The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-04
WORK OF FIRE ADJUsTERs.
How They Learn of Losses and the
Methods They Pursue.

New York Commercial Advertiser.
Men whose faces have long been fsmiliar
to the reporters at police headquarters has
ten through Mulberry street to the steps
leading to the basement of the big white
building of the central office about clock
each morning. The door swings on it's
hinges and the men disappear. They turn
to the left in the dark passageway, and
second turn in the same direction brings
them into the little room outside the tele-
graph office, in which are displayed, as soon
as received, the slips from the various po-
lice stations and fire headquarters, an
nouncing in skeleton form the news of the
night.
The men care nothing about the brief an
nouncements of murders, suicides, thefts
and the other evidences of criminology;
what they are after are the slips which
describe the fires of the night. They are
fire adjuSters. these early visitors and it
is unique business which they have fos-
tered and developed. They are not at
tached to any insurance company, yet by
years of close attention to business they
are recognized experts. and as such are
called frequently into court to testify in
arson trials.
Who originated the business nobody
seems to know, but there is a tradition
to the effect that more than generation
ago a man whose home had been damaged
by fire had some difficulty in collecting his
insurance. He was quick to recognize the
plight of others placed in a similar predica-
ment, and, being aggressive, he determined
to act as an intermediary in the matter of
age fee for his trouble.
other men entered the field from time to
time. AT this time more than a score of
shrewd, observant men are engaged in adj
Justing fire losses. They do not like to de-
scribe their methods. The field is limited
even for city as large as New York, and
If more men should engage in the business
the receipts would be less for each individ-
ual. In brief however, they go about their
work much in the following manner: The
roundup of a night may be a dozen fires.
Each slip states the number of the alarm
box. when received cause of the fire, If
KNOWN damage estimated, and If insured,
The men divide the work of the morning as
best they can. By o'clock the little band
has scattered, but later other adjusters ar
rive and take up the claims fast as they
are recorded.
1t is a notable fact that many persons
who suffer losses by fire, especially in the
damage done almost invariably, but the fire
adjuster. with his years of training to guide
him, is quick to make an impartial APP
praisement Arrived at the scene of the fire.
he soon learns the names of the persons
insured and the titles of the companies in
surfing them. He explains the object of his
visit. and the insured being anxious to have
the loss settled as speedily as possible, is
only too willing to consent to pay the adj
juSter's fee The companies, too, are ready
to accept the appraisement, knowing from
experience tAat the adjusters are experts
in their business and will see that justice Is
done to the several contracting parties.
AS a rule the adjusters prefer to pass
upon the damage done by large fires; the
small ones are too troublesome, and a clerk
from the insurance company can adjust
them easily.