Being an insurance adjuster is a responsible decision. Especially if you are an independent adjuster. This means that you need to know what gear and equipment an adjuster needs in their field. Independent insurance adjusters are independent contractors and often have to provide their own equipment. There are eight things every independent adjuster should have in their field. These items aren’t merely luxury, but essentials that make the job more difficult, if not impossible.
These are the 8 Must-Haves
Number one must-have: A vehicle
This is an easy decision. What kind of vehicle should an independent adjuster drive? Many people believe that an F-350 Turbo Diesel Dually is the best vehicle to handle a claim. While there are many benefits to having a powerful truck on the job, the author believes that a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle is better. You can store your ladder in any sedan or coupe with the help of telescoping and foldable ladders. Independent adjusters may drive hundreds of miles each day so fuel economy is not something to be taken lightly. A nimble Honda Accord is much more efficient than a heavy-trafficked Hummer when you are trying to negotiate a Miami or New Orleans street. In some areas, adjusters might not be as visible. I wouldn’t feel comfortable pulling into a high-crime area in a $50,000 car. To be honest, I would rather drive under the radar with an ’01 Camry. The answer to this question depends on what type of vehicle you have. However, the task can be accomplished just as effectively in a small sedan as it can in a large pickup truck.
Number 2: A navigation device is a must-have
An independent adjuster might make the best investment in a GPS system. In a typical day, independent adjusters might scope up to six properties, particularly when they are working on catastrophic claims. These properties can be spread over an astonishingly large area. A traditional paper map can be laughable when compared with the speed and accuracy of a GPS system mounted on a handheld device. A GPS system can save an adjuster as much as an hour per day by avoiding missed turns or forced stops to consult Rand McNally. This will save you 30 hours or more per month, which is almost a whole day. This is an additional four to five claims per month. A GPS system can help an adjuster to close more claims each month, as I have seen in some cases. The monthly cost of a Cat Adjuster is $2,000- $5,000. Finally, the satisfaction that a GPS stops is worth it.
A GPS mounted on the dash is an option. You won’t use many features on most models so don’t spend more than $700. Microsoft Streets and Trips are a far cheaper option, but they still have a lot of features. The $100 program can be installed on your laptop. It comes with a GPS device which connects to your computer using a standard USB plug in. Streets and Trips lets you take 10 places, locate your current location and find the fastest way to reach all 10. This feature is a great tool for planning your day’s claim route.
The Laptop Computer is a Must-Have
Hand-written claims are almost gone. The technology to prepare and deliver estimates electronically is standard now. A laptop computer is the best choice. Xactimate, MSB IntegriClaim and MSB IntegriClaim have the lowest system requirements and are the most popular estimating programs. You should expect a laptop with a minimum of a 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 1.5 Gigs of hard drive space, and a resolution of 1024×768 or greater. If you’re looking to buy a new laptop, be careful not to let unscrupulous salespeople or websites sell you heavy graphic packages and upgraded sound cards. This computer is meant to be used for writing estimates, not on a network in college dorms.
Tablet laptops are being used by some adjusters to help them. These laptops have touch screens and can fold down or swivel on their own. An adjuster could theoretically take a tablet laptop to a commercial or residential claim and use it as a clipboard to write the majority of the estimate at the property. The technology for tablets is a little behind the concept and promotional curve, as usual. For the technology to be able to work with the concept, I recommend that it takes a few years more.
Must-Have #4 – A Good Ladder
Hail and high winds damage roofs can result in thousands of claims each year. Property adjusters need to be ready to spend time on roofs. Your connection to the roof is made possible by a good ladder. The most common injuries that claim adjusters are involved in involve ladders. An adjuster should feel at ease knowing that the ladder is stable.
Three types of ladders are commonly used. Adjusters will love folding ladders. There are many models to choose from, and they all fold down to approximately 5ft when folded. It is small enough that it can fit in almost any trunk, unless you have a Miata as your adjusting vehicle. Even wood models are becoming more affordable in fold-up format. They are better than aluminum for areas where power lines are possible. Telescoping ladder is another compact ladder. Telescoping ladders are the smallest ladder available today. One of the main drawbacks, and it is very important, is the possibility that a step can disappear if it has been weighed down or if the wrong force is applied to it. This can lead to disastrous consequences. The foldable ladder is the best choice if you want to be compact. While traditional ladders can be quite sturdy and safe, they don’t offer the same versatility as the foldable ladder.
Must-Have #5 – Digital Camera
Claims adjusters must accurately represent the damage or lack thereof to claimants’ property. This is literally painting a picture that allows file reviewers to remotely assess the situation. You don’t need watercolors or sketching to make claims. Digital is the best option if you want them to be closed quickly. Multiple types of damage can result in hundreds of photos. Manually scanning that many would prove difficult. Digital cameras are fast, efficient and designed for electronic estimate delivery. Do not buy an SLR, or anything that costs more than $300. A compact, lightweight, easy-to-return camera is what you want. It is easy to drop your scope while climbing ladders or maneuvering around roofs. You can rest assured that your purchase will be safe with a good return policy. Mega-pixels are too large. Anything more than 7 or 8 megapixels is likely to be considered excessive. Remember that digital cameras use a lot of batteries, so make sure you have at least three spares before making scope claims.
Number 6: Measuring Devices
When assessing damage to property, there are two basic initial decisions: how much and what is the damage. You can measure how much. The first tool you need is a simple 25ft tape measure. You should consider adding a laser tape measure to your tool-kit. Imagine that you are inspecting multiple rooms in a house with interior damage. You see the first room as large and full of clutter. Instead of trying to run 18ft of tape through furniture and electronics in one direction and 22ft across a bar set in the opposite direction, click once in each direction. You can save 15 minutes if you measure 5 or more rooms in a house. This time savings will lead to more claims being closed over the course of a month. Some people don’t trust laser measures and some insurance companies won’t allow adjusters to use them. They work extremely well, but I have found that they are not recommended for use by insurance companies. Before you show your Disto around the office, please check with your claims manager. Rolling measures are also useful, especially when measuring roofs is difficult with a 25ft tape measure. Rolling measures are not permitted in certain cases. Please check with your claims manager.
Must-Have #7: Tool-belt
A claims adjuster will need more than just a digital camera and a variety of measuring tools. This leads to the obvious question, “Where do you store all this stuff?” A tool-belt is the answer. The standard contractor toolbelts are adequate, but they pale in comparison to those that have been made specifically for claims adjusters. Adjuster tool-belts that are custom made for adjusters can carry all the tools they need. Imagine climbing up a ladder using both your hands and securely carrying a digital camera with tape measure, wheel measure (or clipboard), chalk, pitch gauge, and pitch gauge. While standard tool-belts might be capable of doing this, they are not as secure and as intelligent as custom-made belts. A good adjuster tool belt will help you stay organized and safe.
No. 8 Must-Have: The Adjuster Dress Code
An adjuster is expected to follow a dress code almost every time. Although the exact code will vary from one company to another, you can expect to wear a sharp polo shirt and khakis. Jeans are not appropriate and tee-shirts for field work are too casual. A professional appearance is important. Another consideration is the choice of footwear that can be adjusted. Shoes with good traction are a must if you plan to spend time on roofs. You don’t want to slip off steeply pitched roofs so leave your penny loafers at home. Cougar Paws are specially made boots with felt-like material attached to the bottoms. They were designed with roof walking in view. Remember that independent adjusters spend a lot of time on their feet so comfort and traction should be a priority.
Independent insurance adjusters need the best gear to do their job efficiently. An efficient claims handler will never be hungry.
Daniel Kerr is a career and training advisor for thousands of insurance claims adjuster professionals. Daniel was also a catastrophic claims adjuster. He also served as the V.P. One of the most respected adjuster licensing companies in America, Daniel was the Director of Operations. This helped to make the company the most well-known in the industry.