Chip Belcher, a CAT adjuster, has a unique passion for serving others. He is not only knowledgeable about claims, but also compassionate and interested in building a rapport with the insured. He enjoys listening to people’s stories and emphasizes the importance of being present for the insured. He is currently deployed to Pensacola, Florida, adjusting Hurricane Sally claims.
“You can’t just go claim to claim,” he said, “you have to build a relationship with each customer. It’s important to always be empathetic because it could be someone’s worst day.”
Chip’s field adjusting career is only half of his story. He has been a paramedic for 17 years, where he gives his time, energy and service to those in need. Originally from Houston, Texas, his experience through Hurricane Harvey as a paramedic sparked his interest in adjusting. He saw how effective and helpful the adjusters were in his community and decided to pursue the career. Since then, he has traveled across the country, working as a field adjuster. Fortunately, Chip has never had to be a paramedic and an adjuster simultaneously, but he sees many similarities between the two professions. They are both focused on sympathizing, inspecting and taking action.
“I love adjusting the same way that I relish being on the ambulance,” he said. “I listen, I reassure, and then I come up with a plan to help.”
Chip appreciates being a part of the restoring process for the insured. He recognizes how his work as an adjuster helps people rebuild their homes and livelihoods but values the human element to the job. It’s what makes adjusting unique.
Chip’s favorite deployment location has been Puerto Rico, where he was deployed during Hurricane Maria. Chip recalled being at a customer’s house for damage but ended up sitting with the insured for two hours as she shared stories of her late husband who died in the storm. Chip was able to offer more than claims expertise; he supported her during a time of extreme loss. He realized that listening to people could prove helpful as they coped with difficult circumstances.
“In the field, my job is more than adjusting,” he said. “There are no two claims exactly alike even with the same exact roof damage.”
Besides displaying compassion, Chip underlines the importance of working efficiently. This includes possessing excellent organizational and time management skills. He admits the job can become overwhelming very quickly without those abilities. A typical day on deployment for Chip starts with double-checking his reports and claims. He maps routes and calls ahead to the insured. Once Chip is at the site, his attention is dedicated to the insured and their needs. He clarifies his findings and often discovers more damage than the insured was expecting. After he’s home, Chip writes claim reports. Despite often working late to finish reports, Chip is reassured that the insured will receive aid quickly. Chip manages his time and sets realistic standards for himself to prevent mistakes or burnout.
“If you let one thing slip,” he said, “you could have hours of work to do that could’ve been avoided with extra attention and planning. I only inspect what I can write on the same day.”
When Chip has free time, he enjoys being home with his family. He has a six-year-old son who just started kindergarten and a two-year-old. He misses being able to travel with them and his wife. Chip is also a licensed drone pilot and photographer. He likes to take scenic shots of nature and often photographs weddings and real estate. He loves boating, going to the beach and grilling. Additionally, Chip is fond of reaching out to new adjusters offering advice and support. He is grateful for the teamwork ingrained into Crawford’s culture and looks forward to helping out where he can.
