Coverage Counsel

Zurich 56 Company Ltd; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global insurance provider is seeking a Coverage Counsel in Toronto, Ontario. The ideal candidate will provide legal advice on complex insurance matters, manage coverage litigation, and work closely with the claims and underwriting teams. With a collaborative work culture, this role offers opportunities for professional development and making a meaningful impact in a supportive environment. Competitive compensation and hybrid work model offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive health/benefits plan

Four personal days per year

Four weeks of vacation per year

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in insurance coverage and/or defense.
• Member in good standing of a Canadian provincial Bar Association.
• Experience in insurance industry claims or underwriting.

Responsibilities

• Manage coverage litigation and provide legal advice.
• Resolve technical coverage issues within claims and underwriting.
• Ensure legal compliance with regional laws and Zurich’s control requirements.

Skills

Experience in insurance coverage

Strong organizational skills

Excellent oral and written communication

Analytical skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB

Tools

Microsoft Office

Lexis or Westlaw

Job description

Coverage Counsel

The Opportunity

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada.

Zurich Canada is currently looking to hire a Coverage Counsel to join the claims organization. As a member of the Claims Legal team, you will be providing coverage legal advice to Zurich Canada on complex coverage matters in order to ensure that Zurich’s interests are protected. If you have significant experience in insurance coverage advice and litigation and are ready for a challenging new role, we would love to hear from you.

Reporting to the head of Claims Legal, you will be responsible for managing coverage litigation, researching and drafting coverage opinions, partnering with corporate law and underwriting to provide support and recommendations on policy language and new product launches, and providing general educational support on new developments in coverage law. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your legal expertise, grow your career, and make a meaningful impact in a supportive environment where your voice matters.

This is a hybrid work opportunity.

What you will do

• Lead and manage all aspects of medium to high complexity litigation matters, including strategy development, case assignment, and oversight of outside counsel.
• Resolve technical coverage issues within claims and underwriting units, providing legal advice, counsel, and targeted training to teams.
• Partner with business units to deliver legal guidance and recommendations on policy language, new product launches, and coverage matters.
• Ensure full legal compliance with regional, country, and local laws, as well as Zurich’s internal control requirements.
• Mentor legal assistants and share technical expertise with colleagues across the organization.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities for technical excellence and delivering relevant training.
• Maintain confidentiality of claims information and protect Zurich’s reputation.
• Participate in educational and professional development activities to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
• Support team projects and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing work environment.
• Manage business travel and extended hours as required during peak periods.

Job Qualifications - What you bring to the table

Required:

• Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in insurance coverage and/or a combination of coverage and defence
• Member in good standing of a Canadian provincial Bar Association
• Experience in insurance industry claims or underwriting
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Lexis or Westlaw

Preferred:

• Advanced knowledge of insurance industry, claims, and legal/regulatory environment
• Strong organizational, analytical, and negotiation skills
• Excellent oral and written communication abilities
• Ability to multi-task and adapt in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Experience collaborating across work groups
• Skill in presenting complex information to various audiences
• Commitment to Zurich’s values and culture, including mentoring and supporting team members
• Willingness to travel as needed and work extended hours during busy periods

Our Culture

• At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work. Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.
• We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact.
• We care about our employees’s well-being and offer a comprehensive health / benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package.
• We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that.
• We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health. Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion.
• We are committed to continuous improvement and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.
• We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources.
• We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and to have received Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.

About Us

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 500 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider combined with in-depth knowledge of industries and local markets. Zurich Canada aspires to be risk management professionals’ first choice as their premier partner to help meet the risk challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at www.zurichcanada.com.

A future with Zurich

Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 148 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. We are a leading provider of commercial property‑casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. Today, we serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology and insure 90% of the Fortune 500®. Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, Zurich strives to provide ongoing career development opportunities and foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our people, our customers and the communities we serve.

As a global company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of our workforce as an asset. We recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives that are truly welcome here. Taken together, diversity and inclusion bring us closer to our common goal: exceeding our customers’ expectations. Zurich is committed to providing a diverse, inclusive and barrier‑free environment resulting in an accessible organization for employees, customers, and other parties who interact with, or on behalf of, Zurich. We strive to achieve a workplace free of discrimination of all forms, including discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability, or medical condition. If you are interested in a job opportunity, please advise if you require an accommodation, so we can work with you to provide a more accessible process.