Preparing for Hurricane Season as a Property Adjuster
Hurricane season can be one of the busiest and most critical times of the year for property insurance adjusters. As storms increase in frequency and severity, so does the demand for skilled professionals who can assess damage quickly, accurately, and compassionately. If you're a property adjuster, preparation is key to staying safe, organized, and ready to serve policyholders when disaster strikes.
Here are some essential tips to help you prepare for hurricane season:
1. Update Your Credentials and Licensing
Before hurricane season ramps up, make sure all your licenses are up to date in the states where you plan to deploy. Many states affected by hurricanes require specific adjuster licensing or emergency permits. Don’t wait until the last minute. Processing times can slow down during peak season. Also, review your CE (continuing education) requirements and complete any needed training ahead of time.
2. Have Your Deployment Gear Ready
Adjusting in post-hurricane conditions means you’ll need more than a laptop and clipboard. Make sure your field gear is ready to go: a fully charged phone and backup battery, laptop with adjusting software pre-installed, camera or smartphone with good photo capabilities, flashlight or headlamp, personal protective equipment (PPE), weather-appropriate clothing and boots, a first-aid kit, and hard copies of important contacts and claim forms. Being prepared with the right equipment helps you hit the ground running when you deploy.
3. Preload Software and Templates
Having your adjusting software, estimating tools, and report templates preloaded and organized will save you hours of work in the field. Test your systems before hurricane season begins, and make sure you have reliable cloud backups in case your device is damaged or lost. If you're working for a firm, confirm that you’re set up in their systems and have access to any portals or platforms they use.
4. Stay Informed and Ready to Travel
Stay on top of weather forecasts and potential storm developments from June through November. Sign up for alerts from the National Hurricane Center and local emergency management agencies. When a major storm is imminent, deployment firms often give little notice, so having a go-bag packed and being flexible with travel is key.
5. Plan for Communication and Connectivity
After a hurricane, cell towers and internet services are often unreliable. Carry a mobile hotspot, extra chargers, and physical maps in case GPS apps fail. Also, make sure family and emergency contacts know where you’re going and how to reach you.
6. Take Care of Yourself, Too
Deployments are stressful, physically demanding, and emotionally intense. Build in time to rest, eat well, and check in with loved ones. Bring supplies to help you stay comfortable in uncertain environments like snacks, reusable water bottles, and sleeping gear if lodging is limited.
Being a property adjuster during hurricane season isn’t easy, but with preparation, it can be incredibly rewarding. You’re not just assessing damage; you’re helping people start the rebuilding process after one of the hardest days of their lives. The more prepared you are, the more impact you can make.