The Independent Adjuster Podcast (IA Path)

My father-in-law Mark spent 25 years becoming one of the best auto damage estimators in the industry. He started as a painter, worked his way through body repair, estimating, shop management, and eventually became an independent appraiser. He trained me in 6 months. Two years ago a student named Ty went through our program in 12 days, then deployed to a hailstorm and trained under the same mentor....

Tom Vogel certified with IA Path in June 2020, right in the middle of Covid, when everyone else was shutting down. Five years later he's still in the field, still working six firms, and still answering direct messages from community members with questions. He joined our Monday night office hours to share what five years of building an independent appraiser business actually looks like. The bo...

Strategic licensing is the key to landing auto desk deployments, with firms prioritizing adjusters who hold multiple state licenses for maximum claim-handling flexibility. While most experienced desk adjusters eventually acquire 20+ licenses, you can gain an advantage by strategically selecting which licenses to obtain first. • Firms filter deployment candidates by looking for adjusters with licen...

Wondering how to land that dream work-from-home auto adjusting position? This episode unveils the pathways to remote work in the independent adjusting world that many aspiring adjusters don't fully understand. I break down the crucial distinction between desk deployments (working at a call center or office) and genuine remote work (from your home or location of choice). For auto total loss ad...

Every adjuster dreams of landing those long-term deployments that offer stability and consistent income. The secret? Auto desk deployments – but not just any desk role will do. In this eye-opening episode, I share insights from my experience during Hurricane Sandy, where I witnessed firsthand the crucial difference between short-term field deployments and months-long desk opportunities. Drawing fr...

The skies are rumbling and "nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars" are falling across the country – it's hail season! For independent adjusters, this means opportunity is literally raining down. Are you positioned to capitalize on these $500 per day catastrophic deployments?

The journey into independent adjusting can be overwhelming, but this episode empowers aspiring adjusters to take charge. We guide you through essential tips and strategies to transform knowledge into action, helping you navigate the complexities ahead. • Introduction to independent adjusting and its significance  • Key strategies for building a strong professional network  • Importance of taking a...

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...

Connecting effectively through networking is essential for success as an independent adjuster. Visibility and relationship-building are important in transitioning from a new professional to a respected member of the industry. • Understanding the importance of networking for new adjusters  • Building a polished online presence with platforms like LinkedIn  • Creating and nurturing genuine relations...

Tailoring your resume is key to landing your job, especially in the independent adjusting field. A well-crafted resume can act as a high-impact advertisement for your skills and qualifications, grabbing attention in mere seconds.  • A resume isn't just a job history, but a marketing tool to sell yourself  • Customization is essential for each job application, using keywords from postings  • K...

Certification isn’t just a rite of passage; it’s a pivotal step that bridges the gap between knowing and doing in the independent adjusting world. This episode explores the importance of certifications like Auto Damage and CCC1, showcasing how they empower adjusters and validate their skills, illustrated by Linda Thompson’s inspiring transition into the industry.  • Importance of certifications as...

Starting a business as an independent adjuster involves practical steps that lead to empowerment and independence. From obtaining your EIN to getting the right insurance, each action taken brings you closer to establishing a professional identity.  • Emphasis on transforming dreams into action  • Steps to obtain EIN for business identity  • Importance of creating your company structure  • Necessit...

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 o...

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 adjus...

The episode explores the IA Advantage & the EXP Free Roadmap, a mindset shift that empowers independent adjusters to focus on daily auto claims for career success. By emphasizing local competition, affordability, and flexibility, listeners learn how to take control of their path and thrive in the industry. • Introduction to the IA Advantage and its significance  • Advantages of focusing on dai...

Independent adjusting can feel like a lottery, with many new professionals struggling to navigate the traditional path dominated by high-stakes competition and financial barriers. Exploring alternatives can provide a clearer roadmap to success that enables direct engagement and career satisfaction. • The traditional IA path is fraught with challenges  • Competition is fierce, with thousands of lic...

This episode explores the various paths within the insurance adjusting industry, detailing the roles of company adjusters, public adjusters, and independent adjusters. We dive into how adjusters are compensated, the types of claims they handle, and how to identify which path suits you best in your career.  • Overview of types of adjusters: company, public, and independent  • In-depth description o...

Discover how to break into the independent adjusting industry without prior experience through our innovative EXP-Free Roadmap. This episode is the kick off to the newly revised and completely re-written Independent Adjuster's Playbook.

We explore the essential elements that define a career as an independent adjuster, discussing the roles, responsibilities, and skills required.  You'll gain insight into the necessary steps to navigate this career path and understand key concepts that can lead to success.  • Examination of what defines an independent adjuster  • Overview of the core activities in adjusting claims  • Importanc...

New adjusters often find themselves wondering how to translate their licenses into actual job opportunities.  This episode highlights the importance of proving competency through certifications and real-world experience to successfully secure work in the independent adjusting field. • Understanding the challenges faced by new adjusters • The misconception that a license guarantees employment • The...

This episode reveals the fundamental factors that determine the income potential and workload for Independent Adjusters, focusing on the significance of market conditions and effective marketing strategies.  The discussion includes insights on market expansion, realistic income expectations, and the importance of persistence in outreach efforts, ultimately empowering listeners to take control of t...

This episode explores the considerations independent adjusters must ponder when contemplating raising their rates. Listeners learn how market demand and workload should influence pricing decisions rather than arbitrary increases. • Understanding the payment structures for independent adjusters  • Key indicators suggesting a rate increase is appropriate  • Recognizing the importance of demand in se...

The episode explains the significance of attending the National Association of Catastrophic Adjusters Conference, emphasizing the potential networking and educational benefits. Personal experiences and details about the IAPath team’s involvement highlight the value of participation while addressing the costs associated with the event. • Introduction to the NACA Conference and its purpose  • Overvi...

The episode delves into the complexities of starting a career in insurance adjusting amidst the significant wildfire season in California. We discuss the barriers for newcomers, including licensing challenges, competition with veteran adjusters, and alternative paths to gain experience within the industry. • Overview of current wildfire events and implications for new adjusters  • Licensing diffic...

This episode reveals the misconceptions surrounding the experience requirement in independent adjusting, challenging the notion that prior experience is essential to enter the field. It discusses various paths for newcomers, emphasizing mentorship, training, and resilience as critical components to successfully breaking into the industry.  • Addressing the myth of mandatory experience  • Personal...