CAT Deployment Earnings Calculator
What will that Texas hail or Gulf Coast hurricane deployment really put in your pocket? Model fee-bill income, your split, daily expenses and taxes for any catastrophe assignment.
Estimated net earnings
- Claims closed-
- Gross fees billed-
- Your share (split)-
- Expenses & travel-
- Tax set-aside-
- Take-home-
Illustrative only. Fee schedules, splits and payment timing vary by carrier and IA firm.
How CAT adjusters get paid
Catastrophe adjusters are almost always independent contractors. The carrier pays the IA firm a fee for every claim based on a fee schedule tied to the gross loss — a $6,000 Dallas hail claim might bill $500, while a $60,000 Houston hurricane claim can bill $1,500 or more. The firm keeps its share (often 25–35%) and pays the rest to you, usually a few weeks after each file is approved.
Because you pay your own lodging, meals, fuel and software, the number that matters is net take-home per day worked. That is what this calculator shows. A long, busy deployment with simple claims often beats a short one with big losses — and a slow-starting storm can cut the math in half.
For the full picture, read our guide to CAT adjuster salary, see the sample fee schedule in insurance adjuster pay rates, or compare against a staff role with the insurance adjuster salary calculator.
CAT deployment FAQs
How much does a CAT adjuster make per deployment?
Most catastrophe deployments pay an experienced independent adjuster somewhere between $15,000 and $60,000 before expenses and taxes, depending on length, claim complexity, daily closures and the fee split with the IA firm.
What fee split do IA firms usually offer?
Splits commonly run from 65/35 to 75/25 in the adjuster's favor. Newer adjusters may start lower, while proven adjusters with strong file quality can negotiate higher splits or daily rates.
What expenses should I plan for on a deployment?
Lodging, food, fuel, vehicle wear, a ladder and safety gear, estimating software such as Xactimate, phone and data. Many adjusters budget $120 to $250 a day, plus travel to and from the storm.
How many claims can a CAT adjuster close per day?
On straightforward hail or wind claims, two to five inspections a day is typical once the deployment is in full swing. Large or complex losses can take several days each but pay much higher fees.
Keep running the numbers
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