By Gene Strother, President of Adjust U
I have spent the past three years speaking to people just like you – people looking for direction, for the right career path. Some of you are fresh out of college or even high school. It is an exciting thing to stand on the precipice of a career, to have the whole world before you, and to know the decisions you make now will determine the direction and quality of your career, and your life. It can be a little intimidating, too. Others of you are at a crossroads. You have gone down a path that, for one reason or another – be it layoff, downsizing, a move, or other life change – you are ready to pursue a different career path.
Here you are, wondering if the life of the independent insurance adjuster is for you. While you consider the possibilities, allow me to offer a few reasons to give this path serious consideration.
1. Bang-for-buck: It costs little to get into the business and be properly trained, but can pay huge dividends
Educationally, all that is actually required to be an adjuster is an adjuster license in your home state. If your state does not require a license or is not a testing state, then Texas is your play because Texas reciprocates with every license-requiring state in the union except New York, California, and Hawaii. So, once you are licensed in Texas, you will not have to test to get licensed in other states, with the exception of those three.
A college degree is not required, but training is essential to success. Compared to any two-year or four-year degree at a state or private university or college, the training for this career is miniscule in cost. Adjust U, with our flagship course Adjusting 101, and our other classes addressing specific skills and tools, will fully prepare you for success as an adjuster.
2. You are a critical thinker, and you care about others
Admittedly, adjusting is not for everyone. You need strong people skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, the ability to master various software, and self-discipline. If you can provide those things, we can help you succeed as an adjuster.
3. You want a stable career, as recession-proof as possible
The government requires homeowners’ insurance. Thousands and thousands of insurance claims are filed every day all over the United States, some are weather-related while others are not. Every claim must be settled and that means an adjuster will be involved in the settlement of that claim.
4. You want to make as much money as you possibly can for yourself and your family
Here we are, back to the bang-for-buck portion of the adjuster’s career. The average income for the independent claims adjuster, according to glassdoor.com, is $66,849 nationally. Top earners earn well into six figures, $100k or better.
5. You like some control over your career
As an independent claims adjuster, whether you are a field adjuster, a desk adjuster, or a file reviewer, you get to decide what deployments you accept and with whom. You get to decide if you will stay close to home and work daily claims or if you will be a road warrior and work storms where and when they do their damage. You are your own business. You own it.
6. Flexibility
As I alluded to in the previous point, there are a number of paths one can choose. If you prefer to work from a desk, you can choose the path of the inside adjuster, or desk adjuster, which is a vital role and always in high demand. If you like to be outdoors, if you want a more physically demanding job, one where you meet with people face-to-face, and assess damages onsite, the field adjuster route is for you.
7. Huge Industry, Small World
The insurance industry in America is one of the largest industries in the world, according to statista.com.
What I have learned is this: it is a massive industry but a small world. It is amazing the connections one can make in this industry. You meet someone, establish some level of relationship, and you never know where that might lead in terms of opportunity for career growth. I tell our classes, “Don’t burn bridges. Build them.” This is a bridge-building industry.
If you are looking for a career that provides advantages and opportunities such as I have laid out, let us tell you more about how to get started. Take two minutes and fill out the form below.