Brenda McDermott, CPCU, SCLA, CLP, ARM, AIDA, AIC, CIIP
I’ll admit it’s been a while since I was an insurance newbie splashing my way into this industry. By the time I found IAIP, I’d already been swimming laps in insurance for nearly twenty years. Back then, we had something magical called Claims College — a place where new adjusters learned how to read a policy, determine coverage, interpret medical reports, evaluate settlements, and basically not drown in their first month on the job.
Today’s new adjusters? They get… well… the equivalent of their first swimming lesson:
- Hold onto the side of the pool.
- Put your face in the water.
- Try not to panic.
And then — ready or not — someone yells,
“Great job! Now swim the length of the pool!”
and tosses them straight into the deep end. - No fully inflated floaties.
- No lifeguard.
- No swim coach.
Just a sink‑or‑swim situation that leaves many scrambling back to the edge, grabbing their towel, and deciding insurance “just isn’t for them.” Others dog paddle to the wall, look around, and wonder if there’s another lane they should be swimming in. Either way, they’re left to save themselves or give up — not because they lack potential, but because they lack skills, support, and someone watching the water. And that’s exactly where the International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP) jumps in — whistle, rescue tube, and swim badge ready- Your Insurance Lifeguard. So how can a membership in IAIP be a lifeguard to your fledgling insurance career?
- Knowledge: The Deep End Doesn’t Have to Be Dangerous Our industry is facing a knowledge drain. As seasoned professionals retire, they take decades of experience with them — experience new adjusters desperately need.
IAIP becomes the lifeguard who sees the struggling swimmer and dives in. Through networking and mentoring, new professionals gain access to experts across the country who can teach them the strokes, the breathing techniques, and the confidence needed to not only stay afloat but glide across the water with purpose. These mentors don’t just rescue sinking swimmers — they help them discover a love for the insurance pool and pride in being part of the IAIP community. - Education: The Swim Lessons Every New Adjuster Should Have IAIP offers educational opportunities that help new professionals navigate their career with skill and confidence. Think of IAIP’s designations as swim badges:
- Technical skills = learning the basic strokes
- Soft skills = mastering breathing, pacing, and endurance
- Leadership modules = diving off the high board
- Client relations = floating calmly even when the water gets choppy
Whether someone wants to stay in claims, become a team leader, or move toward customer focused roles, IAIP provides the flotation devices, swim lanes, and coaching they need. And Confidence While Communicating is the class that teaches them how to raise their hand and say, “I need help,” or “Here’s the stroke I’m best at — put me where I can shine.”
3. Leadership & Team Building: The Swim Team That Never Lets You Drown New professionals often cling to the side of the pool because they’re afraid — afraid to ask questions, afraid to fail, afraid to let go. IAIP creates a safe, supportive swim team where experienced members cheer them on, teach them new skills, and make sure no one sinks unnoticed. It’s the difference between swimming alone in a crowded pool… and swimming with teammates who say, “Let go — we’ve got you.”
If you’re new to insurance and feel like you’re treading water, sinking, or clinging to the wall for dear life — don’t climb out and go home.
Look for your lifeguard. Look for your swim coach. Look for your team. Look for The International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP). Visit the International Association of Insurance Professionals and see if they have flotation devices, swim badges, and rescue support your insurance career needs at: International Association of Insurance Professionals – Building. Futures. Together.