Each public adjuster in Texas owes Jim Beneke a “thanks” because of his efforts to efficiently get hold of a legislation stopping insurance coverage firms from together with coverage provisions stopping policyholders from hiring public adjusters. He was additionally instrumental within the efforts to acquire licensing in Texas for public adjusters.
Jim Beneke can also be a really humble man. After I requested him why his friends of previous presidents gave him a particular award at NAPIA’s current annual convention to focus on his extraordinary work in passing the Texas laws, he deflected the reply. As a substitute, he began crediting others for his or her work on different issues.
His fame is nicely deserved, and as proof of the extent of it in Texas—have you ever ever heard of a decide appointing a public adjuster as an umpire to an appraisal with out both social gathering suggesting his title? Learn How Do Judges Choose Umpires? Some Simply Choose a Individual They Know and Respect, the place a Texas federal decide appointed Beneke with out suggestion.
Right here is my interview with Jim Beneke:
What’s the historical past of public adjusting in Texas as you bear in mind it?
The historical past of public adjusting in Texas begins with my dad, who, sarcastically, was born and raised in New York! My grandfather was a public adjuster on Lengthy Island. Dad deliberate to return to New York to work with him following his time within the Air Drive. Nevertheless, alongside the best way, he met my mom—a Texas woman—whereas stationed in Wichita Falls. They married, had my sister, and, as deliberate, returned to New York, the place I used to be born in 1956. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than Mother missed Texas, and Dad realized that the New York model of public adjusting—and dealing along with his dad—was not for him. In 1957, we moved to Richardson, Texas, a Dallas suburb.
After a “get to know the realm” stint as an organization adjuster with Floyd West and Firm, Dad grew to become the primary public adjuster in Texas when he began R.G. Beneke and Firm from our house in December of 1965. Quickly, he moved into his first workplace in what was generally known as the “Cowboy” Constructing on North Central Expressway in Dallas as a result of it was the house of the Dallas Cowboys. I preferred Dad’s workplace, however beloved the potential for seeing my favourite Cowboys once I went to go to.
I’ve Dad’s calendar from the primary few months of 1966. Regardless of the truth that nobody in Dallas had ever heard of a public adjuster, he signed up six new purchasers within the first couple of weeks in enterprise. I bear in mind him describing the shock on the adjuster’s face when he advised them he was there to symbolize the insured. Many refused to cope with him or tried to work round him. Those that knew my dad know that he didn’t stand for that and took no matter steps have been mandatory to make sure that he was capable of do his job. In some ways, we’re all nonetheless benefiting from the path he blazed these a few years in the past.
For the primary few years, there have been only a few public adjusters working in Texas. As is typical in our trade, Dad skilled most of his competitors. For instance, in 1974, Dad introduced Gerald Marshall—from Goldstein Associates in New York—to Dallas to work with him. The connection lasted 9 months, and Gerry (and later his son) grew to become our largest competitor.
By the late Nineteen Seventies, Artwork Jansen Sr. had come on the scene in Houston and have become a serious participant in Texas. Within the early Nineties the Jansens and the Benekes organized the opposite companies working within the state to create the Texas Affiliation of Public Insurance coverage Adjusters (TAPIA).
When did you begin as a public adjuster?
Like many multi-generation public adjusting firms, our entire household was concerned from the outset. My mother was dad’s first “govt assistant” and enterprise accomplice. My sister, Kaye, and I rode shotgun on post-church Sunday excursions throughout Dallas to examine the fires. Within the early days, recording gear wasn’t very refined, a lot of the time we listened to the fireplace radios reside. Dad constructed a picket field round a speaker and put a deal with on prime. With 100 toes of twine, it went wherever we went in the home. All of us knew to be quiet when the alerts indicating a hearth name went off. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than voice-activated recorders allowed us to file the calls. However, the tapes needed to be cleared earlier than bedtime each evening. That was my first official task. I superior to doing private property inventories in highschool and faculty, together with shadowing our estimators and adjusters each probability I acquired. I settled my first home-owner’s declare in about 1976.
What’s the historical past of TAPIA, and what function have you ever performed in it?
TAPIA was fashioned within the early Nineties by the 5 or 6 companies that have been training in Texas at the moment. Artwork Jansen Sr. served as TAPIA’s first president. Its major objective was to get a licensing legislation handed and finish the fixed battles we have been all going through with the Unauthorized Observe of Legislation Committee of the State Bar of Texas. By that point, Dad had already fought off the UPL Committee in 1970 after Hurricane Celia and once more in about 1976.
Our first unsuccessful try at licensing was in 1979. We tried a couple of extra instances within the Eighties, however the trial legal professionals and the insurance coverage trade simply wouldn’t let it occur. TAPIA hoped that pursuing it as an trade would deliver totally different outcomes. Not a lot. It wasn’t till 2003—after numerous different battles with the UPL committee (together with Beneke once more in 1988, Jansen in 1990 to 1991, and John Kubala in 2002) that we lastly succeeded, and issues settled down in Texas. With no imminent threats, the impetus for TAPIA to proceed assembly was gone…till 2008.
In 2008, on the heels of Hurricanes Dolly and Ike, the general public adjusting enterprise exploded. Artwork Jansen and I accepted an invite to “piggyback” on a Merlin Legislation Group Seminar to be able to reconstitute TAPIA as a viable group. The momentum we gained from that first assembly was invaluable and the primary purpose that we have been capable of succeed.
As we speak, because of the work of lots of people (together with Kaye Beneke who served as Govt Director for a number of years), TAPIA is without doubt one of the main state associations within the trade. Now we have had quite a lot of success on the legislature through the years and proceed to search for alternatives to make modifications to public adjuster legal guidelines and insurance coverage laws that profit our trade and the shoppers we serve.
What has been your expertise with NAPIA?
I used to be 10 or 11 at my first NAPIA assembly in Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey. It was there that I met Brian and Randy Goodman and different youngsters of the NAPIA “royalty” of the day. It was quite a bit for a child from Texas to soak up! The Beneke Firm grew to become extra lively in 1980 and has been lively since then. I used to be requested to serve on the board within the late Eighties and served as training chairman for 4 years within the early Nineties. I grew to become an officer in 1993 and served as President of the affiliation in 2000. I’ve loved being a part of the previous president’s advisory committee since then.
What do you assume TAPIA and NAPIA provide for extra skilled public adjusters?
Simply once you assume you’ve all of it discovered, you don’t! I be taught one thing new at each TAPIA or NAPIA occasion, particularly in as we speak’s world the place insurance policies are continuously altering and the carriers are represented by increasingly consultants and specialists. NAPIA and the opposite regional associations appeal to the most effective adjusters within the trade (from both aspect). Having the ability to share battle tales or search recommendation from those who’ve seen all of it is a big profit to the membership.
What do these organizations provide to these public adjusters who’re newer to the sector?
Affiliation membership brings credibility to your function as a public adjuster. Our conferences provide excellent persevering with training and the chance to fulfill with, and be taught from, different members who’re engaged in the identical challenges you might be going through. I at all times really feel higher figuring out that I’m not the one one being picked on by the insurance coverage trade! Members are uncovered to the most recent instruments of the commerce, together with know-how, finest practices, and authorized tendencies all through the trade. I like the truth that NAPIA now affords a mentoring program for newer public adjusters. There was a time when some have been reluctant to share their strategies of operation with potential opponents. As we speak, I believe all of us notice that selling finest practices and professionalism is nice for all of us.
What led as much as your current award at NAPIA? What are your reflections about working with legislators and insurance coverage regulators?
I’m in all probability not the one to speak about what may need led to the award. All I do know is that I actually appreciated it and was very honored to obtain it. Particularly contemplating all the nice work that has been and continues to be carried out by so many in our associations.
In Texas, I’m actually happy with the truth that TAPIA is acknowledged because the voice of our trade. Common attendance at insurance coverage committee hearings through the years has given TAPIA a well-known face among the many different trade representatives. We all know who the opposite common attendees symbolize, and so they know us. That’s necessary.
On the nationwide degree, beneath Ann Frohman’s management, Brian Goodman, Jeff Gould, Justin Skipton and Chris Aldrich (and different presidents earlier than him) have carried out great work in elevating our standing within the eyes of state commissioners and their staffs.
The present effort to replace the general public adjuster mannequin licensing act is a good instance of the affect NAPIA now wields. In August, we will probably be presenting the mannequin and different urgent surplus traces points to the Surplus Strains Committee of the NAIC. These are important actions for all public adjusters who’re dedicated to serving to policyholders sooner or later.
Are you able to inform me your historical past of working to advertise and defend public adjusting on a nationwide scale?
The licensing legislation in Texas was handed in 2003. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 created a right away want for licensing within the Gulf States. NAPIA stepped up and raised $500,000 to fund the hassle to get licensing in Louisiana and Mississippi. The Texas legislation (and expertise gained from the method) offered a street map for the payments that have been offered and finally handed with the assistance of the NAPIA-funded lobbyists in Louisiana and Mississippi. Brian and I labored with Wes Baldwin and the lobbyists to see the method via.
Shortly after that, the plan to create a mannequin licensing act was hatched. I recall Brian Goodman and I leaving a NAPIA assembly in Las Vegas and flying straight to New Orleans for a listening to on the mannequin act.
Since its creation, the mannequin or one thing very near it has been adopted by a major variety of states. The revisions at the moment into account will deliver the mannequin updated on points such because the task of advantages and conflicts of curiosity for contractors and public adjusters.
TAPIA is hopeful that the “Proper to Contract” invoice that we handed within the final session may also have a nationwide influence. We’re planning to current different payments associated to surplus traces within the coming session. If we’re profitable, I’ve little doubt different states will comply with.
Why is it necessary for public adjusters to turn out to be concerned with politics and shaping public coverage relating to insurance coverage?
The late Paul Cordish, who was NAPIA’s first Basic Counsel, cautioned us to “preserve our heads down and our noses clear.” That recommendation served us very nicely, however instances change. Now, it’s vital that all the public adjuster associations be alert to and conscious of what’s occurring in our trade, domestically and nationally. No one else is looking for our pursuits.
TAPIA is blessed to have Jake Posey as our lobbyist. Jake and the TAPIA management have crafted a really profitable id and methodology of operation for TAPIA that has served us very nicely. Following Jake’s lead, we now have established stable relationships with different trade stakeholders who see us as critical gamers who’re really involved in making insurance coverage work higher. We don’t sponsor or help frivolous payments that we all know can’t cross. The payments we current are focused, cheap, and usually supported by our counterparts within the trade.
On the Nationwide degree, Ann and Brian have crafted the same id for NAPIA on the NAIC, which has clearly raised our profile with commissioners across the nation. Brian’s seat on the board of the Coalition Towards Insurance coverage Fraud is one other nice instance of NAPIA’s rising affect within the trade.
What’s it wish to work together with your daughter, and what have you ever noticed are totally different challenges for her versus for you?
Household companies may be difficult. It’s no secret that I ended up in Austin in 1990 due to a prickly relationship with my dad (for the file, we ended nicely!). Consequently, I by no means inspired my daughters to think about the enterprise. I prompt that they need to pursue no matter they have been involved in.
Blair labored for the Massive 12 Convention for about 5 years after which spent a while in Denver. In the future, she referred to as me about the potential for becoming a member of the corporate. With some life expertise beneath her belt, I mentioned certain!
From my standpoint, she’s doing nice. I couldn’t be extra happy with her and the work she does, each for our purchasers and for our trade via TAPIA and NAPIA. Blair does all this work whereas being an incredible mother to 2 of our 4 grandchildren. That’s a problem no man can actually perceive!
After I employed Blair—identical to once I employed Matt Thannisch—I advised her that in a small firm like ours, you’ve to have the ability to do all of it. So, each of them are good estimators and adjusters. We’re blessed to have a gradual stream of referrals and shopper work. They each symbolize themselves and our firm very nicely.
What’s it about public adjusting that you’ve got continued to do that work after which put it on the market not only for you however others?
I can’t consider many different jobs which might be extra personally and professionally rewarding than public adjusting. Serving to folks cope with actually tough conditions is what I like probably the most. No two losses are the identical, so on daily basis is totally different.
I want I might take my workload and unfold it evenly throughout the course of a yr! The work tends to return in waves, however that’s simply the character of our enterprise.
What actions that you simply do have led to your success that you simply want to share with others?
Public adjusting is difficult. It’s a battle to get the work, not solely towards different public adjusters but in addition towards the agent, the claims advocate, the adjuster, restoration contractors and others providing to assist the insured. Settling claims has at all times been difficult, however much more so in as we speak’s world of restricted protection, excessive deductibles and the truth that one may need to cope with a number of adjusters, consultants, and different specialists to settle the declare.
With all of that mentioned, I’ve concluded that to achieve success as a public adjuster, one wants perseverance. Being skilled, affected person, and protracted will take you a good distance, however it’s important to be keen to hold in there when the going will get powerful. Insurance coverage firms rely on carrying insureds and their public adjusters down. Don’t allow them to do it!
I additionally requested Jim for some options and suggestions for different public adjusters to comply with. For instance, I requested him for his opinion about the best negotiating model. His response was:
Settling claims these days is difficult sufficient, even when you attempt to play by the principles. I can’t think about how irritating this enterprise have to be for many who begin their day by poking the insurance coverage firm within the eye. There may be at all times time for that later in the event that they don’t reply appropriately to a nicely thought out, professionally offered declare. Since—prefer it or not—we’re all linked collectively, I hope we will all try to symbolize the general public adjusting trade in an expert, moral method.
Keep tuned for half two of this spotlight with Jim Beneke in tomorrow’s put up.
Thought For The Day
Selflessness is humility. Humility and freedom go hand in hand. Solely a humble individual may be free.
—Jeff Wilson