Michelle Criss

About Michelle Criss

Criss Academy is a specialized training and licensing school for insurance adjusters, founded and led by Michelle Criss. It provides live instructor-led classes as well as online self-study options designed to help aspiring and current adjusters gain the knowledge, credentials, and practical skills needed to succeed in the insurance claims industry.Here’s a quick breakdown:Purpose & MissionCriss Academy exists to make insurance adjusting training accessible, practical, and career-focused. The goal is to prepare students not only to pass licensing exams but also to excel in real-world claims handling, from property and auto damage to customer communication and compliance.Courses Offered ⇢ Texas All-Lines Adjuster Pre-License + Exam – A complete course that qualifies students to become licensed adjusters in Texas (a licensing state that offers reciprocity for many others). ⇢ Xactimate Training – Covers the industry’s leading estimating software for property claims. ⇢ Desk & Field Adjuster Fundamentals – Teaching the essentials of handling claims remotely or in person. ⇢ Auto Claims Fundamentals – A newer course focused on scoping, estimating, and processing auto claims. ⇢ Specialized Skills Courses – Topics like ladder safety, customer service, ethics, and time management tools.Learning Experience ⍟ Instructor-led virtual classrooms with live interaction, Q&A, and hands-on exercises. ⍟ Self-paced learning options for flexibility. ⍟ Practical exercises like mock claim audits, scope sheets, and KPI scorecards to simulate real adjuster work. ⍟ Professional development focus to help students break into or advance within the insurance industry.Who It’s For ⍟ Newcomers seeking a career change into the insurance adjusting field. ⍟ Experienced adjusters who want to sharpen skills, learn new software, or add credentials. ⍟ Claims professionals aiming to boost efficiency, compliance, and customer service in their work.

Experience

1. Training Specialist

   Eberl Claims Service

   May 2022 — Present · Dallas, TX, US

   Identify training needs by evaluating strengths and weaknesses of adjusters- Translate requirements into trainings that will groom adjusters for the next step of their career path- Build adjuster training curriculum (classroom, online & video)- Develop or oversee the production of classroom handouts, instructional materials, aids and manuals (universal & client specific)- Direct structured learning experiences and monitor their quality results- Deliver Texas pre-licensing training course and testing with 95%+ current pass rate- Assess training effectiveness to ensure incorporation of taught skills and techniques into adjuster inspection behavior and estimate writing skills- Periodically evaluate ongoing training courses to ensure that they reflect any changes- Stay abreast of the new trends and tools in adjuster development- Xactimate Affiliate Trainer, Symbility Trainer