Getting your adjuster license is step one. Getting deployed is a completely different game. Every year, newly licensed adjusters spend months waiting for their first assignment — not because there aren’t storms, but because they haven’t done the work to get in front of the right IA firms before the storms hit.
This post covers exactly how to get on a CAT roster, what IA firms are actually looking for, and — just as importantly — how to make sure you get called back after your first deployment.
What “Getting on a Roster” Actually Means
Independent adjusting (IA) firms maintain lists of adjusters they can deploy quickly when a CAT event activates. Being “on a roster” means a firm has your information on file and has approved you to work assignments under their carrier contracts.
Some firms have open applications year-round. Others activate their roster process seasonally or after a major event. Getting on a roster doesn’t guarantee deployment — it means you’re eligible. What determines whether you actually get called is a combination of your credentials, your proximity to the loss area, and your reputation with that firm.
Most working CAT adjusters are on rosters with multiple firms. The more quality rosters you’re on, the more opportunities you have when storms hit.
Step 1: Get the Right Credentials Before You Apply
IA firms have minimum requirements, and applying before you meet them is a waste of everyone’s time. The baseline most firms expect:
- Active adjuster license in at least one state, ideally your home state plus a few high-CAT states (Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Colorado)
- Xactimate proficiency — at minimum, a passing score on the Xactimate Level 1 certification. Many firms now require Level 2 for residential CAT work.
- Basic inspection equipment — ladder, shingle gauge, mud trowel for shingle tab manipulation, other measuring tools, safety gear
- Reliable transportation — you’ll need to get to job sites independently
If you don’t have Xactimate certification yet, get it before you start applying. Firms see hundreds of applications. Uncertified applicants get deprioritized.
Step 2: Know Which Firms to Target
There are dozens of IA firms, but a handful handle the majority of CAT volume. Research which firms hold contracts with the carriers you want to work for. Some firms specialize in wind/hail, others in flood (NFIP), others in commercial.
Start with firms that are known for training newer adjusters — they’re more willing to take on someone without a long track record if your credentials and presentation are solid. As you build your resume, you’ll be able to apply to more selective firms.
Check each firm’s website for a “Join Our Team,” “Adjuster Application,” or “Vendor Application” link. Many use third-party portals (like AdjusterPro, OA Connect, or their own systems). Keep a spreadsheet of where you’ve applied, the login credentials for each portal, and any follow-up dates.
Step 3: Write a Roster Application That Gets Read
Your application is a first impression. Most are generic — a scanned license and a two-line bio. Stand out by being specific and professional.
Your adjuster profile should include:
- States you’re licensed in
- Xactimate level and certification date
- Claim types you’re trained on (wind, hail, water, fire, etc.)
- Prior experience — even non-adjusting experience matters if it’s relevant (construction, roofing, contracting)
- Availability — can you deploy within 24-48 hours? Say so explicitly.
- Contact information that you actually monitor
Keep it concise. Roster coordinators scan these quickly. Make your credentials and availability easy to find at a glance.
Step 4: Follow Up — Once, Professionally
Most adjusters apply and never follow up. A brief, professional email to the roster coordinator two weeks after submitting your application sets you apart. Something like:
“I submitted my adjuster application on [date] and wanted to confirm it was received. I’m licensed in [states], Xactimate Level 2 certified, and available for deployment. Please let me know if you need any additional information.”
That’s it. One follow-up. Don’t call repeatedly or send multiple emails. Firms remember adjusters who are pushy — and not in a good way.
How to Stay on the Roster (and Get Called First)
Getting on a roster is the easier half. What actually determines your long-term CAT career is your reputation once you’re deployed.
Firms track everything. File close rates, supplement rates, policyholder complaints, QA scores, how quickly you return calls, whether you meet deadlines. Adjusters who perform well get called first on the next event. Adjusters who don’t get quietly moved to the bottom of the list — or removed entirely.
The behaviors that get you called back:
- Close files on time. Firms measure this. If you’re consistently past due, you’re a liability.
- Communicate proactively. If a file is going to be delayed, tell your supervisor before the deadline, not after.
- Keep your QA scores clean. Documentation errors, scope misses, and estimate mistakes show up in your QA reviews. One bad file happens. A pattern ends careers.
- Be easy to work with. Roster coordinators and field supervisors talk. Adjusters with a reputation for being professional, responsive, and low-drama get redeployed. Those who create friction don’t.
- Update your credentials. License renewals, new state licenses, updated Xactimate certification — keep your profile current in every firm’s portal. Outdated credentials get you bypassed even when you’re otherwise qualified.
One More Thing: Build Relationships
The adjusters who consistently get deployed aren’t just on rosters — they know people at the firms. After a deployment, send a brief thank-you to your supervisor. Stay in contact between events. When you do good work, ask if you can use that supervisor as a reference.
The CAT world is smaller than it looks. Your reputation travels with you, and the relationships you build on your first deployment can determine whether you get called on the next five.
Want Help Getting Ready for Your First Deployment?
If you’re working through the licensing process or trying to build the skills that get you taken seriously by IA firms — estimate writing, inspection technique, policy basics — that’s exactly what I cover in 1-on-1 coaching. Learn more about working with me →
