Insurance attorney Barry Zalma, was honored with the Claims magazine Legend Award at the recent America's Claims Event (ACE) conference in Minneapolis, Minn.
A former army intelligence agent, Zalma worked as an insurance adjuster for several years after serving his country, and eventually went to law school and became an expert on legal issues affecting the insurance industry.
Zalma, who practiced law for decades, is the author of numerous books, articles, blogs, white papers and education courses on a myriad of topics impacting insurance practitioners. He also serves on the editorial advisory committee for Claims.
"Being recognized by my peers for contributions to the insurance industry is very gratifying, to say the least," said Zalma in his acceptance speech.
"For 48 years I have been actively involved with the insurance community as an insurance adjuster and then aas an insurance coverage and defense lawyer," he explained. "In that time I have seen many changes, some good and some bad."
A huge proponent of insurance education, Zalma explained what motivated him to write his books, blogs and other materials. "I have felt a need to share my experiences to help claims personnel, SIU investigators and claims counsel learn how to properly handle claims."
He said that any success he has had in the industry was due in large part to the education and training he received with his first employer, the old Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.
"The Fund did not cut corners. It made me study insurance by reading an insurance claims text, sent me out as an observer with experienced adjusters in each field of insurance covered by the Fund, a full month of classroom training in every aspect of insurance claims handling, then six months of on-the-job training," he recounted.
The Legend Award recognizes significant contributions made to the claims sector of the insurance industry through education, professional development and perseverance. Nominations for the 2017 award will be open later this fall.
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