Recently I wrote about my sister's saga when trying to her herhome repaired for water-damaged floors and carpets. Because thehouse was being refinanced, the bank holding the mortgagetook the insurer's check and was wouldn't release it (seeprevious blog). When the matter dragged on with no results, mysister became frantic. She contacted her insurance adjuster, DebbieBirkmeyer, who took over.

The adjuster, AKA “Wonder Woman,” obtained the check, placing itin my sister's hands so work could finally begin.

Because of the extent of the repairs, everything on the bottomfloor of the house was put in storage, meaning my sister and hertwo children had been staying in a hotel. What I didn't realize,however, is how long they had been out of their house—six weeks inall!

My sister explained that once work finally began, the weekendwas approaching, meaning the house wouldn't be finished until thefollowing week. Here again her adjuster interceded, knowing howdesperate the kids were to sleep in their own beds. Ms. Birkmeyerbrought in a larger crew that worked around the clock over theweekend. By Monday the work was done. She even arranged forreimbursement for the hotel tab.

And that's what I call service.

My sister was so overwhelmed by her adjuster'sabove-the-call-of-duty performance that she e-mailed a note toAllstate, her property insurer. As a result, it's been confirmed byan Allstate spokesman, that the California property claimsadjuster, Ms. Birkmeyer, was recognized for her outstandingcustomer service. Way to go!

Relieved to have her family back in their home, my sister summedit up: “It's not about the money,” she said. “It's about beingsafe. After six weeks out of the house, the kids weresuffering.”