Clay Bauman joined Crawford in 2012 as a young field adjuster eager to learn and travel internationally. His passion for serving others grew after each deployment. Through his experience in the field, Clay has witnessed how Crawford restores individuals and entire communities' livelihoods through claims. Clay is currently working as a desk adjuster for Hurricane Sally while living at home in Northern Minnesota.
“I’ve been a part of the family here for eight years, and I’d be happy to do another eight.”
- Clay Bauman, CAT adjuster, Crawford & Company
Clay recalls meeting a Crawford associate during a job fair at the University of Arkansas. Clay was interested in traveling internationally and received the associate’s business card; however, the conversation didn’t lead to him working for the company. It was Clay’s father who ultimately inspired him to consider the adjusting profession.
Clay’s father received his adjusting license in 2004 and frequently talked about the positive experience he had working with the company. Motivated by his father’s comments, he decided to become licensed and seek employment.
“Starting out, I thought, ‘I’ll work hard for anyone who is going to give me a shot,’” he said. “And after I joined Crawford, I was eager to learn more.”
When Clay began working in the adjusting industry, he noticed a generational gap among his fellow adjusters. He was one of the youngest adjusters at his workplace. Clay was inexperienced, had little knowledge of Xactimate, a claim adjusting software, and was full of questions. He sought advice from more experienced peers and began to “soak in all of their knowledge.” His first deployment with Crawford was to Florida during Tropical Storm Debby.
During the last eight years, Clay has done various property, field, review and management jobs. He enjoys using his customer service skills to help insureds and appreciates the opportunity to train and teach new adjusters. Clay has traveled all over the US and to Canada, the Bahamas and Australia. He considers his fellow deployed adjusters family and admits they make the hard days fun.
He admits that being deployed to disaster areas can be very challenging. Resources are limited, and adjusting becomes complicated from missing road signs, flooded streets and a lack of electricity. Being present in those moments reminds him to be patient and compassionate with the insured, who are experiencing those same frustrations and losses. He approaches each claim with a positive outlook and assures the insured that Crawford will take care of them.
“It is challenging work,” he said, “but when you get to look back 100 days later and realize your team was able to make a difference. You feel proud. It is a rewarding job.”
Clay believes that Crawford’s purpose to restore and enhance lives, businesses and communities is a call to action. He enjoys the challenge of working on commercial property claims. During catastrophic storms, businesses, employees and the broader community are affected. Many communities rely on small businesses that reside in them. Clay understand the magnitude of his job and the impact it has on the environment. Through these claims, he sees how Crawford’s mission is put into action while communities and livelihoods are rebuilt.
When he’s not working, Clay enjoys spending time in nature with his wife and family. He enjoys fishing, cycling, canoeing and hiking. His wife travels with him for deployments which limits the time they spend celebrating life-moments with their family. Working remotely has allowed Clay time to rest and spend with family. Even from a distance, he is grateful to be challenged and pushed by Crawford. “They’re my home,” he declared.
