“We insure your dreams.” That's the slogan of fictionalBrownStar Insurance agency in a newish farce starring Ed Helms ofThe Office. The movie melds Will Ferrell-esque buffooneryand double entendres with tenderhearted moments nearly as sweet asthe butterscotch candy Ed's character, Tim Lippe, hands out alittle too enthusiastically.

The movie is called “CedarRapids.” The story? Insurance. You read that right. Besides,where other than an industry weekend retreat would insurance agentsand adjusters flock for self-discovery, with a side of Dionysiandelights and methamphetamine? When Lippe arrives at the conferencelocale, he becomes intoxicated with the grounds, the excitement,and the  “chlorine perfume” wafting from the hotel pool.(He moves on to cream sherry at the evening mixer).

We then become acquainted with some charmingly mild manneredagents and adjusters, one of whom describes antiquing as “hisguilty pleasure.” (Surprisingly not the same guy with a laminationmachine perched on his kitchen table).

It's all so predictable, right? Well, I implore you to not bedeterred by the offensive clichés and consider for a moment thatthe film could be some of the best publicity our industry hasgarnered in many years. While this exposure may be fleeting, it isfree and quite unexpected. For a public usually removed from theP&C realm, it represents a “man behind the curtain” moment but,moreover, a moment of dignity for all claims professionals,especially those working in the trenches, in disaster areas and thepressure-cooker situations that come with the territory.

That is because the film (spoiler alert) ultimately eschewsopportunistic greed and corruption in favor of ethics and amity. Given all the grumblings about the public'simplicit hostility toward insurers, we should pay attention to theformula: make fun of oneself and pervasive misnomers, then showwhat you're all about … genuinely … and not in a heavy-handedway.

The movie underscores that insurance is still a relationshipbusiness. At one point, Lippe tells Joan, a fellow attendee, that“insurance agents” get a bum rap and relays how an “agent” workedon the front line to help restore lives after a massive flood. Nowsubstitute “adjuster” for Hollywood's erroneous “agent”distinction. Joan then asks, “Do you realize that you just made itsound cool to be in insurance?” She jokingly calls him “InsuranceMan,” as a relatable superhero, one that would wear practical shoesand opt for flood insurance. Although Lippe is as endearing as heis grating, in the end, his “slow and steady” approach works. Werealize that this otherwise ordinary man is extraordinary in hisdevotion to the policyholders he takes pride in protecting.

While those good vibes percolate, might I interest you in anissue that is chock full of strategies for avoiding leakage incontents claim processing and missed subrogation opportunities?Want to learn how to up the ante on predictive analytics? What areyou waiting for?