Posted On: May 22, 2007, 4:52 pm CDT

Posted By: bill schneider

Adjusterjoe brings to light, once again, the continuing saga of 'know it all adjuster' and the so-called 'professional ins agent'. Is there any agent out there who has had a client come to the agency after speaking with an adjuster and saying, "The adjuster said that the agent should have explained the policy from the first page to the last one to me. If the agent had done that, I should have known what's covered and excluded". Adjusterjoe, however, has undergone extensive training learning the policy at various policy schools where various situations were presented to him and then had to pass an exam over coverage questions. The agent in the meantime is told to 'not get involved in the claims process beyond reporting a loss'. Satisfied customers are those that both agent and adjuster act as business professionals with the customer at the moment of truth...a claims event. For example: Client purchases a Brand New Vehicle. Agent endorses the auto policy and informs the client about "gap" insurance. Client rejects it. Client has a total loss. Adjuster offers ACV based on clearinghouse values, newspapers, dealer quotes, deprecitation, deductibles...valued at $7,000 less than Lienholder amount on the vehicle. Adjuster, short of calling the client 'stupid' says, "Well, didn't your agent explain to you about how we go about determining ACV, etc., etc., .... Any wonder what ADJUSTERJOE thinks as he does!!