Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 3/1/2009

Question
How do I get started, I am and Indepentend apprsiser now.

Answer
Hi Harry,

It can be very difficult to get started on your own as an independent appraiser. It takes great perserverience and a little luck. First, you need to have a computer with high speed internet, a digital camera, and of course a vehicle. You should start making a list of auto insurance companies. You need to determine the area you are willing to cover and what your fees will be. If you are already working for an independent you should have a good idea what they should be. Then contact the claims department of those companies and find out the name of the physical damage manager or the vice president of claims. It would also be helpful if you created some kind of a brochure that detailed your experience, coverage area and fees. Insurance companies like fast turn around and low fees. Then you start contacting these decision makers and simply ask them for their business. You have to sell yourself. If you are already working for an independent appraisal company you may already know some of these people. In some cases you may have a relationship with some claim adjusters. You should ask them if they have the ability to send you work or if they can refer you to the person who makes those decisions. Eventually you will find someone who may give you a shot.

In most cases insurance companies do not like to do business with a 1 man show. They like to have a contract with a company that has many appraisers and can cover a large territory like an entire state or even a region of the country. This is to insure a consistant product as well as a single point of contact. It is also because they can put more preasure on a company they pay a lot of money to to force them to do things their way.

Well this should get you started.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh