Becoming a Top Earning Property Claims Adjuster in Seven Steps

[@jdub1million]

Hey Matt, career change after 17 years as a nurse and I'm nervous but you're making it easier. Anxious to get started but kind of clueless. Thank you.

[@AdjusterTV]

Hey, JD, glad to have you. My goal is to shine some light in and make getting started in this business a bit easier. I've got a lot of great resources on my website as well, including a live webinar coming up next week.

[@jdub1million]

Thanks again Matt. Hopefully you’re doing the Pilot thing on 8/10. I’ll make sure to try to shake your hand if you are.

[@jbavalon3074]

Just came across your channel. As an adjuster of 25 years here's how you really close 6 a day. You left the most important stuff out. First off for you guys in the comment section, all the stuff this guy's telling you really can't be learned, comes from experience, and lots of it. Don't expect real money before 4-6 years. EFFICIENCY is key. You will be slow with xactimate, reports, and all the other crap needed to close claims until you've simply done it a while. Not all bad news. Below are things you can put into action regardless of experience level and are invariably the MOST important if you want real volume. There's way more, just a few keys 1. You won't if all your claims are giant or really expensive houses. Luck is a factor. Can be done, not by most. 2. Dont let the severity of damage intimidate you. Write what you think and don't ruminate, that's a killer. Someone will fix your estimate later. Never, ever sit on a complex claim. 3. Tell people when you're coming. Never ask. If they don't answer, just show up 4. When inspecting, completely ignore and don't photo anything that might cost you time, things like coverage issues, prior damage, etc. 4. If the insured gives you like a contractor estimate or three pounds of receipts, hold onto it, but don't mention it in the report or use in the estimate. Deal with it in a month. 5. Write very concise narratives and simple estimates. Make the report match the estimate to a tee. Dont give the reviewer anything to question. 6. Ignore any and all out buildings unless the insured makes you look at them. 7. Scope notes are for losers. Use only to write measurements. This is a learned skill. Start practicing because writing takes way too much time 8. After you inspect a house, never answer a call from the insured before you turn in the claim. 9. I can close 10 or 12 a day on small houses and damaging hail. That's easy. Here's the key on more severe damage like hurricanes, and larger homes. What takes adjusters too long is scoping. Photo what you see and get the hell out of there. Your estimate WILL be short and that's fine, someone will clean it up long after you're gone. Pay attention to the above and you'll make money

[@AdjusterTV]

Hey, JB. Sound advice and yes, it does take experience and some time to build up the chops. I think 4-6 years could be argued a little bit.. if it takes a person that long to get up to speed they'll likely have already moved on to something else (or been fired). All of your points are great, but I think the ones that REALLY move the needle on closing 7+ claims a day are #1, #3, #4 (the first one), and #5,. And you're right, VOLUME is the key. On small houses with hail, it's pretty easy to run 8-12 a day once a person has their workflow dialed in. A lot of adjusters obsess over fee schedules or getting small claims and complain that they aren't getting the 5000SF houses to scope. It's hard to close a lot of claims if it takes 20 minutes to just walk around a giant house, let alone scope it. Big houses always take a lot longer to scope for many reasons, not just the size. All that being said, to each their own, but I never write a claim in such a way that somebody will have to clean up after me and I don't teach adjusters to do that. But long story short, the more claims a person closes, the more they'll earn - not only because they'll receive more claims per deployment, but because they'll also get more deployments - carriers and firms want people who aren't afraid to close a claim, even if it's not totally perfect so they will keep fast adjusters busy. Thanks for chiming in!

[@jbavalon3074]

@@AdjusterTV thanks bud. Very few of us actually learn the system enough to do 150 claims a month. I just said the things you obviously could not "disclose" so to speak. Lol. Be safe out. I quit taking large losses long ago!!

[@AdjusterTV]

@@jbavalon3074 Lol, yeah for sure. When an adjuster has enough experience, they figure out where it's okay to take "shortcuts." Thanks!

[@gillianmentor7312]

Matt can you do a video on basic macros for roof, floors, plumbing , electrical etc. This will be very helpful thanks

[@AdjusterTV]

I'll get to it soon (ish)!

[@xx2345000]

I'm just getting started enrolled at Catastrophe Adjuster Training Institute find your videos way helpful.

[@AdjusterTV]

Thank you, Mr. X.

[@johnheafner6865]

Matt former GC, and now an IA for several years. I know how to build them back as all day long. I struggle to write and close more than 3 a day. Having followed your VLOG I am finding out that the foundation of my IA training was basic. As an IA I am looking for in setting up and establishing paths within xact to close more claims each day. I would appreciate if you would do classes on how to get there. I would welcome another arrow in my quiver

[@AdjusterTV]

I've got a bunch, actually: adjustertvplus.com/categories/creating-insurance-damage-estimates

[@ShaBlessed4L]

Hello, what are some damage id trainings?

[@ashleygomez2243]

Hey Mat, awesome insight. Do you have a video on your process of inspecting in and around the property like you mention @ 5:50? Thanks!

[@AdjusterTV]

I touch on it here and there. But I do have some paid training that goes into great detail about scoping...

[@donniedunn8739]

Do you climb into attic's or mostly do your scope on the roof

[@BradLeeseCreativeAgency]

The thought of missing something per the amount of paperwork/forms needed to comply and close a claim for say Allstate, is the hardest part for me.

[@AdjusterTV]

yeah, and that's truly the hardest part of this job overall, if you ask me. Which is why it's so critical to do everything the same way every time so it becomes muscle memory.

[@mariawashington6227]

Do you have the video on how to use macros?

[@AdjusterTV]

www.adjustertv.com/posts/2018/4/1/the-best-xactimate-shortcut-ever There you go

[@killamatrix1]

With photos and GLR how is this so. How much photos should we take

[@napervilleroofing2660]

What is advanced damage training and where can I take it

[@AdjusterTV]

haageducation.com has training and certifications for damage ID, scoping, and estimating. Use code ADJUSTERTV at checkout for 10% off just about anything on their site.

[@abennett0695]

I use macros a little bit and want to use them more. I started making them and realized quickly that I was soon going to be overwhelmed with macros, and I am sure you can show us a more simple and organized way to do it!

[@AdjusterTV]

I would start off keeping them simple. You can create macros with only text notes, since typing out a whole depreciation note can take time. Generally, on something like a hail storm, I'm usually using only about 4-6 macros at a time. Be sure to ALWAYS double check text notes in your macros so that you don't get files kicked back because your depreciation note is wrong, etc. I do it all the time lol!

[@abennett0695]

Thank you! In which scenario would you use a grouping tree template rather than a macro?

[@donniedunn8739]

How can I use macro to do my estimate

[@alap8671]

Hey Matt, Macros would definitely help. I've had a lot of training / school ie. VAS (which was an amazing 6 week Property school), IA Path Auto Damage Certification (best Auto course available), Pilot Claims Collage, Rope and Harness and numerous on-line classes but none really cover Macros. I've worked Cat Property in Dallas, Colorado and Chicago for Big Blue, the compliance requirements continue to increase (like 10-14 documents). I've got a good handle on 5 of the 7 steps you mention in this video but the thing that slows me down the most is AUTHORIZATION. I could complete 4-7 claims a day but it takes up to 6 days to get authorization to pay and close the claim. Therefore the claim sets un-closed and requires frequent attention until closed. I've reviewed the Elite Adjuster several times (looped audio from Florida to Colorado) and tried to apply all of the lessons. I haven't worked any auto yet. What companies would / could you recommend for newer adjusters? What courses do you know of for Macro training? As always, Stay Safe!

[@AdjusterTV]

Hey, Alan! I just saw this comment - two things: you weren't getting good macro training at any of those places? And SIX DAYS for auth? - for the macro stuff, I'm developing a detailed macro training. Stay tuned. - for the auth... They aren't the only game in town. I know that once you get locked in with them it's hard to move around and the firm you're working for likely won't let you move (a great company tho - so it's for good reason). There's nothing wrong with branching out to other firms and seeing if you can get on with some smaller carriers that are more chill.

[@chasebostick8909]

Id love to learn how to better use macros

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

Matt, at about 5:25 you mention taking advanced damage identification training. Can you elaborate on that a little more. Is there something specific you can recommend?

[@AdjusterTV]

Hey, Michael! Check out: haageducation.com/learn/course-catalog/2/ Use discount code ADJTV9 Let me know if that doesn't worki

[@culpeppercreatives1515]

What about the time it took to drive to and from each claim?

[@AdjusterTV]

Definitely late answering this one, but that is a factor. Generally on a property cat deployment they'll zone you in neighborhoods or zip codes so you generally will start an event with no more than a 5-15 drive between losses. As the storm wears on and adjusters are cut (because of volume) you'll start getting flyers out past 20+ minutes drive-time. You just have to route accordingly.

[@webuyhouse8917]

@@AdjusterTVis there a way to do claim form home I have no car

[@deborahhines5473]

My problem is deciding which cat codes and not knowing how to use macros

[@kaylyntay]

Just started…have nooo idea what I’m doing out of classroom

[@dimak8362]

Video on macros?

[@AdjusterTV]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIG8p2qmmLSkors ;)

[@VitaAnnette]

Macros to close claims…. Yes I’d like to know more

[@AdjusterTV]

adjustertv.com/xactimate ;)

[@ElDeBargeJr]

I’m nervous when it comes to writing the estimates and knowing the processes to complete that I’m brand new

[@AdjusterTV]

Check out adjustertv.com/xactimate for a demo on the process.

[@ElDeBargeJr]

@@AdjusterTV thanks I will do just this

[@dougpellessier7447]

Don’t do inspection logs? 5-10min

[@Bustah2016]

Matt most IA firms can’t settle claims. And if you have 6-7 different carriers with different things they want. So in you’re time to do a claim add that to your timeline. And when you live in Texas let’s say Houston when it takes you 2 hours from going from one side to the other.

[@AdjusterTV]

You're talking about for daily work. This video is about cat - we only work one carrier/firm at a time on cat.

[@Bustah2016]

@@AdjusterTV I was. But I also worked 5 carriers during Hanna, delta, Laura and zeta.

[@AdjusterTV]

@@Bustah2016 Well, I would suggest that working for one at a time makes it a lot easier to close more claims a day. One of the benefits of going with one carrier at a time is that they try to zone you in zips that are close to each other. I don't recommend to anybody to work for more than one at a time on cat really under any circumstances. But that's just me. I'm sure plenty of people can do it - it just sounds like making a challenging job even harder.

[@Bustah2016]

@@AdjusterTV Not all adjusters can handle that many on daily claims lol. I enjoyed it and was doing and closing around 9-10 a day. Long hours but the money is sure worth it. And the nice thing was the carriers were mostly the same.

[@AdjusterTV]

@@Bustah2016 Yeah nah. On daily I think 15 claims A WEEK is good volume. Those claims are almost always big fat water losses.

[@ajazmin68]

How many cat( not hail) claims do u average in 1 day?

[@AdjusterTV]

Average.. depends on how you calculate average. If I drop days that I take off during a storm, it's probably around 5-6 a day. That's including big days where I do ten and other days where I do 2.

[@johntrevett2944]

Never did he mention drive time, narratives, itv etc..

[@AdjusterTV]

Let's talk about it. What do you think is a reasonable amount of time to budget for drive time, writing a narrative/diary, invoice, damage eval, etc per claim?

[@ericwilliams5518]

nobody should be asked to close more than 4 claims in one day and thats on catastrophes. Insurance companies need to hire more adjusters instead of making adjusters feel like they should be able to close more claims.

[@AdjusterTV]

Nobody asks anybody to close more than that a day. But for those of us who are efficient, 4 a day is a half day.

[@terrywoolard3563]

Do you have a Macro video

[@AdjusterTV]

Here's one to get you started:) www.adjustertv.com/posts/2018/4/1/the-best-xactimate-shortcut-ever

[@AdjusterTV]

Here's some new content about Xactimate with some free Macros.. adjustertv.com/xactimate

[@MyGlobalMediaProject]

is this assuming R/H is not needed to access the roofs? Im running approximately 1.5hrs on R/H claims - of which nearly 90% of them are contractors claiming its hail-mageddon and yet once i get up there I find old vents dinged and knicked but no damage to the shingles - just a bunch of blisters that look like hail - but as you said I have to CYA and spend the extra time making sure I don't miss something.

[@AdjusterTV]

Dang you must be in Dallas. Or Minneapolis. Not every place in the Midwest is covered up in storm chaser roofers.

[@parttimeexpat3327]

I forgot the macro to go to next photo.....Can you remind me?

[@AdjusterTV]

Alt N for next and Alt P for previous ;)

[@parttimeexpat3327]

@@AdjusterTV thanks a bunch!