David Hisey is a great guy and has worked for the insurance industry forever. He ran the Winsdstorm Network’s golf tournament for over a decade. The picture above is his burned home from the recent Gatlinburg wildfire. Losing everything and the memories associated with your home is one of the worst emotional times in life. Most people are in a state of shock and despair.

This post also reminds me of the 2010 Nashville flood several years ago where noted in Tennessee Floods and the Emotion of Disaster:

Traveling from one disaster to another and talking with those involved and living through the impact is difficult. Most people need reassurance that others know, understand and care. Others are understandably frustrated and angry with the entire situation. When talking with seasoned catastrophe adjusters, virtually all have stories of just staying, sitting and holding hands with our brothers and sisters as they sob and then get to the point of being able to function. All victims eventually want to know where they stand and what they can do to recover.

Many insurance companies provide training for their catastrophe adjusters that include psychological training. Teaching how to deal with customers that are suffering. Training the adjusters and preparing them for their own emotional reactions to dealing with widespread grief is taught as well. This type of training is commendable and often not mentioned.

The truth is that insurance provides a financial safety net for people following a loss. It softens the emotional impact because it helps provide a means to finance the recovery which needs to happen. Insurance is a valuable product providing peace of mind before and after a disaster.

My friend David Hisey has a better emotional sense of his future because of the promise his trade provides. Adjusters and those in the insurance industry should have pride in what they do because of the value and purpose of insurance. It is more than just money.

Positive Thought of The Day

The garden is growth and change and that means loss as well as constant new treasures to make up for a few disasters.
              —May Sarton