Melissa Larsson thinks so, thank you very much. Life in California is jam-packed for the slender single mother of two with an insatiable desire to learn new things. Melissa loves her job as a field adjuster handling personal property and commercial claims for Fireman’s Fund Insurance and finds it never the same day to day, so never boring.

“When I was doing auto claims, it was mostly repetitious so I developed a high degree of efficiency. The claims I get now are always different so there is nothing automatic about the work- there’s always some new twist to the way it has to be handled and therefore something new to learn.” Since learning is a priority, it’s not a surprise to find that Melissa values the education available at CCNC and PLRB seminars. “The educational opportunities are always first-rate and the costs are negligible”, Melissa says. “Time is the only factor that keeps me from attending every session that can help me learn more about aspects of my chosen career.”

When she first came to California she took a job with Farmers Insurance and remained in their auto department for ten years. After her first year at Encompass Insurance she gave up the auto claims to go the property insurance side of claims for four years and was assigned to the field for the latter half of her time in the property department. When her second child was born she returned to inside auto adjusting. Encompass Insurance was another learning experience for her “ I have had the advantage of having the most wonderful mentors along the way,” she emphasizes, “Supervisors and field adjusters and my fellow adjusters have all been just great to me. I have had the opportunity to be a mold specialist, a marine claims specialist and learned auto liability. This business has been very good to me.”

Melissa has been with Fireman’s Fund Insurance since July of 2007. “I would love to retire with this company,” she says, enthused, “It’s a great company with terrific opportunities. Now I’m in training for Agriculture adjusting - so, more new things to learn!” she states. “I see myself as more of a policyholder advocate than anything. I work at establishing a rapport with the customer so they know that I’m doing my best for them and I’m looking to interpret the policy so that it’s fair for all concerned.”

The Agriculture part of the business is right up her street since she has an active life as the mother of a teenaged quarter horse show ring athlete, and they live on eight acres in Wilton. Even Brantly, the younger child, loves to wear a helmet and ride with Mom. “It’s a whole new world when you get into horses; my daughter and her horse are in constant training.” Melissa laughs. "The judging is on the horse and the rider. My daughter may be good enough to go to the World Competition soon and that will be very special.”

“I’ve always enjoyed athletics myself” says Melissa, “I was a cheerleader for years in school and afterwards I was into natural body building, meaning NO PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT DRUGS, for eight years while I worked at Farmers. In the evenings I was a personal trainer. Now I enjoy trail rides with my friends, and that is very good for relieving any stress.”