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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 12 - Step 7: Rosters (Audiobook)
Navigating the onboarding process can feel overwhelming. We discuss the essential steps and offer insights on how to position yourself for success in the independent adjusting field.
• Overview of the onboarding process and its purpose
• Essential documents required for onboarding success
• Insights into what to expect during onboarding interactions
Launch your independent adjusting career by following our guidelines and strategies for success. Stay engaged with the firms that onboard you, as consistent follow-up can make all the difference!
Step 7. Get on rosters. The process of getting on rosters is often called onboarding. It's how IA firms vet and approve contractors for potential work. But let's be clear being onboarded does not guarantee claims. Many new adjusters mistakenly believe onboarding means work is right around the corner. But IA firms are adding you to their list for future possibilities. Don't quit your current job expecting immediate claims. Think of onboarding as planting seeds, and consistent follow-up is how you water them.
Speaker 1:Onboarding packet what's required? Here's a list of common items IA firms ask for during onboarding Adjuster and appraiser license, if required in your state Coverage area. Specific zip codes. You're willing to work in Certifications like IAPATH or others that waive experience requirements. Resume Business information like your EIN bank account, etc. Driver's license and proof of insurance, if required. Ccc-1 software license for daily claims. If you've followed the eXp free roadmap, you've already prepared for most of these requirements. If you're applying to firms that require experience, certifications like IAPath can help you bypass those barriers. Path can help you bypass those barriers. At IA Path we introduce graduates to over 40 IA firms that actively want certified adjusters and appraisers and waive the experience requirements for them. That's the power of having a network and a certification that people trust.
Speaker 1:Onboarding interactions what to expect? Each IA firm has its own onboarding process, but most follow a similar structure. Here are the typical steps Conversation with the recruiter or manager. Many IA firms will want to vet you through a phone call, zoom, meeting or even sometimes an in-person chat. I remember the first company I reached out to on my own, without a mentor vouching for me, and I only had one year of experience. They, like everyone else, required two years of experience. One of their managers drove a state away to meet me in person and have lunch. He told me how big a deal it was that they would give me this chance and I got work from them A lot of work but that meeting determined if they thought I could actually handle the claims. Think of this as a mini interview where they evaluate your professionalism, knowledge and fit for their needs. Be honest. Don't lie about your experience or capabilities. They're testing to see if you're trustworthy and reliable. Prepare for curveballs. They might ask specific questions about estimating software or handling certain scenarios. If you've trained with the IA path, you'll be ready for these.
Speaker 1:Writing a test claim If you pass the initial vetting, many IA firms will ask you to write a test claim. This step is important because it demonstrates your ability to navigate CCC1 or estimating softwares, write accurate estimates based on damaged photos, have a basic understanding of computers and the claim process, following guidelines for creating vendor profiles, handling taxes, labor rates and more. Ipath graduates excel at this because our homework assignments are more intense than most test claims. If you're unsure about CCC1 or estimating, our training ensures you'll be ready to pass with flying colors. Orientation and required training For catastrophic adjusting firms. Orientation is often the final onboarding step. These sessions may be in person in Dallas, mobile or Atlanta, or sometimes online, depending on the firm. Warning While it may seem like training, these orientations are also evaluations.
Speaker 1:Show up dressed professionally, business casual and ready to prove your skills up. Dressed professionally, business casual and ready to prove your skills. First impressions matter and IA firms are your customers, so treat them like it. Follow-up watering the seeds you planted. Congratulations, you're onboarded. But here's the reality. Onboarding alone rarely leads to work.
Speaker 1:The secret to getting claims is consistent follow-up. Dispatchers and recruiters are busy when they suddenly need help, you want to be the first person they think of. Be professionally annoying and follow up every two weeks until you get work. The more firms you follow up with the better. One of our graduates in a competitive market contacted 100 firms his first month to break into the industry, and most of our veterans work for 5 plus companies consistently and can receive claims from up to 15 in a week.
Speaker 1:This is a numbers game. Don't apply to just 4 companies and think that's enough. It isn't how to follow up. Email is king. Keep it short, polite and consistent. Reference your initial application and express your continued interest in helping them with claims. Networking Adjuster Playbook Templates. If you're unsure what to say, check out the Networking Black Box email templates in our free IA Starter Kit. These templates have helped adjusters break through the noise and land their first claims. So here's some real talk. Some firms will tell you not to contact them. Smile, nod and follow up anyway. A well-timed email can make all the difference when they're desperate for help.
Speaker 1:Your first claim the moment you've been waiting for, when the IA firm finally assigns you a claim, celebrate You've crossed the finish line of the EXP free roadmap or hit the starting line. However you want to look at it, claims usually arrive via email, so monitor your inbox closely. Once that first claim comes in, it's time to get to work. But this isn't just the end of the road. It's the beginning of something much bigger. You've opened the door to a career full of growth and opportunity. With each claim you'll gain experience, build confidence and expand your business. As you can see on the roadmap, there are expansion possibilities beyond daily auto claims, including catastrophic auto. Beyond daily auto claims, including catastrophic auto, commercial auto, heavy equipment, liability and desk deployments, specialty auto prior to loss, diminished value property like residential, etc. There will be an upcoming book titled Independent Adjusters Expansion Playbook where I walk you through these different options and how to earn more income and expand your IA business Saying yes to survive.
Speaker 1:When you first start in this industry, you'll say yes to every opportunity just to survive, but as you gain momentum and build your network, you'll realize you no longer have to say yes to survive. You can say no to opportunities to thrive. A strong network of people who know, like and trust you will bring opportunities to you while you sleep. Networking is the bridge between where you are now and where you want to be. It gives you confidence, connects you with people who understand your journey and creates exponential opportunities over time. The question isn't whether this roadmap works either, but whether you're ready to work the roadmap.