Complex Claims Specialist

Vela Insurance Services (a Berkley Company); West Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Wellness program

Paid time off

401(k) and profit sharing

Annual discretionary bonus

Job summary

Vela Insurance Services (a Berkley Company) is seeking an experienced claims professional to analyze coverage, evaluate liability and damages, and manage litigation with counsel. Responsibilities include reserving, documentation, and client relations to ensure strong outcomes.

Candidates should have 8+ years claims experience, deep insurance knowledge, and preferably NY labor law/ construction claim expertise. JD preferred; NY adjuster license a plus. Excellent benefits and bonus eligibility.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of claims handling experience or equivalent.
• Deep knowledge of the insurance industry, including legal and regulatory environments.
• Specialized knowledge in New York labor law and construction-related claims (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Analyze coverage, identify issues, and prepare letters for supervisor approval.
• Investigate and evaluate liability and damages.
• Manage litigation with assigned counsel, including plans and budgets.
• Establish reserves within authority and re-evaluate throughout the claim.
• Maintain documentation and active diary for claims.
• Negotiate settlements within authority; attend mediations and conferences.
• Oversee outside vendors to control work and expenses.
• Develop positive client relationships and service.
• Identify opportunities for co-insurance and subrogation.
• Mentor claims associates and provide technical advice.

Skills

Claims handling

Insurance knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Construction claims

New York law

Education

Four-year college degree

Juris Doctor preferred

Industry designations (CRIS/AIC/SCLA) preferred

New York adjuster license a plus

Job description

Company Details Vela Insurance Services provides specialized Excess and Surplus Lines Casualty and Professional Liability insurance solutions in the following market segments: Construction, Specialty Casualty, & Professional Liability. We offer national service and local knowledge to our exclusive wholesale broker network and the businesses they serve. The company is an equal opportunity employer.

Responsibilities

• Analyze coverage, identify coverage issues, and prepare coverage letters for supervisor approval
• Investigate and evaluate liability
• Investigate and evaluate damages
• Manage litigation by assigning counsel from the approved panel where applicable, establishing litigation plans and budgets, coordinating with defense counsel, and continuously reviewing the potential for resolution
• Establish timely reserves within authority and re-evaluate throughout the life of the claim
• Maintain up-to-date, appropriate file documentation and written file notes
• Maintain an active diary and productive file inventory
• Timely complete all required large loss reporting
• Negotiate settlements within authority limits and attend mediations, Mandatory Settlement Conferences, and/or Alternative Dispute Resolutions
• Proactively control the work product and expense of outside vendors
• Develop and maintain positive customer relationships and provide superior customer service
• Timely identify all potential opportunities for co-insurance, transfer of risk, and/or subrogation
• Work with designated assigned accounts
• Recognize and investigate fraud
• Comply with deductible/self-insured retention recovery protocol
• Meet all State licensing requirements
• Adhere to all statutory regulations, Unfair Claims Practices acts, and corporate Best Practices
• Serve as mentor for claims associates and provide technical advice
• Assist management with administrative tasks as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Eight (8) or more years of claims handling experience or equivalent experience
• In-depth knowledge of the insurance industry, including legal and regulatory environments
• Specific knowledge and expertise in New York Labor law and construction-related claims (preferred)

Education Requirement

• Four (4) year college degree, or commensurate experience and training
• JD preferred
• Industry designations preferred (e.g., CRIS, AIC, SCLA)
• New York adjuster’s license a plus

Additional Company Details We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting agencies or firms.

Benefits

The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees which for this role includes:

Base Salary Range: $135,000 - 150,000.

The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, the training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

This role is eligible to participate in the annual discretionary bonus program.

Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Wellness, Paid Time Off, 401(k) and Profit-Sharing plans.

Sponsorship Details

Sponsorship not Offered for this Role