Property Claims Specialist

This position is based in the Southern Wisconsin area and offers work-from-home flexibility within the assigned territory.

Pay

Salary range: $79,191.00 – $126,500.00. The actual salary will depend on factors including scope and complexity of the role, skills, education, training, credentials, state-based geographical differences, and experience. The range shown is for this level; the successful candidate may be hired at a different level. Position may be eligible for an annual bonus payment.

Benefits

• Premier health, prescription, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents, with coverage beginning on your first day of work.
• Low employee contributions to medical and prescription premiums—Erie currently pays up to 97% of monthly premium costs.
• Traditional pension plan (vested after five years of service).
• 401(k) plan with up to a 4% employer match, offered in addition to the pension.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal days, sick days, bereavement days, and parental leave.
• Career development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement for higher education and industry designations.
• Company-paid basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Orthodontic coverage for children and adults.
• Adoption assistance and fertility/infertility coverage.
• Well-being programs and paid volunteer hours for community service.
• Dollar-for-dollar matching of charitable gifts each year.

About the Role

Exercises independent discretion or judgment in handling assigned property claims. Serves as a consultant to claims adjusters in their handling of property losses.

Responsibilities

• Establishes immediate contact with policyholders and claimants.
• Conducts extensive investigations into causes and origins of all major property claims.
• Interviews insureds, claimants, and others as required.
• Inspects property damage, reviews information to prepare estimates, evaluates and makes recommendations regarding coverage of claims, determines liability, and negotiates settlements.
• Sets and maintains adequate reserves.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment in evaluating property damage to determine the extent of damage, liability, and total value of the claim.
• Develops estimates and obtains an agreed scope of work and cost of repair with contractors and/or policyholders.
• Determines value as it applies to coverage.
• Determines steps necessary to initiate investigation of a property loss, using outside experts and attorneys as required.
• Documents claim files and submits final reports for closure.
• Assigns and supervises the handling of property losses by independent adjusters when necessary.
• Advises claims adjusters regarding handling of claims.
• Conducts training for field office claims personnel in the branch and at the Home Office.
• Attends industry-related training programs to stay current on legal developments and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with local, state, and regional organizations and agencies involved in related activities.
• Acts as coordinator of Catastrophe Team activities at catastrophe sites.

The first five duties listed are essential functions of the job. Regular and predictable attendance is required. For certain positions, including leadership roles, regular and predictable onsite presence may also be required based on business and operational needs.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED and five years of claims handling experience (up to two years of equivalent experience may be substituted); or
• Bachelor’s Degree and three years of claims handling experience (up to two years of equivalent experience may be substituted).
• Working knowledge of Windows software.
• Ability to serve on the Catastrophe Team, which may include travel on short notice to other locations for periods exceeding two consecutive weeks.
• 24-hour availability for emergency claims service.
• Valid driver's license and good driving record.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of Introduction to Claims (AIC 30) and AIC 35 preferred.
• Appropriate state-required license.

Skills

• Values Diversity
• Self-Development
• Nimble Learning
• Collaboration
• Information Management
• Customer Focus
• Cultivates Innovation
• Job-Specific Knowledge
• Instills Trust
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Ensures Accountability
• Decision Quality

Physical Requirements

• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required.
• Ability to move over 50 lbs using lifting aide equipment (Often: 20-50%).
• Climbing/accessing heights (Moderate: 30-40%).
• Driving (Frequent: 50-80%).
• Lifting/moving 0-20 lbs (Often: 20-50%).
• Lifting/moving 20-50 lbs (Often: 20-50%).
• Manual keying/data entry/computer use (Often: 20-50%).
• Pushing/pulling/moving objects or equipment with wheels (Occasional: <20%).