I have an amazing job. I mean, I'm an author, sure, but it doesn't pay the bills, so I have a regular job as well. I'm a claims adjuster by day, and I truly love my job. I have been in the insurance world since 1983, but have only been an adjuster for the past 10-12 years, I suppose. I've definitely sold insurance; every line imaginable. I was set to take the exams to sell index-driven products, but decided to adjust instead.
When someone tells you they are a claims adjuster, they could work directly with insurance companies like State Farm or Farmers, or they could work for a company and adjust claims coming in through assignment or subrogation. Let's say I'm an adjuster working for a large county or a state. I would then receive a subrogation package with a demand, explaining why someone else thinks my county or state owes them. I would look at both sides of the event and work to get the best deal for whoever pays me. Well, I do that, but for the people making the accusations.
I work for a recovery team, basically. Large corporations (of which you would know their names) have hired us to recover money they believe is owed to them through motor vehicle accidents, underground excavation accidents, and above-ground communication incidents, which require the two sides to analyze their respective sides to come to a resolution as to whether or not the other side (not ours) is responsible. The reason I say the other side and not ours is that in EVERY case, our side is the innocent party.
Well, you say, that sounds a bit selfish and conceited. It's not. What I mean is, our clients had facilities just minding their own business (working) when someone or something else caused them to stop working. It could be an automobile, an excavator, a fire, anything except an Act of God. We don't try to collect from Him. If He causes a situation, we advise our client(s) to submit the claim through their own insurance. We only collect from the parties that actually did the damage.
I've been doing this job (at this company) for about 2 years now. I have to tell you, I absolutely love it. I speak to so many interesting and not always agreeable people all day long. I consider it a good day if I don't lose my temper and say something I shouldn't; but my employers understand when I (or we adjusters) do, because we're literally being blamed and accused of things we would not do, could not do, and certainly have no reason to do. Control and forced politeness is a key part of my job.
We have three divisions in Recovery. I'm in the Underground or Plant division. We work with those clients who lay lines for communication, gas, sewer, power, and so forth. We have some DOT clients as well that we recover for when they need us. In my department, we have a dozen adjusters. There are probably that many more in the other two departments, so to be nominated and then to win Employee of the Year for the Recovery is super exciting!! I'm blown away by it, and very excited to know that my colleagues like my work and that they believe in me as a co-worker and, hopefully, a good friend.
I was asked by a member of management today if I might think about becoming a manager; he had a department he wanted me to run. I had to laugh -- but in a nice way. I explained to him that I won't come into the office. I like wearing my pajamas or sweats all day. I don't wear makeup, work strictly from home, and will not work overtime. I make more at my job than I have in years. It's more or less a commission thing—and I bust myself to make it.
God is the real Employee of the Year...and decade, century, millinneium and eternity for that matter. He's the one I go to for help with my job. He's the one I ask for help. He's the one I pray to every morning, asking Him to shut my mouth before I say something that will embarrass both of us. If I receive any praise or someone wants to tell me how good a job I have done, I think it's best to tell the truth and say it wasn't me. I was the vessel, sure, but He's the anchor and the motivator, and for that, I am very, very thankful.
I want to stay where I am. I want to keep doing what I'm doing. I love it. I should have done this years ago!! If I knew it was out there, I would have. When I think of someone being a claims adjuster, I think of workers' compensation, bodily injury for personal injury attorneys, and I think of residential or automotive adjusters trying to cut you a bad deal. I never knew a claims adjuster could have as much fun as I do every day, or work with such... interesting... yes, interesting people. From the damagers who make excuses to the adverse adjusters who do their best to do the same, I love my job.
Thank you, "Company" (I try to keep that out of the limelight as much as I can), because I am not only your Employee of the Year, I'm one of your biggest fans.
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