he has experienced of slipping and falling off roofs.
Darren joins me today to discuss the importance of staying safe while inspecting roofs. He shares how he got started in the roofing industry and why he pivoted his career to become an insurance adjuster. He also shares how his product has helped save multiple lives from roof-related slips and falls, the features that help ensure adjuster and roofer safety while working on roofs, and the rigorous testing his product has endured to ensure it will help save millions of lives to come.
“Ultimately, I just want these guys and girls to come home safe.” - Damon Hawkins
Connect with Damon Hawkins:
- Steepgear, LLC.
- Special Discount Code for Adjuster Talk Fans: Royal10**
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingService.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Chris Howell is an independent insurance adjuster with over a decade of experience. His career initially began in 2004 during the destruction that followed Hurricanes Charlie and Frances that impacted most of southwest Florida. Prior to becoming an insurance adjuster, he was the co-owner of a real estate company as well as a contractor working on home remodeling projects and building custom homes.
Chris joins me today to share how he started his career as an independent insurance adjuster. He shares what motivates him to continue his career as an adjuster, what it was like to work during Hurricanes Charlie and Frances, and tips on how to become a successful insurance adjuster.
“Treat this as a business from day one.” - Chris Howell
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- How his career as an independent insurance adjuster started.
- How treating your insurance adjusting career as a business can lead to success.
- Lessons he has learned throughout his experience in the field.
- The importance of closely monitoring your numbers.
- The importance of asking tough questions while working insurance claims.
Chris Howell’s Words of Wisdom for New Insurance Adjusters:
- Take the job - your career - seriously.
- Have a plan in place to achieve success.
Join Us & Meet Your CE Requirements!
Come join Jason Heenan from 8A.M to 4P.M. at the Haag Engineering facility Irvine, TX on June 22 for our full-day Continuing Education Program for licensed adjusters. This program meets your CE requirements, is free to attend, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. Come take care of your CE requirements and take part in a live show of Adjuster Talk!
See you there!
Where: Haag Engineering Facility
4949 West Royal Lane, Irvine TX
When: June 22, 8A.M. to 4P.M.
Cost: Free
Credits: Continuing Education credits
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Russell Lawrenz is a HAAG Certified roof inspector with American Pride Roofing. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and Media Studies, he began working with Allstate as a staff CAT adjuster. After working in the catastrophe insurance adjusting industry for over a decade, he decided to pivot his career and begin his journey as a roofer.
Russell joins me today to share his perspective on working as a staff CAT adjuster, the challenges he faced while trying to find a work-life balance, and why he decided to become a roof inspector. He shares the benefits and drawbacks of working as a staff CAT adjuster and how he transitioned from a steady salary-based income to more commission-based earnings. He also shares the tool he uses to calculate estimates, his perspective on why many roofers criticize Xactimate pricing, and explains the importance of homeowners being cautious while hiring a contract roofer.
“If the estimate is correct from the insurance carrier and the adjuster, and a roofer tells you he can’t work within those numbers, it’s just absolutely bogus.” - Russell Lawrenz
Resources Mentioned:
- Planimeter app
Connect with Russel Lawrenz:
- American Pride Roofing
- Russell Lawrenz website
- Phone: (940) 395-9413
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingService.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Mark Hoversten is an independent insurance adjuster based near Denver, Colorado whose primary focus is crop liability claims, large commercial loss claims, and high-end residential claims. His career initially began in 1992 after the destruction that followed Hurricane Andrew. Before becoming an insurance adjuster, he was the owner of a roofing company in central Iowa.
Mark joins me today to explain why it is critical to build a solid reputation as a new insurance adjuster, the challenges that many new adjusters may face throughout the course of their career, and the impact that turning down deployment opportunities may have on the future of your career as a new adjuster. He explains how learning how to handle a variety of claims can help you create a reputation as the “go-to person” for IA firms and carriers and the mindset that new adjusters need to develop to build a successful career in the industry. He also shares some of the challenges he has faced throughout his 26-years of experience in the field as well as how he juggles raising a family while being deployed for long periods of time.
“Your reputation in this business will precede you.” - Mark Hoversten
Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!
Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.
Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email hknox@RoyalAdjustingService.com to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
In the previous episode, we heard the story of how the co-founder of Adjuster Pro, Adam Gardner, started his journey as an insurance claims adjuster. He also shared with us the factors that contribute to adjuster burnout, the things that you can do to prevent this, and the significance of communication in the growth and success of your career.
In today’s episode, Adam talks about the choice he had to make in running his company and its foundation. He also shares the benefits and opportunities that this decision has brought to his business together with the reasons that make Adjuster Pro different from those that offer similar training and classes.
“We think that doing the right thing is good business.” – Adam Gardner
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How and why Adam and his team are intentional about the culture in their company
- The inspiring story of Adjuster Pro’s decision when the Department of Veterans Affairs decided to stop funding adjuster training including the one for veterans called the ICAP program
- Why being creative is one of the key elements to be a successful catastrophe adjuster
- How Adam got into dispute resolution and how he gets things done
- The turning point when Adam realized he has to make a stand about the kind of company he wants to work for and the professional he wants to be
Connect with Adam Gardner:
- Adjuster Pro Website
Join Us & Meet Your CE Requirements!
Come join Jason Heenan from 8A.M to 4P.M. at the Haag Engineering facility Irvine, TX on June 22 for our full-day Continuing Education Program for licensed adjusters. This program meets your CE requirements, is free to attend, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. Come take care of your CE requirements and take part in a live show of Adjuster Talk!
See you there!
Where: Haag Engineering Facility
4949 West Royal Lane, Irvine TX
When:June 22, 8A.M. to 4P.M.
Cost: Free
Credits: Continuing Education credits
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royalyadjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT025 Giving Back in the Adjusting Industry
We have all been new to the adjusting industry at one time or another. As a new independent insurance adjuster, learning everything you need to know to be successful in this industry can be a challenge. That challenge is greatly multiplied if you do not have a solid support system and resources available to help you learn every aspect and nuance of the job.
On today’s episode, I’m discussing the importance of giving back to your fellow adjusters through help, support, and guidance. I’ll explain how spending as little as ten minutes a day helping a new adjuster understand various strategies, systems, and programs can make a significant impact on their career and life. I’ll also explain the importance of collaborating with others to advance your knowledge and understanding in the field and why maintaining a level of common sense while working claims is critical to your ability to succeed in this industry.
“Just a little bit of help to the guys in need, given to the right person, can take you a long way.” - Jason Heenan
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Giving back in the insurance adjusting industry.
- The importance of helping others.
- Transitioning your attitude from a “competition mindset” to a “resource-oriented mindset.”
- Collaborating with others to advance your skills and knowledge.
- The importance of using common sense while in the field.
- The importance of treating each claim based on its own merit
- Skills that distinguish good adjusters from average adjusters.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
For many people, becoming a real estate insurance adjuster can often be a confusing process. Determining which licensing schools to attend and finding the right support systems to help you move your career forward is often one of the first – and most challenging – tasks that new adjusters face. What’s worse, statistics show that even once you find a school and obtain your license, about 90% of new adjusters “flame out” early in their career.
With me today is Adam Gardner, co-founder of Adjuster Pro, an insurance claims adjuster training facility based in Bedford, Texas and licensed to teach in numerous states, including Florida, North Carolina, New York, and Arkansas. Adam joins me today to share his story on how he got started as an insurance claims adjuster and what drove him to start – and build – the Adjuster Pro training school to what it is today. He shares his thoughts on why he believes many adjusters fail in the industry and what it truly takes to be successful in the adjusting industry.
I discovered that hard work, determination, and very long hours enabled me to become proficient – and more than proficient.” – Adam Gardner
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- What drove Adam to start and build the Adjuster Pro training facility
- How their services have evolved over the years
- The annual number of new licenses issued by Adjuster Pro
- The evolution of what a claims adjuster does every day
- Why many adjusters “flame out” early in their career – and how to avoid it
- Where people often fail as an insurance adjuster
- How lack of communication can often lead to failure
Join Us & Meet Your CE Requirements!
Come join Jason Heenan from 8A.M to 4P.M. at the Haag Engineering facility Irvine, TX on June 22 for our full-day Continuing Education program for licensed adjusters. This program meets your CE requirements, is free to attend, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. Come take care of your CE requirements and take part in a live show of Adjuster Talk!
See you there!
Where: Haag Engineering Facility
4949 West Royal Lane, Irvine TX
When:June 22, 8A.M. to 4P.M.
Cost: Free
Credits: Continuing Education credits
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royalyadjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
In our previous episode, Bill Auten, from Ontario Insurance, described how he started his career as an adjuster and the qualifications his company looks for in an independent adjuster. He revealed that he was once a carpenter as he loved to build things. He also gave us an idea on what a good file is, at the same time, the importance of taking pictures in the insurance business.
Today, we talk about the crucial things of what an adjuster should do to get a good claim. Bill shares his experiences in dealing with difficult situations and persons, and, tips on what a new adjuster could do to make himself known in the industry.
“If it weren’t for the insurance on their property, the economy would crumble.” – Bill Auten
In this Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Why are documents important
- How a document should be written
- What to do in certain situations
- What insurance does to people
- Advice to new adjusters
Connect with Bill Auten:
- Bill Auten onTwitter
- Bill Auten on Facebook
- Bill Auten on LinkedIn
Join Us & Meet Your CE Requirements!
Come join Jason Heenan from 8A.M to 4P.M. at the Haag Engineering facility Irvine, TX on June 22 for our full-day Continuing Education program for licensed adjusters. This program meets your CE requirements, is free to attend, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. Come take care of your CE requirements and take part in a live show of Adjuster Talk!
See you there!
Where: Haag Engineering Facility
4949 West Royal Lane, Irvine
When: June 22, 8A.M. to 4P.M.
Cost: Free
Credits: Continuing Education credits
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royalyadjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
My guest today is Bill Auten from Ontario Insurance Company. He brings to the table 20 years of experience as an adjuster, which makes him interesting. He shares with me how he worked as a carpenter to a sales rep to a VP of Claims.
Bill, who once loved building things, reveals to me what his life was like on his side of the fence in the adjusting world. He talks about how being a sales rep helped him deal with people, what a claims adjuster is, and provides us with some tips on how someone could become a staff adjuster.
“You have to deal with people. Those are people skills that you get to learn and it takes some time to do that. There’s no school for that. You just got to go out and do it.” – Bill Auten
In this Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- His transition from being a carpenter to an adjuster
- What he encounters in his work as a claims adjuster
- Why the transition from being an independent adjuster to working as a staff adjuster from home
- What is AIC and why is it necessary for adjusters
- What are the qualifications of a new adjuster
- The one thing that he doesn’t want to deal with in claims
- What he looks for in the report of the new adjuster if he/she were to be taken in
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Advanced Claims Technologies provides accurate sketches quickly and at the most affordable prices in the industry. We make importing sketches into Exactimate quick and easy by providing files in .esx as an added benefit to our ACT members. Let us help you close more claims by registering for your ACT account today! Call 844-4SKETCH (475-3824) or email info@act.claims to start today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Matt Fabish, the Operations Manager of ServPro of Duncanville in Dallas, Texas, joins me on the show again this week to share his insight on growing a mitigation company, instilling good team culture and dynamics, and managing business resources during the off-season.
He shares how his company tackles the big jobs during the busy storm seasons, what he does to ensure his crewmen are properly cared for during the off-season months, and how he uses the slower months as a way to train new team members and crew chiefs.
“They always say you’ve gotta dress for the job you want, not dress for the job that you have. I think that applies to investing in your business, too.” – Matt Fabish
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Managing resources and staffing needs
- Understanding and being mindful of your teams’ culture and dynamics
- The average pay of a good crew chief
- Equipment and storage space needed for a 30+ year old mitigation company
- The importance of investing in your business
- Matt’s worst experience as a mitigation expert
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Advanced Claims Technologies provides accurate sketches quickly and at the most affordable prices in the industry. We make importing sketches into Exactimate quick and easy by providing files in .esx as an added benefit to our ACT members. Let us help you close more claims by registering for your ACT account today! Call 844-4SKETCH (475-3824) or email info@act.claims to start today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royalyadjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
There are many ways to make a great living from disaster claims. My guest today is Matt Fabish, Operations Manager at SERVPRO of Duncanville in Dallas, Texas. I asked Matt to join me on the show to share one of the many ways that you can make a good life for yourself and your family within the claims and adjusting industry.
Matt shares how his franchise company got started, how the company leaders set up and structure their franchise, and why a positive customer experience is a fundamental piece to the company’s core beliefs and operation. He also explains the type of equipment that you will need if you decide to start a mitigation claims company.
“You really have to be pretty involved on the daily operations. Check the quality of your product and the efficiency and quality of your people.” – Matt Fabish
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- What sets his franchise apart from other SERVPRO franchises
- Guidelines for mitigating situations
- Keeping accurate documents and reports
- Maintaining transparency with customers
- Building and cultivating good business relationships and representing clients well
- Equipment needed to start a SERVPRO franchise or mitigation claims company
- Renting equipment vs buying it
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Advanced Claims Technologies provides accurate sketches quickly and at the most affordable prices in the industry. We make importing sketches into Exactimate quick and easy by providing files in .esx as an added benefit to our ACT members. Let us help you close more claims by registering for your ACT account today! Call 844-4SKETCH (475-3824) or email info@act.claims to start today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaltyadjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaltyadjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT032 Managed Repair Programs with Dan Lewis
Dan Lewis is a Technical Claims Manager at Nationwide Insurance with over 28 years of experience in the insurance industry. His career initially began as an independent insurance adjuster after graduating from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in General Studies with an emphasis on business. At Nationwide, he is closely involved with the company’s Property Repair Network where he oversees the hiring, firing, and quality control aspects of working with general contractors across four states.
On today’s episode, Dan shares how his impressive career began and how managed repair programs work. He explains the overhead and loss considerations regarding homeowner complexity situations and the impact that technology has had on the insurance industry while working with customers. He also explains how customers respond to managed repair programs, their preferences, and why more insurance companies should eventually consider implementing a managed repair program model.
“Technology is driving much higher expectations with the customer. We have to get on board with that.” - Dan Lewis
In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:
- His role while working with vendors, adjusters, and sub-contractors.
- Working with managed repair programs.
- Overhead and loss considerations regarding homeowner complexity situations.
- The importance of being consistent with sympathy.
- The direction the insurance industry is headed.
- The impact that technology has had on the customer service aspect of the insurance industry.
- How staff adjusters work with the company.
- Customer preferences and experience while using a managed repair program.
- Why contractors should allow insurance companies to be involved in the supply pricing models.
- Why more insurance companies should adapt to a managed repair program model.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT030 Insurance Adjusting Learning Curve in Hurricane Harvey with Westin Vance
Westin Vance is a 27-year-old insurance adjuster who initially aspired to work in the legal field. He graduated from college and was working in a law firm as he prepared to enter law school before realizing that working in the law industry wasn’t what he truly wanted for his life. While following his passion for teaching Jiu-Jitsu and running his training practice, he decided to take the leap into the insurance adjusting industry. He obtained his adjuster’s license shortly before the destruction that followed in Hurricane Harvey’s wake.
On today’s episode, Westin shares his journey from law school and Jiu-Jitsu business owner to the adjusting industry and the challenges he has faced while being a new adjuster in the field during one of the most destructive hurricane seasons for North America. He explains how the discipline he developed while practicing and instructing others in Jiu-Jitsu has helped him throughout his career as an insurance adjuster. He also shares some of the mistakes he has made throughout his journey and the lessons he has learned from these mistakes as well as strategies to save time and close more claims without sacrificing your health or wellbeing.
“The only thing that works is a clear-cut system.” - Westin Vance
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- The importance of being disciplined as an insurance adjusterr
- Various challenges regarding roof claims
- The equipment he used after Harvey
- Struggles finding lodging after the hurricane
- The importance of focusing on your health, eating healthy, and exercising while in the field.
- The benefits of outsourcing roof measuring tasks
- The benefits of riding along with experienced adjusters
- The importance of setting boundaries and priorities
- Mistakes made and lessons learned
- His first insurance claim experience
- Initial investments and expenses associated with his first few claims.
Resources Mentioned:
- Ridge Top Aerial Technologies
- EagleView
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaltyadjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaltyadjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
On today’s episode of Adjuster Talk, I’m chatting with two guys who are considering becoming property insurance adjusters. James and Matt work together at a building company; both have a goal to become a property insurance adjuster. They join me on the show to ask some common and in-depth questions about how to get started in the adjusting industry.
In this interview, we discuss how to transition from your full-time job into an independent insurance adjusting career, some of the risks involved in making the transition, and common fears and obstacles you may experience and overcome. We also discuss the financial and personal pro’s and con’s you may want to consider before leaving your job as well as how to market your services once you launch your new career.
“Claims managers are always going to be your best ally.” – Jason Heenan
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- What to consider before jumping into the adjusting world
- Deciding whether to work nationwide, statewide, or stay local
- Making the first 8 hours of your working day your most productive
- How to network to get on adjuster rosters
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Pilot
- Wardlaw
- Worley
- NCA
- Adjuster Central on Facebook
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
Quitting your job to follow a new career path can be as scary as it is rewarding. If you’re thinking about leaving your day job to become an independent property adjuster, there are a few basic, transitional steps you should be aware of – before you submit your resignation.
On today’s episode of Adjuster Talk, I’m sharing my story of how I got started in the industry and laying out the steps that you should take to make transitioning from a full-time job to a full-time independent property adjuster smooth and seamless.
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- How to mitigate the risk of scoping the wrong house
- Why you should take interior and exterior photos of the homes you are scoping
- How to use Xactimate efficiently and effectively
- Fee schedules and day rates
- When to consider quitting your full-time job to become a full-time property insurance adjuster
Transitional Steps to Becoming a Property Adjuster:
- Get your license
- Learn how to run estimating software
- Ask to ride along with another field adjuster
- Network
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Xactimate
Request Your FREE Adjuster’s License Study Guide!
Are you studying for your property insurance adjuster’s license? Do you want a compact, easy-to-follow guide to help you understand all you need to know about what it takes to pass the test? Get your free Adjuster’s License Study Guide!
Email Chris at cmesmith@royaladjustingservices.com to request yours today!
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT027 Starting Your Adjusting Career During Hurricane Harvey
If you’ve been thinking about starting your career as an independent insurance adjuster - now is the time to get off the fence, start building your network, and learning what it takes to become successful. As Hurricane Harvey quickly approaches, more and more adjusting firms and insurance companies are scrambling to train new people and get them on the road ahead of the incoming storm.
On today’s episode, I’m sharing the steps you need to take to get off the fence and start your career as an independent insurance adjuster in preparation of Hurricane Harvey making landfall. I’ll explain the importance of updating your resume, the skills you need to highlight on your resume, and the various types of career paths you could follow in your adjusting career. I’ll also explain the importance of being prepared and thinking ahead regarding your career path.
“Now is the time, if you’re going to make the change, to do it.” - Jason Heenan
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- The importance of updating your resume.
- Skills to highlight.
- Building your network.
- Supportive roles and jobs within the adjusting industry.
- Entrepreneurial jobs within the adjusting industry.
- Questions to ask when starting out as an adjuster during Hurricane Harvey.
- What to expect during major saturation weather events.
- The importance of being prepared for the worst-case scenario when handling claims during the hurricane season.
- Getting emergency licenses.
- The importance of thinking ahead and planning for the future of your career.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
On this episode of Adjuster Talk, I’m joined – once again – by the independent adjuster and master of networking, Chris Cleveland. Today, we discuss the hard lessons we have learned throughout our careers as independent property insurance adjusters and the importance of building and maintaining your network to grow your business and increase your revenue.
Chris shares his insight and tips on how to maintain communication throughout a claim and why it’s so important. He also explains why it’s critical for new adjusters to conduct their own research instead of relying on groups and message boards online to ask basic questions as well as how to avoid burning out early in your career.
“One of the key traits of a good adjuster is research and figuring things out.” – Chris Cleveland
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- The average yearly income of the Top 20% of independent insurance adjusters working on daily claims from home
- Lessons learned the hard way
- How to avoid burn out
- The dangers of stacking claims
- Why the first ten days after an event are critical
Chris Cleveland’s Tips for New Property Insurance Adjusters:
- Never over promise then under deliver
- Maintain good communication skills
- Conduct your own research
- Network, network, network
Chris Cleveland’s Words of Wisdom:
Get out there. Be persistent. Make money. Pay attention to the weather. As soon as a storm hits, start being a squeaky wheel.
Connect with Chris Cleveland:
- Chris Cleveland on Facebook
- Adjuster Central on Facebook
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
On this episode of Adjuster Talk, I’m joined – once again – by the independent adjuster and master of networking, Chris Cleveland. Today, we discuss the hard lessons we have learned throughout our careers as independent property insurance adjusters and the importance of building and maintaining your network to grow your business and increase your revenue.
Chris shares his insight and tips on how to maintain communication throughout a claim and why it’s so important. He also explains why it’s critical for new adjusters to conduct their own research instead of relying on groups and message boards online to ask basic questions as well as how to avoid burning out early in your career.
“One of the key traits of a good adjuster is research and figuring things out.” – Chris Cleveland
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- The average yearly income of the Top 20% of independent insurance adjusters working on daily claims from home
- Lessons learned the hard way
- How to avoid burn out
- The dangers of stacking claims
- Why the first ten days after an event are critical
Chris Cleveland’s Tips for New Property Insurance Adjusters:
- Never over promise then under deliver
- Maintain good communication skills
- Conduct your own research
- Network, network, network
Chris Cleveland’s Words of Wisdom:
Get out there. Be persistent. Make money. Pay attention to the weather. As soon as a storm hits, start being a squeaky wheel.
Connect with Chris Cleveland:
- Chris Cleveland on Facebook
- Adjuster Central on Facebook
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT028 Hurricane Harvey Update and Tips for New Adjusters
We are nearly a week into the destruction caused by the CAT5 hurricane - Hurricane Harvey - that impacted residents throughout Texas this month. The catastrophe and destruction caused by the hurricane has significantly impacted millions of people, causing wind and water damage across millions of homes.
On today’s episode, I’m sharing an update regarding Hurricane Harvey and the devastation it has left in its wake. I’ll share my predictions on how this storm will impact the insurance adjusting industry overall as well as tips for new adjusters working in the field. I’ll also share strategies to help you settle your first Hurricane Harvey claim, ways to stay organized and productive, and the importance of being empathetic and doing your part to help those affected by the storm - even if you haven’t been deployed yet.
“Start dissecting your claims early.” - Jason Heenan
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- An update on Hurricane Harvey.
- How we prepared for the mega-storm.
- Why new adjusters should lean on their support system while in the field.
- The importance of conducting follow-up phone calls with the insurers.
- Tips for closing your first claim during Hurricane Harvey.
- Avoiding the “snowball effect” that often leads new adjusters to quit.
- Creating a checklist of what you need to do for each claim to stay productive and organized.
- The importance of avoiding overscheduling claims.
- The importance of understanding insurance policies.
- The impact of showing homeowners the photos you took while onsite.
- The importance of showing empathy to homeowners and how you can lend support even if you’re not deployed.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT026 Independent Insurance Adjusting as an Alternative Career with Jason Martinson
Over the last 17 years, Jason Martinson has worked as a dedicated Fire Investigator, firefighter, paramedic, and CrossFit business owner based in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2017, he decided to expand his career knowledge into becoming an independent insurance adjuster specializing in residential property damage claims.
Jason joins me today to share his insight as a new adjuster in the field. He shares the similarities between working as a career firefighter and an adjuster, explains the importance of building your network as you learn the industry, and the importance of managing your time effectively as you advance your career. He also shares his most memorable experience while working claims and the most important lessons he has learned throughout his new career journey.
“It’s all about finding those people who truly want to help you. That’s the key.” - Jason Martinson
In Today’s Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- The importance of effective time-management skills.
- How he got started in the insurance adjusting industry.
- His experience with getting his adjusting license.
- The benefits of riding along with others as a new adjuster.
- The importance of taking a course to learn Xactimate.
- The benefits of outsourcing roof sketches.
- The most memorable experience while working claims.
- The impact that building your network can have on your career as a new adjuster.
- His personal goals as an insurance adjuster.
- Skill set similarities between firefighting and insurance adjusting.
- The importance of setting goals for the future of your career.
- Building and nurturing trust with insurers.
- The importance of building and appearing confident while working with insurers.
Resources Mentioned:
- AdjusterPro
- Advanced Claim Technologies
Jason Martinson’s Tips for Adjusting Success:
- When you’re just starting out, ask lots of questions.
- Slow down. Take your time on each claim and report.
- Stay organized.
- Stop talking.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT024 From Insurance Adjuster to VP of Claims with Robert Moran
Robert Moran is the Vice President of Claims at Worley Catastrophe Claims and Recovery Services. Prior to becoming the VP of Claims, he worked as an independent claims adjuster and field claims specialist. His current role at Worley include responsibilities such as the supervision and development of virtual and on-site personnel, coordination of catastrophe operations, and maintain and improve productivity within his department.
Robert joins me today to share his background and experience in the insurance adjusting industry. He explains the importance of building relationships and how these relationships can impact the future of your career. He also discusses the importance of being flexible, managing your time, and improving your leadership skills and how these traits play a role in future advancements and promotions throughout your career.
“What’s going to make an adjuster successful these days is how flexible they are.” - Robert Moran
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- His background and experience in the adjusting industry.
- The importance of being flexible and able to adapt to changes.
- How building relationships can impact your career.
- The importance of developing leadership skills.
- Qualities of “core insurance adjusters.”
- The importance of properly managing your time.
- Strategies for managing the work-life balance.
Robert Moran’s Advice to New Insurance Adjusters:
- Advance your industry knowledge and education.
- Seek a mentor.
- Be flexible.
- Be open to new opportunities.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
AT022 Adjusting to 6 Figures with Jeremy Rettig
Jeremy Rettig is an independent property adjuster and the founder and CEO of two successful businesses. Makenzie Properties of New Jersey is a privately owned real estate company focusing on investing in residential and commercial properties. Adjusting to 6 Figures offers support and education to new independent claim adjusters through various services and products.
Jeremy joins me today to share his journey of becoming an independent property adjuster. He shares his passion for helping insurance adjusters become successful in the industry and the challenges he has faced throughout his career. He also explains the importance of networking and building relationships as a new adjuster and the impact that attending workshops and seminars can have on your success.
“Independent insurance adjusting is very much a family-oriented business.” - Jeremy Rettig
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- The importance of networking as a new independent insurance adjuster.
- Expanding your knowledge through workshops and seminars.
- His most successful year as an insurance adjuster.
- What inspired him to begin training others to be successful independent insurance adjusters.
- What motivated him to create Adjusting to 6 Figures.
- Challenges he overcame while training new adjusters.
- The importance of properly managing your money.
Connect with Jeremy Rettig:
- Adjusting to 6 Figures website
- Adjusting to 6 Figures on Facebook
- Jeremy Rettig on Facebook
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com or Mindy at mindy@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!
We get feedback from all over the world. Some share their concerns with us while others seek answers to their questions. While there may be many other concerns that come to mind, today we are going to talk about some of the recurring topics and relevant matters that are being reiterated on our episodes.
Join me today as I go back to some of the things we previously talked about and as I determine the topics that we consistently hear from our guests. As I look back to the days when I started my career 13 years ago, it’s crystal clear that one of the things that has made an impression on everyone is the importance of having quality relationships. Other recurring topics include several ways to make money on claims and changing careers from being a contractor to an adjuster.
If you’re unhappy with where you’re at, and you don’t think your body of work is being properly represented through your company for who you’re working for, change companies. Just do it.
In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:
- Significance of constantly developing relationships in your career
- Average age of insurance adjusters
- Where most of the insurance frauds take place
- Your power as an independent adjuster
- Most misrepresented items when others try to make money on claims
- Working on your foundation as a person and keeping your morals
- Why transparency is essential in any business
- Considerations when we consider working with other companies
- Reasons why you need to align and surround yourself with like-minded people
- Encouragement to develop your skills and aim to get better
Join Us & Meet Your CE Requirements!
Come join Jason Heenan from 8A.M to 4P.M. at the Haag Engineering facility Irvine, TX on June 22 for our ***full-day Continuing Education P******rogram*** for licensed adjusters. This program meets your CE requirements, is free to attend, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. Come take care of your CE requirements and take part in a live show of Adjuster Talk!
See you there!
Where: Haag Engineering Facility
4949 West Royal Lane, Irvine TX
When: June 22, 8A.M. to 4P.M.
**Cost****:** Free
Credits: Continuing Education credits
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the
Welcome to the first episode of Adjuster Talk – your show to connect with the “who’s who” in the property insurance adjusting world with your host, Jason Heenan. Jason is the co-owner of Royal Adjusting Services, an independent property insurance adjusting firm based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Our goal with this podcast is to help other adjusters improve their skills and business as well as those wanting to start a career as an independent property insurance adjuster. Learn tips, tricks, and gain the insight of the pros in the industry to catapult your business from the ground up or take your business to the next level!
“Independent adjusting is not made out for everybody, but the people who make it here can make it anywhere.” – Jason Heenan
What to Expect from Adjuster Talk Podcast:
- Interviews with property insurance adjusting experts.
- Tips for improving your adjusting business.
- Strategies, tips, and insight on starting your adjusting business.
Connect. Share. Inspire.
Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at jheenan@royaladjustingservices.com with your resume.