Welcome to The Communications Bringing Claims Professionals
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Lisa Gerber has a view from every aspect of the claims process. She started as a claims assistant and has worked as an Independent Adjuster; a vendor; now as a field adjuster and concurrently a |
 Lisa Gerber |
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volunteer for the community and the Sacramento Claims Association. “My different jobs within the industry have given me a good perspective from all viewpoints”, Lisa says, “Starting off working for a company gave me a great foundation in claims, the Independent Adjuster job was gathering facts without being a decision maker; the work as a vendor representative was the most fun in meeting people- very positive and upbeat. I did miss seeing the conclusion of the claim in both of those cases- that is the most satisfying for me; helping someone all the way through from the beginning to the end of the claim.” “I really hate telling people that there is no coverage” Lisa went on “I really feel for them in most cases. Knowing the policy provisions helps to explain why the loss isn’t covered but emotionally it is not any easier to deliver the bad news.” “California Casualty is different that most carriers since we are a specialty insurance company, not open to the general public and customer service is the most important part of our directive. We realize that our Insured’s have choices in purchasing coverage and while that doesn’t mean we ignore the policy provisions, we are directed to look for coverage in every claim. It was stressed in my initial interview for the job that when we adjust a claim- we look for coverage. This was exactly the type of company I wanted to work for because that was what I was taught when I started in the business in 1986 as a claims assistant for Dawn Dawson at AAA. You always look for coverage” In the five years at AAA, Lisa went from Claim Assistant, to Auto Adjuster to Homeowners Adjuster. She later worked at CSE and MetLife and when the floods came in 1995 it was an opportunity to become a field adjuster and investigator for Bragg & Associates. In order to work part time, Lisa found opportunities to tailor her working life to accommodate the demands of being a wife and motherhood at Sams & Associates and Ward NA. Lisa and Chris Gerber’s youngest of three daughters was born in 1998 while she was President of Property Claims Forum and Lisa worked for Certified Restoration and RestCon as a marketing representative- also part time. Since she had been marketed for years, she knew what was needed and what not to do and say. When her husband Chris started his own environmental consulting business in 2001, Lisa marketed for his business and also gained her Real Estate License selling residential properties for Keller Williams. She found the Real Estate processes really similar to claims and enjoyed the people, the familiarity of the process and keeping her own schedule. “I was really excited that the opportunity to become a field adjuster arose at California Casualty- the first openings that the company had for many years. Prior to April 2008, the 15 field adjusters in California, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada adjusted claims solely in their own territories. In April 2008, our company initiated a new computer system and except for fence and theft claims, field adjusters are now adjusting in forty-four states. I am licensed in Wyoming and Rhode Island and have applied for my licenses in the other 12 states that require one. Claims handling has gotten much faster with technology” Lisa continued “I recall that at AAA in the 80’s I was required to get a supervisor’s approval to send a fax and of course we did not have email or internet back in those days. Now we have more claims and fewer claims handlers but we can provide the same level or better level of service as we did then. I think all insurance companies and adjusters have had to adapt to a new way of doing business “ In Lisa’s private life, she is the Vice President of Cheer for the FYFC (Folsom Youth Football & Cheer) organization in Folsom. This year round volunteer commitment puts her in charge of 6 divisions which include 37 coaches and instructors and 104 cheerleaders from 7 to 14 years of age. Lisa manages a budget of $130,000.00 per year for the recreational football and cheerleading organization. All of Lisa’s daughters wanted to be involved in cheerleading since they moved to Folsom in 2001 and Lisa has coached at every level. “I get a lot out of it. I get to see shy girls blossom and their confidence increase. We teach girls teamwork, dedication and how to get along, all life-long skills they will need for their future. It is a lot of fun and a great feeling to know I can be helpful in their development. I spend so much time with the 6 teams that we have a very strong relationship. The teams work from July to November- averaging 10 hours a week practice and there is a football game every Saturday. As role models at school, the athletes are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA to remain as Spirit Leaders.” At season’s end there is a competitive cheer squad that competes in the Junior National Championship with Lisa as Head Coach. Her 19 cheerleaders were up against squads with 25 or more members and even though her group suffered illness and injuries they won first place and were awarded the title of Grand Champions at Disneyland. “Even though it isn’t the only thing- winning is a good thing!” Lisa said. She is also assisting on the Winter Party committee for the Sacramento Claims Association and tries to attend every meeting. With her boundless energy and optimism, it is hard to believe that she won’t succeed at whatever she tries.
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