Senior Property Adjuster - Chicago, IL

This is a field position in the Chicago market.

About the role

The Senior Property Adjuster effectively determines and communicates the extent of loss or damage associated with commercial property claims in a variety of business classes. The role is typically assigned loss or damage assessments in a moderate cost range, based on the incumbent’s experience and demonstrated ability for handling larger or more complex claims.

Responsibilities

• Investigates insurance claims in settings such as retail establishments, office buildings, commercial facilities, hospitality venues, manufacturing sites, governmental facilities, schools, clinics, or hospitals; assesses loss or damage from events including weather, earthquakes, fire, vandalism, or accidents. May assess time-element and builders’ risk losses.
• Conducts property inspections and photographs claim sites to depict and substantiate losses or damage, using knowledge of property, construction, or the affected industry.
• Obtains necessary information from claimants and experts (e.g., architects, engineers, builders, police officers, healthcare practitioners, accountants) to accurately assess the extent of loss.
• Coordinates efforts with a diverse team of experts, including expert witnesses, attorneys, public adjusters, and carrier’s examiners to conduct investigations and confirm findings.
• Applies a thorough understanding of insurance policies to establish appropriate loss estimates and recommends reasonable claim payments.
• Ensures accuracy of collected information, guards against fraudulent claims, and prepares clear, thorough reports and letters for insurance carriers.
• Uses software systems such as Xactimate to produce accurate estimates and maintains detailed field notes, journal entries, and time/expense records.
• Submits reimbursement reports in accordance with organizational, client, and industry standards, applying knowledge of time-and-expense and fee-for-service procedures.
• Prepares and conducts presentations and produces special reports for insurance carriers as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• 2-5 years’ experience in commercial property loss adjusting, including catastrophe claims and a wide range of business risk classes (e.g., manufacturing, retail, industrial, habitational, hospitality).
• Ability to understand claims adjudication processes and knowledge of commercial/residential construction industries.
• Knowledge of property claim law.
• Active license, or ability to promptly obtain one, in the assigned state(s).

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Passion for providing exceptional customer service.
• Strong analytical, research, and investigative skills.
• Conflict resolution and persuasion abilities.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and excellent problem-solving/critical-thinking skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Xactimate, and Corelogic; adaptability to new technologies.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Working Conditions

• Frequently works at property damage sites, including disaster or catastrophe locations, which may require evening, overnight, or weekend travel (up to 2 weeks or more during catastrophes).
• Exposure to outside weather conditions (e.g., extreme heat, cold, precipitation) and inside environmental conditions (e.g., noise, vibrations, electrical currents, heights, chemicals, fumes, dust).
• May work in close quarters, crawl spaces, enclosed rooms, or high areas (e.g., roofs, scaffolding), requiring physical agility, balance, and resistance to claustrophobia or acrophobia.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, or grasp, including lifting up to 50 pounds (e.g., a ladder).
• Close visual acuity (with or without correction) to prepare reports, read documents, inspect properties, perceive color/depth, and use a computer terminal/keyboard.