Adjuster Jobs, Xactimate Mobile & Hurricanes
The RUNDOWN:
It's officially hurricane season: See what the researchers predict we'll get for storms this summer..
Xactimate Mobile LiDAR demo
There's been a quantum leap in tech that makes using a drone for getting roof diagrams easier and faster than ever..
IAS Claim Services has a ton of work for IAs - get the full details later in the show...
One Click Code announces new functionality and reports to their amazing app...
Get a discount on Haag's new Certified Reviewer certification for desk and field property adjusters..
SCA Claims Services announces a major rebrand and a strong push into property..
The AdjusterTV Bullybag patches are here and ready to ship..
AdjusterTV has gone to bat for you and nailed down a sweet discount on real, professional 100 foot retractable tape measures.
Pacesetter claims service announces new dates for their summer training tour which you're not going to want to miss.
BREAKING: The IA firm Crawford & Company celebrates it’s 80th birthday and is also heavily recruiting cat property adjusters right now. Get on their roster ASAP at crawco.com
But first...
Our NACA Minute
The National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters is an organization founded way back in 1976 to further advance the interests of catastrophe claims adjusters in the US. As part of our ongoing support for NACA, we feature interviews and coverage from this year's annual convention back in January.
And by the way, you don't have to be a member to join NACA, but membership does have it's benefits.
NACA interviews SOT (sound on tape)
And For discounts on lodging, gear, training, licensing and CE, as well as one-on-one mentorships, join NACA right now at nacatadj dot org. And of course the convention is an outstanding place to network and one of the BEST place to interview with dozens and dozens of IA firms all in one place.
The Big Story
And now for the Big Story. Hurricane season officially starts June 1st, 2021 and runs through November 30th. However, statistically - and in my experience as a catastrophe property adjuster - we don't really see the kinds of hurricanes that put adjusters to work until early to mid-August, with the season peaking in mid-September. We can certainly get hurricanes outside of that time frame, but for the most part, the ones that get remembered happen in mid-late summer.
Including last year - in spite of all the hurricanes. Hurricane Laura hit towards the end of August as a category 4.
In April of 2020, Colorado State University hurricane researchers predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2020, citing the relatively high likelihood that El Niño conditions would not be present as a primary factor. Tropical and subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures at that time were warmer than their long-term average values and were consequently also considered a factor favoring an active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team predicted 16 named storms, of which they expected eight to become hurricanes and four to reach major hurricane strength of at least a category 3 - which means sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
However, since by the start of hurricane season we already had three named storms: (Arthur, Bertha and Cristobal) CSU revised their forecast up to 19 named storms with nine to become hurricanes and four to reach major hurricane strength.
(Source: https://tropical.colostate.edu/news.html)
So let's see, what actually happened in 2020. Starting mid-May, we Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the coast of Florida and the season didn't let up until Tropical Storm Iota popped up over El Salvador November 18. In between those two dates we had 30 named storms with 7 of those at a category 3 or greater for a total of 14 actual hurricanes.
Every single one of the hurricanes that formed last year affected an area in Central America, Mexico, or the US and the entire season cost $51.146 billion, making it the 5th most costly tropical storm season since we started keeping track. By comparison, the number one costliest tropical storm season was 2017 coming in at almost $300 billion with 2005 at number two at $172 billion. Expensive, yes. But a fraction of the devastation caused by Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017. A LOT of adjusters were working in 2017.
I say all this to point out that it doesn't take 14 hurricanes to put adjusters to work. It really only takes one or two. It all depends on the strength of the hurricane when it makes landfall and, even more importantly, where it makes landfall. Many major hurricanes have coming screaming in to the coast, only to make landfall in sparsely populated areas - causing damage yes--affecting lives, absolutely yes - and even putting a few adjusters to work.
This is the way you need to think about hurricanes: independent property storm adjusters are kinda like the fire department. The fire department doesn't want anything anywhere to catch on fire ever. But if nothing ever caught on fire, there wouldn't need to be a fire department. So firefighters train and when there's a call, they're not only ready to go, but they're confident in their abilities. They train and keep their gear in tip top shape, just waiting for the call. I can't speak for firefighters, but I can tell you that when the call comes to deploy to the coast for a major catastrophe, it can be thrilling. As an adjuster, you're excited to get to ground zero and to start helping people get on the road to recovery - to get them back to pre-loss condition.
But major hurricanes that activate large numbers of adjusters aren't always going to happen every year. That's why we as adjusters need to diversify our skillsets and stay busy doing other cat and daily work through the year. When the big call comes, we won't have been sitting on our rears watching the weather channel, waiting for something to happen. We'll already be out running claims, doing file reviews, doing remote desk adjusting, even doing crop, auto, commercial, condo, or contents claims. It's a very big industry and hurricanes - while they are high profile and represent a great opportunity to get into this work - aren't the end all be all of who we are and what we do as IAs.
Okay, okay, yes Matt, we get it: don't put all my eggs in one basket blah blah blah - what is the forecast for 2021 for hurricanes?
This year, 2021, CSU is projecting 17 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season. Of those, researchers expect eight to become hurricanes and four to reach major hurricane strength. Which is almost exactly what they said last year.
Only time will tell. But my advice to you is to be ready NOW. It's not too late to get licensed, get xactimate AND symbility training, learn to scope, identify damage, learn ya a little policy, and get your gear dialed in. We've got plenty of resources to help you with all of that at adjustertv.com/start
Haag Education Story
These days, there are more and more desk and remote roles for independent adjusters than ever. With all the new technologies now available, many IA firms are splitting up the traditional role of adjuster into two distinct roles: a scope and a writer. A scoper goes out and takes photos with their smartphone and sometimes fills out a scope sheet or uses a guided app to gather images and measurements of losses and create a report. This gets uploaded and assigned to a writer, who gets to write that estimate and possibly settle the claim.
Say what you will about this new way of doing things, but it's not going away any time soon. And the truth is, it's actually providing many more new opportunities for adjusters - whether experienced or brand spanking new.
People with little to no claims experience can get their feet wet in what is arguably the easiest part of the whole entire process: scoping losses. Once they've gotten some experience doing that and they've picked up some additional training, they can move into a desk role - which in 2021 really means sitting at home in your pjs on the couch working on claim files.
But wouldn't it be great if a nationally recognized and respected training outfit provided in-depth training that resulted in a REAL certification that IA firms and carriers respected?
Good news: There is.
I give you: The Haag Certified Reviewer Program. Built specifically for inside reviewers and desk adjusters, the Haag Certified Reviewer Program provides training on construction basics, estimating, and damage assessment for claims and underwriting professionals who work behind a desk, rather than in the field.
Enhance your knowledge, make confident decisions, and create solid, accurate files with this new certification. I've taken the training and can tell you that this certification leaves no stone unturned - it's all video-based so you're not just getting a huge zip file full of outdated PDFs. And because it's Haag, you know that your new certification will carry weight when IA firm recruiters see it on your resume. And more than that, you'll be getting current information on construction, damage ID, and estimatics from a forensic engineering firm that is dedicated to serving OUR industry. This training was developed by a team of industry professionals from the insurance and construction industries - not just by engineers. So you know it's real-world, actionable information that you can use on your claims right away.
I've been using Haag's excellent damage ID books in the field for years and years and years. If you ever wondered who sets the standard for what we consider hail damage - it's Haag Engineering.
In going through the certification courses, it occurred to me that even field adjusters will absolutely benefit from this training. If you're looking for construction and damage identification knowledge, I'm going to just say it: this is the training you're looking for.
You guys ask me all the time about construction training and I feel like I never have a very good answer for you.
Now I do. Xactware's ILX construction training is decent, but it's a bit out of date. Haag Education's HCR training honestly blows it out of the water.
So here's out the Haag HCR certification shakes out:
Level 1 is essential residential construction
Level 2 is damage identification
And Level 3 is estimating using Xactimate and/or Symbility - you can learn one or the other or both all for the same price.
I'm informed that there's a level 4 coming later in 2022 that will have advanced electives so that you can build a custom certification.
This is a 10% discount that counts for all of these fine Haag products:
Haag Products & Tools (Field Guides, Composition Shingle Gauge™, Haag Panel & Membrane Gauge™)
Haag Certified Inspector Training (On Demand, Classroom, & Webinars)
Haag Certified Reviewer Training
Haag On Demand™ LMS On Demand Training
SCA Claim Service Story
The SCA Appraisal company that you know and love is changing their name to SCA Claim Service as they launch a new property claims division. This promises expanded opportunities for IAs with a company that has been around for decades.
SCA President Tim Davis SOT
BullyBag and Tool Co Story
Check this out.. Show your support for AdjusterTV on your new BullyBag G2.
Bullybag® G2 Ultra Pouch is a unique adjuster tool belt - that has no belt? Made with 1680 Ballistic Nylon, the G2 comes with a Reinforced Paddle Clip and you can get it to match the color of the double stitched accent thread, which comes in Black/Grey or Pink. There are 15 specialty pouches in all, including a Business card chamber – Because you need them (and probably left them in the truck). I mean, literally everything you need for fast, efficient, lightweight field claims handling will go into this bag. Pitch gauge, siding tool, camera, phone, shingle gauge, chalk.. and speaking of chalk, every tool belt or bag I've ever used quickly gets filled up with little tiny chalk pieces and chalk dust. Because of that, this dude is also Easy to Clean – A floating main chamber pulls out, making cleaning & maintenance a breeze. Daisy Chain – A daisy chain feature along the outer bottom, great for attaching additional gear.
4 – 1″ Powder Coated D-Rings – Versatility for tethering tools worth keeping.
3 Elastic pockets with oversize flaps for your phone, laser, camera, etc.. These Elastic ridges provide access & security.
Utility/Tape Measure Clip for your fancypants tape measure - this thing has a really big magnet that will stick to steel and iron and hook on just about everything
You get 2 Vertical Tool Slots – For linear tools like SideBar, Haag shingle gauge
4 pen holsters – Pen / screwdriver holsters increase versatile & effectiveness.
The Bullybag G2 Ultra Pouch Paddle is made of rigid impact resistant material and is reinforced with a 3 steel rivet attachment system & color matched to the accent thread. And of course, you can slap 3x4 soft hook n loop patches on here. Or even this thing for your fishing flies.
The great thing about a bag like this is that it zips up so at the end of a long day in the field you can just slip it out of your waistband and toss it on the floor behind your seat without all your stuff flying out. Also, when you're on a steep, spooky roof you can stay hands free and keep your gear all locked in so that you're not creating a fall hazard for yourself - or a falling objects hazard for people, pets, or property below you. Trust me, you don't want to have your tape measure landing on the hood of Mrs. Insured's new Mercedes.
GIVEAWAY
Spencer ProTape Story
Last month I showed you a crazy thing called a logger's tape - some of you out there sent me emails asking for more information on it and still others of you already knew what this thing was. Well, I reached out to the company US Tape, who makes these industrial strength tapes and we had a nice little chat about what else they had and if they had anything that would be better for adjusters.
Turns out they do! The Spencer Auto-Rewind ProTape is essentially the same thing as the logger's tape, except that the ProTape has a locking brake, an engineers hook, which is basically the same thing you find on most 100' tapes, and a belt hook - goes on your new G2 quite nicely.
This thing is made of metal, it's heavy duty, and it's ready for many years of abuse in the field. And for all that, it's actually pretty inexpensive. Especially considering the build quality of these things and the fact that if you wreck your tape you can order a new tape and install it in minutes.
Pacesetter Training Tour Story
Do you live in Dallas Fort Worth area? That's great for you. You've got access to more than a dozen IA firm and independent adjuster training centers right in your backyard. Don't live in or anywhere near DFW? Seems like if you want to get some hands-on adjuster training, you'll have to pack up the truck and pay for fuel and hotels. Man, wouldn't it be great if the training just came to you??
Good news! Pacesetter Claims Service will be touring the country bringing the training to you. Isn't it nice to watch a news show that only has good news?
Weather Story
Here's AdjusterTV weather correspondent Max Olson with your adjuster storm recap and forecast..
Max SOT
LIDAR SOT
Drone Story
If you've been watching AdjusterTV for a while, then you know that when I talk about running claims and the ever-changing technology associated with scoping and writing estimates, I'm always focusing on claim accuracy & customer service first - but a very very close second is speed and volume. Again, since we don't usually get paid by the hour, we get paid by the claim, we want to close as many high quality claims as possible in as short a time as possible. The math is simple: if I make something like an average of $300 per claim, closing 3 claims a day is pretty good. But closing 6 claims a day is a lot better, right?
This is why I've haven't fully jumped on the drone bandwagon. Yes, I own a drone, and yes there are plenty of times where my drone would be useful in scoping a dangerous, complex, or otherwise inaccessible structure. However, because up to now, the logistics of managing a bunch of batteries, no fly zones around airports and government areas, the danger that an out-of-control drone poses to pets, people, and property, and the hassle of getting a license to fly the thing have stood in the way of that most critical of metrics - VOLUME. In other words, if it takes me more time to set up and fly a drone than it does to just hop on my ladder and scope the building, I'm not going to incorporate it into my workflow, especially for the main bread and butter claims that keep food on the table for a cat property adjuster - hail claims - which are going to be about 999% roof claims.
That is until now. What if you could fly your drone straight up, let it take a picture, and then get complete roof measurements in just a few minutes? And an esx you can drop into Xactimate in less than an hour after that? No complex flight patterns and a super short flight time means minimal drain on the battery and less chance of mishap.
I recently spoke with Jeffrey Marcus from Certifly to talk about the cutting edge in aerial data acquisition for adjusters - you may also recognize Jeffrey from the extremely popular Drones for Insurance Facebook Group:
Certifly is be available at certifly.com
Download the Certifly press release HERE.
The IA firm Crawford & Company celebrates it’s 80th birthday and is also heavily recruiting cat property adjusters right now. Get on their roster ASAP at crawco.com
And finally, IAS Claim Services is rapidly growing and has picked up some new carrier clients. They are heavily recruiting right now for adjusters and are specifically looking for Residential Property Field Adjusters, Commercial Field Adjusters, and Desk Adjusters nationwide. Contact them at recruiting@iasclaims.com to take the next step with IAS Claim Services.
Also, IAS has been touring the country since December of last year with exciting recruiting events. Join them on the next leg of their Claims Adjuster Roadshow on Tuesday, June 8th at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel. They inform me that they have sent hundreds of claims out to people they've met on their roadshow! Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Go to iasclaims.com right now for more info. Cost = free
