I love my job.

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
02/20/2019 at 15:26 • Filed to: None

As most of you know, I took a role in September as a road adjuster or “roadie” as we call them. I went to a house fire this morning and the first thing I saw was an old Datsun. My first words to the insured were “wow! Nice Datsun!” I did my thing relating to the fire and then we hung out for about 10-15 minutes around the car while he showed me the Porsche Brembos, engine swap, turbocharger and suspension upgrades. We chatted about upcoming autocross events and track days. When I left, he said that maybe he’d see me at the track this Spring (first race is in April).

I usually try to talk to my insureds and even claimants (people who have been injured by my insureds) about cars if I eyeball something in their driveway.

I talked to an older gentlemen who had been allegedly injured by my insured’s product one time. He had been a drag racer out east and built racecars for most of his life. He brought out photo albums, showed me his old cars pictures and we chatted for a while. In the end, the claim was minimal, he just wanted his injury costs covered and that was it. No pain and suffering, no additional expenses. I strongly believe that the time spent talking about racing brought that claim to a quick resolution that benefited everyone.

Cars are a fantastic way to bond with people who have experienced loss and a way to humanize myself the “claims adjuster” to the people I deal with.

Not only that, but I spend most of my day driving around places in BC that I would never otherwise go in my entire life. I see interesting things, listen to music and podcasts. It’s fantastic. Even in a Kia Forte.

DISCUSSION (28)

gettingoldercarguy > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 15:30

Cars > Golf

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > gettingoldercarguy
02/20/2019 at 15:31

100%

TorqueToYield > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 15:32

I appreciate anybody I’m interacting with professionally to just treat me as a human and not a product or service to be dealt with as quickly as possible. Good on you - especially nice since the people you’re dealing with have probably been through some shit recently.

Tapas > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 15:32

Is the Forte a company car? If so, ask for a more interesting one.

Make a case of how it helps build a bond with insureds and claimants and whatnot. Its worth a shot, no?

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 15:32

That definitely makes your job sound appealing. I bet it was hard to walk away from that Z!

Did you decide if you want to try out the emergency claims thing for a year?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > AestheticsInMotion
02/20/2019 at 15:33

I think I will give it a pass. I don’t think I could do 2+ months away from home at a time. Even if it paid crazy well.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Tapas
02/20/2019 at 15:34

Lol, it's paid for by a car allowance, but I bought and own it.

gettingoldercarguy > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 15:37

I have a feeling it I’m able to make it down to the meet I’m going to enjoy hanging out with you guys. Tough to find car people irl.

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 15:38

You probably deal with people at a stressful time in their lives, having a distraction/ something they can talk easy about/ be proud of is probably the best part of their whole experience..

I mean, I might not bring it up if they drive another Forte.. lol

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > vicali
02/20/2019 at 15:43

My wife deals with way worse stuff than I do, but yeah, it is nice helping people in their times of need.

My wife does victim services, so a lot of nasty stuff.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 15:45

“I love my job” - I’m very happy for you. Not sure how many can honestly speak those words.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
02/20/2019 at 15:48

There are shitty days, and the job itself is just a job. But I like being out and about on my own time in nice places. This is a pretty province.

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 15:49

I remember, and doesn’t she drive the DTES? Dang, she’s fierce.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 15:54

I’ve worked here for what feels like an eternity. I don’t run into a lot of car people. Last time I complimented someone’s car (RS3, when they first came out), the lady replied, “Eh, I don’t really like it.” Okay, good talk.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/20/2019 at 16:09

You should have said “I know a place where you can trade it for a brand new Kia Forte”

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/20/2019 at 16:55

Based upon what you’ve shared with us, I would say that you primarily encounter clientele with breathtakingly bad taste in light fixtures. But fancy bathrooms...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
02/20/2019 at 16:56

I can. Makes me a better man every single day.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 16:57

Has the Forte been a satisfactory car? Did you get it with a manual ...?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > gettingoldercarguy
02/20/2019 at 16:59

But I’d generally rather watch golf on TV than cars endlessly going around a track. Unless the camera is inside the car and I can witness driver inputs and have some telemetry.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > TorqueToYield
02/20/2019 at 17:00

I’m an educator and I’ve come to appreciate emotional intelligence, which is not inherent to folks in my experience. Has to be developed and modeled and lots of folks either don’t receive that or aren’t interested.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
02/20/2019 at 17:01

I’m happy for you. And t hank you for service to this next generation and our collective future.

gettingoldercarguy > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
02/20/2019 at 17:08

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 17:13

She was a totally nice lady, really. Just haven’t tapped into many car people.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
02/20/2019 at 17:22

Meh. I’m just lucky I’m cut out for the work or I’d be miserable as would the kids, their parents, the administrators...

Thank you.

Tapas > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 17:36

Dang! Maybe get a convertible mustang it something next time lol

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Tapas
02/20/2019 at 17:40

They only give me $500 a month to play with. And it’s a taxable benefit. After Justin Trudeau takes a decent sized portion, it has to cover my payment, maintenance and insurance.

I didn’t want to get anything that would end up not being covered by the allowance since I still have 3 other cars that I pay for.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > gettingoldercarguy
02/20/2019 at 17:43

I might have put it differently. But no, watching golf isn’t really a sensible pass time, but I enjoy it. And I find auto racing mostly boring.

Tapas > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
02/20/2019 at 20:30

Oh that makes sense