In researching insurance adjusting and exploring if it’s going to be the right fit for you, there are a few things that you should consider. What kind of adjuster are you interested in pursuing and what do you want your lifestyle to look like? In determining which type of adjuster you would like to become, think about life goals that you’ve been wanting to achieve – travel, financial goals, work/life balance, work structure and overall effort.
The most sought after insurance adjusting position is the independent adjuster. Independent adjusting allows a flexible schedule, high income yield, travel, and a fair amount of time off to enjoy spending with friends and family. In the past 20 years, trained insurance adjusters are not entering into the profession as much as they were.
As a storm chasing staffing firm for independent adjusters, I can tell you there remains a heavy demand in the industry. When Hurricane Sandy devastated the east coast, it drained the adjuster pool quickly. In many cases, companies were providing emergency training for adjusting licenses to ensure that the overwhelming amount of claims needs could be handled in a timely fashion.
Is the demand for adjusters dwindling? In the past 5 years storms and natural disasters have continued to wreak havoc and are showing no signs of slowing. 2010 was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season tying with 1887, 1995, 2011 and 2012. In 2011, 19 storms, 7 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes swept across the United States. The grand finale of 2012 was Hurricane Sandy. Before Hurricane Sandy left her trail of devastation, there were 19 storms and 10 hurricanes – and Sandy being the 1 major hurricane. As we move into 2013, it is predicted that approximately 15.4 named storms, 7.7 hurricanes and 3.4 major hurricanes will be suffered.
This is the time to get serious if you are investigating a career transition. Perform your due diligence now in the slow season and don’t put off your licensing training until the last minute. As an independent insurance adjuster, you need to receive appropriate training on insurance code, policy and procedure, estimating software and understand proper scoping techniques. Obtaining the license can be achieved in an 8-day period, but there is a little more you might need to accomplish to get you equipped to adjust with the big boys! Obtain your license now, in the slow season, and employ the upcoming hail and winter season to get your feet wet because when the Atlantic hurricane season is set in motion, it’s “GO TIME”!