“Once upon a time, there was an adjuster who, through a series of misfortunes and to keep herself sane during a global pandemic, wrote a book to help mid-career adjusters handle their claims in a more efficient and professional manner,” writes Chantal M. Roberts CPCU, AIC, RPA in her new book, cheekily titled Once Upon a Claim: Fairy Tales to Protect Your Ass(ets). I’d say the title would encapsulate the entirety of the book’s topic much like an MLA paper, which technically it does, but it has a healthy dose of irreverence that humanizes what could be dense, somewhat pedantic communication.
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“Because the adjuster was vain and cared what others thought of her, she hired an editor who knew next to nothing about insurance. The editor had many questions and learned a great deal from the adjuster while the adjuster learned a great deal from the editor’s suggestions for her first book. The adjuster realized that the world of insurance can be intimidating and overwhelming to those outside the industry.
She made it her mission to demystify the process and provide readers with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for themselves. The adjuster set out to write a new book and to share it with a wider audience—this time, with laypeople in mind. So it came to pass through a series of fables and real-world examples, a book that takes readers on a journey through the insurance claims process. With a touch of humor and a healthy dose of practical advice via the Morals of the Stories, readers will gain the confidence needed to navigate the complex and often overwhelming world of insurance claims.”
Essentially, a concurrent synopsis and encapsulation of what the book covers, and why the author covers it in the way she does. While in less competent hands such a tonality could clash with the stats, perhaps feeling a B-version of a Geico analogous commercial, Roberts has style, class, and expertise so everything fits. Making things communicatively simple, concise, and irreverent to boot not only makes the book feel empowering to a wide array of readers, but entertaining as well.
While some of the fables can be a tad condescending, it’s remedied by the fact Roberts is in on the joke – bringing a wry wit to a humorous delivery covering the fast-talking, shape-shifting world of insurance. “Throughout the book, readers will also find fables and rhymes that can illustrate several points. Just like the town crier who announces news and events, these tales and rhymes provide a fun and engaging way to learn about the world of insurance. To help readers find specific topics quickly, the author placed these fables in the section that relates to the primary point,” Roberts writes, in aforementioned vein.
“For example, Patty Cake, Patty Cake discusses not only adjuster bonuses but also insurers’ use of money for investment. The reader is encouraged, therefore, to see the Index of Morals if looking for a specific topic. Because insurance has a language all its own and some of the stories are set in far off lands with unfamiliar words, bolded words can be found in the glossary. So, sit back, relax, and let the fabulist guide the insurance buyer through the twists and turns of insurance and claims handling.”
Garth Thomas