Unveiling the Pathfinder Manifesto

This episode marks a fresh start for the Independent Adjuster Podcast, where we introduce exciting new directions for IA PATH and the concept of the Pathfinder. Through an innovative EXP-free career path model, we empower independent adjusters to break free from traditional experience requirements and take control of their careers. 

• Celebration of the podcast's return after a hiatus 
• Shift in IA PATH’s mission to support aspiring independent adjusters 
• Introduction of the EXP-free career path model with four foundational pillars 
• Unifying term “Pathfinder” to define graduates and members 
• Presentation of the “Pathfinder Manifesto” outlining core beliefs 
• Call for engagement and suggestions for future episode topics

Chapters

• 0:00 The Pathfinder Manifesto
• 8:47 Empowering Pathfinders Podcast Launch

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:16

Hey IAs, welcome back to the Independent Adjuster Podcast by IA Path. We are starting a new season today with this episode. It's been a while since I've done a podcast. I'm super excited to be back in the driver's seat of the podcast and to bring you some new content Now. To put this into perspective, it's been months since we released a podcast, but we have over 100 episodes scheduled out that we can see that I am just going to be doing and then we will sprinkle in interviews and other things and such like that with other people. But I want to make sure that we have a steady flow of content coming for you guys to keep you busy and keep you your head in the right space and keep your career moving forward. But these will be podcasts like this. I'm using my phone, I'm walking around, I'm talking, enjoying a walk, whatever. You might hear me out of breath, you may hear me cough or sneeze or have a bad day with my voice. It's going to be real, okay, it's just going to be me and you hanging out, and that's how we started the podcast a long time ago. How I want to keep it going is just my way to stay in touch with you guys and my way to keep information and to keep connecting with you all, and so if there is a topic you would explore, I encourage you to email me, chris at iapathcom. Let me know what you'd like me to talk about and I will gladly hit that record button and riff on it.

Speaker 1: 1:43

Now, today, what I want to talk about is the new direction that IAPATH has taken. Iapath was started eight years ago, started training people on how to do auto damage claims and ultimately, what we figured out we needed to do was to help people break free of the experience requirements, while people really didn't want to learn how to write auto damage claims, even though that's what we started to do. But when I started, the problem that everybody was running into was hey, I can't get work even if I know what I'm doing, because there's these experience requirements. We worked really hard to find a way to get those experience requirements waived, and now we do with over 40 plus companies. If you've earned our certification.

Speaker 1: 2:25

In all those years, we've always struggled to communicate what our product is. We called it a mentorship for a long time, we call it certifications, we call it training, and people don't really know how to classify us because our program has evolved over the last eight years to be different, and I've always been searching for a way to explain what we do simply, easily that would allow people to understand in a quick way what it is that we do. Recently, I came up with a term that we now use over at iPath, and it explains what we do. We provide experience-free career paths, exp-free career paths, and so our very first EXP career path was helping people become independent adjusters, exp-free. And so what EXP-free as a program, our independent adjuster program as a whole, includes is four pillars to what we do. Number one is training, that's knowledge, that's knowing how to do the job right. That information you absolutely need. But training doesn't get you work, and so we knew we needed more, and so we included pillar number two early on, which was certifications, and that's actually testing to know what you do and proving to other people that you can do the job.

Speaker 1: 3:49

So at IAPATH, that's writing estimates, that's closing claims, that's doing simulated scenarios. That's actually proving you can do the job of an IA. And so the third pillar, once you're certified in something, is certifications, work placement. So now that you know how to do the job, now that you had the head knowledge and you've proven you can actually do the job. We introduce you to people, those 40 plus IA firms that waive the experience requirement. The fourth pillar then, once you've got work, is the mentorship piece. That is where we help you write estimates, answer your questions about your career and everything that you need as you're actually doing claims or you're estimating support team and everything. And so all of that together along with a guarantee that says you will get work, our safe path guarantee. That is what is the EXP free path, and so we're not training, we're not certification, we're not mentorship, we're not work placement, we're actually an experience free career path that includes all of those things. And so that's a big revelation for us and helps us really clarify and explain the different parts of our program and how it works. And so you're going to hear me use that term a lot now.

Speaker 1: 5:10

Exp free, this eXp free, that, the eXp free roadmap for independent adjusters that's our independent adjuster roadmap we've used for years. But eXp free is I wanted to explain where that came from. The other clarity piece that happened in my absence from the podcast is clarity piece that happened in my absence from the podcast is what is someone who uses an exp free path called. What is someone who graduated from IPATH called? We have so many names that we refer to ourselves as, yes, we're IAs, but what is someone who uses IPATH in our methodology? What do they call themselves? We've called ourselves, and our members and students and graduates have called themselves I pathians, I pathers, and so all of those never really ring true to me as oh, that's it, and I never heard one consistently enough used about us to say, yeah, that's who we are. But recently, during this exploration of this term you have to be free Came across a term that I think works nicely for someone who likes the methodology that I path presents and applies it in a way to where you can start a career exp free. And so if you're following one of our experience free path, you are a path finder, and so that's, if you're following one of our experience-free paths, you are a path finder, and so that's what you're going to start hearing me calling to saying hey, ia, hey, path finders, because that's what you're doing. You're looking for a path, you're looking for a way to get started experience-free, to where you can ultimately claim your life. Now I want to end this episode today life. Now I want to end this episode today, now that you got some language context in me, breaking the ice once again, I want to leave you with what I'm calling the Pathfinder Manifesto, because I really want you to understand what's the methodology here, what's the mindset, what is the rallying cry for someone who wants to apply the information that we provide in this podcast and the methodology of getting work, exp free and ultimately, for Pathfinder. So here we go, the Pathfinder manifesto.

Speaker 1: 7:16

We are Pathfinders. We reject the status quo that says you need years of experience, tens of thousands of dollars and a stroke of luck to break into the independent adjuster industry. We see things differently. We believe in thinking differently, in challenging the old ways and forging our own paths. To us, being a pathfinder means choosing to take control of our careers, our futures and our lives.

Speaker 1: 7:43

We believe the adjuster lottery is broken. Waiting for a catastrophe or a lucky break is a gamble we refuse to take. Opportunity is everywhere. Daily claims, not just catastrophe ones, are the foundation of consistent, sustainable success. We believe in action over excuses. The only thing holding you back and me back is the belief that you have to wait. We believe clarity is power. We simplify the steps, cut the fluff and focus on what works. We also believe success is for everyone. With the right mindset, tools and roadmap, anyone can build a thriving IA career, regardless of their experience.

Speaker 1: 8:29

We embrace the EXP-free path because it's not just a method, it's a movement.

Speaker 1: 8:35

It's a declaration that you don't need permission, years of waiting or mountains of debt to succeed.

Speaker 1: 8:41

We are the learners, the doers, the builders and the creators of our own futures.

Speaker 1: 8:48

We are Pathfinders, all right Pathfinders. So if that's you, if you're someone who's hey, I'm done doing what everyone else told me to do, not getting the results. I'm sick of being told to wait. I'm sick of being told to get 22 different adjuster licenses and still not getting work. I'm sick of waiting on a hurricane, or I'm sick of waiting to be called when I know there's claims being handled each and every day, then you're a pathfinder. If you're ready to take control, step out. Check out the podcast. You can listen to our backlog, but we're going to be coming with new episodes each and every week. Podcast you can listen to our backlog, but we're going to be coming with new episodes each and every week, maybe more than one a week if I'm feeling spunky or you guys are sending good episode suggestions, but I want to make sure I stay in contact with you guys with the podcast and keep the information flowing. All right, guys, till next time. Pathfinders, keep walking your path and claiming your life.