April 20, 2006

“What do you do for a living?”

I was e-mailed and asked to share with everyone what I do for a living. I’m kind of laughing because only parents would say “What do you do for a living?” Most of the people I meet today will ask, “What do you do for dough?” or “Where do you work?” or “What’s your job like?” So to see that old school phrase again, really made me smile. It also triggered a memory of my very Polish grandmother. She used to ask, “What’s your name from home?” which translates today as “What is your maiden name?”

My job is very interesting to say the least. I work for a company called Travel Guard International. The headquarter office is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Travel Guard offers travel insurance for many different types of travelers. Some of the products offered are: trip cancellation & trip interruption coverage, travel medical insurance, baggage protection, travel delay & bag delay coverages and accidental death & dismemberment insurances. Some of the services offered include: emergency medical transportation, emergency medical assistance & referrals, concierge services and live travel agent services.

Travel Guard offers these products on a retail and wholesale basis. Some of our wholesale providers include: Globus & Cosmos, Amadeus Waterways, Disney Vacation Club, Cheap Tickets, Cheap Seats, Carrentals.com, Expedia, Ice Gallery, Brendan Tours, Brennan Vacations, MBNA, Abercrombie & Kent and so many more.

My job is to sell insurance, offer assistance and take out claims. Most recently Travel Guard Canada (separate division) began offering insurance for the customers of PC Financial (President’s Choice of Canada).

I have a few funny calls I’d like to share with you.

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Parlez-vous francais?

Dana: Thank you for calling the PC Financial Travel Insuance Desk, this is Dana, how may I assist you?

Caller: Bon Jour, Dana is it? (This caller had a very thick French-Canadian accent)

Dana: Yes, Dana is my name.

Caller: I’d like to get a quote for travel insurance, si vous plait.

Dana: Certainly, I can help you with that, may I start by getting your name please?

Caller: Oui, my name is Monique Renois.

Dana: Merci. Is it okay if I call you Monique or do you prefer Madam Renois?

Caller: Monique is fine.

Dana: Thank you. Are you currently a PC Financial customer, Monique?

Caller: Yes, I am. I bank with your company.

Dana: May I have your address please?

Caller: Size 10.

Dana: Pardon?

Caller: Oui, you had asked for my dress size, no?

Dana: (Fighting laughter) I’m sorry, I had asked for your address.

Caller: Oh! Zut! I must be losing my hearing.

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Gucci on the Loosey!

Dana: Thank you for calling the Disney Vacation Club Insurance Desk, this is Dana how may I assist you?

Caller: I need to file a claim.

Dana: Certainly, I can help you with that. May I have your name please?

Caller: Jodi Martin. But the policy is under Jolene Martin.

Dana: I can look that up. May I call you Jodi or do you prefer Ms. Martin?

Caller: Jodi is fine. (She starts talking to her friend) Mary, light me a ciggie.

Dana: Thank you, Jodi. What is the reason for the claim?

Caller: Well, my friend and I are in Orlando. We took our kids to Disney. We decided to get a tan on the beach.

Dana: That sounds nice.

Caller: Yes, it was! Until we decided to tan topless. Then these two mexican kids stole my top. It was a goddamned Gucci top! Do you know how expensive that is?

Dana: (Trying not to laugh and trying harder not to ask why she took her top off at DISNEY WORLD) I’m so sorry to hear that, Jodi. Unfortunately, your coverage for baggage loss is a maximum of $500 but no one item can be more than $50. I’ll be more than happy to start the claim for this amount.

Caller: Well, will you cover my medical expenses? I sprained my ankle chasing those little “effers”.

Dana: (I had to mute the call for a minute to laugh) Your policy does have medical expense coverage. Have you seen a doctor yet?

Caller: No, I just bought some tequila. It made the pain go away.

Dana: (Again, fighting laughter) Jodi, I’d be more than happy to refer you to a physician if you’d like to seek treatment for your ankle.

Caller: That’s okay. Just send the claim forms for my Gucci.

Dana: Certainly. Thank you for calling today.

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Posted by Dana @ 9:20 am • Workin' Mama