Young Gun in Insurance 2021 | Doris Mihajlovic

What brought you to becoming a Claims Adjuster?

I came into insurance very randomly, which is common for most people in the industry I believe. As a child, I had dreams of being a marine biologist or working for the UN, however, as I got older I realised these roles would keep me away from my family, impact my relationships and the UN would likely impact my mental health as well. When I finished my degree at UNSW, I found a role at an insurance building company and a few years in, made a speech at a Women in Insurance event. I became interested in working for an insurer and this role came up and the rest is history!

What were some of your earliest influencers when you came into insurance?

I am still new to insurance and still in my ‘early’ days in an insurance career so I’ll go with my biggest influence, who is Barbara Stenning (National Head of Claims – BIA). From my first time meeting her, I knew she was someone I would like to work for. She is a manager who genuinely cares for her staff and our professional and personal development. She is someone who is well respected in the industry and influences me positively every day.

What are things you wish you had known when you first started in insurance?

I wish I had known how technical it is and just how many laws and regulations are in place for the industry. I definitely would have taken more law courses at university if I had known! But I also wish I had known how many opportunities there are in insurance for career development.

How has working at Berkley Insurance Australia helped or impacted your work?

Working at BIA is the first time I have worked for an insurance company. I am really happy that this is the case due to the way BIA treats employees and customers. The claims philosophy and Barbara’s direction have shaped the way I manage claims, make certain decisions in my day-to-day role in a fair way and understand the intention of various policies. I am really glad this is my first insurance role as it has impacted my perception of the insurance industry in a positive way and has also ensured I have a strong foundation in managing claims with integrity.

Do you have any advice you would give your 18-year-old self?

That it is ok to fail and make mistakes, you don’t need to be perfect. Surround yourself with the right people, people who are negative, self-centred and who don’t care are only keeping you down. Don’t accept roles where you are undervalued and don’t underestimate yourself.

What does being recognised as a winner of the Insurance Business Young Gun 2021 mean to you?

This achievement really means a lot, I wasn’t expecting it as I have only been in this industry for 2.5 years. I am honoured to be recognised among those who strive to impact the industry in a positive way. It’s a reminder that the work I do day in, and day-out matters. The support from my colleagues has been wonderful as well and has shown how powerful coming together and recognising everyone’s achievements can be. My family has had a rough 2 years, so I am also glad to be able to share something positive with them.

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