Viva Las Vegas! What an outstanding convention we had in Las Vegas. There were so many excellent and important certifications and classes and fabulous entertainment, along with the bonus of great networking opportunities with both new and old friends and companies.

 

Our "newcomer" reception was a huge hit and we're planning to keep it on the agenda for next year. At the Tuesday night dinner, the "Rat Pack" and "Marilyn Monroe" kept us laughing, and their show will be hard to beat in the future.   But the bottom line is that we really missed those of you who could not attend this year and sincerely hope you will start making plans to be at the 2013 convention in Houston, Texas.

 

I want to thank our 2011 President, Warren Aplin, for his excellent tenure and am so pleased he will remain on the Board this next year as Past President. His wisdom and information is certainly a bonus for us all.   Also, many thanks and accolades to our Secretary, Lori Ringo for another outstanding job in planning, coordinating, and handling the endless details that made our convention a big success. And thanks also go to Mike Ringo for his untiring assistance and support. Big kudos go to all of the class instructors, vendors and sponsors. Their professionalism shone as they shared their important information we all came to learn. But we can't forget our reason for being there: you, the adjuster, who came to learn and help. Your support is so appreciated. We could not do it without each of you.

 

It is with great honor and humility that I assume the presidency for 2012 and promise to strive to live up to the expectations and faith that each of you placed in me when you elected me to the Board 3 years ago. I have big shoes to fill and will do so to the best of my ability.

 

Your Board of Directors and the Committees are already hard at work in their endeavor to make NACA an even better organization in 2012 and to do our best to make the 2013 convention another great one. We are working on NACA membership certifications as well as acquiring more available discounts for our members to name just a few.

 

One of our main emphasis and needs this year is to increase our membership. Due to the lack of storms, it has been very difficult for many of us in the past few years. There was less work for independent adjusters and we have had hard choices to make in order to make ends meet. Due to those tight dollars, our membership has suffered. I would like to challenge each of you to recruit at least 1 new member this year. If each of us does that, our membership will double. By the way, if you recruit more than 1, you certainly won't hear any complaints.  Remem-ber, you get $25.00 off your yearly dues for each general member who lists your name on the left side of their application. We are taking every opportunity we can to attend as many claims conferences as possible in an effort to get the NACA name out to the independent adjusting community and to acquaint and re-acquaint them with the benefits of NACA membership, but we need your help. Talk to your peers, explain the benefits of NACA membership and encourage them to join. We can do this, but not without you. We are only as strong as our group as a whole. This is a great organization. This is your organization. Please help it grow so more benefits can be added. The larger our organization is, the more benefits we can offer to each of you, our members.

 

The Weather Channel has stated this winter has been 10 degrees warmer all over the country (probably except for Alaska) and the winter storms now seem to be behind us. But with it already averaging 10 degrees warmer, just think what the spring and summer storm seasons might possibly be like. When storms hit, insurance companies need our help - and help means more paychecks for each of us.

 

Again, let me say, it is my honor to serve as your president this year and if I can do anything to help you in any way or you have any suggestions for NACA, please do not hesitate to let me know. My email address is below.  I'm doing my storm dance and I will hopefully see you on the road soon!

 

Wanda Hogan

2012 President

Wicked44@aol.com

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NACA MEMBERS - WE HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH  POLICIES THROUGH AFLAC! 

AFLAC

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The Life of a Catastrophe Claims Adjuster

 by Melissa Aplin

 

This will be a recurring article. Do you have an interesting story? Are you a career cat adjuster? Do you know a candidate for this article? Contact Melissa Aplin or Lori Ringo.

  

What is the saying...never mix business with pleasure? What if your business is your pleasure? What if your business takes you around the world, allowing you to explore new places and meet new people? The life of a catastrophe claims adjuster can be just that. So what does it take to be a catastrophe claims adjuster? Perhaps it takes someone just like Washington native, Steven Hullman. A NACA General Member since 2007, Steven has served NACA on the Membership Committee and the Promotional Committee. His dedication and background have allowed him to travel all over the country in his 40 foot motor home, even bringing him to England and New Zealand.

 

Steven Hullman started his professional career as a contractor and electrician, which continued for 20+ years before he entered the world of claims adjusting. He has now been adjusting claims for 12 years, and one could say his background qualifies him as an expert on the component parts of buildings. But, his expertise did not come easy. Scoping damage caused by hail, tornadoes, hurricanes and snow storms, Steven Hullman has seen it all. Steven explains that he gained a great deal of knowledge from on the job experience, taking numerous claims adjusting courses and by attending claims related conventions.

 

Successful claims adjusters are always educating and marketing themselves and finding other ways to stand apart from their peers. One grizzled, old claims manager was once asked, "What does one need to know to be a successful claims adjuster?" Without hesitation he replied, "One simply needs to know all there is to know about everything".  Catastrophe claims adjusting isn't easy.  As with any other career, one must enjoy what one does and constantly strive to be the best at it.

 

Being away from home for long periods of time isn't something which many people can well endure. For a catastrophe claims adjuster, however, travel and long periods away from home are prerequisites for the job. Hullman travels nine to eleven months out of the year, his longest time in one location has been eight months. But for Hullman, traveling is one of the perks of the job.

 

Despite the long hours and extended time away from home, the life of a successful catastrophe claims adjuster does leave room for other pleasures, but only when the work is done, of course.

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