Hurricane Helene:The Storm, The Aftermath, and Why Now Is the Time to Become a Claims Adjuster

On September 26 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated the southeastern United States, making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Perry, Florida. Helene then cut a destructive path through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, leaving behind widespread flooding, damaged infrastructure, and power outages. With over $34 billion in estimated damage, this storm has had a profound impact on communities across these states.

As the storm waters recede, homeowners and businesses are left to pick up the pieces, and this is where claims adjusters step in. Property claims adjusters play a critical role in helping people rebuild their lives by assessing damage and facilitating the insurance claim process. In the aftermath of major disasters like Hurricane Helene, the demand for adjusters surges, creating significant opportunities for those entering this profession.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Become a Claims Adjuster
Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, which means the need for property claims adjusters continues to grow. If you’ve been considering a career change, becoming a claims adjuster offers both job security and the satisfaction of helping communities recover after disasters.

At MileHigh Adjusters Houston, we provide industry-leading training programs designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in property claims adjusting. Our boot camps are structured to ensure you’re fully equipped with the skills and expertise needed to handle complex claims in real-world situations.

Become the “Special Forces” of Adjusters with Our Boot Camps
At MileHigh Adjusters Houston, we offer four comprehensive boot camps, tailored to different experience levels:

“Alpha” Boot Camp (10 days) – Our core program teaches you the essentials of property adjusting, including Xactimate software and claim scoping.

“Bravo” Boot Camp (12 days) – Builds on Alpha by adding a specialized 2-day Contents Course, focusing on personal property claims.

“Charlie” Boot Camp (14 days) – Includes Alpha training and the Texas All-Lines Adjuster Licensing course, enabling you to work across multiple states.

“Delta” Boot Camp (16 days) – Combines all aspects of our training, from Texas Licensing to the Contents Course, making you a highly skilled adjuster ready for any challenge.

**Special Discount for the Final 3 Months of 2024**

Call for details: 281-741-8505 & speak with Chris or Mark! You’ll be glad you did!

The Adjusting Landscape in 2024: Becoming the “Special Forces” of Claims Adjusting

As we move through late September 2024, the claims adjusting industry finds itself in an unexpected position. Despite early predictions of an unprecedentedly active storm season, this year’s activity has been minimal. Adjusters are realizing that relying solely on catastrophe claims isn’t enough in today’s landscape. Now, more than ever, claims adjusters need to find their niche and establish themselves as elite professionals, like the Special Forces of the adjusting world.

Why 2024 Has Shifted the Claims Adjusting Landscape

While many anticipated a busy season, the lack of major storms has reshaped the landscape of property and casualty claims adjusting. Adjusters who prepared for non-stop deployments are now looking for ways to stay active. In this quiet period, claims adjusters who can adapt to daily claims or specialize in niche areas like auto or commercial property claims are the ones staying ahead of the curve.

Finding Your Niche in the Adjusting World

To thrive in 2024, it’s crucial to specialize in claims adjusting. Whether you’re focused on daily claims, desk adjusting, or mastering Xactimate software, now is the time to become an expert in a specific area. At MileHigh Adjusters Houston, we train adjusters to not only excel but to become the Special Forces of the industry, ready for any challenge—even in slower seasons.

For more on how we prepare you for a successful career in adjusting, check out our boot camps and how they transform adjusters into elite professionals.

How to Get Your Foot in the Door in 2024

Breaking into the industry as a new adjuster, especially in a quieter year, can be daunting. But this is where your special forces mentality comes into play. Start by focusing on training, networking with established professionals, and targeting roles in daily claims. There are still plenty of opportunities if you know where to look. Now is the time to build relationships and perfect your craft.

Learn more about how our Xactimate training helps adjusters become experts and get their foot in the door of this competitive industry.

Looking Ahead: Adapt or Miss Out

In this evolving industry, those who stand out are the adjusters who consistently improve and adapt. As we close out 2024, adjusters who embrace the special forces approach—those who continue to specialize, network, and remain versatile—will dominate the claims world. Don’t wait for the next big storm to define your career. Take charge now by finding your niche and becoming part of the elite.

Where to Find Work in the Insurance Adjusting Industry

MileHigh Adjusters Houston logo on brick

Where to Work in the Insurance Business as a Claims Adjuster

Claims adjusters are essential to the insurance sector because they are tasked with examining and assessing insurance claims to ascertain the full scope of the insurance provider’s liability. If you’re thinking about becoming a claims adjuster, you might be unsure of how to begin your employment search. We’ll look at some of the most typical locations claims adjusters can work in this blog post.

Insurance Businesses

The insurance sector is the most obvious location to look for work as a claims adjuster. For the purpose of handling claims that come in through their doors, many insurance companies hire their own adjusters. Depending on your experience and qualifications, these roles can vary from entry-level to more senior positions. Direct employment with an insurance provider can offer a reliable and consistent salary as well as chances for professional development and advancement within the sector.

Independent Adjusting Firms

Working for an independent adjusting company is another choice for finding employment as a claims adjuster. Insurance companies employ these businesses to manage disputes on their behalf. Depending on their location and area of expertise, they typically have a sizable group of adjusters who they can allocate to different claims. Working for an independent adjusting company may provide a more flexible schedule, access to a broader variety of claims, and a chance to make more money.

Self-Employment

As a freelance/Independent claims adjuster, one may choose self-employment if they desire a more independent lifestyle. On a contract basis, freelance/Independent adjusters can provide their skills to insurance providers and independent adjusting businesses. This may offer a high level of freedom and autonomy, but it may also call for more self-discipline and motivation.

Governmental Institutions

In order to handle insurance claims for government-sponsored programs, some government agencies also hire claims adjusters. Veterans’ insurance claims, for instance, are handled by a sizable claims processing section within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A career in this field can be stable and secure, with excellent benefits and a reliable retirement plan.

In conclusion, a claims adjuster can pursue a variety of career routes in order to work in the insurance sector. There are positions available that can accommodate your career goals and lifestyle preferences, whether you prefer to work directly for an insurance company, an independent adjusting business, as a freelancer, or for a government organization. You can start a fulfilling job as a claims adjuster by doing your homework and considering your options.

Are You Xactimated?

Insurance adjuster taking notes

As a claims professional, you understand how hectic events can become and how quickly! There are key steps you can take to minimize the overwhelming workload you will incur and to ensure that your technology is working for you… not the other way around.

As you know, preparing your claims and getting them completed quickly and efficiently is the key to your professional success. Not to mention, the key to your financial bliss. When preparing your estimates, most importantly, you want to make sure they are comprehensive and correct. This will eliminate many future issues that may arise from insufficient and omitted details and gain acknowledgement from your employers earlier.

Before you are activated and deployed, take the time to prepare yourself. Do you have the Xactimate training you need and owe yourself to be a successful claims adjuster? If you are not proficient in Xactimate, then you are not providing yourself the best opportunity to work in claims with a finely-tuned workflow. Understand the features and benefits of your software. Through a thorough understanding of the software you employ, you are setting yourself up to achieve an enhanced and streamlined operational process – increasing your efficacy and overall output.

You skillset is your resume and your marketing tool to the staffing firms that will employ you. It’s important to obtain your Level 1 and 2 Xactimate certifications to increase your marketability. By obtaining your Level 3 certification, you are showing Independent Adjusting Firms that you are serious about working in this industry. Set yourself ahead of others who may not put forth the effort to receive this training. Remember, they don’t pay you for scoping the damage…..they pay you for completing the claim!

As in most all things in life, you will get out of this profession what you put into it. Xactimate is a tool of your trade. Know your tools to the best of your ability. Get trained, get on those rosters, get to work and get paid! You owe it to yourself and those who count and depend on you to be the best claims adjuster you can be.

A Lucrative Career Path

Uprooted tree from natural disaster

Insurance Claims Adjusters: A Lucrative Career Path

Consider working as an insurance claims adjuster if you want a stable job with room for advancement and a competitive salary. For those who are detail-oriented, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and have a passion for assisting people, this job can be a lucrative and fulfilling career path.

  1. Stable Employment: Because the insurance industry is a stable and expanding sector, there will likely be plenty of chances for insurance claims adjusters in the near future. Those who choose to pursue a career in this area can benefit from this stability by having peace of mind and a secure future.
  2. Good Salary: Depending on their level of experience and the kind of insurance business they work for, insurance claims adjusters can expect to make $50,000 to $100,000 or more annually. Insurance claims adjusters can make a living wage that is on par with many other professions with the appropriate training and expertise.
  3. Career Advancement Possibilities: Insurance claims adjusters can advance in their jobs by taking on new duties like leading a team of adjusters or acting as a supervisor. To advance their knowledge and earning potential, they can also decide to specialize in a specific insurance category, such as property damage or workers’ compensation.
  4. Independence and Flexibility: Working separately can give insurance claims adjusters a feeling of freedom and flexibility. To evaluate damage and decide on claims, they might have a home office or be able to travel to various places. For those who appreciate being their own boss and having control over their schedule, this feature may be appealing.
  5. Assisting individuals: Finally, insurance claims adjusters can assist individuals who are in need. They can help clients with the claims procedure and make sure they get the reimbursement they are due. For those who are driven by a desire to assist others, this can be a fulfilling and rewarding element of their work.

In conclusion, for those with strong communication and problem-solving abilities as well as a desire to help others, a job as an insurance claims adjuster can be both financially rewarding and personally satisfying. Insurance claims adjusters are in high demand because they have a stable work market, a good salary, chances for advancement, independence, and the satisfaction of changing people’s lives.

Helping Insured Navigate the Claims Process

Insurance adjuster inspecting a building

Insurance Claims Adjusters: Helping Policyholders Navigate the Claims Process

Making An Insurance Claim:

Making an insurance claim can be a difficult and frustrating experience for the policyholder. Life presents us with unforeseen challenges, such as natural catastrophes and automobile accidents, and filing insurance claims is frequently the only way to move forward. This is where insurance claims adjusters step in, as they are essential in assisting policyholders with navigating the claims procedure and obtaining the compensation to which they are legally due.

What Does A Claims Adjuster For Insurance Do:

The expert who handles the investigation, assessment, and resolution of insurance claims is known as an adjuster. They are qualified to evaluate the damage, determine the price of repairs or replacements, and bargain with clients because they work for insurance companies. A claims adjuster’s responsibility is to make sure the insurance provider gives out each claim fairly and the policyholder is treated fairly.

The Adjusting Of Claims Process:

Numerous steps are usually involved in the claims adjusting procedure. The adjuster will initially receive a claim from the policyholder and will compile all pertinent data, including the specifics of the policy, police records, and witness statements. They will then go to the damaged area to evaluate the damage’s extent and the expense of repairs. When determining the cost of repairs, the adjuster will also consider any pertinent regional construction codes and ordinances.

The adjuster will make a settlement offer to the client after finishing their evaluation. The policyholder then has the option of accepting, rejecting, or negotiating a higher payment with the adjuster. The total settlement depends on the amount of the damage, the cost of repairs, and the policyholder’s coverage.

How Important Are Insurance Claims Adjusters:

Adjusters for insurance claims are crucial to the procedure for filing an insurance claim. They contribute knowledge, wisdom, and objectivity to the discussion, assisting policyholders in receiving a just and correct settlement. They lessen the amount of time policyholders must wait for compensation by swiftly investigating and assessing claims, which helps speed up the claims process.

Insurance claims adjusters also assist insurance firms in risk management and fraud prevention. They are taught to spot possible fraud, investigate it, and make sure that only legitimate claims are settled.

Summary of Insurance Claims Adjusters:

In conclusion, insurance claims adjusters are essential in assisting clients in getting the settlement they are due following an unexpected occurrence. They expedite the claims process and make sure that policyholders receive a just and accurate payout by bringing their knowledge, experience, and objectivity to the table. Work with an experienced and qualified claims adjuster to help you negotiate the process and get the compensation you are entitled to if you are a policyholder and need to submit an insurance claim.