Claims Process Checklist + Download

 

One of the most important things you can do to improve your time management skills as an adjuster is to plan.

Having a written checklist that's taped to your wall or is a doc on your computer is an excellent way of keeping track of the critical required tasks you have to complete in order to have a complete claim to send up.

Also, using a checklist along with a timer, you can see how much time you spend on each item on your list and then work to figure out how to reduce that time so you can close claims faster.

It's one thing to say we're streamlining our workflow.  That can and should mean we cut things out that aren't contributing to our outcome of a closed claim.

However, not everything can be cut out and in some cases, the process can't be trimmed any further.  

So how can a claims checklist make you faster?  

Reason #1

Building speed in claims requires repetition.  And when we know exactly what's required, we can concentrate on building up smoothness and speed.  If we're winging it and counting on trying to remember each step as we go, we'll lose momentum because we're spending energy trying to remember.  Also, imagine if you were trying to remember how to drive a stick, but you didn't know how many gears there were or when to shift?  You'd spend all your time trying to figure out how to do it and not really getting anywhere.

So in order to build that muscle memory, we want to be able to move from step to step without flailing around trying to figure out what's next.

Reason #2

So much time is wasted doing corrections.  Many times those corrections are a direct result of forgetting to do something in the claim.

If we run through our checklist as we're doing our claim, we're far less likely to forget steps (for example: "complete hail damage evaluation;" "complete preferred contractor questionnaire").

Reason #3

Time lost doing reinspections and supplements because we missed damage.  Your checklist can and should include steps for different kinds of claims - something as simple as reminders to ask about interior damage on hail claims or to check for personal property damage in the yard, etc.  

It can also save time in your scheduling if you ask ahead of time how many outbuildings there are (strangely, nothing adds time to your field inspections quite like outbuilding inspections).  You'll know ahead of time what you're getting into if you add things like this to your workflow checklist.

I recommend putting a full one up on your wall in your hotel room and having another field one attached to your clipboard for quick reference (you can even laminate it and attach it to your clipboard so that you have a quick reference).

Download a free, editable Claims Checklist with Intake, Scoping, and Estimating checklists:

 
 
Mathew Allen

I teach new catastrophe adjusters how to get started in the business.  I also build my own websites and sites for friends (who sometimes pay me).  In addition, I film and produce personal adventure videos for hunting and fishing clients.

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