Her Story
About Gina
Gina Vane has spent her entire 29-year career at Great American Insurance, advancing through multiple divisions to her current role as senior claim representative in the trucking division, which she has held for the past year and a half. She began in personal lines claims processing, then moved to residual value insurance as an adjuster in downtown Cincinnati, followed by gap insurance and lease coverage, collateral protection insurance for bank-owned vehicles and RVs over approximately 20 years, and mortgage protection insurance before transitioning to trucking claims. Vane attributes her success to the empathy and communication skills modeled by her father, a counselor, which help her support clients facing significant losses such as semi-trucks that serve as both livelihood and home. She holds a property damage appraisal certificate, the AIC designation, several CPCUs, an INS certificate, and a property casualty adjuster license, and she completes 20 hours of continuing education every two years. Vane values integrity, honesty, and openness in her work, advising others to remain calm under pressure and to leave work stresses at the office. Outside of work, she supports the American Heart Foundation and Light the Night for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, and participates in community efforts such as packing food for international aid.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gina
01What do you attribute your success to?
My father was a counselor and trained me to talk to people and show empathy. Every day you're dealing with someone on their worst day, so having empathy and knowing how to console them while moving toward resolving the claim is key. My dad helped train me to be good at talking to people and showing empathy.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't take it home with you. When you're having a really bad day, do not take that home. Don't go home and worry about that all night long. When I clock out at the end of the day, I try to let it go and not worry about it till tomorrow.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't wear your heart on your sleeve. Don't let people when they're upset make you upset. You have to be calm and collective. Stay calm, let them talk it out, and then respond. If you need to take a break, take a 20-minute break and go take a walk.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The emotional connection with semi truck claims because it's their livelihood and sometimes their house. Every day they're down they're losing money, so it's a rush and involves being a bit of a counselor helping them through it emotionally.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, honesty, being open. I'm very open and honest with people right from the start, letting them know about coverage issues immediately so they're not confused or upset later.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.