Adjusters tip # 14

Adjusters Need To Read And Digest
by Robert Carper
Information is the life blood of successful adjusting. We obtain this valuable commodity via a variety of ways. Most often it is from voracious reading. Reading what? Well, there’s the policy, claims best practices, case law, company provided data, repair estimates and accompanying reports, email, industry publications and the list goes on. The ability to read and comprehend is of paramount importance. Reading seems so simple but very few do it effectively and efficiently. If we don’t read and grasp the necessary facts properly then bad decisions and bad results will likely follow. An effective adjuster must not only be able to read and understand an insurance policy, forms, endorsements etc., he or she must also actually intelligently read many documents. This sounds simple, but many adjusters simply don't take the time. They will say” oops, I missed that on the report”, or “oh no, I glanced at the case law and missed that supporting documentation” etc. With good intent but with huge demands on our time the aforementioned has happened to all of us. Effective reading goes a long way in addressing these potential shortcomings.

Aside from the huge amount of information on the internet that will help resolve claims, there’s the claims technical material that has to be read and digested. Moreover, just as a mechanic from twenty years ago can’t knowledgably work on a new model car without reading and self educating, the adjuster will need to read and learn from a variety of sources to remain effective. Reading is important. Digesting what you read is all the more important.

Next up – Adjuster listening skills