Posted On: August 23, 2004, 10:58 am CDT

Posted By: Connie Conseulo

The job that daily and catastrophe adjusters have to do is a uniquely complex one. The ability for the high quality adjuster to maintain their focus, which is to help insured ones while following (sound) carrier instructions, and make a living, is a commendable and challenging calling to follow, and I hope that all of the good people that are in the adjusting field remain commited to that calling and all that it entails. I do not share the same sentiments for others that follow carrier instructions so as to be able maintain their own standard of living, to the detriment of their neighbors reputations and welfare.

I suggest that CEO's are quite aware of what it takes, from the trenches on up, to cover their company's operating costs and satisfy stockholders who have gotten use to certain returns on their investments. Hard markets call for hard CEO type decisions, and the glossing over of those decisions.

http://www.allstate.com/investor/annual_report/2002/chair_letter.asp

If you will, carefully follow the nine page Allstate letter to completion, especially keeping in mind the blue lead information at the top of pages 1-8 (and especially page 5)...then reflect on the following neighborly and commendable admonition from khromas to Todd Brooks on CADO 12/18/2003;

(The khromas reply was addressing Brooks receiving his new adjusting license, and Brooks considering employment with Allstate).

Brooks,

"I would not advise calling Allstate if you wish to keep your integrity intact.

After almost 7 years with them and having held a variety of positions, including the sole Quality Evaluator for the entire southern half of Texas, I finally became fed up with their approach to requiring every adjuster to knowingly underpay every claim and left them this past July.

The head of Allstate in Texas - Gary Briggs - had the nerve to stand up in front of an agent's meeting last spring and say (QUOTE) "I love the new HOA+ policy! It doesn't cover anything and WE STILL GET TO KEEP THEIR MONEY"!

I used to tell people whose claim I was handling that "the good hands of Allstate were right here" as I held out my hands for them. I could no longer do that in good faith and look myself in the mirror so I left.

One of these days the Texas DOI is going to catch up with their property handling practices and then it will all hit the fan! Good luck with anyone else!"

Kevin Hromas


Gale, the reasons behind Gary Briggs exclamation and part of Allstates profitability margins may very well be connected and may support "why" (so-to-speak) Mr. Poe submitted 5 Allstate claims in 2003 to the TDI and why they are now in the TDI's legal department. It will also be interesting to see how Allstate (and other carriers) conducted themselves while settling Hurricane Isabel and California fire claims.

At least Kevin, unlike some other Allstate adjusters-associates, had the level of personal integrity needed to not want to harm consumers-people for profit...and so made his livelyhood elsewhere.

< Message edited by Leam Kincaid -- 6/22/2004 9:06:42 AM >