It is a subject that plagues the claim adjuster daily: how much is pain worth?

"I've never been in so much pain in my life." When the claim adjuster hears these famous words but the trauma that led to the claim was minor, believability becomes the issue.

Almost two decades ago while working as the corporate risk and claim manager for a large international corporation, I was waiting for a meeting with my boss, the corporate CFO.

I come, hat in hand, again surveying the dregs left in an empty coffee cup, to see what lies ahead for our property and casualty claim-adjusting industry.

Too much latitude is not always a good thing. We need to beware of the line of malarkey our bosses might sell us. If we are cautious, then there may be a bright future in being a high-value claim adjuster.

Some of my more conservative readers who have complained about the images I've taken a hammer to in the past will be surprised to note that I read columnists from the other side of the ideological fence.

Back in 1976 while editor of The Claimsman, the monthly newsletter of the South Florida Claims Association, I pitched the idea of a "George Bureau" in one of my editorials.

When a security guard said explosives were on fire, 911 failed to ask, "What kind?" It was 20 years ago, but the early morning fire led to the death of six firemen and the destruction of two fire trucks.