Property Claims Specialist Field I

Mercury General; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercury General in Sacramento, CA is seeking a Property Claims Field Adjuster. You will start with a training program and transition to traveling to loss sites to inspect homes and settle homeowners' claims with care for customers.

The role involves field and virtual inspections, use of Xactimate, independent work, adherence to policy, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, with potential overtime and flexible shifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to obtain state property claims licensing.
• Completion of formal property claims training program may be needed.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and resolve homeowners claims of minor to moderate complexity with documentation.
• Perform field inspections at least 50% of time; travel to damaged homes; write damage estimates.
• Handle virtual claims using imagery and video to collaborate with vendors.
• Determine coverage by comparing facts to policy; extend or deny coverage.
• Establish reserves and negotiate settlements; escalate over authority.
• Communicate effectively with insureds and representatives to ensure satisfaction.
• Manage workload and monitor progress; supervise independent adjusters when needed.

Skills

Independent work

Customer service

Communication

Negotiation

Time management

Technology adaptation

Physical stamina

Bilingual (aPlus)

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Valid driver’s license

State property claims licensing

Formal property claims training

Tools

Xactimate

Job description

Position Summary

Passionate about helping people restore their lives when the unexpected happens to their homes and providing the best customer experience. Upon completion of the training program, ideal candidates will transition into a property claims field adjusting position traveling to loss sites that have been damaged by fire, water, weather, or other unexpected events. You may also handle some claims via virtual technology and/or collaborate with vendors. The Property Claims Field Adjuster will learn to apply knowledge of current company policies, applicable regulatory standards, and procedures to investigate, evaluate and settle minor to moderate Homeowner's property claims in a timely and efficient manner to prevent unnecessary expense to the Company and policyholders, and provide exceptional service to our customers.

Essential Job Functions

• Investigate and resolve Homeowners claims of minor to moderate complexity in a timely and efficient manner. Document with photographs, measurements, recorded interviews as needed, write a repair estimate to capture damages, and complete thorough file notes.
• Ability to perform field inspections at least 50% of work time. (company car provided). This will involve travelling to our customers’ home to conduct on-site inspections, thoroughly investigate coverage and prepare detailed estimate to efficiently resolve their claims.
• Ability to handle virtual claims. Must have ability to use imagery, and advanced video technology to collaborate with onsite vendors and insureds to identify damage and write damage estimates from a virtual setting when needed.
• Compare facts gathered during the investigation against the policy to determine coverage of claim; extend or deny coverage as appropriate.
• Establish reserve amounts within prescribed settlement authority limit and negotiate settlement of claims; recommend claims which exceed personal authority limit to supervisor for approval.
• Communicate effectively and timely with insureds and/or their representatives to resolve issues and ensure customer satisfaction. This includes timely response to phone calls, emails, texts, written communication, and adherence to Department of Insurance requirements.
• Prioritize own responsibilities and manage claims workload to monitor progress and expenses, properly resolving inventory to conclusion.
• At times may direct, monitor, and review files handled by independent adjusters to conclusion.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Ability to obtain state specific property claims licensing, as required.
• Must successfully participate and complete formal property claims training program that may take place in person, virtually, or a combination of both.

Experience

• Prior experience using estimating software like Xactimate.
• Experience in a related field: property claims experience, customer service environment, construction, restoration, mitigation.
• Clear and professional communication, both written and verbal.
• Bilingual and/or prior military experience is a plus.
• 1-3 years equivalent industry experience is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Possess the ability to work independently with limited or no supervision over daily activities required to investigate, evaluate, write damage estimates, negotiate, and resolve property claims.
• Have a passion for outstanding customer service.
• Make quality decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment, including the ability to negotiate.
• Be comfortable with and adaptable to new technology and business tools.
• Be able to seamlessly transition between various methods of inspection, including physical, video, or photo, to write a damage estimate:
• May include climbing ladders to inspect roofing or attic space and inspection of crawl spaces.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Possess strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills to handle varying workloads due to seasonal volume changes and catastrophes.
• Be able and willing to work flexible work shifts and may be asked to work overtime, as needs arise.
• Drive to and from multiple locations and occasionally outside of normal business hours.