Field Inspections - A Notary Sidehustle

You have heard that many notaries across the country have the desire and/or need to diversify their business activities to earn added income. Today, you are getting a high overview of Field Inspection and the roles we can play as notaries.

A notary working as a field inspector is a freelancer. A freelancer is a self-employed individual who offers services to clients on a project basis. Freelancers work independently and are not bound by long-term contracts with a specific employer. The term we are used to hearing which means the same thing is Independent Contractor. It is a similar arrangement as working for notary signing services, title, escrow, and mortgage companies. 

Let us talk about the assorted services a field inspector may provide, and it is a mixed bag. These on-demand inspections can include inspections for loss adjustment, catastrophe response, 24/7 claims intake, and more. 

There are insurance inspections. The inspector may take pictures of vehicle odometers, construction sites, or accident scenes. Several times, I have installed GPS devices into vehicles for insurance companies. The company representative was on an audio-video call with me the entire time and walked me through the process. It was much easier than I initially thought it would be. 

A field inspector may take photos, measurements, and capture information for property damage that may be caused by weather related events such as lightning, fire, wind, hail, and flood.

Another example of this service is a field inspector may inspect a residential property to document any signs of someone occupying the property or just check out the condition of the property before, during, or after foreclosure or other circumstances. What could be a sign of someone occupying the property? You may notice outside trash cans being used or you may see children's toys in the front yard (note: I do not enter the rear of any residential property!). It is not up to the field inspector to decide if the property is occupied. The inspector simply observes and documents the information.

A field inspector uses particular tools to accomplish their assignments. These can include a smart phone, tablet, digital camera, measuring tape or stick, tire tread depth gauge, magnifying glass, hand-held thermometers, and a flashlight. I have conducted asset verification on trucks and cars which simply involved verifying the VIN numbers. A flashlight and magnifying glass came in very handy. Depending on the assignment and inspection site, a reflective safety vest and closed-toe shoes may be worn. 

Skills needed to conduct these assignments include inter-personal skills, written skills, and the individual needs to be detail-oriented and accurate. Many companies may take a prospective field inspector through a brief training video to ensure knowledge and compliance.

This is a job many notaries have found to be convenient and fills the financial gaps between traditional notary assignments.

By Lisa Sweeting