Independent Adjusters
STAND OUT
Training, Education Vital to Competitiveness
There are certain immutable commonalities that unite people the world over. One is our reverence and child- like glee for Olympic hopefuls and superheroes alike—
long after the flame has been extinguished and Hollywood has
exhausted a seemingly endless barrage of sequels predicated on
graphic novels.
Part of the universal appeal of these
modern-day and fictional “heroes” is
their capacity for decisive action and
excellence. The commonalities between
Olympians and superheroes begin to dissipate when you examine their circumstances, motivations, and results. That is,
of course, to say nothing of their dramatic
intrinsic differences.
Dedication To Excellence
The Olympic Games are great because
the nations of the world gather to compete as equals. What sets the medalists
apart from the defeated is grace and precision under pressure. By contrast, superheroes may possess incredible strengths
and attributes because of dumb luck or
overcoming adversity.
Like Olympic athletes, real-life Joes
and Janes (those non-elite athletes among
us) are capable of excellence and astounding feats when competing for professional supremacy. This plays out
in the claims realm when
independent adjusters (IAs)
must vie for work. Thriving in a
feast-or-famine environment requires
that IAs be tenacious and resourceful in
availing themselves of all possible (formal
and hands-on) learning
opportunities.
While a profession marred in uncertainty is not for everyone, it does offer
avenues for personal and professional
development. Both insurance carrier
and independent adjusters must contend with emotional stress and volatility,
emerging legal exposures, time management, and complex cases that can play
out in surprising ways.
In operating their own businesses, IAs
must provide prompt, satisfactory service
to meet the expectations of their custom-
ers. Supplementing a carrier’s custom-
ary adjusting staff, individual IAs and IA
firms must keep fees must be reasonable,
their work exact, all in the face of the ris-
ing cost of doing business.
Certifiable Prowess
Simply put, embracing—and consequently touting—training acquired during
An Educational Arsenal
The demanding job of an IA
often does not carry with it the
promise of income or benefits.
