Adjuster Talk

Aaron Berkowitz has an outstanding history and experience as an entrepreneur. He has worked on his own - off and on - since he was 8 years old. His entrepreneurial and vagabond spirit, coupled with his childhood experiences, has been the driving force that makes him such a successful independent adjuster.

Aaron joins me today to share how his adjusting business has evolved since 2017 and why he’s now focused on improving his life and taking advantage of the time off between deployments. He shares how his childhood upbringing has impacted his career as an entrepreneur and the driving force that keeps him moving toward his goals. He also shares why he decided to stop using social media and explains why it’s critical for adjusters to identify what they want and take the necessary steps to achieve your goals.

“Define what you want. Until then, you will not go anywhere but in circles.” - Aaron Berkowitz

This week on Adjuster Talk:

• How Aaron’s business has evolved since 2017
• Why he is taking advantage of the slow periods between deployments
• How he maintains his health and fitness throughout his travels
• How his entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at such a young age
• The driving force that keeps him moving forward
• How he determines if he’s made successful strides toward his goals
• Why he decided to stop using social media and how it has impacted his personal and professional life
• The importance of identifying what you want and taking the necessary actions to achieve your goals

Resources Mentioned:

• Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus by Jesse Itzler

Connect. Share. Inspire.

Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show

Welcome back to Season 2 of the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan. Adjuster Talk is the show for insurance adjusters by insurance adjusters, connecting you with the most successful people in the industry.

In this episode, I share who I am and how becoming an insurance adjuster has impacted my life and career. I share the kind of insurance claims I’ve worked and the states my career has allowed me to visit. I also share what you can expect to learn by tuning into Adjuster Talk and the inspirational stories we will share each week from new and experienced property adjusters.

“The purpose of Adjuster Talk is to just give a window - a brief look - into what we do as independent adjusters.” - Jason Heenan

What to Expect in Season 2 of Adjuster Talk:

• Conversations with experts and fellow insurance adjusters
• Inspirational stories from people who have been where you are and have found success
• Follow-ups with previous guests who started their adjusting career during Season 1
• Updates on relevant industry news - as it happens

Connect. Share. Inspire.

Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show

Brandon Kinney is the Operations Manager at Electronic Restoration Services (ERS), a national leader in the restoration and recovery technology space since 1993. The company specializes in recovering and restoring residential and commercial property that has been damaged by fire, mold, lightning, and other natural disaster events. Brandon is an affiliate of Adjuster Talk and Royal Adjusting Services and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University.

Brandon joins me today to discuss how ERS contributes value to the insurance claims process following a natural disaster. He explains why their company focuses exclusively on electronic recovery and restoration services and how working in this field has impacted his life and career. He also demystifies common beliefs regarding electronics damaged by water and shares his experience while working on insurance claims during Hurricane Harvey.

“It’s a pretty common myth that if any electronic gets wet, it’s immediately done-for.” - Brandon Kinney

This week on Adjuster Talk:

• Brandon’s career journey and the services offered at Electronic Restoration Services
• Common myths about water damage with electronics
• The type of electronic damage claims his company handles
• The relationship between insurance carriers and the people they work with
• How working in the insurance industry has impacted Brandon’s life
• His experiences while working insurance claims in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
• Why ERS focuses strictly on electronic restoration and recovery
• How ERS contributes value to the insurance claims process

Resources Mentioned:

• HAAG Engineering
• Email: [email protected] to join the email list and learn more about upcoming continued education classes

Connect with Brandon Kinney:

• Electronic Restoration Services (ERS)
• ERS of Texas on LinkedIn
• ERS of Texas on Facebook

Connect. Share. Inspire.

Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show

Jimmy Sizemore’s career as an independent insurance adjuster initially began during the destruction that followed Hurricane Harvey in the Fall of 2017. Using the skills and experience he gained from his previous career in the veterinary industry as well as connecting with other claim adjusters; he answered our “call to arms” to help assist the hundreds of thousands of homeowners that were devastated by the impact of the massive CAT-4 storm. His previous experience helped him develop the people skills he needed to communicate well with customers as well as the technical skills necessary to use various software programs and tools to close claims effectively and efficiently.

Jimmy joins me today to share his story on what it’s like to be a first-time insurance adjuster during a catastrophic weather event. He shares the challenges he faced while working in the field for the first time and the decisions he made when transitioning from a steady career environment to becoming an insurance adjuster. He also explains the importance of staying committed to becoming successful as an insurance adjuster, why being resourceful and developing solutions to overcome various obstacles is critical to your success, and the lessons he learned from the Help Room that impacted his performance while working in the field.

“It was an amazing decision - probably the best one I’ve made in my life.” Jimmy Sizemore

Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!

Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.

Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email [email protected] to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!

Connect. Share. Inspire.

Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 

If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at [email protected] or Mindy at [email protected] with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!

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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show

Jeremy Rettig is an independent insurance adjuster, real estate investor, and the founder of Adjusting to 6 Figures, a company dedicated to helping new independent insurance adjusters build a successful career through support and online education and training. He is passionate about helping new adjusters learn the skills they need to kick start their careers, improve their techniques, increase efficiency, and create the success they deserve in the industry.

Jeremy joins me today to share why he decided to start Adjusting to 6 Figures, how the concept was born, and how he’s been growing and expanding the company to help more adjusters learn the techniques and strategies they need to become successful in the field. He shares some of the challenges he has faced while scaling his business, why he decided to launch an online training platform instead of focusing on one-on-one training, and his perspective of competing with similar companies within the adjusting industry. He also explains how helping others learn and grow can impact your personal growth and development, his perspective on the future of IA companies, and why he believes many insurance companies prefer managed repair models instead of independent adjusting models.

“The only way to grow when you reach a plateau is by helping others grow.” - Jeremy Rettig

In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:

• How he is juggling his adjusting career while building his business.
• Why he is passionate about helping other adjusters.
• Why he decided to start Adjusting to 6 Figures and when the concept was born.
• Challenges he has faced while scaling his business.
• Why he decided to change his teaching model from one-on-one training to creating online courses.
• His perspective on competing with other training facilities in the adjusting industry.
• How helping others learn and grow impacts your personal growth and development.
• The importance of continuing your education as an adjuster after getting your license.
• The concept behind the Adjuster-Finder tool.
• Are independent adjusting companies and their business models considered to be obsolete for insurance companies?
• Why insurance companies prefer managed repair models.
• The most challenging aspect of the managed repair models for the property adjusting industry.
• Why trust is a significant advantage for independent adjusters.

Connect with Jeremy Rettig:

• Adjusting to 6 Figures
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!

Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting s

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Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show

Paul Wilcox graduated high school in 2015. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew devastated the southeast region of the United States, affecting millions of homeowners in its wake. Shortly after, Paul began researching and educating himself on becoming an insurance adjuster through various trainings, resources, and participating in dozens of ride-alongs with experienced insurance adjusters. Since then, he has obtained his adjusting license and has helped countless homeowners rebuild their lives following the Hurricane Harvey catastrophe.

Today, Paul shares what inspired him to become an independent insurance adjuster and the impact that being dedicated to learning the industry has had on his career. He explains the similarities between being an adjuster and being an entrepreneur the importance of gaining industry experience before handling your first claim, and the challenges he faced as a new adjuster. He also shares how adjusting claims through Hurricane Harvey opened new doors of opportunity for his career, what the Texas Prep Program is, and the similarities and differences between being an adjuster and working with the program.

“If you can get really good at one thing, then you can get really good at everything else.” - Paul Wilcox

In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:

• How participating in ride-alongs helped him learnt the necessary skills to become a successful adjuster.
• The personal handbook he created to help him effectively work through his first claim.
• What it was like working through Hurricane Harvey.
• The importance of staying dedicated and committed to learning the industry.
• How the experience of the help room’s work environment shaped his personal work environment.
• Using healthy competition to increase motivation and impact your success.
• Staying fit and healthy while adjusting claims.
• The amount of time he committed to working claims during Hurricane Harvey.
• The importance of getting enough sleep and how it impacts your performance.
• How adjusting claims during Hurricane Harvey opened the door to new opportunities.
• What it was like to work with the Texas Prep Program.
• Similarities and differences between adjusting claims and working with the Texas Prep Program

Connect. Share. Inspire.

Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 

If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at [email protected] or Mindy at [email protected] with your resume to apply to be on our approved ad

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show

Over the last 16 years, Mark Koncz has established himself as an expert in real estate appraisals throughout the Akron, Ohio region. He is the founder and owner of MJK Appraisals with an interest to transition into the insurance claim adjusting industry.

Mark joins me today to share his experience with working as a property appraiser and his desire to begin transitioning his company into the insurance adjusting industry. He shares what it was like to work his first claim during the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma, the challenges he faced, and how he overcame them. He also shares the similarities in workflow between property appraising and claim adjusting as well as the customer services skills you need to be successful in both fields.

“Between adjusting and appraisals, there’s a lot of crossover.” - Mark Koncz

In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:

• Why he decided to transition from property appraiser to insurance adjuster.
• How he’s transitioning into the adjusting field.
• What it was like to work through the post-Hurricane Irma destruction.
• The challenges he faced while working through Irma and how he overcame them.
• How much he earned from closing 20 claims in 10 days during Hurricane Irma.
• Utilizing resources to maximize productivity and increase your knowledge.
• Strategies for building your network.
• Customer service skills you need for appraising properties.
• Similarities between property appraising and insurance adjusting.
• Average income for home appraisals per completed report.

Resources Mentioned:

• National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters (NACA) Conference

Connect. Share. Inspire.

Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 

If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at [email protected] or Mindy at [email protected] with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show

Jordan Cox is a 31-year-old former painting contractor who ran a successful painting company based in Greenwood, South Carolina for seven years. As he got older, he began to realize the hardship and stress that his career placed on his body and decided to pivot his career. He began working as an independent insurance adjuster shortly after Hurricane Irma devastated Florida in 2017.

Jordan joins me today to discuss what inspired him to pivot his career from being a successful painting company owner to becoming an independent insurance adjuster. He shares how he got started and how helping his father in the fix and flip real estate industry as a young boy helped him learn many of the skills he needed to become a successful insurance adjuster. He also shares what it was like to work his first claim, the importance of being able to make quick decisions, and the importance of being disciplined in managing your time and money.

“Making quick decisions is a key to this business.” - Jordan Cox

In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:

• How he got started as an insurance adjuster.
• His biggest challenges while just starting out.
• How millennials are helping to shape the industry and cultivate the adjusting environment.
• The importance of being confident in your decisions.
• His strategy for measuring and sketching roofs.
• What he’s most apprehensive about regarding being an adjuster.
• The importance of saving “emergency money” to help you through lean times.
• What is a 1099?
• How much income should you set aside for taxes?
• The importance of being disciplined with your bookkeeping, accounting, and paying taxes.
• How to get added to more rosters and get more claims as a new insurance adjuster.

Advice for New Insurance Adjusters:

• Participate in ride-alongs when you’re just starting out.
• Network with other adjusters.
• Plan ahead for your financial future, especially for the lean workload periods.
• Be disciplined in paying your taxes.

Connect. Share. Inspire.

Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 

If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at [email protected] or Mindy at [email protected] with your resume to apply to be on our approved adjuster roster today!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show

Kagan Blackburn is an independent adjuster who has an amazing work ethic. He’s what you can call an expert hustler. His mindset when it comes to accomplishing his tasks is clear-cut and makes him stand out from the rest, but his humble upbringing keeps him grounded. He enjoys helping other people grow and repair their lives and being an independent adjuster enables him to do both.

Kagan joins me today to describe what it means to be a hustler in the insurance adjusting industry. He discusses some of the habits he’s developed that enable him to be successful in his career and how networking and building relationships have impacted his career. He also shares how he got started in the industry as well as the people who helped and inspired him to pursue the life of an independent adjuster.

“What’s going to separate you from those other people that are sending emails - it’s going to be following up.” - Kagan Blackburn

In This Episode of Adjuster Talk:

• Kagan's unique skill set that helped him become successful in the insurance adjusting industry.
• When he became interested in independent adjusting and who inspired him.
• Knowing the people to call and how he contacts them.
• Communicating in a way that connects with people.
• The challenges he faced in his career as an independent adjuster.
• His experience in dealing with auto claims.
• What he is currently working on with Chris Stanley.

Resources Mentioned:

• The World of Auto Industry Claim Adjusters with Chris Stanley
• The Insurance Adjusting Industry is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT with Chris Stanley Part 1
• Chris Stanley on Getting Into Auto Insurance Adjusting Part 2

Connect with Kagan Blackburn:

• LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]

Enroll Today for the Royal Adjusting Services Academy!

Are you ready to take your independent adjusting career to the next level? Royal Adjusting Services and Adjuster Talk Podcast are excited to announce our new insurance claim adjusting school - Royal Adjusting Services Academy. At Royal Adjusting Services Academy, you will learn everything you need to know to take your career to the next level, including a curriculum in dynamic, custom, and mock-up rooms and roofs as well as other cutting-edge techniques to help you become successful in the claim environment.

Visit our Royal Adjusting Services Academy website or email [email protected] to apply for your curriculum scholarship today!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show

AT040 Insurance Adjusting with Compassion and Integrity with Emily Whisman

Emily Whisman is an insurance adjuster with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Prep Program (Phase I). Through the program, she helps homeowners throughout the Houston, Texas region rebuild their lives following the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017.

Emily joins me today to share her experiences while working with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Prep Program. She explains how the program works, how homeowners can qualify for the program, and her role as an insurance adjuster and home inspector with the program. She also shares some of the challenges that many homeowners have faced since Hurricane Harvey, the perimeters she checks for during home inspections, and why she feels being compassionate and showing up with integrity when meeting Hurricane Harvey victims is critical to building rapport and trust with the homeowners.

“Develop a compassion to serve that is stronger than your compulsion to survive.” - Emily Whisman

In This Episode of Adjuster Talks:

• How FEMA’s Phase I Texas Rebuild Program works.
• Qualifications for homeowners to participate in the Texas Rebuild Program.
• Her role while working with the program.
• Why many homeowners are skeptical of insurance adjusters and contractors after Hurricane Harvey.
• How being a female insurance adjuster and home inspector can be beneficial in building trust with homeowners?
• How the Texas Rebuild Program is streamlining their processes to become more effective and productive.
• How FEMA inspectors work with contractors.
• How she prioritizes damage repairs based on the budget allowed for each home.
• Bridging the gap between FEMA inspectors and builders.
• Maintaining compassion, authenticity, and integrity.
• How her previous experience as a chiropractor and yoga instructor helps her in her role with FEMA’s Texas Rebuild Program.

Resources Mentioned:

• Texas Rebuild Project
• Lemoine Company, LLC

Connect. Share. Inspire.

Thanks for tuning in to the Adjuster Talk podcast with your host, Jason Heenan! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to subscribe to the show and leave an honest review. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 

If you’re interested in working with us, please feel free to email Jason at [email protected] or Mindy at [email protected] with yo

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Join the Royal Adjusting Services roster at RoyalAdjustingServices.com

Download the "Steps to Becoming an Adjuster Guide"

Free 7 Day Trial to the IA Path Adjuster Mentorship Community at AdjusterTalk.show