IA Playbook Pt 7 - Step 2: Training (Audiobook)

This episode reveals that merely being licensed as an independent adjuster is not enough to secure work. It emphasizes the importance of practical skills, mentoring, certifications, and the limitations of relying on IA firm training.

• Importance of foundational skills and training 
• IA firms as customers, not educators 
• Transforming training experiences into career opportunities 
• The value of finding a mentor in the field 
• Certification programs that enhance employability 
• Gaining practical experience through body shop work 
• The advantages and risks of online vs. in-person training 
• Hidden costs of low-cost training options 
• Overview of IAPATH’s comprehensive training program

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:16

Step two get trained. You must know how to do your job to succeed as an independent adjuster. The adjuster license makes you legally able to handle a claim, but it doesn't ensure you actually know how to write an estimate, close a claim or handle the real-world responsibilities of an independent adjuster. That's why so many licensed adjusters feel stuck. They're wondering why work isn't pouring in, and the truth is the work only comes in when you're ready to deliver and your customers believe you can do the job, and I'm here to help you get there. Knowing how to do your job is the next step. It's not just about being licensed, but about being prepared to show IA firms you're capable and confident. Let me show you how to take control of your career and build the skills that will get you hired. Why you should not rely on IA firms for core training. The training provided by IA firms may seem like a good starting point. The training provided by IA firms may seem like a good starting point. After all, it's often inexpensive or free. Plus, they offer the opportunity to connect you to work right. But relying on them for core training can hold you back more than it helps. Let me explain why the IA firms are your customers. As an independent adjuster, you're a business owner, and approaching IA firms to train you is like asking a potential customer to teach you how to do the job they're hiring you for. It sends the wrong message, especially when they're looking for professionals who can hit the ground running. Ia firm training is also an evaluation. Many adjusters don't realize that when they attend an IA firm's training, they're being graded. Your performance in these sessions affects your opportunities with the firm, and showing up without the necessary skills puts you at a disadvantage. Puts you at a disadvantage. Lastly, ia firm training rarely carries weight beyond that single company. Other firms often disregard trading or certifications from competing IA firms, leaving you with a credential that limits your opportunities rather than broadens them. So to stand out, you need training that's recognized across the industry by lots of companies. When IA firm training shines Now, this doesn't mean IA firm training is useless. It just needs to be approached strategically. Once you've built your foundational skills elsewhere, ia firm training becomes an opportunity to shine.

Speaker 1: 3:00

When I attended IA firm training with my in-laws, I already knew how to write accurate estimates and handle claims because I'd been working them for years. That confidence stood out immediately and by the end of the class, we were deployed to a storm and my in-laws even became managers and trainers for that IA firm. Showing up prepared turned a simple training session into a career launching moment how to get trained? If you're serious about building a successful career, your training must give you the tools to thrive independently. Here are some options to consider Find a mentor Learning from someone experienced is one of the most in-depth ways to build your skills.

Speaker 1: 3:43

My father-in-law taught me how to write estimates and his guidance helped me get my first jobs. Whether a family member or friend who is willing to train you and introduce you to companies, it could be a great way to get the skills. At IAPATH we seek to duplicate that relationship, with our students being their mentor if they don't have someone willing to help them. Earn an industry-recognized certification. Certifications from reputable programs prove to IA firms that you know how to handle claims. At IA Path, our auto damage certification is recognized by over 40 IA firms and it weighs the typical 2-5 year experience requirement. Another long-standing option is Vail Training Solutions, which offers a well-respected auto damage program.

Speaker 1: 4:34

Get a job at a body shop. Working at a body shop is another way to gain hands-on experience. Many adjusters I've interviewed started this way, learning to write estimates and handle claims by being in the trenches where the vehicles are fixed. This route takes time, but it provides invaluable insights into the vehicle repair and claims process. What to look for in a training program. Not all training programs are created equal. A quality program should cover at least the following essentials Parts of the vehicle, proper photo documentation identifying damage and writing estimates in CCC1. If a program doesn't include CCC1, the industry-leading auto-damage estimating software, it's not preparing you properly. Make sure the training also covers software setup and provides hands-on estimating practice.

Speaker 1: 5:30

Why online training can be a game-changer Online training better mirrors the realities of working as an independent adjuster than in-person training. Online training, you'll be managing your time, solving problems independently and mastering skills in a way that builds real-world confidence. With online training, you can revisit the material anytime, ensuring you truly understand the content instead of rushing through it as you do with a one-time class. Why in-person training can hold you back While in-person training might feel safer, it often becomes a crutch. You rely on instructors and classmates for help, which can create a false sense of preparedness In the field. You won't have someone guiding you step by step, and the challenges you face will require self-reliance and adaptability, problem solving. Really. Online training fosters those traits. There is almost never hands-on help when you have live claims, so don't start off with the wrong routine by relying on someone in person. So don't start off with the wrong routine by relying on someone in person the hidden costs of free or low-cost in-person training.

Speaker 1: 6:44

A student once told me she couldn't justify the cost of her online program. She signed up for a $500 in-person training with an IA firm, but when she added up her expenses for flights, hotels, rental cars, meals and two weeks off of work, she realized she was spending thousands more than anticipated. She canceled everything and signed up for IAPATH instead. Not only did she save money, but she also gained a full certification, training and ongoing mentorship without ever leaving her home. The cheap option wasn't a bargain to her after all. Iapath TRAINING. At IAPATH, we've built our EXP-free career path for independent insurance adjusters around four pillars designed to empower you from day one, and pillar one is training. It provides everything you need to do the job right, from understanding auto damage to mastering CCC One. Our program gives you the tools to excel as an independent adjuster. If you're ready to build your skills and claim your future, explore the full curriculum at IAPathcom.