I had just started my career as an officer in Insurance industry. Was initially given the administration of Motor Claims, as the officer who was looking after them was proceeding on leave.

I had a 2 person team in the office and there were always murmurs of money taking flying around. Prior to that, when the newly recruited officers were being trained, we were given copious amounts of advise about the do's and don'ts and why our career could be in jeoardy.

So was taking my baby steps in the land of claims. The training had drilled a lot into our heads as well. Then one day a claim paper of a vehicle, a truck, came up. It was interesting case - an off beat one.

As per the claims document, the vehicle was going in the state highway when all of a sudden, the axle came apart (if am not mistaken, after it went over a minor pothole - this was in Gujarat where the roads were generally in good condition).

There was no external cause of damage - no accident, overturning nothing. I examined the claim, (and it was my first major claim in Motor), and repudiated the claim as the damage did not fall under the purview of the policy. And put up the note to my boss. Close finis at my end.

After, may be couple of months, I got a summons from my controlling office asking me to join a meeting urgently. So went to the controlling office. There I was in the Regional Manager's office and saw a bevy of senior people. RM asked me as to why I repudiated the claim.

Me:"Because it does not fall under the purview of the policy"
RM: "But you have written a letter that the damage occured as there was a design defect in the truck! Who are you to talk about design of the truck?"
Me: "As far as I recall, I have not written any mail...

"...as this is still with the Div. Manager"
Then the Surveyor interjected (and to me): "Sir, you have written a mail. I have seen that mail!!"
The insured, a leading Truck dealer, was also present - he also joined the chorus of the surveyor.

Me:"If I have indeed written the letter, produce that letter!! And copy of that mail that I have supposedly written, it should be available with that claim file!"
Meanwhile, the person whom I had temporarily replaced, join in the chorus, "See, you should not be writing such...

...mails as they can expose us to legal matters!!".
Me:"I understand that - but since all of you are you saying that I have written the mail and have seen the mail, why is it that I have not seen that damned mail!!"
Other:"Probably you forgot"

Me: "The insured should be able to produce that mail - since he says that he has the mail. I will accept that I have written that mail, only when I see the mail - which I never wrote in the first place!!"

The discussion ended there.

But I was moved to another different department, that in some ways redefined my career subsequently - for the better. But it was a good initiation into the Corporate world of Insurance, about handling peer and superiors' pressure. #LessonsLearned.

My thanks to @swamy64 as I got inspired by him in sharing my early experience!