Carrier Certifications- Exchange of Information between ClaimSmentor members and participating adjusting firms

We have postings in our carrier certification forum on ClaimSmentor up now that we are approaching the beginning of the peak months of hurricane season for participating adjusters to reply to each topic by carrier if they have obtained the certifications for various carriers so our participating 72 adjusting firms can go directly to a pertinent carrier’s forum topic to download resumes of those now qualified to work claims for a carrier.

 We hope this exchange of information between our member adjusting firms and participating adjusters (now at 1150 plus members!) will be a valuable exchange of catastrophe assignments for the adjusters and a pool of candidates for participating adjusting firms as we begin the busier months of hurricane season!

Thus far we have up a forum topic to post if you offer certification testing for a firm or have certified with a firm for the exchange of info on the following carriers:

Allstate, American Family, Citizens of FL, Farmers, Homewise, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, NFIP, Royal Palm, State Farm, Tower Hill,  TX Windpool,  and USAA (alpha order). If you know of others requiring certification training or firms offering any of the above, please let us know for the most valuable exchange of info between independent adjusters and independent adjusting firms. Thanks!

If you are not yet a  member of ClaimSmentor, you can join us today once we receive the required registration information found here:

http://www.claimsmentor.com/register.php

We have received numerous registration requests while we were closed the month of July 2009 and will be getting those all caught up by Monday so there is no need to send a duplicate request if you already sent your information in. You will receive an email confirming your registration along with a private login id to participate once we have registered you.

Best Job Opportunities for Claims Adjusters found on the web!

We highly recommend those searching for staff adjuster and for some independent positions as property adjusters and auto adjusters create a search job alert at www.indeed.com which is the best website we have found for locating claim career job opportunities.

Indeed posts jobs found from many employment opportunity search engines such as Great Insurance Jobs and newspaper ads nationwide combining them into one search engine for you! What a time saver rather than running to Career Builder, Great Insurance Jobs and many other web sites those looking for claim job opportunities when Indeed has already combined those newly posted for you!

Here is an example on the results for a search for Florida Claim job opportunities so you can see the many sites they pull in information from:

http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=claims&l=fl&fromage=last&rq=1

For more information about the career search engine Indeed.com, here is a link to their about us info:

http://www.indeed.com/intl/en/about.html

There sure are some GREAT staff claim job openings for Auto and Property Adjusters!

We posted over 50 new job opportunities for Auto and Property Claims Adjusters in our Career Forum at ClaimSmentor yesterday.

Positions range from claim trainee opportunities right through Claims Consultant and VP of Claims positions for our management members!

Just check out the Career Forum for all new postings! Don’t guess which FL carrier is  hiring for their National Catastrophe Team or which new FL regional carrier is hiring for staff positions……just join us today at ClaimSmentor. If your not  yet a member, you will see a link for information regarding joining our now 1108 members in the last paragraph on our home page.

All contact info on the About Us page here on the blog. Blog restrictions won’t allow us to keep linking to the same site including our own so please get contact info for the site and registration link on our About Us page on this blog.

Visit us at LinkedIn and Join our Group for the Claims Industry

 

We have just created our LinkedIn Profile and a Group for staff and independent claims industry members. If you want to join us there where you will also be able to view our blogs and network with connections we’ve made on Linked in, here are the links:

LinkedIn Profile:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/dimechimesclaimsmentor

You will find our Linkedin group by looking at the left column  once you get on my profile on the above link.

Here is an  article on Linkedin that might help you decide if you are interested in joining as a great way to network with those in the claims industry in addition to your networking  with us at ClaimSmentor. This  article is on 10 reasons why it’s a good idea for locating job opportunities:

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2009/02/10-ways-to-use.html

 

 

Updated 3/1/09-Dimechimes Claim Staffing and Claim Training-Adjuster Opportunities for 2009/Now Accepting Claim Recruiting and Claim Staffing Requests And Training Opportunities for 2009

 

Very Important update to this post with our 3/1/09 announcement here:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/march-1-2009-annoucement-to-claimsmentor-and-dimechimes-claim-staffing-roster-members-change-in-claim-industry-services/

We will continue accepting resumes at our ClaimSmentor site where there will now be many many more job opportunites posted there for new opportunities not just from my firm  Dimechimes Claims Staffing and Claim Training. If you are already on our rosters, you should be receiving an email from us in the next few days. If you will just reply to it with your first and last name and your city and state I will automatically move you to our ClaimSmentor rosters where we have 66 adjusting firms participating who will be presenting job opportunities. We have now opened it up to staffing firms, recruiters, and to carriers so you will see a major increase in the number of assignments and job opportunities you can consider.

We are still looking for people through ClaimSmentor in all opportunities listed below.

For other claim adjuster (staff trainees or independent adjuster) services visit us at Dimechimes Claims Staffing and Claim Training for:

. Adjuster Resume Services

. Private Career Coaching Sessions to prepare for  career opportunities in claims, Setting goals for claim professional development customized to your background, work history, educational background, and your specific interests. There are many different paths in claims which may interest you which we can discuss then set a path for you to achieve your goals based on your continuing education budget available.

. Claim interview preparation services -mock interviews conducted to prepare you for what to expect

. Adjuster Information Forums you will be registered in free of charge.

. Our Career Coaching Classes can be packaged together with our 50 Hour Fundamentals of  Claims Class teaching you the basic essentials of property adjusting claims such as homeowner, rental property, condominium claims, and small business losses. We can then offer you Xactimate, Powerclaim, and other software classes at discounted prices through instructors specifically certified by the software manufacturer.

Please do not spend thousands of dollars before you participate in our forums at ClaimSmentor and see what class options are available for online and field class options through reputable companies that we have researched with direct contacts with their education directors. There is entirely too many problems going on in the claims industry with hundreds of new websites and and training classes being taught without clearance by the state department of insurance for CE  credit which is an outstanding tool to prevent you from wasting hard earned dollars then becoming victim to insufficient training. Watch for the new ClaimSmentor seal of approval coming soon to many training firms you are considering. This will guarantee we have researched the firm and discussed with a panel of  experienced adjusters the course presented before we recommend them in our ClaimSmentor links in an attempt to prevent you from paying for classes that are not presenting  insurance carrier quality standards to better prepare you for assignments.

*********************************************

 

We thank the many adjusting firms and adjusters who used our services during 2008.

Due to the overwhelming response received from hundreds of adjusters during hurricanes Ike and Gustav=e, we are still in the process of evaluating incoming resume submissions and will be in contact with you during the coming weeks as we prepare for 2009 claim handling opportunities. We have also been out in recent months due to significant surgery and medical issues for family members and hope to be caught up contacting all applicants by the end of February prior to the March hail storm season.

We are now updating our claim rosters for 2009 and accepting claim recruiting and claim staffing requests from independent adjusting firms and insurance companies.

If you are with an insurance company HR department an independent adjusting firm who has been in business atleast 5 years with carrier references  and have staffing assistance needs for fulltime, part-time, or temporary claim staffing needs, contact Debbie@Dimechimes.com for pricing.

If you are a claims adjuster or claims manager looking for either staff adjusting or independent adjusting opportunities for daily or catastrophe assignments, please submit your resume to Resumes@Dimechimes.com for consideration for future opportunities.

Please see the list below for the types of opportunities available and the independent adjusters and claim managers we are looking for. We continue to receive new requests. . We also continue to frequently receive new requests for daily (non catastrophe) claims. Thus, we continue to accept resumes for the following type of positions for future deployment/employment opportunities for adjusting firms and carriers we receive staffing requests from. It is important you send us your resume in lieu of a phone call first so we are familiar with your qualifications to know if you meet our current qualification needs for various opportunities.

Adjusters and Claim Managers,be sure your resume includes your estimate software experience, the adjusting firms and carriers you have worked claims for, the carriers you have completed certification tests for, information on the types of claims you have successfully completed, and 3 references who can verify your claims experience.

Future Opportunities:

Here are the type of positions we are accepting resumes for:

Opportunity 09-0204 Independent Adjusters with Inside Claim handling experience. Must be familiar with Claim Management System electronic claim file handling and handling claims in a catastrophe or daily claim central operation or as a field adjuster familiar with CMS (Claim Management systems) claim handling.

Job Opportunity- 09-0205- Independent Commercial Adjusters needed with Commercial Claims handling experience. Please be specific when submitting your resume for consideration as to the types of Commercial claims and the range of damage (dollar amount of loss you estimate on the average) as well as any business interruption and business contents and salvage handling you have. Be sure your resume includes any specific carrier certification exams you have completed as well as specific information on the estimate software programs you have used such as Xactimate (and version), MSB, Simsol, Powerclaim, and/or Symbility estimating programs.

Job Opportunity- 09-0206- Independent Residential  Property Adjusters for Catastrophe Loss Adjusting. Please be specific on the adjusting firms and carriers you have handled claims for and the types of damage such as wind, hail, hurricane, fire, theft, etc. Be sure your resume includes any specific carrier certification exams you have completed as well as specific information on the estimate software programs you have used such as Xactimate (and version), MSB, Simsol, Powerclaim, and/or Symbility estimating programs.

Job Opportunity 09-0207- Auto Claim Independent Adjusters for Catastrophe Loss handling. Please be sure your resume includes any auto claim estimating software you are trained/experiencd using and any technical courses completed such as I-CAR, etc. Please be sure your request for consideration includes any specific carrier certification exams you have successfully completed for Auto claim handling as well as adjusting firms and carriers you have handled claims for.

Job Opportunity 09-0208 Daily Property Independent Adjusters and Daily Auto Claim Independent Adjusters- this applies to adjusters interested in working claims from their home base that are definitely NOT interested in dropping everything when a catastrophe hits. These are for branch assist openings for carriers and independent adjusting assignments. Daily (non catastrophe claims) generally require a more extensive background as they are not usually confined to wind, hail, and flood losses and include fire, theft, vandalism, and many other types of daily claims which require more extensive claim reports and much more long term type of assignments such as lawsuit file management. Be very specific on the types of claims you have handled and for which carriers if you are applying for daily claim positions.

Job Opportunity 09-0209- Multi Line Independent Adjusters- for those adjusters interested in daily claims that have both property and liability claims experience for either Property or Auto Claims. Please provide complete details on the type of property AND liability claims you have experience handling as well as information on the carriers and adjusting firms you have handled claims for.

Job Opportunity 09-0210- Casualty Adjusters- Auto or Property Only- This opportunity is for applicants who have a liability background only and interested in Casualty assignments as an independent adjuster. Please be very specific on the types of liability claims handled such as premise liability claims, dog bite claims, etc

Job Opportunity 09-0211- Marine Adjusters- for experience personal watercraft adjusters for catastrophe and/or daily claims. Must be familiar with boat and jet ski repair estimates and methods of repair. Please be sure to include information as to any Section II Liaibility or Medical Payments claim experience under your typical pleasure craft boatowners policies.

Job Opportunity 09-0212 Two Story Rope and Harness Team Adjusters- have you completed rope and harness certification safety courses and willing to work on a two story rope and harness team either as the assistant or team leader for the rope and harness team? Submit resumes explaining your experience on rope and harness two or more stories roof assignments with details as to whether the experience covers residential and/or commercial.

Job Opportunity 09-0213- Staff Adjuster positions Auto and Property- Interested ONLY in Staff adjuster positions? If so please use this job code if you are an experienced adjuster. Be specific if you are mobile or do not wish to relocate. Include minimum salary expectations in cover email. We will match you with insurance company job opportunities for staff adjusters. Please note that the majority of insurance companies do require a minimum of a two year degree for consideration for the majority of openings for claims adjusters or claim management opportunites but prefer a Bachelor degree for consideration.

Job Opportunity 09-0214- Claim Management jobs for staff/ carriers only- please be sure you include all educational achievements on continuing education such as AIC Associates in Claims, CPCU courses, SCLA courses, and any other continuing insurance programs as these are often a prerequisite for management positions. Include other details as requested above i.e..adjusting firms and carriers you have managed claims for before, span of control, management duties, as well as any carrier certifications completed. Please be specific when submitting your resume as to whether you are mobile or not.

Job Opportunity 09-0215- Claim Management Opportunities- Field/Inside- Catastrophe Duty- Property- Please provide usual details mentioned above for catastrophe adjusters but include details of prior catastrophe management positions held to include span of control, length of assignments, adjusting firms and carriers involved as well as types of claims you managed. Specify field and/or inside only on your cover email.

Job Opportunity 09-0216- Claim Management Opportunities- Field- Catastrophe-Auto Claims- includes management of auto claim adjusters working in the field through shops, drive through carrier operations, claim offices, and other assigned locations. Please provide complete details on prior auto claims management positions.

Job Opportunity-09-0217- Claim Examiners-Catastrophe-non management-do you have experience examining files worked by adjusters in the field through Claim Management- CMS systems for review prior to submission to the carrier for pre-approval of files to verify file documents comply with carrier file requirements? Please provide all details if you are requesting consideration for these opportunities to include type of claim such as residential, auto, commercial, etc

Job Opportunity 09-0218- Claim Trainee Opportunities- Catastrophe-Auto and Property- if you have successfully completed your state adjusters license exam and are seeking claim adjuster trainee opportunities, please use this job opportunity code when submitting your resume for consideration.

Job Opportunity 09-0219- Claim Trainee Adjusters- Insurance Carrier or Independent Adjusting Firm positions- Non Catastrophe- for those who have successfully completed your state adjusters license exam interested in non catastrophe claim adjuster trainee openings that do not involve travel on storm assignments. Specify on your resume if you are mobile.

It is important that all resumes for adjusters with billingual skills include that information as we have many firms looking for billingual adjusters throughout the year. All resumes for non catastrophe positions do need to specify your Objective (position/s desired) and whether or not you are mobile. If you are mobile, please specify cities you would consider.

Citizens of FL now has a new date published for new RFP for 9/30/08

 

This notice was posted 8/26/08 on the Purchasing Link for RFP 08-0016 saying the new RFP will be posted by 9/30/08:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/purchasing-current_reqs.cfm

 

 

INDEPENDENT ADJUSTERS FOR DAILY

AND CATASTROPHIC CLAIMS

RFP # 08-0016

NOTICE / UPDATED RELEASE INFORMATION

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The Rebid of RFP No. 08-0016 Independent Adjusters for Daily and

Catatrophe Claims is in review and will be issued by September 30, 2008.

Please monitor the Citizens Purchasing website for the notification of the

rebid at

 

 

 

www.citizensfla.com

.

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation

Purchasing Department

Citizens Center

2101 Maryland Circle

Tallahassee, FL 32303

(850) 575-0936Facsimile

E-mail:

Purchasing@CITIZENSfla.com

 

 

Tropical Storm Fay heads towards FL- Standby calls abound!

 

Adjusters are reporting receipt of numerous standby emails from adjusting firms nationwide with the impending arrival of TS Fay early this week. Many are headed to Citizens of FL duty already in preparation for the arrival of TS Fay.

Here is the latest of hurricane advisories based on the 5am advisory. The storm is moving more east than originally expected and this link shows the projected path:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/090246.shtml?3day#contents

We will continue to update the blog later today as our staffing firm also receives standby requests for adjusters on our rosters. Watch for updates late today.

Please send your resumes to Dimechimes Claims Staffing and Claim Training should you need to update your resume or wish consideration for opportunities to deploy as they become available. All contact information is found on the About page here on the blog.

Citizens of FL Cancels RFP for Independent Adjusters yet another time in 2008- Rebid now times 4

We are still playing catch up on important developments in the claims industry while we were out the majority of July due to my daughter’s hospitalization and 2 deaths in the family we are sad to have experienced this past month.

Citizens of FL was to make an announcement about adjusting firms selected to work daily (non catastrophe) claims the week of July 8, 2008. Instead, in unbelievable fashion, Citizens posted a cancellation announcement on their website that RFP08-0016 which was the third time adjusting firms had to submit request for proposal documents to Citizens in 2008 for consideration to handle their assignments.

Is what is most interesting is that the Citizens of FL Claim Committee report to the Board of Govenors on 6/18/08 included a recommendation of 30 adjusting firm names they proposed to use on the daily claims beginning in July 2008 and catastrophe claims beginning in June 2009.

The cancellation announcement tells us little other than to watch the website to rebid. We received this information initially from three claim adjusting firm owners who were absolutely shocked as well to find out that their much hard work was again for naught. See notes added after this blog written in last paragraph below updating with Citizens 6/19/09 minutes of the meetings which might give you further clues into the reason for the changes.

While none of us have any details regarding the reasoning, I am curious if the latest cancellation which will require adjusting firms bid yet a 4th time in 2008 to be considered for assignments has anything to do with the Board of Govenors director making an announcement at the June 18, 2008 meeting announcing his resignation as well as the Citizens Task Force on Claims handling issuing it’s final report (yet their site says to watch for an update in August 2008). Watch next week if their notice is accurate that they would have the rebid RFP process announcement up within 30 days which should be next week. The only thing we do not wonder at this time is if it was due to the adjusting firms who bid last time. A review of the 30 firms recommended in the Claims Committee and Board agenda notes linked to below shows some of the largest and most reputable firms in the industry such as Pilot and Crawford which both would have been newcomers to the RFP process and announcements as they were not among the players in the 2007/2008 Cat adjusting firms or daily claim firms leaving us all to wonder….WHAT WAS IT THIS TIME!

Here are links to the various announcements mentioned above:

Citizens notice that they were cancelling for rebid RFP 08-0016:

Board of Governors announcement not only that Chairman Bruce Douglas would be retiring BUT ALSO that the Board members terms all end 7/31/08 and we have yet to see the announcement about who the new Board members will be:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/pressreleases.cfm?show=text&link=/shared/press/articles/06_19_2008_2.html

Citizens of FL Task Force Final Report ( watch for another post in the next few days about errors easily spotted in this report when you compare details in the report with Board Claim Committee meeting minutes):

http://taskforceoncitizensclaimshandling.org/images/FinalReport61108.pdf

Here is a link to the 6/18/08 Claim Committee Board Meeting notes that contains the list of 30 firms in attachment 3E in the left hand column:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/mDetails_boardmtgs.cfm?event=256&when=Past

 

Here is the link to the 6/19/09 Board of Governor’s Meeting notes where you will again see the recommendations for the 30 adjusting firms- look at document 11C for the list in the list on the left side of the page for the list submitted to the Board of Governors:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/mDetails_boardmtgs.cfm?event=227&when=Past

Here is the notice of July 11, 2008 found in several locations on their website:

https://www.citizensfla.com/shared/purchasing/pdfs/notice-rfp08-0016.pdf

You will find it here as well now with the other RFP 08-0016 documents:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/purchasing-current_reqs.cfm

It is posted under Current notices as well here:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/purchasing-current_notices.cfm?show=pdf&link=/shared/purchasing/pdfs/notice-rfp08-0016.pdf

We will continue to keep you updated since so many independent adjusters and adjusting firms we speak with are interested in this ongoing saga and the plight for their independent adjusting firms who have gone to great expense training adjusting to comply with Citizens training requests for Independent adjusters as well as the cost and time they incurred putting together the past 3 RFP’s for naught.

We are all fortunate that both Hurricane Dolly and TS Edouard missed FL in 2008 to hopefully give Citizens time to get their act together regarding independent adjusters which they have been relying on to handle a very heavy percentage of their assignments. My heart goes out to fellow claim associates who have tried to be patient and comply with all of the Citizens training requests for online and field training classes ( does Citizens not understand Independent adjuster vs employee staff adjuster? )and to my friends and family in FL who we fear will suffer more than necessary in the aftermath of any major storm with the lack of decision making evidenced by the continual posting of RFP’s for independents followed by cancellations LONG AFTER the RFP deadlines for each were given. It is just too hard to believe this could be going on right in the heart of hurricane season in FL. Fortunately, Citizens is to operate off the 2007 list of 46 vendors this cat season but you can just imagine how dedicated those adjusting firms will be with their claim resources versus servicing claims of another carrier they can rely on to make a decision BEFORE they commit their time and resources to their needs. According to this document posted in the upcoming August 7, 2008 meeting agenda notes, they are seeking $9,100,000 in funding for Claim Administration contract fees:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/mDetails_boardmtgs.cfm?show=PDF&link=https://www.citizensfla.com/bnc_meet/docs/04A_CA_Index.pdf&event=228&when=Future

While the task force was designed to review pending claims from the years 2004/2005, Florida needs to do whatever needs to be done to designate a PROACTIVE task force to study the continued problems with the claim handling RFP issues BEFORE it’s too late and a storm hits and a committee at that point can only be REACTIVE after there is a problem. If you agree with this sentiment, you should send a link to this article to the Task Force contacts or your local congressman before you suffer a claim and cannot get service. You will find Task Force members and contact information on their site:

http://taskforceoncitizensclaimshandling.org/

The Citizens Board meeting notes posted on their website are still behind with the last minutes posted for April and the beginning of May so hopefully they will be updated in the future meetings. After beginning this blog entry, I did find that the August 7, 2008 Board of Governors meeting notes do contain the 6/19/08 Claim Committee notes and they show that the Board did approve the list of 30 in the 6/18 and 6/19 links below. Here is a link to the 6/19 meeting notes and you will find the comments on page 12 of 14 of those minutes. So the bottom line is from all reports on their website, they were going to approve the 30 firms. We have no idea why that changed except possibly the comments on a three year committment which differed from RFP 08-0016 service time frames. I guess we will all know what other differences may involved when the new RFP is listed. (Note this first link will move to PAST links after the 8/7 meeting if you are looking for it after that date)

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/mDetails_boardmtgs.cfm?show=PDF&link=https://www.citizensfla.com/bnc_meet/docs/01A_Draft_Summary_BOG_Minutes_06_19_08.pdf&event=228&when=Future

**Update- see 2 comments added for additional information and links

Hurricane Dolly Makes Landfall in Texas-Checking Availability for Rosters

 

We are receiving numerous inquiries and stand by requests from adjusting firms as I am sure most independent adjusters individually are receiving. We will be contacting adjusters as we receive more definite information on deployment opportunities. If you have not already submitted a resume and would like consideration for any staffing requests received, please view our Opportunities link for a detailed list of information we need contained in your resume for immediate consideration (preference to those with TX resident or non resident license). We have a heavy request list for large loss commerical adjusters and for billingual adjusters as well.

This is the latest NOAA report stating Hurricane Dolly now has sustained winds of 100 mph and currently a category 2 hurricane:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/231457.shtml

WTNT34 KNHC 231457
TCPAT4
BULLETIN
HURRICANE DOLLY ADVISORY NUMBER  13
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL042008
1000 AM CDT WED JUL 23 2008

…DOLLY VERY NEAR THE TEXAS COAST WITH 100 MPH WINDS…EYE SHOULD
CROSS THE COAST IN A FEW HOURS…

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF TEXAS FROM
BROWNSVILLE TO CORPUS CHRISTI…AND FOR THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF
MEXICO FROM RIO SAN FERNANDO NORTHWARD TO THE BORDER BETWEEN MEXICO
AND THE UNITED STATES.  PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY
SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

AT 10 AM CDT…1500 UTC…THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING NORTH OF PORT
O’CONNOR HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.  A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN
EFFECT FROM NORTH OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO PORT O’CONNOR.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FROM LA
PESCA TO SOUTH OF RIO SAN FERNANDO.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 1000 AM CDT…1500Z…THE CENTER OF HURRICANE DOLLY WAS LOCATED
BY RADAR AND A RECONNAISSANCE PLANE NEAR LATITUDE 26.0 NORTH…
LONGITUDE 97.0 WEST OR ABOUT 30 MILES…50 KM… EAST-NORTHEAST OF
BROWNSVILLE TEXAS.

DOLLY IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 7 MPH…11 KM/HR.
A WEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION WITH A SLIGHT DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED
IS EXPECTED LATER TODAY.  ON THE FORECAST TRACK…THE EYE OF
HURRICANE DOLLY WILL BE CROSSING THE COAST NEAR THE TEXAS/MEXICO
BORDER IN A FEW HOURS. PERSONS ARE ADVISED NOT TO VENTURE OUTDOORS
DURING THE RELATIVE CALM OF THE EYE BECAUSE WINDS WILL SOON
INCREASE QUITE RAPIDLY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 100 MPH…160
KM/HR…WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  DOLLY IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. STRONGER WINDS…ESPECIALLY IN
GUSTS…ARE LIKELY ON HIGH RISE BUILDINGS. SOME ADDITIONAL
STRENGTHENING IS POSSIBLE BEFORE LANDFALL.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES…35 KM…FROM
THE CENTER…AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140
MILES…220 KM. PORT ISABEL AIRPORT JUST MEASURED 54 MPH…87 KM/HR
SUSTAINED WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 70 MPH…113 KM/HR. AN UNOFFICIAL
OBSERVER JUST EAST OF MATAMOROS MEXICO REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS OF
65 MPH…105 KM/HR WITH GUSTS TO 119 MPH…192 KM/HR.  

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE
PLANE WAS IS 964 MB…28.47 INCHES.

DOLLY IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10
INCHES…WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES…OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTH
TEXAS AND NORTHEASTERN MEXICO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.  THESE RAINS
WILL LIKELY CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTH
TEXAS AND NORTHEAST MEXICO.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 6 TO 8 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS…ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES…CAN BE
EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTH TEXAS TODAY
AND TONIGHT.

REPEATING THE 1000 AM CDT POSITION…26.0 N…97.0 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTHWEST NEAR 7 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…100 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…964 MB.

INTERMEDIATE ADVISORIES WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 1200 PM CDT AND 200 PM CDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE
ADVISORY AT 400 PM CDT.

$$
FORECASTER AVILA

Here is some pertinent information and links you will find useful should you be considering deployment opportunities for  Hurricane Dolly and emergency preparedness information coming out in the news:

Texas Department of Insurance Adjuster License Information:

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/licensing/agent/index.html

Texas Department of Insurance Emergency Adjuster License information (for those who do not carry the Resident or Non Resident adjusters license):

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/IN/content/htm/in.013.00.004101.00.htm#4101.101.00

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/licensing/agent/revagtemeradj.html

Note that an adjuster must apply within 5 days of beginning work and the emergency adjuster license is only valid for 90 days unless that time is extended by the state.

Be sure to read this special memo to catastrophe adjusters and emergency adjusters in Texas for current information as well:

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/licensing/agent/agemeradj.html

Here is the link for the emergency adjuster form and other TX license forms:

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/webinfo/08qforms.html

It should be noted that the firms we have staffed for have all been requiring either a resident or non resident license versus allowing adjusters to operate on emergency licenses on all storms we have helped staff for this year so I have no doubt the same will apply to those we help deploy to Hurricane Dolly assignments since it is not a major catastrophe although the winds as of 10am have now increased to 100 mph.

Here is an interesting story from July 2008 on TX cracking down on unlicensed contractors you should also view:

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou080710_tnt_contractors.40e37006.html

This next link is also an interesting June 2008 news article on what financial impact is expected should a major storm hit the TX Coast and information on carriers there as well as impact on the TX Windpool:

http://polfeeds.com/item/Texas-Wind-Pool-Update

Also, in the event you need information to verify a  TX Public Adjuster license information, here are the links on the requirements of Public Adjusters in Texas:

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/licensing/agent/agpubadj2.html

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/licensing/agent/revaglityppia.html

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/IN/content/htm/in.013.00.004102.00.htm#4102.105.00

Texas Windpool Adjuster News Links:

http://www.twia.org/news.html#adjuster_news

Texas Windpool new policy limits and rates info effective 2/2008:

http://www.twia.org/pdf/uw_bulletins/limits_revise_bulletin_Nov2007.pdf

Info from Tx Windpool on changes to Loss of Rents January 2008:

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/alert/event/2008/documents/P-0907-13.pdf

The above link explains the proposed changes to Loss of Rents in Tx on secondary wind policies and below you will find the link to the hearing info on 1/29/08:

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/alert/event/2008/event20087.html

Link to Texas Windpool Forms and Endorsements:

http://www.twia.org/downloads.html

Here is a link to the Top 40 Homeowner Insurance Companies by market percentage for the State of Texas:

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/company/top40.html

 

 

If you are a newer adjuster and missed many prior blog entries on standby, independent contracts, temporary housing links to find housing for your assignment, you will want to review these prior blog entries providing you still current information:

1) What shots does CDC recommend for disaster workers (be sure to check this out if you are working flood claims):

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/what-shots-does-cdc-recommend-for-disaster-workers-watch-for-more-flood-adjuster-training-info-this-week/

2) Ladder Safety Concerns:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/ladder-safety-concerns-for-adjusters-safety-equipment-suggestions/

3) Claim Adjuster and Agency Relationships- Part I and II:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/08/08/agents-can-make-you-or-break-you-the-often-overlooked-piece-of-the-claim-service-puzzle/

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/claim-adjuster-and-agent-relationships-part-ii/

4) Standby Calls for Adjusters Part I and II:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/09/10/the-big-c-commitment-problems-with-independent-adjuster-relationships-advice-by-guest-blogger-rocke-baker/

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/commitment-part-2-standby-calls-what-should-i-do-how-are-cat-codes-determined/

5) Here is the prior blog on working claims in Mexico with links to information you need to know to work claims there:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/08/20/hurricane-dean-info-on-adjusting-firms-working-in-mexico-misc-adjuster-needs-in-mexico/

6) Crisis Intervention while working Catastrophe Claims:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/08/16/crisis-intervention-while-catastrophe-adjusting-by-guest-blogger-steve-ebner/

7) Temporary Housing and RV Park Information for Adjusters and Insured ALE needs:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/08/15/temporary-housing-links-for-adjusters-temporary-housing-optionsadditional-living-expense-training/

8 ) Understanding Independent Adjusting Firm Contracts:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/splish-splash-dont-go-takin-a-bath-understanding-independent-firm-contracts/

9) Understanding Adjuster Fee Schedules:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/adjuster-fees-in-the-news-the-time-is-now-to-educate-the-insurance-media-and-press/

10 ) Disaster Communications- Throw Away Cellphones You Say?

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/08/06/disaster-communication-issues-and-throw-away-phones-you-say/

11) Time Management Skills- Starting a Storm:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/07/29/time-management-skills-how-to-start-a-storm-by-lenz-with-mariposaltd-claims/

12) Catastrophe Adjuster Resumes Do Differ:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/07/26/catastrophe-adjuster-resumes-the-requirements-to-get-noticed-do-differ/

13) How much income can I make as an adjuster?

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/07/26/most-commonly-asked-question-is-how-much-income-can-i-make-as-an-adjuster/

14) Carrier Certification Requirements (you may not be able to deploy with them for some major carriers):

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/insurance-carrier-claim-certifications-where-do-you-test-for-them-much-improvement-needed-in-the-process-of-certifying-independent-adjusters/

Note, should you be looking for TX based independent adjusting firms for additional deployment opportunities here are several links which may be of use to you:

National Association of Independent Adjusters (you can search companies by state. This is an excellent link as NAIIA has experience and reputation requirements for member firms which should provide a safety net to adjusters looking for reputable adjusting firms):

http://www.naiia.com/   * See search tool to search state of TX in top left of home page

National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters:

http://www.nacatadj.com/Members08/MDList/Business.aspx

Catadjuster.org Employer listing search by state:

http://www.catadjuster.org/Directory/tabid/64/agentType/ViewType/PropertyTypeID/37/Default.aspx

Catadjuster.org Vendor Ratings (Also be sure to enter Vendor Feedback in search tool to check some available information on Independent firm reputations with adjusters:

http://www.catadjuster.org/Channels/EmployerRatings.aspx

Catadjuster.org Vendor Feedback Forum Archive Information:

http://www.catadjuster.org/Forums/tabid/60/forumid/40/postid/1915/view/topic/Default.aspx

We wish all adjusters reporting very safe travels! We will be contacting those on our rosters as our needs are definite.

Update 1pm CST:

Links to current damage reports at South Padre Island:

http://www.spislandbreeze.com/news.php

Counties involved in Hurricane Dolly landfall area:

Cameron County: Population in 2005- 374,000 plus- see Census reports and links to local hotels,etc:

http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/popInfo.php?locIndex=22606

Links to other Cameron County info such as motels and airports:

http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=22606#Cens

Road closure information for Cameron County to check for Road Conditions:

http://apps.dot.state.tx.us/travel/road_conditions2.htm

Willacy County poplulation- approximately 20,000 and other census info:

http://www.city-data.com/county/Willacy_County-TX.html

Willacy County Road closure information:

http://apps.dot.state.tx.us/travel/road_conditions2.htm

This news report states many more in the path of the storm and discusses some of the current damages witnessed:

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/topnews/story/419810.html

Tx Emergency Management Situation reports (latest about 1pm):

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/sitrepindex.htm

Breaking News- Citizens has posted 30 firms selected for Tier 1 on new RFP

Special thanks to the claims manager who has shared that Citizens has now posted the names of the 30 adjusting firms selected to fill the new RFP for daily and catastrophe claims.

The information is not in the usual Awarded or Closed Purchasing documents but is listed in the FUTURE Meeting dates section for the Board of Govenor meetings due to a 6/18/2008 2:30 PM Claims Committee meeting where they are seeking approval on their selection of these 30 firms out of the 69 firms submitting RFP documents.

Here are the links to read all of their uploaded documents as they have posted on their website:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/mDetails_boardmtgs.cfm?event=256&when=Future

**UPDATE 6/19- they’ve  now moved the meeting notes to the PAST meetings link when you click on the Board of govenors notes. Here is the new link where you’ll find all of the documents

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/mDetails_boardmtgs.cfm?event=256&when=Past

 

**note if your system is like mine, I get a security warning any time I try to access a Citizens web page but if you just keep refreshing your web browser the page will eventually come up

These are the documents they presently have uploaded on the left side of this link to the June 18, 2008 Claims committee meeting:

Meeting Documents:
Main Agenda Document:
Claims_Agenda_6_18_08.pdf
Agenda Items:

02A: 02A RFP 08 0016.pdf

02B: 02B 08 0016 Addendum.pdf

03A: 03A IA Daily CAT Exec Summary.pdf

03B: 03B Exhibit A RFP Timeline.pdf

03C: 03C Exhibit B Statement of Work.pdf

03D: 03D Exhibit C Contract Terms and Conditions.pdf

03E: 03E Exhibit D Firms Recommended.pdf

 

It is my understanding directly from the claim manager who advised the documents were posted that they have not yet received communication from Citizens notifying them that they were not selected/were selected. They found the information by searching the web site as well. I had been watching it every several hours for the announcement but in the usual places for Awarded and Closed purchasing documents.

This is a major disappointment for the firms not selected who participated and incurred the expense to host the new face to face training for the 2008 storm season and now “feel like lame ducks” knowing they will work catastrophe claims in 2008 but not selected for 2009. Our sympathies are with these firms.

Make sure to read all of the documents uploaded for their meeting this afternoon as they contain timelines for the transitions for the new firms who will be working as well as designated training periods for the new vendors.

We note that there are several firms not on the current list of 46 firms for the 2008 season so we’ll be furnishing website links for the new firms as soon as we have the list completed for our members over at ClaimSmentor.

Current Claim Adjuster Job Opportunities

We have been requested to staff for Nationwide Certified adjusters for one of our clients. We are looking for experienced adjusters who also have completed their Nationwide certification exams.

Should you be an experienced adjuster and need to obtain your Nationwide certification, we can place you in an upcoming FREE class taking place 6/20 and 6/21/08 with our client. Email us  should you need the class for more information. You must supply your resume for consideration and referral. All Contact info can be found on the About page here on the blog. 

We have also been asked by another client to update our Commercial Large Loss adjusters roster in preparation for hurricane season. Please email your resume for consideration to us if qualified. Please be sure your email/ resume includes specifics about the types of commercial claims and the type and size of the condominium claims you have handled. Include information on the carriers you have experience working commercial claims for.

We are also accepting resumes for experienced adjusters for the upcoming hurricane season as well as for daily claims. With the large number of hail storms and tornado losses the past month, many adjusting firms are rapidly running through their rosters and are requesting staffing assistance.

You can find all information we need from applicants at our staffing firm site on the Opportunities tab. See About page here on the blog for all contact info.

Carrier requirements are much stricter this year. Many adjusting firms are requiring that you have non resident licenses versus operating under emergency adjuster licenses due to the fact many of the storms this year while causing serious damage did not generate the number of claims for a state to approve emergency adjusters thus to work claims in a state not declaring approval of emergency licenses you must have a non resident license. I will blog more about that next week and provide information that many of the adjusting firms are presenting as far as the states they are recommending you secure your non resident license in (states prone to storms).

Unfortunately, on some recent staffing requests we had to turn down even some very experienced adjusters because the carrier would make NO exception allowing experienced adjusters to deploy as they did not have that carrier’s current certification exam completed. We all know those requirements become more lax during a major catastrophe but thus far most carriers are not being flexible about waiving this requirement.

Review our FAQ for more information on our process. There is never a charge to the adjuster as all fees are paid by the insurance carrier or adjusting firm engaging our services:

http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/faq-and-current-job-opportunity-infocatastrophe-roster-opportunities-august-2007/

Final Reminder for 40 hours Fundamentals of Claims Class to begin 6/9/08- Also Vendor and Carrier Field Claims Mentor Opportunities- Post Yours Now

We are beginning our next online LIVE 40 Hour Fundamentals of Claims Class Monday June 9, 2008 .

 All information on the class and registration information for ClaimSmentor is listed in this blog topic:

 http://dimechimes.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/next-40-hour-online-live-fundamentals-of-claims-class-begins-june-2-2008/

**Note the start date was moved to 6/9/08 with first pre-class reading assignments to be posted this Friday and self study guides on ALE, Contents Claims, and much more to be emailed out to class participants this Saturday.

**********

These are very exciting days for many of the ClaimSmentor trainees who have received their first assignments for deployment on hail storms nationwide. We are most appreciative to the adjusting firms offering these folks trainee opportunities to work in the field as assistants to experienced adjusters on rope and harness teams to assure their first files go well and to assure great claim customer service is provided to insureds.

If your firm is offering field claim mentor opportunities this hail or hurricane season with the vast number of storm claims now being reported, we will post these opportunities in our Career Forum at ClaimSmentor for trainee adjusters to submit their resumes to your designated HR personnel. We have worked with hundreds of trainee adjusters since the inception of ClaimSmentor (now going into our third year) and can attest to the fact that most of these adjusters have obtained their adjuster resident and non resident licenses, obtained many of the required carrier certification courses, and done much more to obtain excellent claim training from ClaimSmentor as well as from many other reliable training sources.

We hope one day to see Insurance company claims departments offer storm season claim intern opportunities to independent adjusters similiar to the programs many insurance companies offer to college students and summer intern opportunities for teachers. Having worked in the claim management carrier ranks and interviewed hundreds of folks for trainee positions, I can attest to the fact these are much more qualified trainee adjusters having their licenses, estimate software classes, construction backgrounds and agency backgrounds, as well as much more training then you ever find by candidates applying for trainee positions normally have. This will save carriers months of training and also help resolve some of the baby boomer retirement and personnle issues many carriers are facing today. Join ClaimSmentor today if you are in HR at the carrier level or adjusting firm level and have free access to our rosters and view these folks resumes yourself.

You will be pleasantly surprised to find such a large group (now 823 members) of valuable candidates! All registration info is on the About page here on the blog. Just advise you are HR personnel  or claim management with the carrier using your carrier email address and we can register you without further identification.

What role are rising gas prices going to play in your deployment decisions for Hurricane season 2008? Carriers and Adjusting Firms should meet the need!

Here is an interesting article by Dow Jones on how rising gasoline prices are going to increase the cost of claim settlements should a big one hit this coming hurricane season:

http://www.lloyds.com/CmsPhoenix/DowJonesArticle.aspx?id=393043

Basically, the cost of material goods from building material suppliers will rise due to transportation costs of materials,etc thus increasing the cost to settle not only building but contents claims.

What I wish they would have included in the article is the effect rising gasoline prices will have on independent adjusters decisions regarding deployment this hurricane season. For those not familiar with independent adjusters, they must pay their own expenses unlike staff adjusters who are employees for an insurance carrier who have their expenses covered by their employer- the insurance company.

Independent adjusters basically have four options:

1)Deploy and absorb the extra expense greatly cutting into their profits (which are now often greatly reduced to begin with due to partial assignments while the carrier staff works part of the coverage on contents and ale losses). Current hot topics on this subject include adjusters discussing different vehicle options moving from the SUV’s and trucks to smaller vehicles with better gas mileage. This presents a real issue for independent adjusters who live on the road following storms needing larger vehicles for one and two story ladders, estimatic and computer equipment, and living supplies needed for survival in often very unpleasant living circumstances at the beginning of any severe storm. Here’s a link to just two of many ongoing discussions on this topic: click here and here. The first link you may have to login to CADO to read as it’s in the adjuster den forums which require login. There is also a 3rd ongoing discussion about adjusters changing vehicles but I couldnt get my hands on the topic and will update this when I do so.

2) Deploy but only accept in office assignments in insurance companies claim central operations as many carriers have catastrophe claim central operations and use independents in this capacity for the great demand when necessary. I’ve seen many experienced independents accepting these assignments who in the past would never want to be tied to an in office cubicle environment on a daily rate instead of working off fee schedules on field inspections because of several issues to include the unfortunate increase in non paying adjusting firms on fee schedule handled files (they’ll know within 2 weeks  or so if the firm is paying or not working in office) and because of the guarantee of atleast biweekly if not weekly pay versus the unreasonable delay in some carriers offices in settling field catastrophe files so adjusters get paid (as well as insureds of course).

3) Many independent adjusters who prefer the independent adjuster lifestyle are moving to carrier staff adjuster positions. If you missed our blog on the pros and cons of each position- here is a link.

4) The last option is to leave the field altogether which many are doing due to the lack of work the past two seasons. They need a dependable stable income which the independent adjusting business has not been able to provide the last two years.

Here’s a link to an interesting AP article out this week indicating we are getting ready to break US records this tornado season on claims so hopefully independents are finding much more work these past few weeks. We’ve gotten some great news from long term ClaimSmentor trainees who picked up storm assignments in the past few weeks as assistants on rope and harness teams with some of the major independent adjusting firms which I feel sure is due to their committment to continuing adjuster education knowing these individuals who have definitely prepared for this career with licensing, estimatic courses, carrier certification exams successfully passed,  and field mentor training they’ve gone through. This is an outstanding opportunity for them to work with an experienced adjuster on the rope and harness teams to learn the practical application of all of their training in a real claims environment while being coached by this other half of their team. Hats off to the adjusting firms using this approach to develop new adjusters!

So what are some of the things adjusting firms and insurance companies can do to ensure more independents do not leave the field due to rising fuel costs?

1) Carriers and/or adjusting firms (depending on who is making the assignments to the independents)should ensure that their catastrophe claim automation folks on large cats or local field operations on smaller cats are using automated zoning systems utilizing the 9 digit zip codes to ensure that claims are assigned in tighter zones for independent assignments getting their group of claim assignments as close together as possible to  lower their gas expenses.

2) Hopefully, carriers and adjusting firms are all using current technology using CMS (Claim Management Systems) so adjusters can download assignments and upload inspection/claim documents without the need to waste precious fuel to come into pick up  and drop off assignments. CMS systems not only reduce fuel expenses but provide much more prompt settlement of claims for policyholders as carriers have immediate access to claim file documents. My top recommendation on CMS systems if you do not have one is Click Claims which won the AM Best’s Efusion Award for CMS systems- here’s a link if you want to take a free demo. I personally managed adjusters throughout FL during the 4 in 04 hurricanes in FL and cannot image accepting an assignment working without this particular program again. By the way, vendors using email only processes for catastrophe claim documents should be history as it leads to nothing but confusion and loss of claim file documents and unnecessary delays in processing file closures for prompt payments to insureds when no one can find the emailed documents. I am also aware of numerous new adjusters who were burned on adjuster fees when files were not uploaded in their name after emailing them in and a supervisor uploaded them into a different adjuster’s name. I was totally surprised but heard it enough to believe it was true for some inexperienced adjusters.

3) Keep unit meetings during a storm to a limited number reserved for critical information sharing otherwise minor details can be shared by email and teleconferences where managers conference call unit members versus requiring travel to cat offices. This would apply to meetings required by adjusting firms and for insurance carriers.

4) Many adjusting firms share in any gas allowance fees which may be incorporated into a carrier’s fee schedule. For instance, if the fee split in the independent contract with the adjuster is 60% to the adjuster and 40% to the adjusting firm, the firm will take their 40% of the mileage allowance as well as the gross billing on the amount of loss fee. One of the forum links above had adjusters discussing this issue. I’d like some light shed on this practice by SOME adjusting firms as I do not see any reason whatsoever that an adjusting firm should be taking a percentage of the travel fees when they incurred ZERO percent of the cost. If there are reasons they do so, please reply and let us know!

For those that aren’t famililar with insurance company  independent fee schedules, many require the adjuster go a given number of miles with no allowance such as 50 miles before they then consider an allowance for mileage traveled. Typical schedules say the first 50 miles is included in the regular fee on the claim.

Adjusting firms that are doing this should consider offering 100% of the travel allowance to the independent adjuster incurring the cost. Adjusting firms should also consider negotiating a gas allowance per claim particularly if the independent adjuster is assigned a rural territory incurring unreasonable mileage. During the 4 in 04, I had no trouble negotiating a gas allowance for our independent adjusters with many regional carriers at all. I know some carriers such as the recent Citizens RFP says there will be no negotiating on their fee schedule. This could work to their detriment if other insurance carriers are allowing this gas mileage allowance.

5) Carriers can host carrier certification classes online through podcasts and webinars versus requirements adjusters travel to their pre-qualified independent firms offices for testing. Today many offer IDL (Interactive Distance Learning) webinars the adjusters can take in field locations throughout the nation at agents or carrier regional offices yet they then require the independent adjuster actually travel to the independent adjusting firms assigned their claims to take the actual certification test which follows the IDL. For example, an adjuster residing in FL may be able to watch the preliminary IDL in FL at a regional office for the carrier yet the closest adjusting firm office to take the test is in LA. This makes no sense when the carriers can provide monitored testing at the same locations at their offices where the IDL sessions are held or use an examination center like the AICPCU program does for the CPCU or AIC exams where they are proctored at local colleges.

6) Carriers should seriously consider helping with this problem by assigning rural territories to their staff adjusters as their gas expenses are covered if they wish to keep independents working claims. This may not be possible during the clean up phase where territory assignments are more difficult but this should be no problem whatsoever at the onset of a large storm.

Carriers need to consider that independent adjusters when not deployed on cat are working other positions at home and also do not have unlimited time to take off of daily work they are doing at home to travel during the week to take all of the various carrier certification exams required for them to work claims and should also consider offering these exams and IDL programs on Saturdays.

7) Adjusters- have you considered two story rope and harness team assignments where you split the fuel costs? Most of these assignments are paid on daily rates so you will also be paid regularly and on a stable schedule.

8 ) Carriers need to consider claim managers dedicated to reviewing and approving independent claim files as they are often set aside by cat managers to review later due to the extra work involved reviewing and approving the fee bill. During the storms in 04, it wasn’t uncommon to have delays of 60-90 days AND MORE on adjusting firms being paid due to back logs in carrier claim operations reviewing and approving files. Thankfully, that year the FL Dept of Insurance imposed many deadlines on claim closures which helped atleast get them processed a bit more timely. The intent was to get the settlement money in the hands of insureds which is most important but it didn’t hurt getting the payments to independent adjusting firms either.

9) Adjusting firms definitely need to increase their office personnel during a major storm. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of managing independent adjusters and trying to keep them happy and funded when the adjusting firm had far below the number of office personnel to timely invoice the carrier on claims and just as important to timely follow up on unpaid invoices. Adjusters will not be able to sustain themselves this year for 60-90 day time frames with fuel expenses this high and ever going higher should a hurricane hit. Office staff also needs to be mentored on the importance of processing these payments when payments do come into the adjusting firm for timely payment to the adjusters. I have witnessed too often some pretty rude comments coming from office staff such as “if they want a regular paycheck go get a staff job” which does nothing for adjuster/adjusting firm relationships. In another case, at 4pm sharp each day the office staff walked out the door at 4pm as the adjusting firm wouldn’t authorize overtime at a time it was sorely needed to set up new catastrophe assignments and process invoices. Listen folks, if you don’t keep adjusters funded for work they have professionally completed, we will all see the fall of the independent industry. Due to partial assignments from the carrier and poor payment practices on the carrier thus the adjusting firm part, many independent adjusters are finding it most difficult to continue on this career path. This is not to say all adjusting firm office staff are negative, there are many adjusting firms who are proactive on invoicing and their staff runs an excellent operation. Adjusters just need to determine quickly what type of operation they are dealing with and depart the assignment at the first sign of payment issues.

A recent example is the Citizens policy posted in recent RFP documents where they indicate they have 30 days to pay the adjusting firm from the time a claim is submitted yet they require the adjusting firm pay the adjuster within 14 days of assignment.  So………..should all go like clock work an independent adjuster would be looking at a minimum of six weeks before they get paid on a claim from the day it is submitted for closure. How many Americans would work for six weeks without pay …not many I’d venture to guess and they are in a stable home environment not incurring hotel and these excessive fuel charges to service claims.

Here are some other ideas not just adjusting firm and carrier specific but some great ideas:

Offering incentives and rewards in the form of gas gift cards to employees is mentioned in this article which says in part:

A small but growing number of employers are offering gas and commuting incentives to help workers get to work. A May 6, 2008, survey of 553 human resource managers found the percentage of companies offering gas cards as employee rewards more than doubled between 2007 and 2008 — from 6 percent to 14 percent. The study, conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, also noted that companies are organizing car pools, offering telecommuting options and public transportation discounts and giving cash incentives for employees to buy hybrid cars.

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/gas-card-price-poll-1277.php

How about gas card incentives offered by various hotel chains- you’ll be amazed at the results if you just enter “gas card incentives” in a google search to find results like the following article with numerous offers by hotel chains:

http://www.travelpost.com/articles/save-on-gas.aspx

Here’s another cool tool adjuster’s would find useful to calculate your fuel costs to deploy to another city for catastrophe duty based on your vehicle and your route from AAA:

http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com

Here is another great site for determining gas prices nationwide, mapping your trip and finding the best deals on gas along the way:

http://gasbuddy.com/

This is just another  challenging opportunity for us to work together with carriers, adjusting firms, and adjusters to find ways to solve this problem to properly service claims for our policyholders. We need to meet this challenge BEFORE the first hurricane hits by establishing plans for dealing with these gas price issues facing independent adjusters. June 1, 2008 is just days away….what a GREAT time to establish and announce your independent adjuster friendly policy for meeting the needs to cover this fuel cost crisis for independents this season!

If you know of other fuel cost savings for adjusters or some innovative way firms and carriers are dealing with this issue…feel free to reply and share your ideas with our readers.

Colorado Hail/ Tornado of May 22, 2008- Updated Damage Reports

That was quite some storm in Colorado yesterday and the hail damage report sizes shown on the NOAA storm reports indicates there was major hail there. Here’s some of the best of the news reports we located and other information you may need if heading to CO for tornado/hail storm duty:

Here’s one of the best stories with details on the structural damage:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080523/ap_on_re_us/severe_weather

 

State Farm’s CO Regional office suffers storm damage and Dept of Insurance encourages insureds encouraged to call SF corporate instead:

http://www.krdo.com/Global/story.asp?S=8368796

Colorado Dept of Insurance website:

http://www.dora.state.co.us  (Nothing on site about adjuster’s licenses- I don’t believe they are required)

Colorado Dept of Insurance Market Share and Carrier Insurance Dept complaint info- Good link for adjusting firms looking for insurance companies to market their services to with their market share for these storm claims:
http://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/real/ins_comp_ratio_report.generate_report?p_report_id=Complaint%20Ratio%20Search%20Results&p_report_year=2006&p_policy_type=HOME&p_min_complaints=5&p_min_marketshare=0.10&p_report_format=HTML&p_report_type=Standard%20Reports&p_order_by=company_name

 Here’s several links to some interesting storm stories in the Denver post on the damage:

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9352829

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9352828

**look for the word tornados in the left side of the box on this second link to lots of video footage of the damage

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9352505

Here are yesterday’s NOAA storm reports showing the tornado and hail damage reports:

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/yesterday.html

**note if your accessing the storm report link after 5/23 then you’d enter 5/22/08 on the link to find these reports

Here’s the Windsor CO website showing neighborhoods closed to public and more info today on damage there and emergency shelters:

http://www.ci.windsor.co.us/

Weld County is the county listed in the NOAA storm reports- here is some helpful info on the Weld County Sheriff’s office site:

http://www.weldsheriff.com/

Very interesting info on how very large Weld County is- and other links you may need to their Building Inspector and Building and Permits numbers:

http://www.co.weld.co.us/

Weld County covers an area of 4,004 square miles in north central Colorado. It is bordered on the north by Wyoming and Nebraska and on the south by the Denver metropolitan area. The third largest county in Colorado, Weld County has an area greater than that of Rhode Island, Delaware and the District of Columbia combined. The climate is dry and generally mild with warm summers, mild winters and a growing season of approximately 138 days. Read more…

Here are some interesting statistics on the most costly storms in the Rocky Mountain region:

http://www.rmiia.org/Catastrophes_and_Statistics/catastrophes.htm#regional

I’ll update this blog post throughout the day as we locate carrier damage numbers.

Citizens of FL New RFP- Revised TIMES 3!

Recall our prior blog on the 2nd Citizens RFP for Daily and Catastrophe Adjusting firms? Here is a link to that blog. That blog was  regarding the 4/22/08 RFP (Request for Proposal) for Adjusting firms wishing consideration to work 2008/2009 claims (date depends on if it is daily or catastrophe assignments as explained in the RFP).

The April 22, 2008 RFP was to replace the one Citizens posted and cancelled earlier in the year. Here’s the link to our earlier blog on the first cancellation if you missed it.

Now- we find that Citizens yet again made a 3rd revision April 28, 2008 which is truly beyond believable that the number one insurer in the state of FL can behave so poorly when getting it together to work with independent adjusting firms who they are counting on to handle the majority of their claims – atleast for now that is (the percentages are reduced over the next few years per documents they have presented to the Citizens of FL Claim Task Force).

Tomorrow I’ll get into concerns with the RFP and their answers to questions presented by adjusting firms they posted on May 9, 2008 which should drive off even the most die-hard claims professionals when they review the answers Citizens posted. You can catch up on these documents by reviewing RFP 08-0016 and the revisions and addendums posted in the right column here:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/purchasing-current_reqs.cfm

VA Tornado Damage- The Carrier Claim Numbers Are Coming In

 

We have been monitoring the news for updates on the Carrier number of claims reported as a result of the tornado damage in VA this week in Suffolk County and other communities. Here are some news stories of interest quoting carriers. At this point, the number of the carriers polled in these news stories does not exceed 200 for any carrier so I do not imagine there will be a major need thus far for independent adjusters. Having said that, the news stories linked to below also indicate that homeowners still are not allowed into some areas due to power lines down and gas leaks so those numbers are expected to grow as many of the carriers interviewed indicated.

Here is information on the Declaration of an Emergency declared which normally triggers a state to allow adjusters in to operate under an emergency adjusters license. Checking the VA Dept of Insurance website, I am not finding any information related to adjuster emergency licenses or even resident adjuster licenses required. Here is a link to the Virginia Insurance Department-click here. I was able to get through to the VA Insurance Licensing division and spoke with “Richard” at 804-371-9631 and was advised that VA does not require a license for resident adjusters or emergency adjusters. Quite amazing and so NOT a good idea these days!

Here’s some great video footage of the damage in VA: click here

 According to the Virginia-Pilot news, none of the carriers were reporting more than 200 claims as of yesterday – here’s a link to their news article quoting several carriers and also indicating many homeowners have yet to be allowed to return to their neighborhoods thus they are expecting many more claims to be reported. Click here for the article. Also, according to this second article at the same site, the damage is expected to exceed 20 million dollars. Click here for the 2nd article. This next article contains a bit more information on damage and has some good links to photos of the damage as well. Click here to view.

The NAIIA (National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters) has 29 Adjusting firms listed for VA. Click here to view. This wouldn’t be all inclusive but a good start if your core firms you prefer aren’t sending folks in (and of course if we don’t get staffing requests for the assignment since the numbers are relatively low as far as deploying independents). Sometimes, the carriers will still deploy a few independents from some of the local firms who assist with daily claims and branch assist assignments when there isn’t enough work to warrant calling in their national catastrophe teams (usually requires 500 or more claims in a state as a result of one storm for most carriers). Here is also an AM Best Adjusters list of firms they list where you can search by state for firms-click here.

You will also find the link to the VA Fairplan for adjusters wanting to send them resume (site presently shows no employment opportunities but given the damage this week that could change) or for adjusting firms wishing to solicit their business- click here .

Citizens of FL Releases new RFP for Daily AND for Catastrophe Claims

 

Check back later today for more details on this comparing the new RFP to the prior cancelled RFP. We do have questions and things to point out you’ll want to be sure not to overlook!

************

If you missed our original blog notice about Citizens cancelling the RFP for Daily claims several month ago, here is a link: Click here

Citizens of FL has now posted (eff 4/22) the new Request for Proposal for not
only Daily (non catastrophe claims)for 2008-2011 but also for Cat claims for
2009-2011. There is less than one week for adjusting firms wishing consideration
to get their questions in to Citizens per the RFP information.

Adjusters will be interested in the experience requirements and the fee
schedules posted as well in Addendum A.

Here is the link to all information. I note quite a number of changes from the
original RFP to include rejection of your RFP if you contact anyone other than
the 1 contact provided, no fines listed in the new RFP (will they still go by
those in the Claims Manual?), and corporate business references for the
adjusting firms which may limit those applying to the firms in business for
several years versus new adjusting firms.

You can view all information here:

https://www.citizensfla.com/shared/purchasing/pdfs/08-0016%20-RFP%20Final.doc

Here is a link to all of the addendums to include Addendum A with the fee
schedules beginning on page 10:

https://www.citizensfla.com/shared/purchasing/pdfs/RFP%2008-0016.zip

Here is also a link to their purchasing site showing the 5/19/08 deadline for
RFP submissions(deadline for questions to be submitted is 4/29/08:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/purchasing-current_reqs.cfm

I’ll have a blog up shortly summarizing the differences from the original RFP
later today with some of the questions I have after viewing the new RFP at
www.dimechimes.wordpress.com .

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Citizens also has a job opportunity posted for a Catastrophe Ops Director and a
Sr VP of Claims you can view on their Career Opportunities link on their home page for details.

Here is a link to the old RFP documents if you want to jump start your comparison while I’m updating mine:

https://www.citizensfla.com/about/purchasing-archived_reqs.cfm (See Claims Admn for Daily Claims links)

Breaking News- Liberty Mutual Acquires Safeco

 The Insurance Journal is reporting that Liberty Mutual has acquired Safeco:

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2008/04/23/89365.htm

We’ll be doing additional research shortly to determine what these changes mean for adjuster certifications and provide more details on the adjusting firms you can take your Liberty Mutual certifications with as soon as we can acquire those details.

5.4 Earthquake hits Illinois and surrounding states 4/18/08- Watch here for staffing requests to follow

Fox News is reporting a 5.4 earthquake in Illinois- the strongest they say to hit the area in 40 years. Later reports are now saying 5.2 centered in eastern Illinois. They say it was felt in IL, IN. MO, KY, TN and others. Below you will find some of the initial reports. They are showing photos of brick damage to buildings in Louisville, KY now. Here are some of the initial reports. We’ll update this blog entry with more news and emergency adjuster licensing information in the states involved as the day progresses. We will also update this blog with all new staffing requests received as a result of this EQ as the week progresses so check back regularly.

EQ Info:

Us Geological website- see top left hand corner for today’s EQ info:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

This link provides info with distance from other cities- I see it’s only 38 miles from Evansville, Ind:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2008/us2008qza6/

Illinois EQ info website:http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/?region=Illinois

 

Fox news release:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351698,00.html

Here’s more news on Chicago and Indiana:http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=6338887&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

 

News out of Ft Wayne, Ind:

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080418/LOCAL/364069032/1002/LOCAL

News out of Grand Rapids, MI:

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/earthquake_centered_in_illinoi.html

This post will be edited with more information shortly.

Supplemental Request 4/18/08 for TX licensed/Nationwide Certified Adjusters

 

We have received a supplemental request (original was 4/11/08-click here for all details on prior blog post on the opportunity) for TX licensed (resident or non resident) adjusters who do HAVE their Nationwide Insurance carrier certification exam. Please see the prior link for all necessary information for consideration. We do need the approximate date of your Nationwide passing exam as well as the name of the vendor you took the exam through as the adjusting firm we are staffing firm must verify with Nationwide that you have completed their certification. No exceptions can be made. Last week we received resumes from some outstanding experienced adjusters but they did NOT have the Nationwide certification thus we were not able to submit their information for this particular opportunity.

We do welcome all applicants for future opportunities but for this particular one- the Nationwide certification AND the experience requirements must be met for consideration. All others- please just specify in the subject area of your email that you are requesting roster placement.

Note that a 5.4 Earthquake has hit today in Illinois, we’ll have more information up on that soon as well as posting information throughout the week on any additional staffing requests so check back often.