As we celebrate Insurance Careers Month, we’re thrilled to embark on a journey celebrating the dynamic opportunities within the insurance sector. To kick off this insightful series, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our esteemed team members, Brooke Rensel, Senior Property Adjuster, based in Denver, Colorado. Join us as we delve into her insights and experiences, offering a glimpse into the exciting world of insurance careers.
In the insurance industry, where every claim tells a unique story, navigating the complexities of property adjustment requires a blend of expertise, empathy, and unwavering dedication. Meet Brooke Rensel, whose path to becoming a Senior Property Adjuster has been remarkable.
Delve into Brooke’s insights, experiences, and invaluable lessons gained on the path that led her to Engle Martin. From the challenges of assessing damages to the rewarding moments of aiding individuals in times of crisis, Brooke offers a candid glimpse into the multifaceted world of her profession.
What motivated you to pursue a career in insurance with Engle Martin, specifically in the field of claims adjusting?
I was approached by Engle Martin right out of college through their Adjuster Trainee Program. At first, I wasn’t quite sure about the exact path that I wanted to take so, I researched Engle Martin and looked through reviews, ratings from previous team members, and the LinkedIn profiles of current team members to see how long they worked with Engle Martin. The reviews were glowing and confirmed that Engle Martin was a great company that would treat me well and be worth working at for a long time.
I was on the fence about pursuing claims adjusting, but my mentor, Wesley Ellis, National General Adjuster, let me shadow him on some claims and showed me how interesting and challenging the job could be. The Adjuster Trainee Program motivated me to pursue claims adjusting by reassuring me that I was capable and would be fully prepared for every scenario in my career. They encouraged me to be more than just an adjuster, they helped me become someone who could really help others who suffered a loss and be an advocate for their fair claim adjustment.
How has Engle Martin been preparing you for your role as an adjuster, and what specific training or resources have you found most valuable in your development?
Engle Martin has provided great online training, monthly training sessions, and of course the Adjuster Trainee Program, but my team has been the most valuable resource for sure. I can call any of my team members to ask questions or review my work and they have been welcoming since my very first day! Even before I started the training program, they called me or let me shadow them, so I knew what to expect.
The training program and online courses have provided me with an amazing foundation of knowledge and skills, but my team helped me apply it in ways that have helped me reach the position of Senior Property Adjuster. My leaders always remind me that we are a team, which is why we don’t use “I” in our emails, and instead say “We”. Any company can provide some online training, but the quality of Engle Martin’s information and the culture is what really developed my skills.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in insurance, based on your experiences so far?
Throw out any preconceived notions of the insurance industry! It is not boring paperwork or some career you are “settling” for, it has been challenging and I have gotten to experience many things in the field that I otherwise wouldn’t have. I have climbed cranes, ridden snowcats through the mountains, and explored old speakeasy bars from prohibition. Every day is different, each claim is unique, and I have never been bored. The insurance industry has so many levels to it, so there will always be somewhere to migrate if you want something new! Plus, people will always need insurance, so this is a very secure industry to go into.
As someone who began their journey with us as an Adjuster Trainee and has since risen to the position of Senior Property Adjuster, what insights can you share about your professional growth and experiences at Engle Martin?
I’ve learned a lot, but the main insight that I share with others is this: Every mistake can be fixed, but you have to be accountable and put in the work to learn from it.
There are many things that I could share about claims management, customer service, or having an empathetic ear for insureds, but none of those played as big of a role in my career as learning from my mistakes. There have been challenges, some large and some small but my team and other leaders have worked with me and guided me to ensure my preparedness for various claims scenarios that I would encounter. By sharing their experiences, I have never felt isolated and have learned that growth in insurance comes from learning something new from each claim we encounter. That has been by far the most important factor in my development as an adjuster.
