Summary / Job PurposeResponsible for the independent investigation, evaluation, strategy, negotiation and resolution of highly complex commercial automobile and general liability claims, including severe bodily injury, significant property damage, high-exposure litigation, complex coverage issues and matters presenting material financial or reputational risk. Serves as a senior technical resource and drives disciplined claim strategy, reserving, litigation management and stakeholder communication in accordance with company claim handling guidelines, delegated authority, regulatory requirements and applicable fair claims practices laws.
Essential FunctionsClaims Handling and Technical Management - approximately 60%
- Independently investigates, analyzes and resolves highly complex or severe commercial auto and general liability claims, including catastrophic bodily injury, wrongful death, significant property damage and multi-party or multi-jurisdictional matters.
- Develops and executes comprehensive claim strategies addressing liability, comparative fault, damages, causation, coverage, venue, litigation posture, resolution opportunities and potential excess exposure.
- Establishes and maintains timely, supportable reserves based on exposure and the current claim strategy; recommends reserve and settlement values above delegated authority with clear rationale and documentation.
- Directs high-exposure litigation in partnership with defense counsel, including counsel selection, litigation plans, budgets, experts, discovery, dispositive motions, mediation and trial strategy; challenges legal spend and strategy when warranted.
- Identifies and escalates significant developments, emerging severity, coverage concerns and potential excess or reinsurance implications promptly and accurately.
- Leads negotiations and participates in mediations, settlement conferences, trials and other proceedings as required; pursues early, strategic resolution when appropriate while protecting the interests of the insured and company.
- Analyzes complex policy and coverage issues and works with management, coverage counsel and other stakeholders to ensure timely, well-supported coverage positions.
- Serves as a technical resource to claim colleagues by providing consultation on complex liability, damages, litigation, reserving and negotiation issues; may support training, file reviews and special projects.
Customer and Stakeholder Service - approximately 20%
- Maintains clear, proactive and professional communication with insureds, brokers, claimants, counsel, underwriting, management and other internal or external stakeholders throughout the claim life cycle.
- Participates in claim reviews, stewardship discussions and account meetings as needed, communicating claim status, exposure, strategy and next steps in a concise business-focused manner.
- Builds collaborative relationships while maintaining appropriate independence, confidentiality and claim-handling discipline.
- Regulatory and Operational Compliance - approximately 20%
- Maintains complete, timely and accurate claim system documentation, including liability and damages evaluations, reserve rationale, litigation strategy, coverage analysis, action plans and material developments.
- Complies with company claim handling guidelines, settlement and reserve authority, fair claims practices requirements, state and federal regulations, licensing and continuing education requirements.
- Ensures required reports, notices and management or Home Office updates are completed accurately and on time; supports audit, quality assurance and governance requirements.
- Uses approved claim systems, data, vendors and expense-management processes; participates in projects, process improvements and other assignments as needed.
QualificationsEducation and Experience
- High school diploma or G.E.D. required; bachelor's degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressively responsible commercial casualty claim experience, with demonstrated handling of highly complex, severe and high-exposure automobile and general liability claims.
- Demonstrated experience managing litigated claims, evaluating liability and damages, establishing reserves, negotiating settlements and working with defense counsel.
- Experience with catastrophic injury, wrongful death, excess exposure and sophisticated coverage or contractual risk-transfer issues strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong knowledge of commercial automobile and general liability claim investigation, liability analysis, damages evaluation, litigation management, reserving and negotiation.
- Ability to interpret insurance policies, endorsements, contracts, pleadings, medical information, expert reports and other legal or technical documents.
- Sound judgment and disciplined decision-making with the ability to identify claim severity and escalate material issues appropriately.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex claim issues to business partners and senior stakeholders.
- Strong organization, prioritization and file-management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex matters and deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and the ability to learn and effectively use claim management and related systems.
- Credentials and Other Requirements
- AIC, SCLA, CPCU or comparable insurance designation is preferred but not required.
- Maintain all required adjuster licenses and continuing education requirements for assigned jurisdictions.
- Same-day and overnight travel may be required, including attendance at mediations, trials, claim reviews or customer meetings.
Salary: The base pay range is $90,000.00 - $110,000.00. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location.
Additional Benefits:
Healthcare and Retirement Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) with a generous employer match and profit-sharing contribution
Wellness incentive program
Life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
Flexible spending programs
Short-term and long-term disability plans
Additional Benefit Programs
Paid time off program
Paid charitable leave
Paid parental leave
Tuition reimbursement program
Personal insurance (auto/homeowners) discounts
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