Hurricane season is just around the corner (June 1st), and it is never too early to prepare yourself. As an insurance adjuster, you play a crucial role in helping your clients to recover from the damages that hurricanes leave behind.

 

Therefore, it is essential to be thoroughly prepared and equipped to handle the challenges that come with hurricane season. Whether you are an independent adjuster seeking to get hired and sent out during a natural disaster or you are a staff adjuster who knows they will need to be ready when their company sends them, there are a few things you can do to make sure you are prepared. Hurricane season typically follows the June through November season. This allows you to predict when you will be busiest and prepare seasonally. You will be ready to go on an assignment with fewer hurdles by following these suggestions on preparing for hurricane season:

#1 Keep yourself updated with the latest information and trends.
Every hurricane season is unique and can bring in its own set of challenges. To be well-prepared, it is important to keep yourself updated with the latest information and trends. Keep a close watch on meteorological updates, weather patterns, and news stories related to the hurricanes. Joining forums and networking with other insurance adjusters can also be helpful. By gathering this information, you can stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the expected challenges.

#2 Get maintenance done on your vehicle & stock trunk with supplies.
Before the season starts, take your vehicle in to receive all the recommended maintenance. You want to ensure your car is ready to go and won’t leave you stranded. It could be disastrous breaking down in an emergency area. It could also be detrimental to your career if car trouble kept you from an assignment. Make sure your car has jumper cables and spare tires. Stock your vehicle with the necessary resources and supplies needed in a hurricane season. This includes having some nonperishable food, water, a backup power supply, as well as protective gear and first-aid kits. It is important to have all these basic resources in place so that you can continue with your work even during prolonged periods of power outage and network connectivity issues.

#3 Make sure all your licenses are up to date.
When you hold licenses in many states, it can sometimes be difficult to remember when they expire. Make sure all your licenses are up to date and address any that are not. When your licenses are up to date, you can deploy immediately. Also, during off season, if there are states you have not yet obtained a license for, take some time to do that. This makes you more hireable and increases your income potential.

#4 Make sure your Continuing Education Credits are current.
Take some time to review all your CE requirements for each license and check that you are up to date. If you find you need CE credits, AE21 can make taking care of CE fairly painless.

#5 Be committed.
It’s important to decide ahead of time to be committed once you take an assignment. This applies more to the independent adjuster, but it’s important to see the assignment all the way through. Some disaster areas can take much longer time in the field than you may expect. Decide ahead of time that you are committed for the long haul. Adjusters that see things through will find plenty of work. If you are an independent adjuster that has a time frame they need to commit to, communicate that up front to your recruiter.

#6 Plan vacations around the season.
If vacations are important to you, plan one before the season starts. Early summer is ideal. This way, you are ready and available.

#7 Have a support system in place.
The job of an insurance adjuster can be demanding and stressful during a hurricane season. To ensure that you are in a good mental space, it is important to have a support system in place. Maintain clear communication with your colleagues and clients and seek out guidance or mentorship from senior industry professionals. Maintaining avenues for decompression like exercise, meditation, or keeping connected with your family, as a well-rested mind and body is crucial for a successful hurricane season.

With these strategies in place, you’ll be prepared to take an assignment if disaster strikes. Preparing for hurricane season will better equip both you and your clients to handle the challenges brought on by hurricanes and natural disasters.

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