Ready to stop gambling with your career and start winning? The Independent Adjuster Podcast is where Pathfinders like you find clarity, take action, and escape the traditional grind of the adjuster industry. Host Chris Stanley redefines success with the EXP Free Path, teaching you how to think differently, act boldly, and claim your future without waiting for luck or experience. It’s time to build a career that works for you, one episode at a time.
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August 10, 20269 min
How I Almost Ruined My Adjusting Career (before it got started)
We almost trade a life-changing adjusting career for the illusion of security, and I tell the story of the table where I nearly said no. We walk through the real costs of getting started and why the hardest stretch often shows up right before the breakthrough. • weighing a “safe” job path against a real career move • the father-in-law mentorship offer and what it required • working seven days a week and being away from family • the first auto claim, language hurdles, and learning on the fly • long drives to a distant coverage area and saying yes anyway • income milestones from $42k to $80k+ and the freedom that followed • why quitting early would have cost far more than starting • how we shorten the ramp with certification, mentors, and IA firm agreements You should come learn how to be an insurance appraiser with me.
August 7, 20265 min
16,800 Crashes Happen Tomorrow. Are You On The Right Roster?
We break down why the real opportunity in independent adjusting is not storm season, but the constant stream of everyday auto claims. We use the 16,800 daily police reported car crashes figure to challenge the “golden ticket” mindset and map a more stable path built on rosters, relationships, and repeatable daily work. • the 16,800 daily crash number and why it matters for independent adjusters • the hidden claim volume beyond police reports including hail, animal damage, and non reported losses • why betting your career on hurricanes leads to waiting and missed opportunity • the real costs and risks of cat deployments versus the control of daily claims work • how daily claims let you build expertise, reputation, and income part time or full time • why getting on the right rosters and building firm relationships drives assignments So if you're ready to stop waiting for a golden ticket and start building something real, I'd love to have you at the free 30-day IA workshop we're gonna host on Monday, August 3rd, 6 to 8 p.m. Eastern. REGISTER BELOW https://iapath.com/30dayia
April 30, 2026Episode 34010 min
Same Mentor. 25 Years. 6 Months. 12 Days. What Happened?
My father-in-law Mark spent 25 years becoming one of the best auto damage estimators in the industry. He started as a painter, worked his way through body repair, estimating, shop management, and eventually became an independent appraiser. He trained me in 6 months. Two years ago a student named Ty went through our program in 12 days, then deployed to a hailstorm and trained under the same mentor. Same man. Completely different timelines. In this episode I unpack what that compression tells us about where the collision and claims industry is heading and why the fossil workforce crisis is more urgent than anyone is admitting publicly. One in four adjusters retires by 2027. The knowledge leaves with them. And AI alone won't fill that gap. This is what the Renewable Workforce is and why it might be the most important conversation this industry isn't having yet.
March 23, 2026Episode 33956 min
All Ages Welcome. Grandkids in the Hallway, Claims on the Screen
Tom Vogel certified with IA Path in June 2020, right in the middle of Covid, when everyone else was shutting down. Five years later he's still in the field, still working six firms, and still answering direct messages from community members with questions. He joined our Monday night office hours to share what five years of building an independent appraiser business actually looks like. The boundaries that protect your sanity. The time blocking that keeps you from working until 2am, even when you still sometimes do. The week he landed 14 heavy equipment claims at one location and walked away with $3,700. The routing app he uses for free because he refuses to pay $10 a month for the pro version. And yes, he did all of this with five grandkids running up and down the hallway. This is what a real career in this industry looks like. Not the highlight reel. The whole thing.
June 30, 2025Episode 3388 min
Which Adjuster Licenses Will Get You Hired for Auto Desk Work
Strategic licensing is the key to landing auto desk deployments, with firms prioritizing adjusters who hold multiple state licenses for maximum claim-handling flexibility. While most experienced desk adjusters eventually acquire 20+ licenses, you can gain an advantage by strategically selecting which licenses to obtain first. • Firms filter deployment candidates by looking for adjusters with licenses in all affected states • Weather patterns should guide your licensing strategy (Midwest states for hail season, Gulf states for hurricane season) • Hard-to-obtain licenses like South Carolina appraiser's or New York adjuster license make you more valuable • States requiring special appraiser's licenses create barriers that can help you make the "short list" • Having licenses in frequently hit states increases your chances of being selected for deployments • Knowledge and competence remain essential—licenses alone won't help if you can't do the job Keep walking your path and claiming your life!
June 23, 2025Episode 3376 min
Beyond the Call Center: Your Path to Remote Auto Claims Work
Wondering how to land that dream work-from-home auto adjusting position? This episode unveils the pathways to remote work in the independent adjusting world that many aspiring adjusters don't fully understand. I break down the crucial distinction between desk deployments (working at a call center or office) and genuine remote work (from your home or location of choice). For auto total loss adjusters, the typical journey begins with proving yourself in a controlled environment for 2-3 weeks before earning the trust to take your laptop home. The financial upside is significant - maintaining that $400/day rate while eliminating all travel expenses makes these positions incredibly valuable. While competition exists for these roles, they're more accessible than most realize. Success hinges on two key factors: appropriate licensing in states with active claims and demonstrating competence that instills confidence in your ability to work independently. I also explore the alternative path through auto damage remote work, where adjusters write estimates from photos submitted from the field. This option typically pays per claim ($10-$20 each) rather than daily rates, creating different opportunities and challenges. The choice between these paths involves important tradeoffs. Auto total loss remote work provides steady, predictable income but requires strict adherence to schedules with little flexibility during working hours. Auto damage remote opportunities offer more freedom but potentially inconsistent claim volume. Whether you're seeking a primary income source or supplemental earnings alongside field adjusting, understanding these distinctions will help you navigate toward the remote opportunity that best fits your goals and lifestyle. Ready to explore these options further? Contact us at 844-4-IAPATH or check out our certifications at iapath.com to build the experience requirements necessary for these positions.
June 17, 2025Episode 3367 min
How to Score Months Long Auto Desk Deployments
Every adjuster dreams of landing those long-term deployments that offer stability and consistent income. The secret? Auto desk deployments – but not just any desk role will do. In this eye-opening episode, I share insights from my experience during Hurricane Sandy, where I witnessed firsthand the crucial difference between short-term field deployments and months-long desk opportunities. Drawing from both personal experience and knowledge gained from family members who became supervisors in the industry, I reveal why total loss adjusting positions are the golden ticket to sustained deployment work. While field auto adjusters typically wrap up their catastrophe work in 1-3 weeks, total loss adjusters often remain deployed for months, earning $400-500 daily. The industry faces a significant training gap in preparing adjusters for these specialized roles. Most firms offer woefully inadequate preparation – some as brief as five to seven minutes – which explains why many adjusters get sent home early from what could have been long-term assignments. I walk through exactly what total loss adjusters do: negotiating settlements with vehicle owners, determining accurate valuations, managing salvage, verifying liens, and processing titles. These responsibilities require specific knowledge that goes well beyond basic adjuster training. Ready to position yourself for these coveted long-term deployments? I share exactly what you need to do – from acquiring the right licenses to seeking specialized training that will help you succeed where others fail. Whether you're looking to diversify your adjuster career or find more stability in this volatile industry, this episode gives you the roadmap to scoring those elusive, lucrative auto desk deployments that keep you working when others are sent home.
March 26, 2025Episode 3357 min
How to Get Your First Catastrophic Auto Hail Deployment
The skies are rumbling and "nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars" are falling across the country – it's hail season! For independent adjusters, this means opportunity is literally raining down. Are you positioned to capitalize on these $500 per day catastrophic deployments?
March 3, 2025Episode 3346 min
IA Playbook CONCLUSION + Open Enrollment (Audiobook)
The journey into independent adjusting can be overwhelming, but this episode empowers aspiring adjusters to take charge. We guide you through essential tips and strategies to transform knowledge into action, helping you navigate the complexities ahead. • Introduction to independent adjusting and its significance • Key strategies for building a strong professional network • Importance of taking action and learning from experiences If you have more questions or would like custom advice for your situation, email Chris or call 844-4-IAPATH.
February 28, 2025Episode 3338 min
IA Playbook Pt 12 - Step 7: Rosters (Audiobook)
Navigating the onboarding process can feel overwhelming. We discuss the essential steps and offer insights on how to position yourself for success in the independent adjusting field. • Overview of the onboarding process and its purpose • Essential documents required for onboarding success • Insights into what to expect during onboarding interactions Launch your independent adjusting career by following our guidelines and strategies for success. Stay engaged with the firms that onboard you, as consistent follow-up can make all the difference!
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