When you need Dustin Chitwood, he’s there.
As director of insurance and claims management in the University of Georgia’s Risk and Resiliency Division, Chitwood is there to help when the worst happens and to prepare for those scenarios.
“Here at the university, I get to help people put things back together as quickly as possible,” he said, “whether that is a person’s injuries or an automobile or even a building.”
Chitwood spent 25 years working in adjusting and leadership for three different insurance companies in the private sector before coming to UGA in June 2025. A friend already working at the university mentioned the position, and Chitwood welcomed the opportunity to do what he enjoys with a little less travel.
“This position is everything I did at different times in those 25 years all rolled into one,” he said.
Chitwood has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in special education and taught for a few years after graduating. His uncle, who worked for an insurance company, eventually convinced him to interview for an open position, and Chitwood has been working in that field since then.
“I like that it’s different every day,” he said. “In insurance, you never know what you’re going to run across or what’s going to happen. That’s why they’re called accidents — they’re not planned.”
For example, Chitwood and his team have worked on lab fires that led to water damage. They were able to get researchers back in those labs in a matter of weeks rather than months. They’ve also processed water damage at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall and Wray-Nicholson House, with repairs completed as quickly and effectively as possible.
Coverage extends to all of UGA, and Chitwood, and his team are on hand when natural disasters do damage at the university’s extended campuses. When a tornado hit the University of Georgia Tifton campus at 7:30 a.m. on a March morning, Chitwood was on site by 1 p.m., assessing the damage. His team has also processed claims for events at UGA’s coastal properties.
“I get to work with our vendors and the Facilities Management Division folks to bring things back to normal as quickly as possible,” he said.
Some schools and buildings need specialized coverage. Chitwood worked diligently to ensure UGA’s new School of Medicine has proper coverage and will continue that process as the medical education and research building is completed.
Chitwood is part of the process from beginning to end — from initiating claims and checking repairs to going on a final walk-through. He’s constantly balancing how quickly those repairs can be made with how much they will cost, all while following the proper policies. Chitwood estimated that 60-70% of claims originate from water damage.
He also seeks ways to prevent claims from happening in the first place. Chitwood is looking at ways to use artificial intelligence to monitor water usage and alert officials when there is a spike, which could indicate a problem.
“We can’t stop any of these losses, but we can lessen them,” he said.
Additionally, Chitwood leads workshops and presentations on ways to stay safe and prevent accidents.
When the worst does happen, the university is in good hands with Chitwood and his team.
“We take pride in what we do,” he said. “I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to bring folks back to where they were at, so we do our best to be proactive and communicate diligently and get things done timely.”