Carter’s Senior Project:

Insurance Adjusting

By: Carter Larson

 ● Introduction of Project
○ Area of Expertise
○ Project Aspirations
● Overview of Shadowing
○ Who, Where, and Why
○ Observations
○ Reflection
Overview ○ Choosing a research topic
● Presentation of Product
○ Purpose
○ Process
○ Presentation
● Closing
○ What I Learned
○ Future Plans
○ Thank You’s
● Opening for Questions
 ● Interest of what my Dad, Uncle, and

Grandpa did for work

Choosing an Area ● Like the idea of being my own boss
● You make your own schedule, so it
of Expertise can be very flexible
 Project 1. Learn more about my family’s
business

Aspirations 2. Learn what it takes to become an

adjuster
3. Decide whether this is the job for me
4. Have fun
Shadowing Expierence
Who, Where, and Why?

● Who?:
○ Mark Larson, owner of Dakota Claims Service of Aberdeen, Huron, and Watertown,

SD
● Where?:
○ Dakota Claims Service Watertown location
○ Multiple jobsites throughout Northeastern SD
● Why?:
○ Most reasonable choice to fit my needs
Observations
● Shadowed multiple dates and investigated two types of claims
○ Automobile
■ ABRA body shop and WW Tire
● What information do you need from the owner?
● What should you include in your file?
○ Property
■ Commercial Property in Watertown
● Wind
○ How to differentiate new and old damage
■ Commercial Property in Desmet
● Fire
○ How to safely investigate buildings with possible structural issues
Observations (Continued)

○ Computer systems
■ Filetrac
■ Xactimate
■ CC
● How does each work and what does each one accomplish?
 ● Took in a large amount of
information
● Found a basic understanding of the
Reflection process
● Was able to have a greater
understanding of day to day
activities
● Had a fun time
 ● Research has shown that
Insurance Adjusting is a fast
paced and stressful occupation.
Choosing a Research Topic ○ How can you overcome
and Completing a occupational stress?
Research Essay ● Researched many sources from a
variety of databases.
○ Form multiple concise
paragraphs that relate to my
question.
Product Prospectus
 ● Needed something that
represented the process as a
whole
○ My mentor explained to me
that every claim has a file
Product Purpose ● Help others obtain an
understanding of the process
○ Most people will have an
insurance claim at some point
in their life.
 ● Find previous claim to obtain

information
● Begin formatting document

Product Process ● Have mentor assist with dimensions

● Get assistance from mentor to

calculate cost
● Have mentor look-over file to ensure

accuracy
Product Presentation
● Header includes information specific to the claim
○ Insured, Location, Identifying numbers, ETC
● Images from several sides of the property
○ Labeling
● Xactimate Sketch
○ Needed to find square footage
● Replacement Decisions
○ Costs
● Final page includes information regarding everyone involved
Closing
 ● The procedure to follow to
inspect vehicles and buildings
What Did I ● The programs that are used to
calculate values and how to use
Learn? them.
● What goes on in the office
● What traits it takes to be an
insurance adjuster
● Insurance adjusting is a job I
would enjoy
 Attend LATC pursuing a degree in
Future Plans Entrepreneurship Business
 ● Mentor Mark Larson
● Mr. Rudebusch
Thank You To... ● Angie Larson
● Junior Panel Members
● Panel Members
I am now Open to
Questions!