I've had the privilege of speaking at a number of industry events this year and one of the topics that frequently comes up is how much this industry is changing. Technology has transformed the way adjusters, claims managers, risk managers, subrogation specialists and SIU investigators do their jobs. They have more tools available to track customers' buying habits and investigate their losses. Social media has become an important source of information for claims managers and attorneys. Policyholders can now self-adjust some losses using their mobile devices — allowing them to schedule services almost immediately when a claim is filed.

The industry is about to undergo another major change as 25 percent of the claims workforce retires in the next three years according to a study by McKinsey and Co. Consider the years of experience that will be walking out the door — individuals who can look at a claim and know immediately it will involve complex issues that must be addressed early on to prevent costs from getting out of control on the back end.

They know which vendors are best suited to handle specific types of claims. They are CAT adjusters who have handled claims from Agnes, Hugo, Andrew, Gloria, Irene, Katrina, Sandy and countless other storms, as well as tornadoes and wildfires. These seasoned pros know how a car is put together, what damage from a rear-end collision really looks like, how much water can pour into a basement from a toilet overflow, and whether or not a fire started with a knocked over candle or was deliberately set. They recognize the red flags in Workers' Compensation cases and how to mitigate them for the benefit of employers and employees.