A Florida adjuster and his best friend—who works in an unrelated industry—were taking their usual morning coffee at their favorite coffee shop, a place that boasted a view of the Atlantic. The sea was peacefully undulating and the sky was clear.
The worried adjuster asked, “What if there is no hurricane this year?”
His friend replied, “What if there is?”
Tragedy is perspective specific. One person’s storm is another’s sustenance. I see plenty of worried faces these days. After a quiet 2025 season for U.S. landfall hurricanes, when some IA firms and related businesses were forced to close up shop, we are facing down El Niño in 2026.
The predictions are for a quieter than usual storm season.
Colorado State University (CSU) again lowered its Atlantic hurricane season forecast in its latest update, citing the high potential for a very strong El Niño during the peak of the season.
CSU pioneered seasonal Atlantic hurricane forecasts beginning in 1984.
The revised CSU forecast calls for 9 named storms, 4 hurricanes, including 1 major (Category 3 or stronger) hurricane this year — down from its June forecast of 11 named storms, 5 hurricanes and 2 major storms. In comparison, an average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, including 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. –Julian Atienza, Fox Weather
This is not a panic button, so don’t hit it. Predictions are just that. They are not settled facts. Even if technological advancements have made them more reliable, the weather will do what the weather will do.
As a colleague is fond of saying, “A CAT Three fixes everything.”
He doesn’t mean that in a callous way but as an industry reality that has historical veracity in this weather-driven business.
The adjuster career—particularly, the independent adjuster career—is heavily weather-driven.
If you are an adjuster, new to the industry or a weathered one, you must be wondering, “How can I weatherproof my career? How can I stay busy enough in the lean years to reap the mighty rewards of the fat ones?”
I am glad you asked! I have some suggestions. Ten, in fact.
#1—Do not be a one-peril adjuster.
Hurricane work is not a career plan. It is one stream of revenue, but must not be relied upon as the only stream, for either the adjuster or the IA firm. Adjusters who demonstrate their ability to excel on smaller but equally important events, like hailstorms, inland windstorms, winter storms, etc., will be on the radar and on the top end of the roster. Hail, freeze, flood, auto, commercial, liability, and daily claims are always out there somewhere. Flexibility is key.
#2—Build a daily claims muscle.
Daily claims are less glamorous than CAT work—and more steady. We have a number of adjusters who keep so busy and satisfied on their daily work that they never leave to chase a storm elsewhere. Many do both, however, and that is a good spot to be, too.
#3—Get licensed where opportunity lives.
Start with your home state, of course. But then think about the states most likely to experience disaster. Texas, Florida, and the other Gulf Coast states. States along the eastern seaboard. Midwest states where wind and hail are problems. Northeastern states where freezes are an issue. Be strategic about it but accumulate licenses that make you deployable when opportunity knocks.
Mattia Pickett , a Mid-America Catastrophe Services Services account manager puts it like this: “Be flexible and willing to travel. The larger your territory, the more work you open yourself up to.”
#4—Become an excellent estimator—and find places to put those skills to work.
Learn Xactimate and any other estimate software you use so well that it is second nature. Get Level I & II certified. If you need Xactimate training, find a strong class and take it. Adjust U offers one, and I would put our trainer against anyone in the industry.
The thing I love about Jonathan Rice XCT , Vice President of Training for Mid-America, and VP of Adjust U is he always thinks in concrete, actionable terms. He says, “Write estimates for roofers and restoration companies on the side.”
#5—Sharpen your people skills.
An adjuster—on the front porch or on the phone—becomes the face and voice of the insurance company. That is not a thing to take lightly. Learn good grammar and use it. Be warm. Be open. Don’t be a know-it-all. Listen before you talk and listen more than you talk. It has often been pointed out that we have two ears and one mouth and that ought to tell us something.
#6—Build industry relationships, and don’t be selfish about it.
Build them upstream and downstream, because what goes around comes around. Those who help receive help. Be genuine in your relationships to the point that it is impossible to separate the strategic ones from the ones that do not stand to profit you come storm season.
Here is some good advice from Stefanie Jones, Director of Business Development Operations, Mid-America:
Stay connected to the industry through claims adjusting associations and consider becoming a board member to continue your industry connections and keep a pulse of what’s happening and changing in the claims industry.
#7—Specialize in something difficult.
Flood, large loss, commercial, contents, agriculture, appraisal, dispute resolution, casualty, liability. I promise you, these skills are in high demand and adjusters with said skills do not grow on trees. Nor do they attain these skills accidentally.
#8—Use downtime as training time.
Attend an Adjust U class. Learn a new skill. Pick a brain bigger than yours. Find a mentor; stay in touch. I know. The bottom line is the bottom line. I also know the bottom line is this: preparation is better than luck. When opportunity comes, it comes for the prepared.
#9—Manage your money like the weather will disappoint you.
Don’t run out and buy things like you won the lottery after a big storm added zeroes to your account. Seek whatever financial advice you need to make wise investments and proper money management decisions.
Matt Meadows, Account Manager for Mid-America says, “Don’t spend your money as you make it. Expensive houses, cars, and vacations don’t pay the bills in lean years.”
#10—Stay ready without becoming storm-dependent.
Keep that go-bag by the door. Make sure the household is prepared for your sudden departure and potential for being gone for weeks or months, even.
Do this, but do not do this and nothing else. Number ten only matters for those who consider the other nine. If you are already out of the game when the storm hits, the go-bag becomes a go-nowhere bag.
I always heard “there is more than one way to skin a cat.”
I never cared to know anyone who skins cats, but I get the gist. The good ideas are out there in abundance. Talk to people who have succeeded in this industry and get specific advice. Then, take what you know about yourself, your situation, your career ambitions, and abilities, and act.
The adjusting business has more comers and goers than stayers, and that is your opportunity. That is where you can be the difference.
I welcome your feedback and input. Let’s hold up one another. Let’s work together, because independence is not without its dependence on relationships and realities.
My name is Gene Strother. This is Axiom.