Field Property Claims Representative I (De Smet)

Desmet Farm Mutual Insur Co; Watertown (SD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Desmet Farm Mutual Insur Co is seeking a property claims adjuster to investigate, inspect, and settle losses across multiple lines of business. The role includes field inspections of candidate properties and collaboration with underwriting and agents to assess risk and coverage.

The position requires strong communication, negotiation, and independent work abilities, plus willingness to travel and use estimating software. High school diploma and valid license are required.

Qualifications

• High school education required.
• Ability to learn the coverages of all insurance policies written by the company.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills required.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record; own vehicle required.
• Ability to travel short and long distances, with occasional overnight travel.

Responsibilities

• Investigate claims assigned and communicate with insureds, claimants, and their representatives.
• Perform inspections of property loss sites and document findings with photos and estimates.
• Verify policy coverage on assigned losses and determine payment or denial.
• Pursue subrogation, salvage, and third-party liability contribution as appropriate.
• Maintain reserves and report claims exceeding thresholds to leadership.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Independence

Attention to detail

Travel willingness

Education

High school education

Tools

Bluebook estimating software

Job description

Description

This position is responsible for investigation, inspection, and settlement of assigned losses. This position is also responsible for providing outside field property claims inspection service as directed by inside claims representatives and adjusting and settling claims for all lines of business written by the company.

This position is responsible for performing inspections of potential and existing policyholders’ properties in order to assist the Underwriting Department and agency partners in determining if risks fall within company guidelines for issuing coverage. This position is responsible for identifying areas of concern, making recommendations to underwriters to reduce frequency and severity of losses and physical hazards, and training agents and policyholders in loss prevention measures.

Functions

• Handle claims according to company guidelines and in compliance with the Unfair Claims Practices Act.
• Investigate claims assigned. This may include taking photos, measuring damaged property, diagramming, and writing estimates as well as written and phone communication with insureds, claimants, and their legal representatives.
• Verify policy coverage on assigned losses.
• Pursue subrogation, salvage, and third-party liability contribution.
• Conduct physical inspections of property loss sites.
• Evaluate claim information to determine if payment of the claim or a denial is in order.
• Notify Property Claim Manager of all claims that exceed $50,000.
• Establish and maintain proper and adequate reserves on assigned claims.
• Report claim complaints, questionable claim submissions and possible fraud to Property Claim Manager or Claims Supervisor.
• Attend claims seminars and insurance related meetings; participate in claims associations.
• Assist Property Claim Manager and Claims Supervisor in attending arbitrations, hearings, or court proceedings, as needed.
• Remain available to service claims after normal business hours, weekends, and holidays, if needed.
• Perform in-depth property inspections; complete building valuations; complete overview of farm personal property; report on overall risks.
• Ensure inspections are complete with photos and documentation that assure proper maintenance, upkeep, current wiring and plumbing, roof condition and acceptable overall condition of the structure.
• Complete inspections for company underwriters within 30 days of assignment; discuss account with Underwriter if unable to meet 30-day timeframe.
• Complete agency book inspections as requested.
• Inform underwriters of exposure concerns and offer recommendations to reduce frequency and severity of loss arising from fire, crime, liability, accidents, etc.
• Assist underwriters in researching and providing additional information and photos when necessary.
• Serve as a loss control resource for underwriters and agents.
• Maintain knowledge in field-of-loss control practices and developments through continuing education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school education required.
• Ability to learn the coverages of all insurance policies written by the company required.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with company computer systems required.
• Ability to work remotely, independently and without direct supervision required.
• Proficiency and knowledge of the Bluebook estimating platform preferred.
• Ability to communicate and work closely with contractors and engineers.
• Involvement in insurance-related seminars and continuing education preferred.
• Ability to effectively converse with the public required.
• Ability to set up and climb ladders, balance at various heights, stoop, bend, or crawl to inspect structures while conducting physical inspections of property loss sites required.
• Ability to carry work materials weighing up to 50 lbs. required.
• Knowledge of or the ability to understand common construction and farming practices.
• Knowledge of or ability to understand company underwriting guidelines and forms required.
• Ability to use replacement cost estimating software required.
• Ability to evaluate a risk to determine insurance-to-value required.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record required.
• Provision of own vehicle required.
• Ability to operate a camera and take clear and accurate photos of assigned inspections and claims required.
• Ability to work independently with attention to detail required.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communications skills and abilities required.
• Proficient computer skills; ability to learn company computer systems required.
• Ability and willingness to travel short and long distances, on a daily basis with periodic overnight travel required.
• Ability to work flexible hours, travel to all organization offices (including in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and South Dakota) and travel to vendor work sites required.
• Ability to work in an office environment with moderate noise level, remain in a stationary position and operate a computer a majority of the time required.
• Ability to move throughout the office to access work materials and to move work materials weighing up to ten pounds daily required.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation required.