Anatomy of a Storm: How to Navigate a Hurricane Assignment as an Independent Claims Adjuster
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Anatomy of a Storm: How to Navigate a Hurricane Assignment as an Independent Claims Adjuster
By Gene Strother
President, Adjust U
Vice President, Mid-America Catastrophe Services
As an independent claims adjuster, navigating the aftermath of a hurricane can be both a demanding and rewarding experience. Homeowners count on your expertise and professionalism during some of the most challenging times in their lives. Here are five to seven essential tips to help you successfully prepare for and manage a hurricane assignment, ensuring you provide timely and effective service:
Adjust yourself to the assignment.
Most adjusters do not know why they are called adjusters in the first place. The simple answer is that the adjuster is tasked with adjusting a loss to the policy, applying all of the applicable elements of the policy, such as coverage, deductible, exclusions, recoverable depreciation, etc. The truth is the adjusting begins long before the storm hits. It begins with adjusting one’s lifestyle and home to the erratic nature of catastrophe claims adjusting. Be as sure as you can that you and those depending on you at home are prepared for the assignment.
Adapt yourself to the environment.
Catastrophe adjusting takes place—where else—in areas devastated by a catastrophic event. You must make living arrangements, ensure that you have access to the necessities of life, such as food and water, and mentally and physically prepare for work in less than ideal environments.
Adopt a can-do attitude.
When I was a kid, I heard my Dad say this 1,000 times or more: “Can’t never could ‘til he tried.”
You can do the hard stuff and, if you apply yourself to learning through experience and proper education, you can find the easiest ways to do the hardest things.
If you can’t, then stay home.
Catastrophe adjusting is no business for those prone to cratering or throwing in the towel at the first sign of adversity. Adversity is coming. You can handle it.
Address the insured’s concerns.
Yes, time is money and you want to close claims at a brisk pace to maximize your earnings and receive as many claims as possible. But time spent addressing the insured’s concerns with empathy and patience is the kind of currency that pays dividends in the overall experience for everyone. Yes, everyone includes you.
Admit your shortcomings.
The dumbest thing an adjuster—or anyone—can do is stifle personal growth by pretending to know or understand what you do not. I have a saying I share with most of the classes I address: “If you know everything, you can’t learn anything.” The smartest people know their limitations and weaknesses and seek ways to eliminate or mitigate those limitations and strengthen weaknesses. Bruce Lee said, “A wise person can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.”
The line between failure and success on a storm for a catastrophe adjuster can be pretty thin. Proper preparation, informed anticipation, and reasonable expectations are essential to success.
Got questions or thoughts? Drop a comment in the comment section or contact me at gene@adjust-u.com
