AdjusterTV Radio: Recent Episodes

Matt Allen

AdjusterTV Radio is casual, informal, and occasionally irreverent (but still family-friendly). The topics for veteran adjusters and those who are already invested in the industry as well as Q&A for new folks, stories from the road, and terrible, terrible jokes.

Summary

In this conversation, Matt shares his journey of becoming an adjuster and his experiences in the industry. He talks about his transition from working in video production to becoming an adjuster, his first storm and training experience, and his first hurricane. Matt also discusses the attitudes towards new adjusters and the challenges they face. Finally, he shares the inspiration behind creating Adjuster TV and his goal of providing guidance and support to adjusters. Matt Allen started Adjuster TV to help adjusters optimize their skills and succeed in the industry. He saw an opportunity to build a business around standardized training and mentorship. The core focus of Adjuster TV is to provide valuable information and training to adjusters, both new and experienced. Matt's goal is to help adjusters develop the right mindset, customer service skills, and time management techniques to excel in their careers. Adjuster TV offers various training programs, including the Fast Track to Deployment, which provides a comprehensive framework for the claims process. Matt's future plans involve optimizing and expanding the training programs to better serve the industry.

Takeaways

Becoming an adjuster often involves a transition from a different career or industry.
Training and mentorship are crucial for new adjusters to succeed in the field.
The first storm or hurricane experience can be challenging and stressful for adjusters.
There is a need for better support and guidance for new adjusters in the industry. Adjuster TV was created to provide standardized training and mentorship for adjusters.
The core focus of Adjuster TV is to help adjusters optimize their skills and succeed in the industry.
The Fast Track to Deployment program offers a comprehensive framework for the claims process.
Matt's future plans involve optimizing and expanding the training programs to better serve the industry.

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Summary

In this conversation, Christian, an experienced independent adjuster, shares his insights and advice for new adjusters. He discusses the reality of six-figure income in the industry and the importance of understanding the claims process. Christian emphasizes the value of networking and building relationships, as well as the need for continuous learning and training. He dispels myths about oversaturation in the industry and the idea that on-the-job training is sufficient without prior training. Christian also highlights the importance of balancing work and personal life as an adjuster. In this conversation, Christian Rodriguez discusses the types of claims he handles, the average claim amounts, and the importance of changing locations to avoid burnout. He shares his strategies for preparing for a storm, handling days off, and setting up for success in the field. Christian also emphasizes the importance of avoiding over-scoping and catching up on work. He discusses his future plans, including obtaining an LLC and S-Corp, and building a mobile office. Finally, he mentions his interest in expanding into large loss claims and obtaining drone certifications.

Takeaways

Understanding the claims process and gaining experience in both field and desk adjusting are crucial for success as an adjuster.
Networking and building relationships with other adjusters and firms can lead to more opportunities and work.
Obtaining multiple licenses in different states can significantly increase the chances of getting work during different seasons and events.
Continuous learning and training, both through free resources and paid courses, are essential for staying updated and improving skills as an adjuster.
Balancing work and personal life is important to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is important to change locations and take breaks to avoid burnout in the insurance adjusting industry.
Preparing for a storm involves having all necessary equipment ready to go and making initial contacts with clients.
Avoid over-scoping by properly managing your workload and setting realistic expectations for inspections and report writing.
Taking time off and prioritizing self-care is crucial for maintaining work-life balance in a demanding career.
Consider obtaining certifications and expanding your skills to increase your value as an adjuster.

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

Matt and guest Andy Patterson answer the following listener questions:

You got your license, now what?
Is it worth it to get a Xactimate user certs
What is the difference between daily and cat work
Ridealongs vs formal training
You've been called for a deployment: what you should expect?
Reinspections and supplements - did you screw up?
Agency liaison and why it's important to touch base with the agents

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every week!

In this episode, we chat with Keri about:

Which path to choose when getting started
How to defeat the conventional wisdom about claims with your insureds
Filling up the anxiety cup
How to pick which firm to work for
Should you work for the company with the highest pay
Tactics for the best customer service
What if you choose the wrong deployment

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

In this exclusive AdjusterTV interview, Matt chats with ServPro about - among other things - the difference between water categories and classes and how a water mitigation company decides whether to dry something out or rip it out and replace it.

Learn how to become an adjuster at adjustertv.com/start

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

Viewer questions about getting started in claims with special guest Guy Grand, co-founder of Veteran Adjusting School.

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

How to work as an IA team with your spouse
Next steps after you get your license >> Xactimate Certification
NACA convention survival guide
How to get into NFIP
Why AI and robots and drones will never replace adjusters
Why claims is a completely recession-proof, pandemic-proof, economy-proof, president-proof career. If you do it right, it can even be (almost) weather proof.
Should you work for one or multiple firms
Should you try to work auto and/or marine?

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

Matt Workman Free Coaching Call

Learning construction, path to becoming an IA, working in the off-season.
Should you learn X1 or Symbility?
What does your year look like as a property cat adjuster?
How to learn construction.
How much money you need to get started.
Why and how you should network as an adjuster.
How to learn restoration construction.
Can you be a daily and a cat property adjuster?

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

Christy's Questions:

If there's an event like a hurricane, and 50 IA firms are calling / emailing… what do I do? Are the IA firms that I turn down going to be mad and take me off their roster?

As a new IA should I go ahead and take an hourly position during an event?

New IAs agreeing to lower pay seems like a huge point of contention with the seasoned IAs. Doesn't it wind up drag down everyone’s pay?

If I am working daily claims, and a storm hits, how do I shut off new claims and tell the IA firm I've been running dailies for “sorry gotta go!” Will they ever give me dailies again?

How do I know which IA firm to focus on? They all talk a good game… how does a new IA avoid the pitfalls and traps of dealing with shady IA firms?

Considering all of a CAT Field IA’s daily expenses while on site, does a remote adjuster end up making (and keeping) just as much income as a Field IA?

Would it be a smart move as a new IA, to forget about Field at the very beginning and focus on Desk? It seems to me a new IA could learn a hell of a lot of X1 experience by looking over other Field X1 work and learn what both a good file looks like and a bad file looks like, then take that info out in the Field in 6-8 months.

Was it a waste of time for me to get certification after certification after certification? Do IA firms really even look at any of that?

As a brand spanking new IA, with so many other things to learn, would it make sense for me to put in the time, take the NFIP classes, and get my NFIP Mentorship going now?

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

In this video, Matt and Corinn from AEIclaimslaw.com talk about their new training inside of AdjusterTV Plus as well as how you can prove that you’re an expert in insurance policy with highly regarded designations.

As an adjuster, you need to wear a lot of hats.

construction hat
restoration expert hat
customer service hat
estimating software hat

Even thought you've only got the one noggin, the biggest thing that separates us as adjusters from contractors, PAs, attorneys, and water mit people is that we also have to wear an additional hat: THE POLICY HAT.

Yes, policy is a little bit complicated. But again, it's not rocket surgery.

The best adjusters know how to interpret and analyze coverages using any policy because they know the basics of how a policy works.

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

In this video, independent property adjuster Laura Samford reports from her current daily claims deployment.. in Australia! Because of a connection she made at the National Association of Catastrophe adjusters conference in 2020, she's been working almost non-stop for two years, including the last 6 months in another country.

Learn how handling claims is different DOWN UNDAH!

I caught up with property adjuster Laura Samford as she approaches the end of her first 6 month stint overseas handling claims. She was originally called to run flood claims but because Australia is also short-handed when it comes to adjusters, she has stuck around and handled all kinds of claims from fires to earthquake claims.

Learn more about what it's like to run claims overseas and how you can set yourself up to get a gig like this. But first..

As you know.. We're entering the peak of hurricane season and you need to be ready to hit the ground running if and when we get a landfalling hurricane this year. Do you want to know how you can jump to the front of the line for deployments at major IA firms?

Then you gotta check out the 2022 AdjusterTV Hurricane Orientation

In this totally free, totally live training you'll learn:

what the full deployment process actually looks like from somebody who's worked several hurricanes, including 2005's Katrina. How standby works, what to expect at orientation, how claims are assigned, and so on
you'll also learn how to build a total loss estimate in minutes - even if you have never handled a claim before.
and as a bonus to you if you attend live, you'll get first crack at earlybird pricing for my Fast Track to Deployment property adjuster Certification program - which, by the way, enrollment officially opens with the first webinar so you do not want to miss it.

Register for the next 2022 AdjusterTV Hurricane Orientation at adjustertv.com/thrive

Don't forget to register for the 2022 AdjusterTV Hurricane Orientation and be sure to show up live so that you can get special earlybird pricing on our flagship adjuster training program and certification. The fast track to deployment certification. This certification is currently honored by the following firms:

Pilot
Alacrity
Sedgwick
Pacesetter
CCMS
Crawford

These firms all had a hand in the development of our new certification so you know this is the real deal. Register for the free Hurricane orientation at adjustertv.com/thrive and I'll see you there live.

Thank you for being an AdjusterTV Radio listener! Please visit adjustertvplus.com and use coupon code PODCAST for a free month of the best new adjuster training videos. New videos arrive every month!

It's quiet.. too quiet.. With the official AdjusterTV start of the 2022 hurricane season, as of August 17th, 2022, we have had (drum roll please) a whopping THREE devastating tropical storms this year so far. Three.

By this time last year we were already down to 'H' in the names with category one Henri, which was the third hurricane of the season.

That said, category four bruiser Ida blew up south of Cuba as a tropical storm August 26th and within a very short 3 days made landfall in Louisiana with 150mph winds.

Things can happen very quickly this time of year and - that - is why I always say that hurricane season doesn't officially start for cat property adjusters until the middle of August.

The peak of hurricane activity will come mid-September and effectively be over by Thanksgiving.

As catastrophe adjusters we also know that no matter what the eggheads say, Mother Nature is going to do what she wants and even though they're predicting 20-22 storms this year, we could have a half dozen.

Or.. we could have yet another record-breaking year.

The bottom line is that anything can happen and if you want to be in this game, you need to be ready to get sent to the coast with 24 hours notice if things gets real.. or if nothing happens to accept that not every season will have huge hurricanes that send tens of thousands of claims adjusters to the coast to help with the recovery.

In this episode of AdjusterTV Radio, I talk with experienced adjuster Steve about his experiences on his first hurricane and how you can be ready to deploy - or not.

If you're enjoying this video and you're ready to take the next step and learn how to start adjusting claims, then check out my step-by-step video training called the Road to the Storm at adjustertv.com/start This training is totally free and includes not only a complete series of training videos but a PDF guide that includes a ton of career resources to go along with it.

Jump start your career right now at adjustertv.com/start

Dirt Road Discussions
This is not an ordinary farm podcast! Intriguing stories hosted by the Idaho Farm Bureau.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Smart Passive Income Podcast
Weekly interviews, strategy, and advice for building your online business the smart way.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

In this episode, Matt and Chris - a newer adjuster with some field experience - talk about closing claims on site and what a new adjuster needs to know about making through their first storm deployment in one piece:

What documentation is needed to satisfy the claim requirements
Reasons why a file might get kicked back
What does an GLR look like and how they should be completed
How to handle an inexperienced file reviewer
How Cat and daily claims are different
What is a gatekeeper?
What is the best way to influence the gatekeeper to give you work
How to improve your efficiency
What are macros and how you can use them to improve cycle time
Benefits of closing claims while at the customers home

Coaching Call:

Thomas is a new adjuster who is interested in learning more about certifications, gear, and how to stand out on resumes and interviews.

How to use the Haag field books
Haag Certified Reviewer program
How many claims should a new adjuster be able to close on their first storm?
Learn Xactimate and Symbility
Why certifications aren't the most important thing
How getting rope and harness certification and gear can make you more money

Wisdom.MBA
Business insights from MBA students, professors, alums and successful entrepreneurs.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Leadership School
Conversations from around the world inspiring you to be an extraordinary leader.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

What if you and your friend, spouse, or partner want to team up and tackle storms this season?

In this podcast, Matt shares his thoughts on the best way that a couple can close more claims with less stress as a team.
ALSO...

should adjusters specialize or diversify their claims experience and knowledge?
what should adjusters do to LEVEL UP?
is there an advantage to visiting IA firm offices IN PERSON to introduce yourself?
is it worth it to invest in tools like MATTERPORT?

In this video, Matt and newbie adjuster Seth talk about:

How to work through a fear of heights as a property adjuster
How to find work right away in claims
How to switch careers smoothly without wrecking your family's finances
A super simple strategy for not becoming a sad statistic on your first major claims deployment

Virtual adjuster ridealongs and advanced training: https://adjustertv.com/plus

Matt chats with a 5-year veteran adjuster about

How he got started on Irma
Advice for new adjusters - people with family and reality check
Why AdjusterTV Plus is so useful for new adjusters
Networking
Should you become a staff adjuster first?
Should you work for a restoration construction company or a water mitigation company?
How to prove to IA firms that you're ready to work?
Why you should work on your customer service skills and not fight with contractors
AdjusterTV Facebook Group
The talent crisis is real
How to be an ambassador for the claims industry
Final piece of advice - is this kind of work for you

Are auto claims a good stepping stone to a career in property claims?
Guest host Max Olson talks about his career in auto claims and how rewarding it's been for him.

Matt and a former IT worker talk about how - now that he has his feet under him with deployments and daily assignments - he can accelerate his career and find that work/life balance.

Highlights:

high volume hurricane claims handling vs ramping up as a new adjuster
how quickly the snowball can happen
roof pictometry vs HOVER
how Matt deals with chatty roofers
why having a scoping system helps inspections go faster with fewer errors
how many pictures should you be taking on cat claims and daily claims - is it different?
scope all day, write all night vs close on site
why you should only inspect what you can close that same day - and how to do it

In this episode, Matt and guest James Mathis talk all about ladders and how to be fast as an adjuster:

Which ladder?
Which vehicle?
Speed secrets: how to be a very fast adjuster who doesn't suck plus how to schedule and route claims for ultimate speed
Matt REALLY DID close 36 claims in one day
An insured has a panic attack over water mitigation (actually hilarious)

Don't forget to check out our sponsors:
IA firm Pacesetter Claims Service
E&O provider CPLIC

Should you get trained as a staff adjuster and then quit to become an IA?

It's a tough question and one that - if you're new - you will often hear as a great piece of advice. But is going staff for a few months or a year really a smart way to go?

In this episode of AdjusterTV, Matt and Andy Patterson - who was a multi-decade veteran claims adjuster at a major carrier - chat about Andy's innovative new YouTube channel where he demonstrates how to scope, estimate, and actually perform REPAIRS!

They also talk about the state of the industry, what it's like to be a staff adjuster versus an independent adjuster, and tons more.

Even though Andy has more experience in claims than Matt does, this is a compelling conversation between two industry veterans who come from two very different backgrounds.

Join Crawford and Company leaders in a very informative panel discussion and Q&A from the 2022 Crawford Cat Conference in Orlando, FL.

Panelists:
Richard Folkman
Buddy Sheets
Doug New
Pamela Gayles

Preparation for cat, flood, and desk deployments:
What state adjuster licenses does Crawford recommend?
Should you wait and get emergency licenses on cat?
Gear, equipment, and skills preparation.
Should you get rope and harness training, certification, and gear?
Finding fuel and food on major hurricane deployments.
Why the early bird gets the worm - the adjusters who show up to a storm site first will be the first ones working.
Off-season prep and housekeeping best-practices - aka “getting your affairs in order”
What licenses are needed to run flood claims?
Major storm orientation on a Crawford cat deployment.
The importance of Crawford’s RENOVO app - what it is and how it can help you get work.
What state licenses should you get after your home state/DHS license?
Deployment best-practices - what happens if you don’t finish your claims?

Learn more about Crawford and Company: https://www.crawco.com/cat

In this coaching call, Matt answers Nathan's questions:

How do you know which storm deployments to accept?
Is the adjuster position disappearing in the insurance industry?
How to effectively negotiate rates with IA firms and when is it appropriate to do so?
When is it appropriate to end an inspection early if an insured/CTR is being aggressive?
What credit cards/Hotels are best for points/rewards?
What certifications beyond state licenses are most beneficial for acquiring skills/work?
Who let the dogs out? (Seriously, the gate’s open)

Would you like to be featured in an AdjusterTV video? Click the button and grab and date and time. If there are no spots, keep checking back!

https://www.adjustertv.com/coach

We're doing something a little bit differently in this episode of AdjusterTV.
Caleb M. joins Matt for an hour-long coaching call. Caleb asks a TON of great questions but the biggest ones are:

the biggest pitfalls for new adjusters
how to avoid burnout
one- and five-year career path recommendations
what advice would Matt give himself if he could go back in time to the beginning
and lots more!

Did you know that you can watch every episode of AdjusterTV at our website, adjustertv.com?

Join us on the air with a coaching call at adjustertv.com/coach

In this episode of AdjusterTV, Matt and James talk about how adjusters make money, how much you can make - but also the importance of having REALISTIC expectations.
We also talk about:

Deployment frustrations (major hurricanes)
Good vs Good Enough in writing estimates
Tree bills
Matt ruins a patio
James meets childhood friends on claims in distant corners of the country

Don't forget, adjusterscore.com is now live! Prove yourself to the IA firms with Adjuster Score.

In this episode of AdjusterTV Radio, learn exactly what the best independent adjusters do to earn the big bucks - including getting started right, how much money should you save, the best way to train, building relationships and networking, and so much more.

RUNDOWN:

What is an independent adjuster?

The different types of adjusters:

property
auto
cat
daily
additional types:
commercial
farm ranch
condo
contents
heavy equipment
RV
liability

Desk roles:

file review
QA
writer

description of typical path - how to get started

finding out about this career
decide if its right for you or not

prep for work:

licensing
training and certifications
networking
- NACA, catcon, midamcat, pacesetter, eberl, etc.
gear
storms
virtual work

How the work part of this work works - aka having proper expectations:

storms happen when they happen - you could be in the middle of getting ready or all done and sitting around waiting
second deployment is key
how to actually get your second deployment (and third and so on)

Career-building:

saving for your first/second deployments
building a career
how long does it actually take to start making good money - volume.

How the best adjusters work:

mindset - delayed gratification and service
willingness to go above and beyond ALWAYS
willingness to adapt, grow, and build skills
ambition - they don't stay in one role their entire career
professionalism - this means leaving the ego at home
listen more than they talk
punctual
serving the customer first before themselves - who is the customer?
organized and efficient
never multitask > LEARN WHY

The best adjusters treat their career like a business:

sales
marketing
accounting
continuous improvement
short and long-term plans for growth and advancement

This episode of AdjusterTV is brought to you by:

Pacesetter Claims Service

Crawford and Co - attend the 2022 Cat Conference

CPLIC - protect yourself with errors and omissions insurance

Eberl Claims Service

US Tape (coupon ADJUSTERTV)

AdjusterPro Adjuster Licensing

Adjuster tools and gear by BullyBag

Haag Education (coupon ADJUSTERTV)

Advanced adjuster training videos by Matt and industry experts

In this video, learn what we mean when we say "desk adjusting," how you can earn really good money as a desk adjuster, how to get this kind of work, and how to get good at the kind of work that you can do from home in your PJ’s...

What is a Desk Adjuster? There are a few roles:

file review
desk adjuster
writer/VA
QA
staff adjuster

How to get this kind of work:

field deployment is still most common first step for traditional desk adjuster/file reviewer role
writer role can be had out of the gate as long as you have good Xactimate, construction, and policy skills
QA requires a lot of experience and knowledge
file reviewer requires some experience

Several ways to get good training for this role:

get virtual work
take hands-on field adjuster training - even if you don't want to be a field adjuster
take Haag Education's HCR training - coupon code ADJUSTERTV

As we tiptoe into 2022, the indie claims biz is as strong as ever. AdjusterTV personality James Mathis began his claims career just a couple of years ago. Find out how he's doing as an IA.

Also in this video, Matt and James yap at each other about all things DAILY plus:

What does "DEPLOYED DAILY" mean?
Deploying with pets.
Types of IA work.
Matt and James talk about their single highest-earning day of work and how they did it.
There are FLEAS everywhere!

Matt and Crawford's Director of Claims Training Geoffrey Conrad go deep on what new adjusters should be doing to get started including:

First call list
Getting noticed in training
How to choose the firm that's right for you
Who is Crawford?
How to make extra money with We Go Look
What is Crawford looking for in new adjusters?
How important it is to learn policy - and how to learn it
An adjuster fumbles the claim of a Director of Claims Training
The key to handling total losses
What can adjusters do to fully prepare to become successful
Adjuster mindset and adaptability
There will NEVER be a time when field adjusters won't be needed
Adjusters need to know how to "read the room"
How to handle negotiations with contractors
Do you adjust for the insured or do you adjust for the carrier?
Handyman repairs vs customary and reasonable restoration
Does Crawford want you to have an Xactimate Level 2 or 3 certification?
What training does Crawford offer to new adjusters?
Why adjusters who think they'll get on the job training on a major hurricane are hurting everybody, including adjusters in general
What is the future of claims handling. Are adjuster jobs safe?
Crawford CatCon

It's Real: The Unified Adjuster Interface!

How one company is making cobbled together claims software programs and systems a thing of the past.. It's about time!

Matt and Telaclaims Founder and CEO David Milton talk about the future of claims from the perspective of an insuretech company. More opportunities are coming for adjusters using this new technology to be more effective in the field by avoiding common efficiency problems. Open to Adjusters, vendors and anyone who provides service to a claim to collectively work parallel to each other to get the job done.

From best practices for claims handling to using video to reduce reinspections and lawsuits, Telaclaims makes everyone's lives easier by using this universal portal.

Let us know if this week’s episode was helpful to you and any other topics you want to hear about!

This week on AdjusterTV Radio, Matt and author, YouTuber, and construction sales training expert Becca Switzer talk in-depth about sales and how just about everything we do as adjusters involves sales at some level.

Tune in and learn about how she started her business, the 80-10-10 rule, how to plan your schedule to serve a longer-term goal, Advice for women getting into claims and construction industries and much much more!

Let us know if this week’s episode was helpful to you and any other topics you want to hear about!

What kind of gear do you need as an insurance adjuster? Work smarter and set yourself up for success! From vehicles, gadgets and managing laundry on the road, Matt and James cover all things insurance adjuster gear on this week's AdjusterTV Radio along with Matt getting secretly recorded by a roofing sales guy in Wisconsin during a meeting.

I want to be an adjuster, but where do I begin? This week’s episode is perfect for any experience level in the adjuster field because Guy Grand and I give you the basics. We’ll cover everything from skillset prerequisites, expectation management, common Xactimate questions, initial deployment costs to prepare for, and more.

What skills should you show up with to training?
Checklists are critical
How to get good at Xactimate
Expectations for new adjusters on what they can earn
Tough love from Guy
What if you can't afford VAS?
Learning how to manage email
Basic computer skills that an adjuster needs before ever downloading Xactimate
Basics of Xactimate
Xactimate in the context of a claim
Cost of first deployment
Licensing strategy
Daily vs cat
DIY adjuster roadmap
How to learn policy
Matt and guy tell bad ladder stories

Did you know you can WATCH every AdjusterTV Radio episode ad-free at AdjusterTVPlus.com ?

We aren't drones. Every Insurance Claims Adjuster has a heart, and at the heart of our work are real people struggling through real situations. This week, we'll look at the importance of putting quality customer service above anything else. Matt will share some personal experiences from the field with victims of Hurricane Harvey, spending time with the elderly and lonely people, and how good customer service can actually add some extra money to your pocket each year. We'll also cover how to handle difficult conversations with contractors, and what to do when one stabs you in the back! It's Customer Service Week here on AdjusterTV, so buckle up to hear the ins and outs of treating people right!Did you know you can WATCH every AdjusterTV Radio episode ad-free at AdjusterTVPlus.com?

In this episode of AdjusterTV Radio, Matt and Koby talk about how to make more than 100K a year as an independent adjuster.

How Koby's sales background helps him in claims
How being an adjuster is very much like being a business owner
Cultivating the Mamba Mentality
Why corporate America isn't always the safer choice
Managing storm earnings
How to play the long game as a claims professional - Process vs Performance goals
Reverse-engineering a six figure income - how to earn more than $100,000 a year
Adjusters are in sales - learn to pick up the phone and ask for what you want
Reciprocity - and not the adjuster licensing kind
How to win at customer service
Matt's Hurricane Katrina story
How to deal with irate customers
How to be efficient as an adjuster and why it saves you money
How to figure out what your hourly wage is - net profit as an adjuster
How incremental efficiencies work
All about Koby's hat

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In this episodes of AdjusterTV Radio, Matt and James talk about all of the ways you can get injured or killed as a field adjuster/auto appraiser.

Stories about falling off roofs
James falls off a roof and gets sidelined
How to climb down a steep roof in an emergency
A storm manager falls off a roof and ends her career
Jimmy falls off a roof and ruins the season
Dan falls off a roof and shreds his hands
Basic ladder safety
Matt falls off a roof and escapes injury
Scoping hail from the top of the ladder
Rope and harness
Hamburger hands and wearing gloves on all roof claims
Falling off a truck or RV during an auto appraisal inspection
Falling THROUGH a roof
Cougar Paws on a wood shake roof
Double pulls
Fiberglass vs aluminum ladders
Getting directions from farmers
Farmer survives Iowa derecho

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In this episodes of AdjusterTV Radio, Matt and Jeff talk quicker, more efficient and safer ways to get roof measurements.

Why Matt was against drones
Jeffrey is an old-school nerd from way back
How tech is speeding up adjuster workflow
What does Certifly do?
How far has drone inspection tech come in the last few years?
Types of airspace - get permissions from apps like Kittyhawk
How to deal with drone battery life
Reports generated by Certifly
What Certifly will be able to do in the near future
Why drone hail detection isn't there yet
Drones and hurricane and wildfire damage
Benefits of drone inspections
Using drones to count trees on wildland fire claims
Getting permission to fly the drone from your IA firm
Jeffrey makes the case for drones

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In this episode of AdjusterTV Radio, Matt and James talk Personal Finance as an Independent Adjuster.

Disclaimer
Questions from YouTube
Bad cat adjuster jokes
Steps to becoming a cat property adjuster
What license should you get first? And what licenses should you get next?
How state adjuster license reciprocity works
How emergency state licenses work
Hurricane forecasts
What is the path to becoming a cat property adjuster that reduces dead ends
Setting proper expectations for transitioning into claims
How Inspectors on Demand works
Getting started in auto
RUD
How to make money while you're waiting for a cat deployment
How to quit your day job after you've decided to become an IA
What if a deployment is canceled and you just quit your day job
How to be realistic about changing careers into independent adjusting
How much should you have saved before you transition to independent adjusting
The importance of being on the same page with your spouse or significant other during a career change
Getting on rosters and which adjuster schools and certifications should you get
What is the first call list and how do you get on it
How IA firm carrier certifications and other trainings are actually informal job interviews
State Farm certification
Listen more than you talk
Why you MUST network
Protect your cat earnings
Post deployment recovery and relaxation strategies
Hire a CPA
1099 vs W2
Tax advice that you should ignore
Matt got audited by the IRS.. twice
James looks at cars with tape all over them

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In this episode, Matt and Garrett from OneClick Code talk about DEAD SIMPLE building code reports for your claims that are inexpensive and that will help you write better claims and give you ammunition when contractors come at you with the old “it’s code in this area so you have to pay for it” line.

Description of OneClick Code
What are codes and how do they work, including jurisdiction
How codes affect file accuracy
How carriers feel about improperly written claim estimates
Making insureds happy is the goal
How to play big with small tools
How automation benefits adjusting
Dealing with supplements "cottage industry"
How OneClick Code reduces cycle time and fraud
How adding professional documentation to a claim file can benefit an adjuster's career
OneClick Code can get you on the first call list
Local knowledge is crucial
How OCC works
What if there's a disagreement between OneClick and a contractor?
How accurate is OCC?
The importance of automation tools like Eagleview and OneClick code
How can you get your hands on OCC?

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In this episode of AdjusterTV Radio, Matt chats with Cesar and Sidney from Pacesetter Claims Service. We cover a LOT of ground, including:

Desk adjusting is coming back
Single adjuster days over?
What is a TPA?
How is Pacesetter different with training?
Pacesetter is new adjuster-friendly
How Pacesetter is using the latest tech
COVID and adjuster job security
Matt's tech/McDonald's rant
Closing roof claims over the phone
What happens when carriers tried to automatically file and pay claims on large cat events
What happens when you don't properly explain the claims process up front? Not good, not good.
How important is customer service and customer experience?
Why adjusters need to be open to change
On the road traveling for in-person training and virtual training for adjusters
How to network at training
Why in-person IA firm training is actually an informal interview
Should you ever wear a Hawaiian shirt and flip flops into a storm office?
The most successful adjusters pay attention to the little things
How training at Pacesetter works - how you get paid as a desk adjuster
Field and desk adjuster training for new adjusters
Ways adjusters can prepare for in-person training - how to get basic training when you are completely new to claims
The importance of getting as much Xactimate training as possible
How to find out about new trainings at Pacesetter
Matt gets attacked by wasps on a roof
Cesar's "who in the hell are you?!" story

In this episode of AdjusterTV Radio, Matt interviews Dave Hall, a public adjuster who used to be an independent adjuster:

Why would an IA switch from being an IA to a PA
What is a PA and the difference between an IA and a PA?
Best practices when working with a PA - should you be scared of PAs?
What to do when the PA has a MUCH higher estimate for damages
Adjuster Opportunity: dispute resolution
How to get on the first call list
What to do when a claim goes sideways
How new tech is affecting the public adjusting world
In a perfect world, do we need PAs?
Why customer service is the most important thing

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Matt interviews the Senior Vice President of Product at Xactware (Verisk):

Roadmap for Xactimate and Xactanalysis - what's coming down the pike for these vital tools
Why automation will make adjusters more effective and more money
Aaron and Matt talk about creating adjuster stats and how that could be integrated into Xactimate/Xactanalysis
What laptop should an adjuster get to run Xactimate - from Xactware
Will Xactimate ever be on Mac OSX?
Can you use ONLY Xactimate Mobile?
New tech for labeling photos
Keyboard shortcuts - will they ever come back?
Why Xactimate evolves
Will Elevate 2022 be in-person?
Xactware's official reaction to the AdjusterTV YOU SUCK video

Jon Isaacson, author and podcaster, joins Matt on the AdjusterTV Radio show.
Topics:

How Matt and Jon got into this business
Advice for new adjusters on how to deal with contractors - from a contractor
Which is better: contracting or adjusting?
How to learn construction
The value of fully learning estimating software
How to build efficiency and speed while estimating
A few big claims versus a bunch of small claims - quantity vs quality
Closing files on site
Negotiating with contractors - from the contractor's perspective
How should new adjusters handle getting files kicked back
Final clean, masking, ridgecap, and starter strip issues

Matt and Chris Stanley from IAPath.com talk about the current and future states of the claims adjusting industry plus stories from the road:

Diversifying as a claims professional
Adjuster roadmaps
The opportunities for adjusters in the insurance industry
Why experienced adjusters don't count on major hurricanes to make money
Scoper/Writer programs
Learning different policy types
Transitioning from surviving to thriving
How to pick an IA firm
Fee schedule split
Making yourself more saleable with KLT
The future of claims - more or fewer jobs in insurance?
Why aren't all McDonalds all run by robots?
Can Matt forgive the rudest contractor ever?

In this episode of the AdjusterTV Radio video podcast, Matt and James talk about how to shorten learning curves including construction and resources for learning construction, claims volume vs high fee bills, should you try to negotiate fee bills and mileage, and so much more.

In this episode, Matt and James talk about what desk adjusting really is and what it's all about. Plus so much more:

the definition of a desk adjuster
why virtual assist isn't going away
how technology is affecting claims
how body language makes for a better adjuster
how to keep from getting bit by dogs
how insurance companies save money on claims
which companies have scoper/writer programs
customer service surveys
Matt complains about software again
Matt denies a claim and the insured invites him to a birthday party
James explains how to CYA if a claim goes to court

Matt and Jeremy from Adjuster University sit down for a LONG chat about why adjusters should run their careers like businesses

AdjusterTV is proud to partner with the finest organizations in the industry:
The Special Operations of Adjuster Training: Veteran Adjusting School.
https://www.adjustertv.com/vas

All licensing and CE in one place: AdjusterPro.
https://www.adjustertv.com/adjusterpro

Get E&O and general liability insurance (free guide):
https://www.cplic.net/adjustertv/

Don't know where to start? Check out IA Path (free video series).
https://iapath.com/adjustertv/

Learn Xactimate from Matt - FREE:
https://www.adjustertv.com/xactimate

0:00 Intro

3:30 Running your claims career like a business

3:51 What is E&O and how to get it (:48)

12:37 Outsourcing and adjuster teams

18:02 Why you need as many adjuster licenses as possible and where to get them (1:24)

19:24 Here's what can happen when your first claims are on a big catastrophe deployment

28:33 The best adjusting school on EARTH (1:15)

30:49 Lack of Xactimate knowledge is biggest success bottleneck for new adjusters. Here's how to get good at Xactimate

34:19 Claims workflow vs proficiency in Xactimate - should you get Xactimate Certified?

36:04 How to maximize your deployments and how to get the most claims

40:50 What happens when you get files taken away and why you should fight to keep your files

41:34 Real health insurance for adjusters (:54)

43:56 What is being "overscoped" and why you should avoid it at all costs

49:37"Honor the absent" How to get good customer reviews and why it's important

53:56 Advanced adjuster training taught by Matt (1:02)

54:59 Learn how important customer service and relationship building with firms and carriers.

1:01:35 Mileage, fee schedule, and reciprocity (not the licensing kind) and how to make yourself indispensable.

1:03:48 Learn how to get started as a claims professional and claim your life (:38)

1:10:16 Career arc: how to specialize and grow your career and burnout

1:15:22 How many claims can experienced adjusters REALLY do in a day? The why and how of maximum efficiency

1:20:15 All about photos: labeling apps, workflow, keyboard shortcuts, how many photos is too few or too many, and the importance of photo order

1:27:52 Inspection process and scoping order.

1:29:47 Overwrites, underwrites, and missed damage.

1:32:56 Why you should ALWAYS strive for an agreed/negotiated scope and pricing and how to do it.

1:35:08 All about Jeremy and Adjuster University

In this episode:

Hourly vs component pay
desk vs field
James’s first hurricane deployment and how he ended up working in the help room
performance cuts/quitter claims
ALE and mandatory evacuations
how to pass the State Farm certification exam
never wear shorts into a cat office
the chaos and confusion of a cat deployment - even in 2020
adjuster teams including husband and wife teams
how many claims a day does an experienced adjuster do
a roofer threatens to take a swing at Matt
what in the world is a single interest policy..
and “what’s brown and sticky?”

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How to set reserves when a PA is involved. What’s the point of a GLR? Transitioning from staff to IA. What are the advanced levels of claims handling beyond cat and dailies? How to take a vacation as a cat property adjuster. The best business book for adjusters.

Welcome to the all new AdjusterTV Radio video podcast, episode 004. Matt and James tackle your questions and tell some stories from the road.

Viewer questions:

Emily G. - What are some good questions to be asking IA firms when interviewing with them?
Jerry E. Jr. - Heavy damage for newbies and triaging claims for adjusters at any level.

James explains how he negotiates fee schedules.

Matt and James talk about giving people the benefit of the doubt and what that means.

Matt gets chased out of a crazy guy’s basement in St. Louis.

And, as always, the worst dad jokes ever uttered.

Want your question answered on the show? Submit at adjustertv.com/contact

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Matt and James tackle your questions and tell some stories from the road.

William W. says: "I got [reprimanded] for writing an estimate that closely matched what a roofer's estimate actually came in at. It was a good and accurate estimate, but I had to tweak the XM8 criteria in order to get something closer to real world costs.

But that got me thinking about how objective the pricing data is in XM8 and how much the carrier would be charged for estimates that would not require supplements. To re-phrase: accurate estimates increase an IA's fee tiers. Those estimates would be a bit subjective and therefore cost more compared to the base level objective XM8 pricing data that we all know can be a bit low.

When a contractor tells the carrier the actual costs, that estimate is not subject to fee tier increase.

So is it wrong to assume that by extension, the most advantageous thing (for the carrier), would be for me to write an estimate for one dollar above deductible, then the contractor could describe the actual costs that XM8 (and file reviewer) would not allow? Afterall, the carrier really doesn't have to pay the IA for a contractor submitted supplement."

Justin W. has several questions, including:

Planning and executing for a deployment:

Can you walk us through the deployment planning process, how you organize this? What has worked for you and what do you feel will continue to work in the future?
Can you walk us through the deployment execution process, how do you execute? What has worked for you and what do you feel will continue to work in the future?
Do you ramp up the number of claims to perform per day as the deployment moves along on all deployments? (Example: I watched a video covering a 4-day work cycle. Starting a deployment with 2 claims per day than ever week after adding 1 more claim per day until reaching the max threshold for claims per day.)
What does a typical day look like in the peak timeframe of a CAT deployment? (When the machine is firing on all cylinders)
Would it help to look at this on an hourly breakdown basis? What is the breakdown of a 12 to 16-hour workday? How many claims within the day? Does the workday consist of an even balance of drive time, appointments, scoping, report writing, etc? Or is there more time devoted in a day to one particular area? Any examples would be very helpful.
Would you say this is the most difficult part of the job? What do you think are the most difficult parts of the job as a whole?
How do you balance work, personal errands, and family time?

Jason M. - Can you talk about how to prepare and equip when called on a CAT that's a few hundred miles away by flight?

Anonymous - I had a insured contact me through text message and asked me to “yank the shingles off the roof, before my adjuster gets here." He thought I was his contractor. And when I got out there it was pretty apparent that some of the damage was new.

How do you handle that situation with the member? Do you just act like you never received the message?

Story from Matt - How to deal with dogs - Beagle escaping and the dog pack that tried to get him in Omaha.

Welcome to the all new AdjusterTV Radio podcast. Matt and James tackle your questions and tell some stories from the road.
Viewer questions:
Chuck C. asks - preparing for deployment: what NOT to forget.. who what where when of asking for help on deployment.. support for newbies just starting daily claims
Kelly P. asks - A good topic for newbies and some seasoned ones, would be working with PA's, working with roofers, etc, and if you get a liability claimed thrown at you, then probably how to work with lawyers on the opposing side.
Matt shares his experience as a roofer

Want your question answered on the show? Submit at adjustertv.com/contact

AdjusterTV Radio - A video podcast that airs bi-weekly starting early February 2021 and feature hosts Matt Allen, James Mathis, and others. The format is casual, informal, and occasionally irreverent (but still family-friendly). The topics will appeal to more veteran adjusters and those who are already invested in the industry as well as folks new to the industry.
We talk about:

Scoping
Xactimate
Customer interactions
Contractor negotiations
Industry news
Stories from the road
Viewer questions
...and some of the worst dad jokes you've ever heard

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