I noticed Justin Skipton of Skipton Claims Administration at a United Policyholders fundraising occasion in California final week. I recalled Amy Bach from United Policyholders mentioning how impressed she was with Justin at a latest Nationwide Affiliation of Insurance coverage Commissioners assembly. My thoughts then wandered to this thought: “What was it like working with David Skipton?”
In considered one of my shows, I show an image of David Skipton, informing the viewers that he epitomizes somebody who has undergone important private progress and improvement. Since our first assembly, his experience in persuasion, private interplay, and data has soared on account of his dedication to self-improvement. David obtained the CPCU and SPPA designations and even wrote a e-book, Damaged Guarantees. Nevertheless, I used to be interested by what David Skipton was like as Justin’s boss earlier than witnessing this transformation.
The transition of a public adjusting agency from one era to the subsequent will not be simple. Operating a public adjusting enterprise, taking part with the time calls for of a nationwide chief within the commerce, and maintaining a balanced life with a younger household have been the forms of matters I needed to elicit from Justin Skipton.
Right here is the interview:
What’s the story of your public adjusting agency?
Within the early ’90s, my father, David Skipton, labored as a contractor specializing in restaurant design and set up. A pivotal second in his profession got here when a consumer’s restaurant that he designed had a devastating fireplace. Coping with the insurance coverage adjuster grew to become irritating. My father, an skilled restaurant builder, couldn’t get the declare paid pretty.
Ultimately, the restaurant proprietor employed a public adjuster, one thing my father had by no means heard of. The general public adjuster was capable of get the declare paid with the identical documentation my father had submitted simply weeks earlier than. This left a robust impression on my father, and he started looking for mentorship on the best way to develop into a public adjuster. A novel alternative arose when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, and a seasoned impartial adjuster provided to mentor my father if he went on project with him.
This mentorship led to a partnership with a revered public adjusting agency, solidifying my father’s dedication to serving to policyholders get truthful therapy from insurance coverage corporations. Ultimately, as I grew into my teenagers, I grew to become their gopher of types, beginning my journey to develop into a public adjuster.
What’s the dimension of your agency, and the way does it function?
Our agency is designed to offer a customized and attentive declare adjusting expertise. Presently, we’ve a devoted workforce consisting of 5 full-time adjusters, two full-time scope writers, and 5 further professionals dealing with varied advertising and administrative duties inside our workplace.
Whatever the declare’s dimension, I personally try to be concerned within the early levels of the claims adjusting course of. This hands-on method allows me to develop into acquainted with every consumer’s property, which, in flip, permits me to information our adjusters and estimate writers on what needs to be included in our declare submissions and the place potential pitfalls might come up throughout the declare course of.
What struggles did you observe your father face when he was first within the enterprise?
I’ve witnessed my father navigate a number of challenges when he first entered the enterprise, and these experiences have invaluable classes.
Some of the formidable hurdles he confronted was sustaining a constant stream of recent claims whereas successfully managing the continued workload. Shifting from the mindset of actively looking for new initiatives to the meticulous dealing with of present claims generally is a daunting transition, particularly when your livelihood is determined by it. We used to joke that every time we deliberate a trip, a big new declare would inevitably come our means, making it appear to be signing new losses was instantly tied to our household trip plans.
How did he overcome these challenges?
To beat these challenges, my father demonstrated resilience and adaptableness. He understood that on the earth of Public Adjusting, it’s practically not possible to eradicate the pure ebb and stream of enterprise. As an alternative, he centered on two essential methods: constantly maintaining the pipeline of recent claims/processing full and making certain that we had the monetary stability to climate the quieter durations.
What are one of the best classes you could have discovered out of your father as a public adjuster, both constructive or elements to keep away from?
Probably the most enduring lesson I discovered from my father is each elegantly easy and profoundly impactful: ‘Put the consumer’s pursuits first, and the cash will observe.’
This core precept lies on the coronary heart of our career and deeply influences my day by day work. Apparently, I’ve discovered this lesson to be more true than I ever imagined. As a younger adjuster, I as soon as managed a declare for a pair whose college-aged son by chance burned down their dwelling. I devoted hours with them, itemizing the non-salvageable gadgets for submission amidst intense debates and emotional moments. Whereas it could have been simpler to easily depart them with the duty and return later, I selected to remain the additional hours, making certain the job was completed proper. I reassured them, understanding their state of affairs’s gravity and promising we might get by way of it collectively. That week, I revisited them a number of occasions and made calls within the night every time I sensed their spirits flagging.
Years later, just some months earlier than I proposed to Kat, I encountered this couple at a funeral for considered one of her kin. Once they inquired about my presence, I discussed I used to be there with my girlfriend, Kat. The lady, in shock, exclaimed, ‘You imply my niece, Kat?’ She then turned to Kat and mentioned, ‘Justin performed a significant function in saving our marriage.’ She elaborated, telling Kat that the home fireplace had been an extremely difficult time for them, and it was my empathy and persistence that noticed them by way of.
I share this story to not search reward or bolster my ego however to underscore for public adjusters the importance of our function. It’s essential to at all times deal with every consumer with the identical care and consideration as one would a member of the family, for who is aware of? Someday, they only may develop into one.
How is it to transition the enterprise over to the youthful era?
Transitioning a household enterprise is a nuanced endeavor, particularly when it includes the dynamics of a father-son relationship marked by sturdy personalities. This journey calls for a meticulous evaluation of when and the best way to provoke the shift. One pivotal ingredient, particularly for a boutique family-operated public adjusting enterprise, is mastering the timing. It’s important to discern the precise second for the youthful era to claim management and for the senior member to recede.
It’s usually inside this transitional section that challenges crop up and familial bonds are examined — a lesson I discovered considerably painfully. I got here to understand the importance of persistence and reverence for my father’s management, even within the face of disagreements. It grew to become evident that he wasn’t completely ready to relinquish management. Therefore, I embraced a extra auxiliary function for a extra prolonged interval than I’d initially anticipated.
Throughout this interval, I channeled my vitality into refining my presence within the insurance coverage sector. I plunged into a variety of enterprise initiatives, corresponding to tackling storm claims and rising as an skilled witness. Moreover, I delved into {industry} training, buying varied certifications, and fortified my profession by taking up management roles in skilled associations like NAPIA. This technique allowed me to carve out a definite id within the insurance coverage world, all whereas cherishing and leveraging my father’s knowledge and expertise.
In essence, the transition hinges on putting the proper equilibrium: honoring my father’s legacy whereas equipping myself to steer our agency into the forthcoming period. This metamorphosis calls for mutual respect, persistence, and a united dedication to the enduring prosperity of our enterprise.
How is your model of management and operation of the enterprise totally different out of your father?
In reflecting on the evolution of my management model and the best way we function our enterprise, I’ve come to acknowledge the affect of my father’s strategies and the dear classes discovered from him. He was a troublesome mentor once I first entered the enterprise, very like his personal mentor was with him. I vividly recall the early days once I would draft letters to insurers and ship them to him for assessment. His suggestions was usually direct and, at occasions, felt relentless. He would inform me my letters weren’t as much as par, (they suck), and he’d delve into advanced insurance coverage ideas, virtually like talking a international language. His message was clear: ‘Rewrite it and ship it again.’ Typically, I discovered myself rewriting these letters 4 or 5 occasions earlier than he deemed them ‘wonderful,’ by no means good however ‘wonderful.’
These difficult interactions, although demanding, served as a trial for my progress. They pushed me to both fail in my function or really perceive the job of Public Adjusting. I selected not to surrender, and this demanding studying course of laid the muse for my method to management.
At this time, I intention to copy the dear elements of that mentorship. I imagine in giving my staff my mentorship time, the place I information them in understanding the intricacies of their duties or assist them navigate advanced insurance coverage ideas, a lot as my father did for me. Nevertheless, I’ve additionally discovered the significance of doing so in a motivational means. I then present them with the autonomy to excel or fail at their process, simply as my father did with me.
Do you sense that there’s a “era hole” between established public adjusters and public adjusters within the 20’s and 30’s? In that case, what are the variations?
There’s a noticeable ‘era hole’ inside our group of public adjusters, primarily centered across the variations in studying strategies and a resistance amongst some within the older era to adapt to those evolving types.
Some of the important shifts we’ve witnessed is the emergence of unvetted, uncertified, and unqualified “web gurus” on social media who current themselves as consultants. They usually produce flashy and charming video content material, which may be engaging to youthful adjusters looking for sooner and extra handy studying alternatives. This pattern displays the enchantment of a faster path by way of fast data acquisition in comparison with the standard strategies of studying the artwork of public adjusting.
Nevertheless, it’s necessary to not place the blame solely on the youthful era’s eagerness to be taught and adapt swiftly. Fairly, it’s a shared duty. The older era can play an important function by higher understanding these rising studying preferences and integrating conventional strategies right into a extra various and streamlined academic method. By bridging the generational hole, we will create a seamless and efficient studying expertise that mixes the knowledge of our seasoned consultants with the modern approaches of the youthful era.
On this means, we will foster a stronger, extra united group of public adjusters that leverages one of the best of each worlds—expertise and innovation—in the end elevating the bar for our career. It’s not about one era versus one other however about working collectively to adapt, evolve, and make sure the continued excellence of our subject. Because of this I’m committing a lot of my time to NAPIA and its Public Relations, Advertising and marketing, and Web site Committee, which is working to increase the attain of true public adjuster training.
What are one of the best strategies and avenues for public adjusters to be taught their commerce and the enterprise of public adjusting?
Turning into the simplest Public Adjuster requires a dedication to steady studying. Whereas I had the privilege of studying from an distinctive mentor who pushed me to excel, my actual journey to mastering Public Adjusting really started once I delved into {industry} certification programs just like the AIC (Affiliate In Claims) and CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty) that are taught to the upper-level executives of insurance coverage corporations. I additionally enhanced these ideas by turning into concerned in upper-level commerce organizations corresponding to NAPIA.
These {industry} programs present a complete basis for our work as adjusters on both facet, serving to us grasp the important parts of coverage interpretation, endorsements, and the intricacies of correct claims dealing with. The data gained in these programs isn’t just a matter of my private opinion; it’s a collective understanding of how insurance coverage carriers train the {industry} requirements and greatest practices. Once I have interaction with service adjusters, I don’t merely assert my viewpoint; I share insights based mostly on the ideas and teachings their bosses are taught.
As well as, if you wish to be one of the best at your chosen career, it’s good to encompass your self with one of the best. That is the rationale I made a decision to hitch NAPIA once I was a younger adjuster. I needed to be one of the best, and I solely knew how my father and books had taught me at that time. I believed it was time to additionally be taught from the titans in our {industry} with a number of generations of adjusters, and that’s the reason I joined NAPIA.
In essence, the pursuit of steady studying from really certified mentors and reliance on industry-accredited programs just like the AIC are important not just for our private progress however for the collective development of the career of Public Adjusting.
Are there any new traits relating to the operation of public adjusting corporations?
The one actual pattern I’ve seen is the pattern to be both a conventional public adjusting agency working fires and water losses or corporations that chase storms across the nation. Neither is correct or flawed, and we do each.
What have you ever discovered by taking part a lot in NAPIA?
Taking part in NAPIA has been considered one of my life’s most fulfilling experiences, one which I imagine each public adjuster in our group can profit from. It’s not simply one other affiliation; it’s a close-knit group of people who share a typical ardour for our career.
What struck me most once I joined NAPIA was the unwavering willingness of its members to lend a serving to hand. I’ve but to come back throughout a member who hesitated to help, even when they didn’t have a right away reply to my questions. They’d exit of their technique to join me with somebody who may present the steerage I sought. This spirit of camaraderie and knowledge-sharing is invaluable and units NAPIA aside.
I grew to become a member at a younger age as a result of I spotted that if I needed to excel, I wanted to encompass myself with one of the best. And that’s exactly what NAPIA gives – a platform to be taught from the easiest in our {industry}. Each occasion I attend, I come away with new insights and a deeper understanding of our work as PAs. I firmly imagine that my capability to work in a number of states in the present day is a direct results of my NAPIA membership.
As somebody who’s actively concerned, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the inside workings of NAPIA and the outstanding dedication of my fellow officers. Their dedication to advancing the sector of public adjusting is actually commendable. I at present function the third Vice President, with the consideration of being in line to develop into President for the 2026-27 time period. My focus is on enhancing and enhancing NAPIA’s Public Relations and Advertising and marketing efforts, a aim I’ve been captivated with since becoming a member of the affiliation.
I’ve additionally had the chance to witness the authorized battles NAPIA fights tirelessly to make sure the free observe and licensing of public adjusters in each state. It’s a testomony to our affiliation’s dedication to defending our career. There is no such thing as a means I’m the person I’m in the present day with out my NAPIA mentors.
What are your fears and worries for the career of public adjusting?
The career of Public Adjusting is beneath its most important assault in years. Some carriers are pushing or have already included an endorsement that may eradicate the insured’s proper to rent a public adjuster. NAPIA, in coordination with FAPIA, is preventing this in any respect ranges in each the courts and legislative methods, however the prices are going to be huge. It’s time that the general public adjusters on the sideline step in and be part of NAPIA, FAPIA, and the opposite actual organizations which are on the entrance line of this trigger. If they’ll get it in a single state, it’s only a matter of time till it comes knocking in your door.
What are your challenges as a husband and father whereas operating a public adjustment agency?
Balancing the calls for of operating a public adjusting firm with being a husband and father is not any simple process, nevertheless it’s a problem I embrace wholeheartedly. Household at all times comes first for me, and it’s a Christian precept I maintain pricey.
Once I see a storm brewing in some distant metropolis, I can’t assist however take a look at my youngsters and surprise if it’s price hitting the highway to a different storm. It’s a troublesome alternative, however I firmly imagine it’s potential to excel in each roles – as a devoted household man and a profitable enterprise proprietor.
If I have been to supply steerage to younger adjusters coming into this {industry}, it could be this: Always remember to “date” your partner, have interaction totally in your youngsters’s day by day lives, and at all times keep in mind that your high precedence lies with your loved ones. Whereas there’ll at all times be extra claims to regulate and storms to chase, there are specific moments in your loved ones’s life that may by no means be reclaimed.
Don’t get me flawed; I’m no stranger to hitting the highway, chasing storms, and adjusting claims removed from dwelling. However you’ll additionally discover that I’m incessantly on a airplane, wanting to return to my household’s facet. Once I’m on the town, I make it some extent to be current at dinnertime, to take heed to my youngsters’ tales, and to share of their day.
Irrespective of the character of your corporation, being one of the best husband and father whereas additionally excelling in your profession requires dedication and onerous work. It’s a dedication I’ll by no means waver from, and I’ll at all times cherish the group that helps me on this endeavor.
Why do you help Amy Bach and United Policyholders (UP)?
I wholeheartedly help Amy Bach and United Policyholders (UP) as a result of I genuinely imagine within the significance of their work. As public adjusters, attorneys, and customers, all of us play important roles within the insurance coverage market, and UP’s mission aligns completely with this attitude.
Amy’s group stands out as a singular and invaluable useful resource. They not solely empower policyholders with a deep understanding of the insurance coverage course of but in addition actively take part in essential conversations with regulators who’re inundated with requests and lobbyists representing insurance coverage carriers.
My help for UP isn’t pushed by private achieve however by a profound sense of obligation and the idea that our collective efforts could make a significant distinction within the lives of those that want it probably the most.
I encourage my fellow public adjusters to think about becoming a member of me in supporting UP. Collectively, we will make a constructive impression on the insurance coverage {industry}, advocate for equity, and be certain that these going through insurance-related challenges have the help and sources they should safe their rightful claims.
Justin Skipton has a fascinating persona. It’s apparent to me why policyholders rent his agency and why his friends voted him onto the ladder of NAPIA. He is likely one of the better of the brand new era of leaders who’ve been concerned with public adjusting from a young age.
Thought For The Day
I used to be fortunate that I met the precise mentors and lecturers on the proper second.
—James Levine
