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34 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are your Strengths? |
Communication and Problem Solving Organization and timely followups Construction knowledge and ability to negotiate with a contractor |
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What are your Weaknesses |
Not asking questions when I am stuck Balancing work/life Difficulty speaking up in large meetings |
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Describe your most recent greatest achievement |
I worked on a team to develop a system of evaluating water mitigation invoices. We formulated a spreadsheet that would apply IICRC standards to determine what amount of equipment should have been in place at the time of a dryout. Upon showing this to the contractor I rarely received any push back when I suggested adjusting their invoices |
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Name a time that you tried something but failed |
While with American Modern, I had noticed that we were paying for repairs on lightning claims based on the word of a hvac contractor. All they needed to state was that the unit was hit by lightning. I researched and proposed to my boss that we look into a program called strike net to help determine if lightning was present. Ultimately failed due to legal reasons. |
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Where do you see yourself in the future/five years? |
I see myself still working in claims, but I would eventually like to work my way into a management and decision making role. |
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Tell me something about yourself that I didn't know from your resume? |
There has been a recent uptick in crime in my neighborhood and I helped lead a volunteer neighborhood watch program. I have also recently been placed on our local park's advisory committee and we are currently in the process of trying to bring a farmer's market to our community. I also like sports and love to travel. |
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Tell me what you know about Great American Insurance what are you talking about? |
The company was founded in 1877 as German American Insurance. In the late1960's Carl Linder took over and transformed the company to what it is today. Today the company has a large focus on Property and Casualty Insurance. |
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Why do you want to work for GAI? |
I like that they have been rated as one of the top insurance companies to work for. I like that GAI focuses on niche products in their specialty markets. I have previously worked for american modern which focused on niche products as well and think that I would be a great fit. |
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Why did you leave your last job? |
Westfield started going in a different direction and started handling alot of their field claims with preferred contractors. I was brought inside to handle an inside adjuster role which consisted mainly of jewelry thefts. After 6 months of that I felt my abilities were not being utilized and decided to take some time to find a new company while driving with Uber. |
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What do you like about being an adjuster? |
I like the face to face interaction with customers. I like problem solving and showing the customer the upmost attention so that they know they are with an insurance carrier that cares about them. I see myself as the sales person for the company. When a customer has a problem they have someone that they can count on to treat them right. |
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What do you dislike about being an adjuster? |
I don't like it when I can't help a customer. I always try to find coverage in anyway possible but sometimes as you know there is specific language which would exclude a loss. In situations like this I like to sit down with the customer and review the policy language so that they know and understand why their claim can't be covered. I find this eases the pain when they eventually do receive a non coverage letter. |
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What is your dream job? |
I would love to own my own business someday. I'm always thinking and trying to come up with the next biggest and brightest idea. |
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How do you think this role will help you reach your dream job. |
I think any role will help you to learn skills. I think specifically the ability to communicate and understand people will translate well if I ever do own my own business. |
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What is your desired salary? |
I feel that my knowledge skills and experience would translate well into this position and would hope to receive salary toward the higher portion of your pay range. Can you give me some indication of your range? |
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Why should I pick you over other candidates? |
My knowledge of several different lines of insurance and such as farm policies, and commercial would make me a good fit to start off on the right foot. I've handled all types of claims at all dollar values and am not hesitant to make a decision. I'm energized motivated and excited for the opportunity to prove myself to GAI |
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Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with your boss and how did you handle it? |
I handled a fire claim in Newport, KY where there was a suspicious fire set in our insured's home. After months of activity, depositions, and interviews we proceeded forward paying the claim to the insured for the full policy limits. I disagreed with this because myself as well as SIU believed that we had enough evidence to not cover the claim. Even though a lot of hard work was put in, I understood that it was a business decision and considered it as an opportunity for growth |
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Give an example of a time you faced obstacles but ultimately prevailed |
I had received a claim for hail damages to a law practice. During my inspection I did not find any hail damages to the roof. I explained this to the insured and he insisted there was damage from hail. I told him that we would send out a third party engineer to evaluate the roof for hail damages. The insured stated that he would likely file suit. The engineer's report came back showing 1/8 hail had caused some superficial damage to the metals on the roof but no structure damages. We proceeded to provide notification to the insured that there was no hail damages to the roof and that we were closing the claim. The insured filed suit. Myself and the engineer were deposed. Based on the depositions, the insured dropped the suit. |
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Describe a time when you tackled a tough assignment |
Strike net example |
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Tell me a time that you didn't perform to best of your abilities |
One of the first fire claims that I handled got over my head a little. The insured was getting anxious to be back in their home, however the contractor and myself didn't completely agree on the amount of damages. Ultimately I could have used better communication with both to have resolved the situation. I took it as a learning process to apply in future claims. |
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Would you say you have a high attention to details? |
Yes my coworkers were consistently asking for my help in reviewing policy languages and making changes to any outgoing letters. I try to be very specific in describing circumstances so that I can recall the information later. |
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How do you manage stress? |
I try to exercise. I try to get out for lunch and take a breather for an hour so that I can come back refreshed and ready to proceed forward with the day. |
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Tell me a time when things haven't gone as planned and how did you react? |
I had a roof damage claim where the insured had a leak around the chimney and hired a contractor to stop the leak. The contractor decided it was a good idea to tarp both sides of the insureds roof while putting hundreds of nail holes. There was no roof damages except those caused by the contractor. I remained calm and met with the contractor several times to review the damages and explain our position. Eventually we were able to compromise and provide half a roof based on previous wind damages that had been completed by the insured. |
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Tell me about a time you had to deal with an upset customer |
I had a claim where the insured had water damages and mold in the basement due to a hose bib leak. The insured who was highly allergic to mold had thrown away all items in the basement even in rooms where no water had affected. She refused to accept that we could clean mold. I explained in a calm tone that it is our process to clean mold damages and that she had not allowed us the opportunity to do so. We eventually had a meeting in which her and her husband came in and we were able to work out an agreement to pay her for what the cost would have been to clean the various garments. |
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What personal skill or work habit have you struggled to improve? |
I had to learn to negotiate better. I found myself always compromising to much to the better of others and not standing firm against some positions. I found that through better communication and understanding allowed better negotiation. |
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What would your previous boss say about you? |
He would say that I am a hard worker with the knowledge and skills to complete any challenge that I have before me.
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Would you be able to travel if necessary? |
Given adequate notice, I can arrange to be available at almost any time during the year. |
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What did you like about your last boss's leadership style? |
I like that he was always available should any of my teammates have questions or need advice. He was trustworthy in me making the right decisions. He supported me on tough decisions. |
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What didn't you like about your previous boss? |
There was alot of change over the last few years with the company. I didn't like that one boss would approve language in letter's yet a new boss would ask me to completely rewrite previous letter's that I had created. |
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Describe your personality |
I'm professional when need to be, but have a great sense of humor and can bring a laugh to any situation. I'm outspoken when I feel my opinion truly matters and needs to be heard. |
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Tell me about a time where you worked well as a team |
Often in the claims business you are always supporting your fellow adjusters. There were many times where I would assume their territory due to high volume and they would assume mine whether it was due to volume or traveling on storm duty. |
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Tell me a time when you assisted another employee |
One of our secretaries had recently been promoted to an inside claims position. There was no formal training and her desk was right next to mine. She would always come to me with questions on policies and coverages. I was more than willing to provide her with knowledge to help her learn and grow in the role. |
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Tell me about a time you had to defend an idea to a boss. |
I had bad experiences with one of our contractors. This contractor had worked directly with my supervisor and they had a close relationship. I was able to convince my boss that this contractor was no longer valuable to my position and that we should put our trust in another business. |
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Tell me about a time that you went the extra mile |
An insured had filed a claim with us for bodily fluid cleanup after someone in their family had committed suicide. The company that had done the cleanup had been known for charging outrageous amounts for their services and when the insurance company would not cover all the damages they would place a lien on the person's home. The insured was aware of the circumstances and was concerned about the same. I explained that the billing was not correct but I would do everything I could to make sure they could put this tragic loss behind them. I met with them several times and worked extra hours handling the evaluation and negotiation on the claim. Eventually I was able to reduce the billing by $16,000 and the insured was left with no financial responsibility other than his deductible. |
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What are your claim examples? |
Newport Fire Hotel Wind Contractor Roof Ice/water compromise Aftermath Mold damaged clothing Mold damaged basement Pratt Hail |
