Recently I wrote about my sister's saga when trying to her her home repaired for water-damaged floors and carpets. Because the house was being refinanced, the bank holding the mortgage took the insurer's check and was wouldn't release it (see previous blog). When the matter dragged on with no results, my sister became frantic. She contacted her insurance adjuster, Debbie Birkmeyer, who took over.

The adjuster, AKA “Wonder Woman,” obtained the check, placing it in my sister's hands so work could finally begin.

Because of the extent of the repairs, everything on the bottom floor of the house was put in storage, meaning my sister and her two children had been staying in a hotel. What I didn't realize, however, is how long they had been out of their house—six weeks in all!

My sister explained that once work finally began, the weekend was approaching, meaning the house wouldn't be finished until the following week. Here again her adjuster interceded, knowing how desperate the kids were to sleep in their own beds. Ms. Birkmeyer brought in a larger crew that worked around the clock over the weekend. By Monday the work was done. She even arranged for reimbursement for the hotel tab.

And that's what I call service.

My sister was so overwhelmed by her adjuster's above-the-call-of-duty performance that she e-mailed a note to Allstate, her property insurer. As a result, it's been confirmed by an Allstate spokesman, that the California property claims adjuster, Ms. Birkmeyer, was recognized for her outstanding customer service. Way to go!

Relieved to have her family back in their home, my sister summed it up: “It's not about the money,” she said. “It's about being safe. After six weeks out of the house, the kids were suffering.”

Special Reports /

Allstate Property Adjuster Gets Customer Service Award

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