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The Independent Adjuster Podcast (IA Path)
Ready to stop gambling with your career and start winning?
The Independent Adjuster Podcast is where Pathfinders like you find clarity, take action, and escape the traditional grind of the adjuster industry.
Host Chris Stanley redefines success with the EXP Free Path, teaching you how to think differently, act boldly, and claim your future without waiting for luck or experience. It’s time to build a career that works for you, one episode at a time.
The Independent Adjuster Podcast (IA Path)
IA Playbook Pt 6 - Licensing (Audiobook)
The episode explores the essential licensing requirements for independent adjusters, detailing the steps needed to obtain the necessary credentials based on various scenarios in the field. It emphasizes the importance of understanding state regulations and provides actionable guidance for aspiring adjusters to navigate their careers effectively.
• Key licensing considerations for independent adjusters
• Differences between auto damage appraisers and adjusters
• State-specific licensing requirements and resources
• Importance of practical training before licensing exams
• Benefits and opportunities of catastrophic claims work
• Strategies for obtaining non-resident adjuster licenses
• Steps to enhance your competitive edge in the industry
Hey, pathfinders, welcome back to the Independent Adjuster podcast. We're going to continue on with our series where I'm reading the Independent Adjuster's playbook fourth edition, the brand new revised and condensed version to help you get faster results. Getting started as an. I'm reading the entire thing here on the podcast so you guys can listen to it and hear it absolutely free. If you want copies you know paper copies or Kindle copy you can find that on Amazon. But I wanted to make sure I got this information in as many hands as possible. So now we'll continue with the next chapter of the Independent Adjusters Playbook.
Speaker 1:Step 1. Obtain your License. The very first thing you need to do if you want to work auto claims as an independent adjuster or appraiser is determine what license, if any, is required. There are different types of work you'll often encounter early in your journey as an auto IA. Each one has different expectations and requirements that you'll need to consider for licensing in your state and requirements that you'll need to consider for licensing in your state. By understanding the licensing requirements for your specific type of work, you'll eliminate confusion and start your journey on the right foot. This is the first step to taking control of your career and avoiding unnecessary delays. By knowing exactly what's required, you'll move forward confidently, setting the foundation for your IA advantage. Let's break down exactly what you need to know to get started with confidence.
Speaker 1:Scenario 1. Daily Auto Claims. When working daily auto damage claims, you're typically contracted as an auto damage appraiser, not an adjuster. This means you're not held to the same licensing requirements to get started working in daily auto claims as an insurance adjuster. For most states, there are no appraiser licensing requirements and you can simply begin working without a license. For a handful of states, they do require auto damage appraiser licensing. Depending on where you live and want to work daily, auto damage claims will dictate if you need a license at all. Here are the states that require an auto damage appraiser license Connecticut, delaware, georgia requires you to get an adjuster license to handle auto claims as an appraiser Massachusetts, nevada, new York, north Carolina no test, just a fee Pennsylvania, rhode Island, south Carolina, vermont and Washington. This list changes every few years, so you'll want to confirm on your Department of Insurance website or give us a call at IAPATH 844-4-IAPATH that's 844-4-IAPPATH, that's 844-4-IA-PATH to confirm requirements in your state. If your state requires an appraiser license, you'll need to take an exam prep course through a company like AdjusterPro. Pass the test, provide fingerprints, undergo a background check and then you'll be a licensed auto damage appraiser. A few states have various other requirements to walk you through, but you can review each state's website for exact details in your state. If you're required to get an appraiser license, I recommend you get some practical auto damage training, which is step two, before attempting the test. It'll often make the whole industry make more sense and passing the test easier. Auto damage appraiser licensing tests are often focused on your knowledge of vehicles and auto damage repairs, along with the insurance guidelines and law. This step might seem daunting, but remember it's all part of creating flexibility and an opportunity for your IA advantage.
Speaker 1:Scenario 2. Catastrophic Auto and or Property Claims. For many IAs, working catastrophic claims is the dream and can bring exciting opportunities for work. As you move through the EXP-free roadmap, you'll want to know the licensing requirements to handle catastrophic claim opportunities. Not only will it provide exciting options, but it'll also give you additional work, even in your own backyard. Some catastrophic claim companies will only assign claims to IAs that have an adjuster license, even if the state doesn't require it. Getting your adjuster license allows you to have more work options and the ability to expand into new opportunities. If you live in a state that requires an adjuster license, you simply enroll in the pre-licensing or exam prep from Adjuster Pro or another educator, pass an exam, give fingerprints and run a background check. When the all clear is given, you'll be a licensed adjuster and legally able to write a check on behalf of the insurance company. The adjuster licensing test is focused on understanding how insurance policies work and state insurance laws. It usually does not have much to do with practical ability to handle claims or your ability to write an estimate for damages. Ability to handle claims or your ability to write an estimate for damages.
Speaker 1:States that require an adjuster license Alabama, alaska, arizona, arkansas, california, Connecticut, delaware, florida, georgia, hawaii, idaho, indiana, kentucky, louisiana, maine, michigan, minnesota, mississippi, montana, nevada, new Hampshire, new Mexico, new York, north Carolina, oklahoma, oregon, rhode Island, south Carolina, texas, utah, vermont, washington, west Virginia and Wyoming, if your state doesn't require an adjuster license. If you live in a state that doesn't require an adjuster license and you want to work catastrophic claims, you'll need to get a non-resident adjuster license. Want to work catastrophic claims, you'll need to get a non-resident adjuster license. This means you choose another state other than your own that does license adjusters and make that your first license. I recommend getting Florida's adjuster license if your home state doesn't require an adjuster license.
Speaker 1:States that don't require an adjuster license Colorado, district of Columbia, illinois, iowa, kansas, maryland, massachusetts, missouri, nebraska, new Jersey, north Dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, south Dakota, tennessee, virginia and Wisconsin. Getting a non-resident license might seem like an extra step, but it's an investment in your ability to pursue claims across state lines. This flexibility is what gives you an edge in competitive markets and ensures you'll always have options for work If you need a license to get started in your state. Ipath includes licensing prep as a part of our EXP exp free career path for independent adjusters. Once you've gotten your license, or decided you don't need one to get started working, you're ready to move on to step two. This is your foundation, and every successful path starts with the solid first step. Let's keep building your IA advantage and walking the exp free roadmap.