In 2003, I retired after 25 years in the US Postal Service. I stayed at home about a year and that was enough for me. My stepdaughter, who was in the insurance business at the time, encouraged me to get my adjuster’s license. Lo and behold, I passed the test the first time. I received my North Carolina license in October 2004 and shortly after obtained my South Carolina license. Once I had my license, I wondered “Now, what do I do?” [An independent adjusting firm] gave me a chance and I have been working claims ever since. I love my job—I’d even go so far as to say I wish I had started this career in my younger years. But what the heck, I’m only 64 and have many years ahead of me.

At –22° F, the one-mile walk from the icy landing strip to the village center seems more like a marathon today. Balancing my load of electronic “convenience” tools—a laptop, measuring devices, multiple cameras (should one fail), backup batteries for each—I find it difficult to shield my face from the penetrating wind. I enter the Head Start building, and a small group of inquisitive children approach me to learn why a stranger is in their village. As I appease their curiosity, I am thankful that heat has been restored and my eyes can adjust from the blindness caused by the sun’s reflection on a sea of snow.

A week ago, multiple boilers servicing the building had been compromised by fuel deprivation due to a design problem in the HVAC system. After its discovery, a mechanic made the flight from Bethel to restore heat and begin the process of thawing out the building. The plumbing and sprinkler systems require extensive repair. Although this type of loss is not unusual in the colder climates of the Lower 48, servicing them in Alaska presents multiple challenges—bringing in tradesmen from the larger communities nearby, finding an available general contractor, freighting materials by air from Seattle, travel expense for the tradesmen, and the fluctuating costs of freight and material due to volatile oil and steel markets.

The scope of damage is prepared and presented to the contractor as a job budget. Accurate job cost estimates are difficult to determine due to variables of freight, travel, overtime labor, per diem allowances, and delivery of materials to remote Alaska. For this project, the adjustment cannot be determined until the job is invoiced. The contractor accepts my budget. Agreement is reached on labor rates and markups. The contractor agrees to submit material invoices from vendors and employee timesheets with final billing in order that I might determine compliance with the agreement and adjust the claim.

My return flight is late. The local agent calls the Bethel Airport and learns that all flights are cancelled due to a fog that is not likely to lift until evening. The local air taxis only operate in daylight. In hospitality, the village offers a cot at the Head Start building and dinner with the administrator’s family. An overnight stay would force me to reschedule tomorrow’s appointments and put my inspections another day behind. After some inquiry, I learn that a village employee is coming from Bethel by snow machine to pick up a stranded employee. I am offered a ride. Assuming that another snow machine would be brought for our use, I am taken aback when one snow machine pulls up to the Native store and the driver calls for me. The driver connects a wooden sled to the snow machine, offers a snowsuit and guides me to the back of the sled. Before buckling down, I consider that my purchase of warmer gloves and hat at the Native store for $48.50 is a wise investment.

The extreme cold and lack of suspension system on the sled does not allow for much sightseeing. Hunkering down with my face in my coat, I force my mind to wander from the present circumstances. We arrive at the Bethel Airport 90 minutes later, and I feel blessed to see the Alaska 737-200 making its approach. Tomorrow’s plans call for island hopping from Juneau to service a fire at a seasonal lodge in another remote village. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Do you have an interesting or funny claims story? Tell us about it! Send an email titled "Story" to editor@claimsadvisor.com. Your may be the next story featured in Claims Advisor.