Insurance adjusters - Do they secure your interests?

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 01:15 pm Post Subject: re: above question

I do not know why this is showing as "guest", I am and was logged in when I posted it.....are all questions/queries 'guest'? sorry, lori

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 05:08 pm Post Subject:

Lori- While I am not in the Insurance industry- I deal with that in my profession, and have alot of professional friends in different fields that deal with this.

I have always thought the insurance adjuster was there to help me, but I was raised in the insurance industry through my father.

I think alot of people don't understand the concept of making whole. That's why our courts are filled with frivolous lawsuits. People want to make an easy buck, and suing and insurance are a way they think it can be done. They don't understand that it is not to make you come out better than you ever were, but to put you back to where you were and thus, make you whole.

I don't take alot of personal attacks too personal anymore, guess it's my age! I know what I am doing and the reasons I am doing it-that's good enough for me. But I also do not become anyones' doormat and let them bully, harass, or intimidate me by making false claims either.

This is good food for thought and I am sure others' with more experience will come along and pos..Thanks..KAren :D

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 06:31 am Post Subject:

Hi lori,

I believe that there were nothing personal in those comments. It is just a generalized view that the ‘insurance adjuster' works for the insurance company. Actually the problem lies in our point-of-views. We all have the habit of exaggerating our losses. We all feel that our losses are more than anyone can fathom. Therefore, the claimant party always feels that their loss is not being measured properly. And as the insurance adjuster is the person who interacts with them directly the blame inevitably falls on them. But, don't let their yells divert you from your objective.

I am sure that you have been long enough in this profession to understand this mindset. So, don't worry and keep up your good work. And also keep posting at ampminsure because we will always appreciate your valuable comments.

Regards,
Juanita

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:28 am Post Subject:

Thanks Juanita and Karen, great comments, look forward to any other posters with thoughts. lori

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 04:53 pm Post Subject:

Look at it this way... what does the public say about attorneys? Yet, when someone gets a bump on the rear bumper who do they love? So really it's a question of adversity... not the occupation or the general perception. When someone tells me that the insurance company is there to pay as little as possible I let them know I agree 100%... it's just like every business. I ask them if their employer expects to spend as little as possible and also have the greatest revenue. This ends that line of thinking pretty quick.

Regardless of what type of claim I'm settling, I always just try to give the claimant enough information to make their own decision. If it appears that they are just dragging their feet, I'll light a little fire under their butts.

I agree with Juanita, the insurance adjuster is holding the bag of money and it's the adjuster's job to stop people from stealing from it. Many times you are going to rub people the wrong way... but it's a fact that many... many... people who file claims want more then they are entitled to. I can certainly understand that and frankly don't really have an issue with it. As long as I _don't_ have an issue with it and understand that it's human nature, I can continue to be effective.

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:08 pm Post Subject:

I like the lawyer and bag of money analogies!! :lol:

I guess what has always 'put a burr under my saddle' is that it is generally accepted and considered ok to have the preconceived notion that claims adjusters are (as a part of their job) going to try and 'screw' or 'get to them'. I know I do a good job, and have never 'got to anyone'. I just think it strange that as an insurance adjuster we are one of the few (including lawyers as you so smartly pointed out tcope), professions that it is acceptable to sterotype, or profile in that way.

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 03:15 pm Post Subject:

I just consider it the nature of the business. We are in the position of helping people after a loss and making their situation "right" but we also nickle and dime payments, make people jump through hoops, and try to pay as little as possible every time. At best, it's walking a fine line. Then you have all the attorneys ads telling people how big and bad the insurance companies every single day.

For awhile now I've worked as a field adjuster and this makes a big difference. If people know they will/can see you in person, they tend to be more civil. Also, people will tend to say almost anything over the phone but in person they tend to be much more polite.

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 05:03 pm Post Subject: Ha

You obviously work for a different company than I do... I am definitely a paid shyster and this is the third largest insurance company in California.

Ever seen The Incredibles? The part where Mr. Incredible works his "day job" as an insurance adjuster and tells the elderly lady how to beat his own company? Haha. Way too true.

Then again my company has the worst customer service rating in the industry so I suppose you get what you pay for when you get insurance.

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:25 am Post Subject:

You obviously work for a different company than I do

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 04:00 am Post Subject:

Lori, I do not envy your job at all. As this world get more greedy, so shall your job become more of a challenge.