Ruth Caperon-Hirschfield
Date: 2/3/2006Contact: Joan Barrett/800-690-0070
How long have you been active in the insurance industry?
I have been involved in the insurance industry for approximately 10 ½ years.
What was your introduction to the industry and how did you get to your current position?
I took a part time position as a receptionist at Crawford & Company while looking for a fulltime position at a law firm. I had a degree in Business Administration and had concentrated on the legal and paralegal fields. Crawford & Company then offered me a fulltime position as a Workmen’s Compensation Adjuster and I accepted the position. Two years later, I took another position as a Casualty Adjuster for Mountain States Adjusting. Crawford & Company then offered me a part time position as a Casualty Adjuster while staying home part time with my first child. I accepted. Two years after that I stayed home with the birth of our second child.
I still had the itch to do some work in the adjusting field and decided to start my own adjusting firm and Diversified Claims Management Systems, Inc. opened its doors in 2002. Currently I am the Senior Casualty Adjuster and the President of the company.
My education in the legal field was a big help in moving into insurance adjusting as well as my previous employment with legal firms.
What is your specialization, if any?
My specialty is in bilingual – Spanish/ English services to my clients.
What is the best part of your current position?
I enjoy the sense of accomplishment in providing superior service to my clients and I enjoy dealing with the general public.
Is there anything that you miss about the previous jobs or positions that you wish you could have currently?
Having a regular 9 to 5 type job would be great sometimes. It doesn’t happen often, but I do have to work long days and weekends on occasion.
What interests outside of your work are important to you?
I work with the three year class in the church we attend. I enjoy working out at the gym.
I love spending time with my children and being involved in their activities, our four children range in age from 3 years to 18 years old in our blended family and I’m very involved in all phases of their lives.
What prompted you to volunteer for the AICA board this year?
I like to be an active member and will assist the association in wherever I can be useful.
Do you have personal goals for your service on the board?
My goal is to hopefully bring in new ideas and assist in the growth of the association
What benefits do you see the AICA providing for the adjusters?
One of the benefits that the association provides for adjusters is a sense of belonging to a group of professionals that have similarities in their day-to-day claim management. A huge benefit is the education that the association provides and I enjoy meeting other adjusters.
What are your views of the future of the insurance industry? How do you see the claims handling processes of the future?
Technology is definitely making changes the in the insurance industry. One needs to be updated with the new programs and hardware in order to maintain a high level of proficiency.