Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 7/10/2009

Question
Hi Mr. Hixenbaugh. I am a property adjuster and have been for a little over 3 years. My experience has been in CAT and Daily claims. I am interested in going into auto adjusting and I don't know where to start. Can you please send me in the right direction? I appreciate your time. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Van,

After many years in auto adjusting I can not for the life of me understand why you would want to go from property to auto. Auto adjusting is some of the most difficult and least appreciated forms of adjusting.

However, if that is what you want to do the process should not be too difficult for you since you already have a background in adjusting. The basics are the same: learn the facts of the loss, determine liability, verify coverage, determine damages, negotiate settlement, issue a check, close the file. In most insurance companies you will handle a claims inventory of 200 to 300 claims at a time.

You should take out your own auto policy and read it cover to cover to re-familiarize yourself with coverage and exclusions. Then you would simply seek companies looking to hire adjusters. The rest will be up to you to sell yourself and wow them with your prior experience. Good luck!

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh