Diary of an Insurer: Brawdia’s James Goodlet

Monday

After arriving in Auckland the previous week to assist with the ongoing response to February’s cyclone damage, I am buzzing from a great week spent on site visits, meeting the team and enjoying Auckland over the weekend.

Despite this, jet lag is still fully in control of my sleep pattern.

Awake at 5am, I spend a couple of hours catching up on my UK workload. A quick swim is followed by checking my local emails and schedule for the day before heading out on four site visits around Auckland.

The most noteworthy visit of the day is to a property where the basement has flooded but is showing signs of inherent damp and mould.

A discussion with insurers confirms their position of covering flood affected areas only and not the pre-existing damage.

A nice catch up with my housemate in the evening sharing some local sweet delicacies rounds off the day before I leave him to get a couple more hours of work in before day’s end.

Tuesday

A slightly later 6am wake-up is followed by a quick few length in the pool before a video call back to the UK office for a general catch-up and check-in.

Having set a challenge with my young cousins back home that I would explore all different manners of cuisine and eateries, I head for breakfast to a restaurant down the road.

I check my local emails and organise my diary for the day. I take a trip further north today for two visits. This affords me the opportunity to write-up my notes parked next to the beach.

The claims were nice and straight forward with no irregularities to report on two ground floor flooded properties. Nothing of note in the evening accept for video calling family in the UK, which is challenging with the time difference but was always a priority to set some time aside.

Wednesday

The prospect of an intriguing day is on the cards as I am visiting a property that has been struck by a tree. As a surveyor in the UK this rarely happens and is not something I have previously experienced, so it is a curious claim to get my teeth into and understand the nature and extent of damage.

For the evening, having spotted an advert for good value steak and chips, I head for dinner with our group of international colleagues, where we trade stories of our day. One colleague being attacked by a bird in an insured’s house was the highlight.

Thursday

Another first on the agenda today is a visit to an estate that has suffered multiple land slips that potentially affected the piles of the house, making the structure vulnerable.

The representative of the estate is very pleasant and shows me around, evidently unfazed by the situation. After some time exploring the estate and various slips, I head off to my next visits, which include damage to a ceiling following a roof leak, and various elements of damage to a house.

I attend a late night video meeting with my UK colleagues to discuss fees for the month and updates on my workload. It’s a good opportunity to keep in touch with colleagues and all things Brawdia.

Friday

I head for breakfast before setting up camp in the office for a much-needed administration day following four days of visits.

The day consists of writing reports, uploading photographs and notes, followed by issuing reports to insurers and passing the files over to colleagues for completion.

The afternoon enables me to schedule visits for the following week after inheriting new claims from the claims manager.

This also entails speaking with policyholders to confirm visits and checking the best routes and travel plans, allowing me to maximise my days’ work.

I join an evening get together in the office with a mix of local and international adjusters from McLarens, where we share stories of the week over pizza – I’m not sure I can convince my cousins if this counts as a local delicacy.

It’s a fabulous way to end the week and a great way to make new friends and acquaintances.

James Goodlet is a building surveyor at Brawdia