One of the worst things to happen to a new independent adjuster or appraiser is to be blacklisted.
This is where one or more IA Firms or an insurance company list that an individual should not be given any work... period.
If the new person truly offends them they may share with other firms their dislike for the individual and it affects you potentially throughout the industry!
This list is also known as the DO NOT CALL list and several other names.
I've seen this happen to people for only a few simple reasons...
I'm sure you don't want it to happen to you, so I'm going to share how you can avoid this dreadful fate that can stop your career from ever truly taking off.
First off, note that if a specific carrier "blacklists" you it doesn't mean your career is over.
This simply means you can't work for that specific carrier. I've had people in a panic that they were blacklisted or put on the do not call list for a large carrier worried they'd never be able to work again... but this isn't the case.
There are other insurance carriers and plenty of IA Firms you could work for.
Onto the list.
How to Avoid Being Blacklisted as an Independent Adjuster
Know how to do your job BEFORE you accept an assignment
I can't tell you how many lonely souls walk the plank over accepting work as an independent adjuster only to find out they don't know how to do their job.
EVEN IF an IA Firms "promises" to train you, that doesn't guarantee you'll actually get trained or trained well.
I've seen poor performance based on pure ignorance be the culprit behind more career false starts or blacklistings than any other thing.
2. Don't lie and say you know how to do the job or have experience
Many people have done this, some successfully but the truth catches up.
This industry is hard to fake and if you lie about your experience or your skillset people will send you home and never pick up the phone again for you.
This doesn't speak well about your character and since you are handling the insurance company checkbook your character is IMPORTANT.
3. Don't steal
Now few people believe themselves capable of stealing, but this could be the company's time... playing on your phone while on the clock.
That Facebook game... using a company computer while on the clock... double no.
You don't have to be a masked thief robbing a vault to steal things worth money to a company. Treat your time as their time.
Show up on time, don't take extra long breaks, don't swipe the clock for other people.. .etc.
Oftentimes, companies will allow you to take home your computer, printer, and other materials but you are required to send that stuff back after your deployment ends... it is the IA Firms and many times the insurance companies property.
Even staplers, printer ink, or other office supplies could cause you to get sent home.
4. Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated
The golden rule sums up most of the other reasons I've seen people blacklisted.
Don't harrass, sexually or otherwise, ANYONE.
Talk courteously to the insured... like you'd want. (even and especially true if they are being a jerk)
Talk with respect to the IA Firm, dispatchers, QC, and management just like you wished they talked to you.
Don't talk down about a carrier, firm, or other employees... because you wouldn't want them to about you.
5. Work Hard
If you show up trained, licensed, treat people with respect, and work hard... you'll succeed in this industry.
But if you fail to do one of these you may run into trouble.
No one likes freeloaders, thieves, or rude people.
No one also likes you playing the "Task monkey game" where you pretend you are working by reassigning tasks so it looks like you handling a file... you know if you do this and you know what I'm talking about.
I'd blacklist more than a handful of people a day for doing such manipulation... but thats why I'm not in charge of that... rant over.
Point is be a good human, a good worker, and you'll avoid all the obvious reasons of being blacklisted.
Now I've seen people get blacklisted from a carrier for debatable reasons, but as I mentioned.. this isn't the end of your career.
It is a learning opportunity.
Make sure you learn from it and move on. Don't defend yourself, talk trash about them... just prove them wrong.
I hope this helps you in your career.
Your Guide,
Chris Stanley
P.S. If you are looking for work as an independent , check out our IA Path Work Placement program where we get you work... guaranteed.
There are 4 stages to our work placement program,
training
certification
placement
coaching/mentorship (estimates and career)
And if you don't get work... we pay you... so you have nothing to lose.
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