Sr. Claim Rep - General Liability (Homeowner/Dwelling/Business)

Vermont Mutual Insurance Group; Montpelier (VT); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vermont Mutual Insurance Group seeks an experienced Claims professional to handle a diverse caseload across casualty and D&O. Candidates should possess advanced knowledge of general liability, subrogation, and litigation, with strong negotiation and communication skills.

A state adjuster license is required where applicable, and professional designations are highly regarded. The role emphasizes final resolution using a variety of settlement techniques, adherence to policy provisions, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, insurance or related field.
• Five or more years of relevant claim handling experience.
• Appropriate state Adjuster’s License(s) where required by law.
• Advanced knowledge of casualty claims (general liability, subrogation, litigation).
• Desireable professional designations such as AIC, AEI, SCLA, CPCU.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and coordinate loss investigations on all assigned claims.
• Negotiate settlements within authorized amounts.
• Maintain accountability for all assigned claims until disposition.
• Recommend further action on claims exceeding authority.
• Document activity on claims and assist in vendor control.
• Review new losses and diary for reserve adequacy and adverse developments.
• Monitor loss adjustment expenses and manage third-party costs.
• Utilize vendors to maximize value from services.
• Review coverage questions with supervisors for approval.
• Refer coverage matters to supervisor/manager as appropriate.
• Ensure proper file handling, documentation and reporting of expenses.
• Provide timely information to customers about claim status.
• Lead discussions on files during roundtable reviews.
• Provide service calls to policyholders and agencies as needed.
• Mentor adjusters and staff as a technical resource.
• Draft coverage correspondence and reservations of rights.

Skills

Five or more years of claim handling

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Oral and written communication

Work under pressure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, insurance or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Imaging programs

Job description

Directly handle a diverse claims caseload of multiple coverage types, including casualty and D&O, with a large percentage of losses of moderate to high complexity and financial severity. Claims assigned occasionally involve substantive coverage issues or litigation. Employee should possess demonstrated expertise in handling significant bodily injury claims which involve both comparative negligence theories and defenses. Employee should be highly skilled in all coverages written with an emphasis on the more difficult losses and exposures and be capable of seeing more difficult adjustments through final resolution using a wide variety of settlement techniques. Conclude claims promptly and equitably within the provisions of the policy contract and in accordance with known damages and legal requirements. All files handled must comply with claim handling guidelines and all other job expectations, regulations and requirements.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct and coordinate loss investigations on all assigned claims.
• Negotiate the settlement of claims within authorized amounts or specific file authority.
• Maintain accountability for all assigned claims until disposition is reached.
• Recommend further action on claims exceeding authority limits.
• Document all activity on assigned claims and assist in the control of independent vendors.
• Review new losses and files on diary to ensure reserve adequacy while keeping management informed of adverse developments.
• Monitor loss adjustment expenses and take steps to effectively manage costs of third party service providers.
• Utilize vendors judiciously to ensure maximum value from services.
• Review coverage questions and suggest interpretations to Claim Staff Supervisor for approval.
• Refer appropriate coverage matters to the Claim Supervisor and/or Claim Manager.
• Ensure appropriate file handling, documentation, special reporting and expense control of all files handled.
• Provide accurate, courteous and timely information to all eligible external and internal customers concerning claim status and other claim inquiries.
• Presents reports and leads discussion on files requiring roundtable reviews with peers and management
• Provide service calls to policyholders and agencies as needed.
• Serve as a technical resource within the Department through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
• Draft coverage correspondence, including reservation of rights and coverage DISCLAIMERS along with composing detailed correspondence to insureds, claimants, attorneys, etc.
• Attend trials, depositions, EUO’s and mediations where deemed beneficial or required by jurisdiction.
• Suggest improvements to processes within the department to increase the level and quality of service provided to internal and external customers, e.g. workflow changes, systems implementation, etc.
• Effectively follow direction on complicated or high-exposure matters and recommend appropriate reserves on claim files within specific authority and on files requiring mandatory reporting to management.
• Deliver technical training for adjusting staff and clerical personnel as needed.
• This position handles an assigned claim pending.
• Performs other duties or special projects as required or as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The Claim Supervisor provides minimal direct supervision.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This job primarily has no supervisory duties; however moderate supervision of independent adjusters, vendors and claim support staff may occur.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, insurance or a related field, or its equivalent.
• Five or more years of relevant technical claim handling experience with demonstrated achievement and progressive responsibilities; or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.
• Appropriate state Adjuster’s License(s) where required by law.
• Advanced knowledge of the technical aspects of casualty claims (general liability, subrogation and litigation).
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development through the attainment of recognized industry designations such as AIC, AEI, SCLA, CPCU programs, etc.
• Fully developed skills in specialized technical disciplines; including extensive knowledge of relevant contract and tort law.
• Sound understanding of the insurance industry and company operations.
• Strong analytical and negotiating skills.
• Very good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment in dealing with professional issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of outside firms and organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with company management, peers and claim support staff.
• Proficiency with PC applications including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel & Outlook); Experience with imaging programs preferred.
• Ability to perform job responsibilities under stressful situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Employees in this job classification may be based in either a typical office environment or from a remote location or residence as determined by management.
• For non-field positions, predominately sedentary office position with high frequency of keyboarding/computer work required.
• Occasional overnight travel.
• Potentially subject to inclement weather and stressful situations with respect to claim disputes.

The salary range reflected is a good faith estimate of base pay for the position. In addition to base salary, this role is incentive compensation and benefits eligible, and individual salary will ultimately be determined based on individual experience, skills, qualifications and geographic location.