Claims Specialist

About the role

Continental Western Group is a regional property casualty insurance company offering commercial products and services through independent agents in the Midwest. CWG provides unique value through the service provided by our experienced group of employees and independent agents. Since 1886 - Strong, Local and Trusted. As a Berkley company, we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions. W. R. Berkley Corporation , and all member insurance companies, are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A+ (Strong).

Responsibilities

• Investigate and handle high severity and/or complex commercial casualty claims in a prompt, equitable manner by analyzing coverage, liability and damages, evaluating reserves, negotiating settlement or conclusion of claims.
• Handle litigated cases across a variety of claims from general Commercial Bodily Injury and Property Damage, Construction Defect, Toxic Tort to Professional Liability.
• Travel within Continental Western Groups' (CWG) territory footprint to attend mediations and/or trials when necessary.
• Work in a highly collaborative environment where a learning mindset and knowledge-sharing is highly valued.
• Encourage diversity of thought to "think outside of the box" and share expertise, which can expand beyond immediate team to impact overall CWG Claims function.
• Investigate loss, evaluate exposures, establish accurate reserves and manage defense and settlement or conclusion of high severity and/or complex claims.
• Re-evaluate exposures and reserves during the life of the claim.
• Correctly enters claim data into claim and related systems for reporting purposes.
• Confers with Claims Supervisors, Claims Manager and Home Office Claims staff to inform, solicit input and strategize.
• Utilizes Claims staff to assist with investigation.
• Coordinate investigation with Subrogation and Arbitration Units.
• Selects appropriate outside legal counsel to coordinate the defense of each suit.
• Strategize and evaluates, with assistance of outside defense counsel, to determine direction of defense, e.g., defend to conclusion; compromise, or negotiate a fair and equitable settlement.
• Assign tasks, sets completion dates and establishes costs.
• Provide technical advice, direction and mentoring to the Claims Department staff on high severity and/or complex commercial casualty claims.
• Attend settlement conferences, depositions, preliminary hearings and trials when advisable.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Commercial Casualty Claims experience.
• In-depth knowledge of complex insurance coverages, laws and regulations.
• Possess strong customer orientation, problem analysis and problem resolution skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to partner with all levels of the organization.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Operate with urgency and professionalism to respond to inquiries from customers.
• Track record of being able to effectively manage a project and/or lead a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook