The Attorney tells me to bring a gun! Uh...WHAT?

The Attorney tells me to bring a gun! Uh...WHAT?

So I am in Florida cleaning up insurance claims after Hurricane Irma and I call the attorney representing a homeowner to schedule the inspection. The very first words to me are "do you own a gun"? I was caught off guard. Is this a trick question? We don't bring weapons on inspections! I asked why and he responds, there is a 700 lb. bear that lives at the property. Well my usual insurance related questions are out the window as the topic is now "Bear".

Having grown up in Florida I thought to myself that sounds a little big for a Florida bear. I call my boss and tell her the story and asked if I can bring a gun to the appointment and she says I have to run it by the Insurance Company. Well I caught them off guard too as they replied... Uh...What? I tell them the story and they said that I am allowed to bring whatever security detail I needed.

Well, cool! I set up the security and put in a call to Florida Fish and Wildlife as the last thing I want to do is shoot a bear while working. I tell them what is going on and they confirm that there are indeed bears that big in the area. They agree to be on standby as well.

The day arrives and we show up and there is a vehicle parked right where the attorney said the bear would be. A guy is standing with his back to the brush just a few feet from the bears supposed bed. I said are you the attorney? He replied no, he sent me instead. I say is the bear gone? He laughs and says what bear? We get out with my security detail holding assault rifles and he stops laughing.

I said to the gentleman, is the attorney trying to get rid of you or something? He asks are you serious, there is a bear? Well fortunately, the bear was out making rounds and we were able to do the inspection without a hitch. There would be no bear today which I have to tell you is actually the preferred method of doing Insurance Claim Adjusting! I grab a drone selfie of myself and the security detail and everyone leaves.

The next day I'm at my next appointment and the Insured opens her door and a monkey is standing by her. I'm thinking to myself no one will ever believe this week. I pointed down and said you have a monkey. She says, don't worry he won't come out. Right on cue, he runs out and grabs my leg and runs back inside behind her. She said, he has never done that before. After inspecting the exterior, I go inside to finish the balance of the inspection. I see the little guy and motion for him to come closer and he jumps on my back. She repeats, he has never done that either. You must be good with animals.

After I finish, I text my boss..."you know that saying to get the monkey off your back? Well today I had a monkey on my back!" She texts me right back "at least it wasn't a bear!"

Elizabeth Gardner

IA Path Auto Certified Seeking Daily/photos-only work in Denver area (and CATs)

4y

Hahaha!!!  Trained/showed horses earlier in life, trained dogs during service as USMC Military Police and usually feel that I have a pretty good rapport with animals but bears and monkeys??!!  Hmmmmm…..:-)

Tamira Pouncil

I help service-based business owners with no time, skill, or desire to handle social media posting, content creation, engagement, growth and more...

4y

I may rethink this independent adjusting thing. Lol

Mathew Allen

Marketing, media, and training for the claims industry - AdjusterTV.com

4y

Haha, this is awesome!  Ahh.. the two times I've been bitten by a dog on an inspection (not badly) the person said, "he doesn't bite."  Snarling beasties.

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