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ADVICE TO A YOUNG ADJUSTER
From the Fireman's Fund Record, Vol. XXVIII, No. 4, April, 1914.

A veteran fire insurance man, well known in New York City, received a letter a few days ago from the son of one of his best friends, telling that the young man had become assistant to one of the well known adjusters in Chicago. The veteran’s letter to the new adjuster of insurance losses is quoted verbatim:

December 15, 1913.
"Dear Junior—Your letter pleased me very much. Now, listen and learn: When your opinion is asked, if you are not sure, say so! It takes a brainy, sensible man to say, ‘Let me investigate further. I simply do not know at the time.’ Then, again, loss claimants are not all liars or ‘skins,’ or putting up games on the companies. They are frequently honestly mistaken.

"The vice-president of a multi-millionaire New York concern made an affidavit this last week. Three days later he learned that he was mistaken, and was only too glad to make a new affidavit, giving correct values.

"The loss claimant judges of all insurance companies by the way his own loss is settled. I was for nearly five years Illinois special agent of the _________ Insurance Company at Jacksonville. Our agent told me of a loss at the home of Judge Yates. In settlement the loss was adjusted honestly and fairly, to the full satisfaction of both Mrs. Yates and the Judge. From that hour he believed in the fairness and squareness of insurance men, and until a man dies he follows his firm convictions, classifying all evidences of unfairness as exceptions.

"I think if you could ascertain the facts you would find that all insurance companies doing business in the State of Illinois re-ceived a fair deal at Springfield during sev-eral years when he, the same Judge Yates, had much to do with legislation, for he afterwards was Governor of the State.

"So don’t be ‘smarty’ or ‘tricky’ in adjustments. Take lots of trouble to demonstrate fairness and real honest (generous, if anything,) settlements. It makes good reputation, the most valuable asset of a man, a partnership or a corporation.

"I was immensely pleased with your letter. Be honest, on time, diligent, truthful, and don’t talk too much! You’ve got a good job in a good line of work. Stick to it!"—The Insurance Monitor.

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