Getting Started

[Ninian]

Hello,

I recently got my 6-20 accredited claims adjuster liscense. I really want to get into the commercial side of adjusting. Can you please lead me in the right directions, company wise as well as professional wise?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You!

ANSWER: Melissa;

Congratulations on the license! You should be very proud! Now, as for what direction you should pursue next, it depends on where you're located. However, the largest companies/carriers, have adjusters all over the country and internationally. Personally, I would start looking on the company websites of carriers such as Travelers, Zurich, AIG, CHUBB, CNA, etc... I would look of course for openings in your area but see what information they have on their training programs too. Now there is one company that I worked for previously in my life that I also hold in VERY high regard. They are not only a quality company with a great reputation, they also have some of the best training in the industry. But again, I'm only speaking from my personal experience, I've never gone through the training process at the other carriers I mentioned who are also quality companies. With that said, Federated Insurance Company is the company I'm referring to. www.federatedinsurance.com

They'd also be a great fit since your desire is to be on the commercial side, rather than the personal. Federated only offers Personal Insurance in the state of Minnesota so unless you're in MN, you'd be adjusting only commercial claims. Now again, there are many great companies out there. I'd also suggest you look at these websites as well. www.greatinsurancejobs.com

www.insurancejobs.com

www.ultimateinsurancelinks.com

And lastly, I am also a proud member of the National Association of Insurance Women(International)

www.naiw.org

And we have chapters all across the country. The contacts and business relationships you can make through this organization are priceless. Our membership is open to ANYONE in the insurance industry, male or female, with any level of experience. Through our association there are also many opportunities to earn designations, continuing education, or just learn about other areas and grow as an insurance professional. By going to the national website I listed above, you can find a chapter in your area and begin networking right away!

Again, congratulations on your license and I hope this information has been helpful! If you need any further assistance, don't hesitate to email me again. Best of Luck!

Kristen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Federated Insurance Company looks like the best from what you have said, since I would like to start on the commercial side.  Do you think it is also wise to go for my 2-20?  I really don't want to go into being an agent in stuff but would it look better for companies?

Again THANK YOU so much for the information. I am currently located in Jacksonville, Florida and would like to relocate, so I am figuring I should go on with a National company and when I get trained I can asked to be transferred. I'm 19 and want to travel. Commercial seems to let you travel- even if it is a little bit.

ANSWER: Melissa,

I wouldn't put any more effort into another license just yet. Get out there, apply with some companies and see what their requirements are. If you find it necessary, pursue it. But if not, wait until you've found a great job and let the company assist you with training and other licenses/designations. With most of the companies I mentioned you would certainly have an opportunity to relocate. Check out the job websites I gave you, as well as the websites of the carriers directly, and I bet you'll find there are a lot of opportunities and a lot to chose from. Good luck!

Kristen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Sorry to bother you again.  I check out your sites and they were very helpful.  I have so many questions that come up with every step of my search. The major one is I dont have a four year degree or anything. I just went and took the test and made a 92 :-).  Most companies want someone with a degree.  Did you find it hard to get into the business with only your 6-20?  or did you already have a degree?  

Also I will be joining that organization you meantion as soon as I get the money:-)

[Mathers]

Melissa, Unfortunately, you're right, most companies require a college degree, but not all do so keep looking. I, personally, have never had an adjusters license of any kind, never been in claims. I have a Bachelors degree and that has certainly helped my career. But again, not all companies will require that you have one. Also, there may be independent adjusting companies in your area that represent the Insured, NOT the Insurance Company. Those types of companies I'm not very familiar with but it's certainly worth looking into. They may hire you, train you and who knows, maybe they'll offer tuition reimbursement and you can take advantage of that to get your degree. One thing to keep in mind, although you certainly have determination and discipline, with or without a degree, you'll have to start somewhere on the lower end of the ladder until you get experience. Considering the lack of degree and experience, if I were in your shoes, I'd look in the phone book to see if there are independent adjusting companies in your area and then call and ask if they're hiring. What have you got to lose? Nothing at all. Tell them that you have already gotten your 6-20, want nothing more than to be an adjuster and you're willing to do what it takes to learn the business. With your drive and determination, I bet someone will give you a shot. You might also want to look into State Farm or Allstate. Yes, they do more personal lines than commercial but for some reason I'm thinking they don't require a degree, but I'm not positive. If this is truly the career path you have chosen, if you find a co. that doesn't require a degree and offers tuition reimbursement, go for it!! Don't give a second thought to whether or not it's personal lines v. commercial. Because once you have your degree and several years of experience under your belt, you'll be able to apply at any insurance company in the country, any WHERE in the country for that matter. As for NAIW, I'm glad you're thinking about joining! You might want to reach out to your local association, Insurance Women of Jacksonville, and find out when their next meeting is,(we only meet once per month). The reason being, most of our associations allow you to attend your first meeting for free, so you can see how the assoc. operates, meet some members, the Officers, etc... Also, most of our local associations do not meet during the summer months so, you'd get the benefit of meeting some people, networking a bit and you could actually "join" in the fall, meaning you'll get some benefits without having to pay your membership dues for several months. Also, you'll see on our national website. www.naiw.org that we have many corporate partners, might give you some potential employers to look into and also, a lot of companies pay the membership fee and meeting fee's for employees who belong to our association so it's not out of your pocket! Look into it, I think having a group like that as a source of networking would be priceless for you. Good luck!

Kristen