Family First

Cormier Adjusting Limited grew from a one-man, one-office adjusting firm in Parry Sound, Ont. into an eight staff, full-line adjusting firm — a very family-oriented one.

While the staff remains tight-knit, the firm’s geography is expansive, servicing Parry Sound, the District of Muskoka and the County of Haliburton. The four adjusters cover an area of roughly 20,000 kilometers. And when disaster strikes, members of the firm have volunteered to join CAT teams nationally and internationally, as well.

Wayne Cormier, adjuster, began his insurance career with the Sun Alliance and the Royal Insurance Company, before moving in to the world of adjusting when he took a job with Beatty and Armstrong in Barrie. He established an office in Parry Sound for the company, and in 1972 purchased the business, forming Wayne C. Cormier Insurance Adjusting Limited. Wayne’s brother, Al Cormier, joined the firm as an adjuster in 1977. By 1980 the brothers opened a second office in Huntsville. Three years later the firm expanded to include a Bracebridge location. Al started his claims career at Scottish & York Insurance Company before moving on to Chubb Insurance and the Commercial Union Insurance Company. He has been adjusting claims ever since he joined his brother’s firm in 1977.

The brothers worked alongside one another for more than two decades — they did part ways for a few years, even becoming competitors for a short time — when in 2003 Wayne decided to retire and Al and his wife Germaine purchased the business. The change in ownership also brought a change in moniker to Cormier Adjusting Limited.

Over the years, the company has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of its clients. Cormier Adjusting remains committed to growing its market share in the industry by bringing younger adjusters on board to keep the firm growing.

Who’s who

Carrying along the family tradition, Al’s son Adam joined the firm in 2009 as an adjuster, after working with an insurance company and earning his CIP. “He brings fresh ideas, energy and a good understanding of new technology,” Al says of Adam.

In addition to Wayne (who recently came out of retirement to handle some claims) Al, and Adam, there are five additional staff members at Cormier Adjusting Limited. They include: Germaine, co-owner, bookkeeper and accountant; Alexandra Cormier, office manager; Jim Dewar, an adjuster who has been with the firm since close to its inception; and Karen Taylor and Kate Wilson, support staff who handle the day-to-day aspects of the office.

“We operate our business as a family business, and each of our employees are treated as family,” Al says. “This is one of the main benefits of being a small business.” The staff all know each other, they know each others families, and this has developed into a caring and loyal relationship.”

Collectively, the senior adjusters have more than 100 years of diversified experience, he continues. This wealth of experience helps younger adjusters grow in the industry. At Cormier Adjusting, younger adjusters are given the opportunity to handle all types of claims as the more experienced adjusters have the expertise to guide them. “They need experience to gain experience!” Al says.

Covering all bases

“We work together to get the job done,” Al says. “With the wide range of contacts, it makes the job easier, faster and more cost effective.”

Cormier Adjusting handles all facets of insurance claims from property losses to liability claims, including automobile losses, marine losses, transportation and cargo losses, environmental and oil spills, heavy equipment losses, municipal claims, catastrophic losses and pre-construction surveys.

One of the company’s main strengths is emphasis on education. The staff is encouraged to attend seminars and conventions to keep abreast of changes within the industry. Keeping up with the changes in the claims industry is a never-ending battle, but can be managed by attending courses that help to educate adjusters about important issues. Furthermore, regular review of policy wordings can also help to ensure adjusters are keeping abreast of the changes. Al adds that the firm has made it a priority to keep up with advances in technology. “We make sure our estimating program is current to meet the needs of our industry.”

Flexibility is key

The company’s small size allows it to be nimble and adapt to changes quicker than a larger firm might be able to. Additionally, the company’s smaller size allows them to offer a more personal service to clients when handling claims. Al says that being small also means the firm can often be more price-competitive.

Because the adjusters in the firm are also long-time residents of the community, they have far more contacts within the area. “We know the community and the community knows us,” is the company motto according to Al. Not only do the adjusters live and work within the community, but they also get involved in local affairs, community service clubs and organizations as much as possible. It is also possible to hold regular monthly meetings with everybody on staff to discuss ideas and concerns regarding the day-to-day operations or any long-term plans. All staff are encouraged to offer-up suggestions on ways to improve the business. According to Al, this is essential to the firm’s growth.

The biggest challenge to Cormier Adjusting Limited’s growth is competition and the competitor’s ability to arrange national contracts with direct insurers. “We strive to provide personal service at a reasonable rate,” Al says.

The adjusting community

Over the years, the adjusters have been intricately involved with the Canadian Independent Adjusters’ Association and the Ontario Independent Adjusters Association. Wayne is a past-president of CIAA’s Ontario Region, Al is a past-president of the OIAA’s Georgian Chapter, while Adam has been nominated for director of the OIAA’s Georgian Chapter.

The company has been a long time member of the CIAA. “It is with the dedication of the CIAA that has helped shape and mold the adjusting industry as to what it is today,” Al says. “They never stop trying to improve our industry and are our voice in the insurance field. We have been involved serving on the CIAA and have found it an asset to our business.”