📍 Introduction: “Hurry Up and Wait”
Jonathan Rice, Vice President of Training and VP of Adjust U (and training savant) remembers how off-guard so many adjusters were caught by The Great Freeze of 2021.
It seemed like no one was ready for that one and some very hard lessons were learned. I hope they were learned. They sure were taught.
That was one of the most shocking weather events in modern history.
The National Centers for Environmental Information remembers the event this way:
On February 11-20, 2021, a historical winter event occurred that set many records, including being the first billion-dollar weather disaster of that year. A deep freeze impacted parts of the continental United States (CONUS), remarkably engulfing the entire state of Texas. Every county in the state as far south as the Rio Grande River and northeastern Mexico was placed under a Winter Storm Warning, with many experiencing wind chill values below zero. It was the coldest winter storm for Texas since December 1989.
Mary Poppins, of all people real or fiction, has some wonderful advice that can be applied to a successful storm: Well begun is half done!
It can take forever for storm season to arrive, when you are running on financial fumes. But when it does, it often comes in like a lion and you better have a plan for feeding the beast so it doesn’t eat you alive.
One of the things I observe on deployments is that adjusters—mostly new, but some experienced, as well—forget many of the tools they have learned because they get lost in the Chaos. I always remind adjusters at the start of a deployment to take a step back and a deep breathe. Don’t let the trees block your view of the Forrest “
—Jonathan Rice
🛠️1. Gear Up: Must-Have Items in Your Go Bag
Director of Catastrophe Keith Craft often talks about the “go bag” and I always hear, “Go big or go home.” Then, I think, “Go bag or go home.” Don’t leave home without it and don’t wait to get it together. The storm will provide the chaos. You have to bring the calm.
Essential Equipment:
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Laptop/tablet with claims software
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Measuring wheel or laser measurer
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Ladder (extendable, OSHA-rated)
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Flashlights/headlamps
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External hard drives
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Backup phone chargers and battery packs
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Printer/scanner (compact)
Personal Necessities:
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Medications
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Toiletries
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Enough clothes for 10+ days in varying weather
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Rain gear / waterproof boots
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Snacks and hydration supplies
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Sleeping bag or cot (just in case)
📊 10-Item Deployment Checklist for Adjusters
| ✅ Item |
📌 Why It Matters |
| 1. Laptop & Charger |
Core of your claims work — ensure it’s field-ready. |
| 2. Claims Software Access |
Pre-installed & logged in (Xactimate, CoreLogic, etc.). |
| 3. PPE & Safety Gear |
Hard hat, gloves, boots — non-negotiable on dangerous sites. |
| 4. Measuring Tools |
Laser measurer or measuring wheel for accurate inspections. |
| 5. Flashlight & Batteries |
Power outages are common — don’t be left in the dark. |
| 6. Paper Maps |
Cell service may be limited in disaster zones. |
| 7. Portable Printer/Scanner |
Some reports still require printed docs or physical forms. |
| 8. ID, Licenses & Insurance |
Easily accessible in digital and physical formats. |
| 9. Food & Water Supply (3 days) |
You may not reach a store for a while after arrival. |
| 10. Cash |
ATMs may be down — have enough for fuel, food, and lodging. |
A little inspirational quip from Mid-America Vice President of Operations Mark Glass:
Be a CAT Adjuster Prepper. Create a Bug Out Bag and Checklist: NOW, before the storm hits and you are called out.
🧠 2. Mental Prep: Know What You’re Walking Into
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Brush up on policy knowledge—especially things like wind vs. flood, storm-created opening (hello, Texas!), “sudden and accidental” versus wear and tear, and storm damage versus mechanical.
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Refresh inspection skills.
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Mentally prepare for long hours, tough conversations, and sometimes poor accommodations.
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Get your finances in order (you may front expenses). Paychecks often take a bit to catch up to you.
🧠 Quote:
“If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall.”
— Anonymous but Wise Person from Long Ago
This is especially true on the front end of a storm.
Before deploying for a storm, independent adjusters should wrap up personal responsibilities—like medical, home, and vehicle appointments—to stay focused and undistracted while away.
—Stefanie Jones, Director of Business Development Operations
🗺️ 3. Logistics & Planning: Before the Call Comes
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Keep licenses and certifications current (especially in storm-prone states). Mid-America sends out monthly reminders for license updating. Don’t fool around with it. Stay on top of licensing to stay on top of the deployment lists.
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Pre-load your route apps (Waze, Google Maps offline mode).
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Have a travel rewards account ready (hotel, gas, airlines).
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Alert your family or support system so they’re ready for your absence. Avoid chaos at home. That is where your peace will reside in the storm. Don’t put an unnecessary monkey on the backs of your loved ones, either.
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Identify a plan of action if you’ll be gone for an extended period
📝 Anecdote:
One adjuster said the worst part of their first deployment wasn’t the work—it was forgetting to pre-pay their mortgage. “I was climbing roofs while worrying about my credit score.”
🖥️ 4. Digital Prep: Tech and Access in Advance
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Ensure claims management logins are working (Xactimate, the Claims Management System, etc.)
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Backup files to the cloud
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Get familiar with your firm’s preferred documentation systems
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Preload drone software if applicable
💡 Tip: Set up multi-factor authentication alternatives BEFORE you’re in the middle of nowhere with bad cell reception.
Note!
A word from Mid-America’s Human Resources Director Terrie Joyner:
Ensure our payroll system has updated information regarding your bank account, name or business name & tax ID (if applicable), address, etc. Also, we must have your current driver’s license and auto insurance on file as required by our carriers.
🤝 5. Communication Plan
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Set expectations with family.
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Let your deployment manager know your availability windows.
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Consider a group chat or text chain with trusted adjuster peers. Build a network. Bounce ideas, explore solutions, and resolve troublesome questions with adjusters you trust. Have a mentor. Be a mentor. But also have peers: those on the same journey as you.
🏁 Closing: Deployment is a Mission — Pack Like It
CAT work is very like being in the military. We call it deployment just like the armed forces do. We encounter chaos. We go into high-stress situations. You must be disciplined and well-trained to know how to respond to the unexpected. It is not just a job; it is a MISSION.
“What’s your #1 storm prep mistake you made early in your adjusting career?” Share your story and wisdom in the comments. Let’s help each other prepare for success.
Some common mistakes:
Overpacked • Underpacked • Forgot licensing • Poor Wi-Fi plan • No cash
Add to the list. Share your experience. Lift your brothers and sisters in arms.
🥂Cheers to your future and most successful deployment yet!
