He tells a touching story about how as a young kid he lost his dad in a sawmill accident, and how much he admired the insurance agent who made sure his family was fairly compensated and accounted for. (Whether he was referring to the agent who handled the workers' comp or life insurance claim wasn't clear, but to the general public it really doesn't matter. Insurance is insurance.)

Related: Read More Sam Friedman Blog Posts

He went on to say how cool he thought it was to work in a job where you can make such a big difference in people's lives. Even the cynical colleague hearing the story is won over by Lippe's core decency, declaring him to be a closet superhero—“Insurance Man”—who wears a costume under his business suit with a large “I” emblazoned on his chest.

(For those who've yet to see the film, Spoiler Alert! I reveal major plot elements ahead!)

Lippe's pristine character is corrupted over the course of the film, personally and professionally, but in the end, his integrity triumphs and he is rewarded for doing the right thing.

Indeed, in a plot twist right out of a Jimmy Stewart movie, Lippe wins out in part by convincing his long-time, grateful, and loyal clients to abandon his crooked employer and follow him to his own agency. (What? No non-compete clause?)

There are some hilarious scenes gently spoofing the industry (how often does anyone get a laugh out of insurance?), including Lippe doing a TV ad for his new agency showing how far he and his fellow agents are prepared to go to protect clients and property at home or at work. There is also a karaoke performance for the ages, in which Lippe sings insurance-related lyrics to the tune of a traditional holiday carol during a conference talent show.

I imagine some may find it difficult to point to a movie with such a perverse plot line as shining a positive light on insurers and their agents. But in his odd way, Lippe is a role model of sorts who reinforces the critical role insurance plays in society.

It would be nice to see more positive portrayals of insurance personnel in pop culture, without the raunchy humor of this Hangover-like film.

A sitcom featuring an adjuster settling crazy claims and exposing shameless frauds might be fun and educational. So would a show about an agent who handles unusual risks and an assortment of oddball business and personal lines clients.

A reality show with adjusters and agents saving the day for policyholders would also be welcome. (The program could be called The Masters of Disaster!) I'd go for anything on TV or in the movies to counter the unwarranted image of the industry as unfair towards their customers, or worse, unfeeling.

Indeed, the last sympathetic TV character I can recall directly involved with insurance was Longstreet, a drama many years ago about a blind fraud investigator.

Let's face it, there are no insurance “superheroes” in popular culture. Perhaps the time is ripe for one.

What do you folks think?