The most common path:
- Sign up for the Texas Licensing Class
- Sign up for the Basic Adjusting Class with Xactimate instruction
- Sign up for the Xactimate software class
- Network within Human Resources
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How to Become an Adjuster
MORE FAQS ABOUT AMCAT
Overview of the Job Description
As an insurance Property Adjuster you will be assisting homeowners and businesses recover from damage caused by catastrophes. The requirements of an Adjuster include specialized training in insurance policies, construction repair methods, software and a basic working knowledge of accounting. You may be working under adverse conditions and for extended periods away from home but your efforts will be well rewarded, both personally as well as financially.
Adjusters must be physically able to inspect damage. This includes working on rooftops, attics, crawl spaces and areas with significant damage. Adjusters must understand how to read and interpret insurance policies. You will need a personal laptop computer and digital camera as well as knowledge of insurance estimating software such as Xactimate or MSB IntegriClaim. Licensing is usually required in most states before an adjuster is able to receive claims. Training and continuing education is essential to successful claims adjusters.
Types of Adjusters
- Independent Adjusters are self-employed contractors who work for Independent Adjusting firms. Amcat is an Independent Adjusting firm. Amcat utilizes Independent Adjusters nationwide to serve our insurance company customers.
- Staff Adjusters may be employed directly by an insurance company with typical employee responsibilities and company benefits.
Where to Start
Training is usually the beginning with any new profession or job. Adjusting is no different.
Who to get training from:
We know Adjusters shop. If you are not sold on Amcat’s Training yet, here are some questions to ask our competition. By asking the right questions you should be able to make an informed decision.
Questions to Ask Training Companies
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AMCAT’s Response |
(A) Is your company an adjusting firm?
(B) What Insurance companies do you work with? |
(A) Yes, We are an adjusting firm and a national training center.
(B) The largest insurance company we work for is: USAA Insurance and we do have many other clients throughout the United States. |
How long have you been in business? |
Thirteen years as an adjusting firm, 5 years training, instructors combined years of experience 72 Years. |
Location of training: your facility or hotel? |
Our Facility
Note: Beware of companies doing training out of hotel conference rooms full time. These companies rarely have ties to Insurance companies or independent adjusting firms. |
Will you give me a list of adjusting firms when the training is complete to send my resume to? |
No, because Amcat is an adjusting firm. Hopefully you are able to work for us.
Note: Fly-by night companies promise to help you find work. The method: provide you a list of adjusting firms. The list is available on catadjuster.org Amcat is one of the companies on the list handed out by other companies. |
Is all training the same company to company? |
No, there is not standardization In our industry for training. The naming of a course “Basic Adjusting” or “Adjuster 101” does not mean it’s the same course. Likewise for Xactimate. Amcat offers a full range of courses while some other may only teach the minimum knowledge courses. |
Why should I take my training with you? |
There are many reasons, but the major reason is Amcat is an adjusting firm. Our training is geared towards making you self-sufficient and successful in the field. Amcat is known in the industry for detail oriented courses with challenging homework. Amcat Adjusters are prepared to enter the field and have the right knowledge and skills to get the job done. |
Do you have FREE training? |
No, however we offer a rebate on our Basic Property Adjusting Course for adjusters who deploy with us and complete 80 claims within a one year time period. See course description for further details. |
(A) Do you have online training?
(B) Do you recommend online or in-class training? |
(A) Call us old-fashioned but we like to meet our adjusters in person. We won’t deploy any adjusters who don’t have proper training. All of our courses are in-class education.
(B) We recommend in-class because of a set timeline to finish the course. Online courses could take weeks/months/years to complete when an Amcat in-class course is more traditional with a set timeline. |
Licensing
Licensing requirements for adjusters vary by state. Some states have very few requirements, while others require Licensing and Continuing Education (CE) to maintain certification. However, adjusters usually deploy away from home and work in areas where licensing is required. Due to this, most adjusters carry multiple state licenses in the event a catastrophe hits. The Texas adjuster license is the most sought license because the license is reciprocal in 32 states. Reciprocity means: You are not required to take a course or exam in another state, if you hold a Texas adjuster’s license. You can merely submit your application to 32 other states.
Texas offers two licenses for Property (P&C and All-lines). The only difference between the two licenses is the “all-lines” licensing includes workers compensation in the education and testing. Workers compensation is not needed to work Property claims.
- Property, Casualty and Surety License (P&C License) - Amcat Offers this.
- All-lines License (Called either a General Lines License or All-Lines License) – Not offered through Amcat
Basic Property Adjusting Course
Our Basic Adjusting Course teaches the adjuster the fundamentals of adjusting and interpretation of the basic homeowners’ policy. The fundamentals include, but not limited to, roof measurements, construction materials and inspection techniques. All students participate by climbing and measuring a roof and walking through an exterior inspection. We also teach the basics of Xactimate. Click here for course information.
Claims Software Course
Our Xactimate course teaches the adjuster how to properly write a claim the insurance company will approve. The software is the heart of a successful business. You may be an expert in construction; however, if you do not know how to write a claim, you will not be successful in this industry. The insurance companies require software for claim writing and do not accept handwritten claims. Click here for course information.
How to get on our Roster
New Adjusters - Students who attend the Amcat Education Center will be evaluated through individual coursework for future deployments. Upon successful completion of our property adjusting courses, Basic, Intermediate or Advanced, an AMCAT contract may be offered. Students will review Amcat’s policy on evaluating adjusters at the start of every course.
Experienced Adjusters - Your first step should be to complete our Amcat Adjuster Questionnaire, and submit it via email along with your resume to Amcat Human Resources. The questionnaire is a PDF document you can fill out from your computer then click the submit button on the form to email it to Amcat's HR Department.
IMPORTANT: Submission of the questionnaire does not constitute addition to our roster. The questionnaire is used to review your experience and certifications. We review your questionnaire and then, based on your level of experience, training, etc., may offer you a contract and add you to our roster.
Amcat
Human Resources
P.O. Box 1068
Coppell, TX 75019
Email: HR@amcatusa.com
Marketing your Independent Adjuster Business to Independent Firms
Marketing your business in a way that allows you to promote yourself as a “face” rather than a “name” will increase your chance of success as an insurance adjuster. There are many firms in the industry that have an education center offering adjusting courses. In this industry, it is unlikely you will be guaranteed work throughout your career from a sole firm; therefore, making it necessary to enroll in courses with different companies.
Below are some common statements made by adjusters while marketing their business to Amcat.
Adjuster - “I don’t need training. There isn’t a storm.” |
Amcat - “Storms are unpredictable, and there is a wide variety of storms that an adjuster can be deployed. If you wait until a storm hits for training, you may lose an opportunity for deployment. There is no time to train when companies are required to have adjusters “on site” within a 24 – 48 hr period upon notification. Those adjusters that chose not to wait for training will already on their way.” |
Adjuster – “I already took a beginner course elsewhere.” |
Amcat – “Without being present and having face time with a company, you are not able to market your adjusting abilities. Due to the variety of adjusting firms in the industry, there are different styles to adjusting. Amcat teaches the “preferred” way of claim writing and adjusting. Our course teaches you to have the ability to write a successful claim that pays both the insured and you.” |
Adjuster – “I have a buddy in the business, and I am going to rely on them when we deploy.” |
Amcat – “Being an adjuster in a time of a catastrophic event is very fast paced. Your adjuster buddy on whom you are relying has many insureds who he has to attend to in a certain time frame. There are many late nights and continuous working weeks your adjuster buddy will be working on their claims and he will not be able to give you proper time for training without taking away from his work. This is your business and not your buddy’s. If you plan on being a successful adjuster, you will take your own steps to run a successful business, and that does not include relying on a adjuster buddy for your success.” |
Earnings
Ultimately, you will determine how much you will earn based on what you accomplish and how well you perform. Amcat Independent Contractors are paid a service fee from a tiered fee schedule that is agreed upon with a client. The fee schedules differ based on the client and the amount of the property loss. The money can be lucrative, but is not attainable without hard work and determination.
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