Melissa Abshire
Reynoldsburg
Summary
Training and business management professional with 20 years of relevant work experience in insurance, claims adjusting, training, retail, and customer service. Highly effective communicator with proven ability to maintain employee morale while maximizing efficiency and exceeding goals within set deadlines. Eager for professional growth, increased responsibility, and the opportunity to take on new challenges while developing others.
Experienced in analyzing fire claims to ensure adherence to company policies, facilitating timely resolutions and enhancing customer satisfaction. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve claims processing efficiency, resulting in reduced turnaround times for clients. Conducted comprehensive investigations of fire claims, meticulously documenting findings to support equitable claim settlements. Proficient in utilizing Xactimate for estimating damages and effectively managing claim files to ensure thorough documentation and compliance with company standards.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Fire Claim Specialist WCCS Deployed
State Farm
Columbus
01.2025 - Current
- Analyzed fire claims to ensure compliance with company policies, resulting in timely resolution and enhanced customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline claims processing, improving efficiency and reducing turnaround time for clients.
- Conducted thorough investigations of fire claims, documenting findings to support fair and accurate claim settlements.
Proximity Claims Specialist
State Farm
03.2022 - Current
- Respond to standard claims process (SCP) questions.
- Review policy and coverage available.
- Investigate and inspect property virtually or in person to assess damage and coverage.
- Complete estimates using Xactimate.
- Effectively note each claim file detailing action taken, and items still pending completion in claim.
- Negotiated claim settlements and processed payments to complete claim handling.
Independent Adjuster Claims Coordinator (IACC)
Eberl Claim Services
08.2020 - 03.2022
- Responded to standard claim process (SCP) questions.
- Guided new adjusters through estimates in XM8 and claims systems.
- Used a variety of questioning techniques to elicit critical thinking and responses from new adjusters.
- Helped new adjusters understand the end-to-end claim process to clear their task lists.
- Effectively communicated in a virtual environment to ensure the success of new adjusters, which resulted in the satisfaction of insureds.
- Various deployments
Claims Coordinator
Eberl Claim Services
04.2021 - 09.2021
- Collaborated with others involved in the claim process to review documents and reconcile with contractor estimates/supplements received.
- Investigated and assessed damages to determine validity of claims.
- Negotiated claim settlements with insured for all covered damages.
- Reviewed and communicated property coverages and inspection reports for damages to personal property and dwellings.
- Determined coverage for additional living expenses, revised and created estimates, and processed payments.
- Hail Reconciliation Unit (HRU)
Claim Steward Property Desk Adjuster
Eberl Claim Services
08.2020 - 04.2021
- Assisted individuals who lost property or belongings because of catastrophic natural event, such as a flood, tornado, or hurricane.
- Analyzed information obtained through investigation and reports.
- Translated complex information for insureds.
- Examined property titles to determine validity.
- Served as a company agent in transactions with property owners.
- Investigated and assessed damage to property to determine extent of liability.
Lead Teller
Cashland
Columbus
- Assisted customers in all aspects of store services including handling complaints and inquiries.
- Effectively led, coached, and developed a team of diverse individuals.
- Recruited qualified candidates and trained associates to improve performance in customer service, communication, and company policy.
- Oversaw store operations such as cash handling, processing inventory in a timely manner, merchandising and stocking sales floor, and cleanliness of facility.
- Responsible for daily operations, high volume customer service, profit and loss management as well as setting, monitoring, and driving sales goals.
Senior Banker
US Bank
Columbus
- Opened and closed branch, processed daily paperwork and deposit, produced schedules, balanced teller drawers, while handling large amounts of cash and account information.
- Ensured branch and associates complied with banking standards for all visual and operational policies and procedures.
- Employed strategies to drive sales and achieve or exceed store targets month over month.
- Maintained a supportive customer service-oriented environment through frequent and accurate documentation of individual management and associate performance.
- Administered Action Plans to develop individual skills and promote growth.
- Ability to explain complex insurance concepts to policyholders and negotiate with other professionals.
- Highly organized to ensure quick access to claim information that enables excellent customer service.
- Manage time efficiently to handle a high volume of claims accurately.
- Employ a variety of research techniques to find information about the policyholder, incident, coverage, etc., to process claims accurately and in a timely manner.
- Ability to document claims accurately and thoroughly so that findings are clear and concise for policyholders, insurance companies, and other professionals.
- Proficient in negotiating between multiple parties.
- Meticulous with documentation, claim investigation, and negotiation settlements to ensure errors aren’t overlooked.
Education
State Farm Property & Fire Certification -
State Farm Auto Certification -
State Adjuster Licenses -
Adjuster Licensing
Columbus State Community College
Eastland Career Center
Skills
- Project & Technology Management
- Conflict Resolution & Management
- Needs Analysis
- Emotional Intelligence
- Adult Learning Styles
- Active Learning
- Learner Engagement Strategies
- Blended, In-Person, & Virtual Learning
Timeline
Fire Claim Specialist WCCS Deployed
State Farm
01.2025 - Current
Proximity Claims Specialist
State Farm
03.2022 - Current
Claims Coordinator
Eberl Claim Services
04.2021 - 09.2021
Independent Adjuster Claims Coordinator (IACC)
Eberl Claim Services
08.2020 - 03.2022
Claim Steward Property Desk Adjuster
Eberl Claim Services
08.2020 - 04.2021
Lead Teller
Cashland
Senior Banker
US Bank
State Farm Property & Fire Certification -
State Farm Auto Certification -
State Adjuster Licenses -
Adjuster Licensing
Columbus State Community College
Eastland Career Center