Each election year provides us with a reality check and a reminder that we all have choices and the power to effectuate change. The impending presidential election marks a time for reflection and for astute analysis of the current state of affairs and the decisions that will shape the future for all, including the talented professionals for whom we write.

While at the polls on a brisk November day, fellow countrymen will vote for the type of America they envision. Figuratively speaking, the similarities between this voting process and the one that Claims and its readers embark upon each year are somewhat similar. It is true that we solicit feedback by conducting a poll of a different sort, beseeching our constituency for the vital information that will enable us to create content that is truly reflective of the industry's financial perils and perks. As any insider will readily divulge, this profession is not for the faint of heart and signifies a truly valiant endeavor.

Without input from you, it simply would not be possible to stay abreast of the fluctuating needs and salary figures of all of those diligently working in the trenches, from independent claim adjusters to insurance company vice presidents. To the more than 200 claim professionals who judiciously completed this year's 18th annual salary survey, we would like to express our sincere gratitude. By sharing your reality, from assessing on-the-job practicalities and benefits, to venting grievances (some of which run deep) and alerting us to certain other "deficits," you are empowering other professionals and helping to facilitate fair salary negotiations.