Fire & Theft Claims Adjuster

This property damage specialist position reports to Tampa, FL, or Nashville, TN, with the potential to work remotely full-time.  As a property damage specialist, you will be responsible for investigating, evaluating, negotiating, disposing, and settling specialized auto and/or renters' property claims and determining legal liability, damages, and coverage. Assigned specialty claims may involve adverse subrogation received on a single-vehicle or multiple-vehicle losses, uninsured/underinsured PD motorist claims, auto fire and theft claims, personal property and personal liability renters claims, and/or complex coverage issues requiring direct involvement in property damage claim handling with minimal supervision. Exceptional evaluation and judgment skills are required to develop all potential exposures in the file and to properly set expense and indemnity reserves.  The protection of our Insured and the Company’s financial exposures is critical.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Plan and conduct investigations (including but not limited to interviewing parties involved, collecting and evaluating documentation and securing evidence and protecting the chain-of-custody, determining inspection needs, ordering police reports, scene investigation, taking witness statements, obtaining affidavits, and contents sheets, reviewing damage photos, etc.) to analyze coverage, determine liability, compensability, and extent of damages
• Assume responsibility for assigned claims, including attorney-represented and non-represented parties, for both first- and third-party claimants
• Demonstrates a high level of investigation, analysis, evaluation, and negotiation, including interpretation of coverages
• Adherence to proper procedures relating to inspection and evaluation of property damage claims and making recommendations for the disposition of claims more than individual settlement authority
• Evaluate policy coverage contact insureds, claimants, attorneys, body shops, and/or other insurance carriers while determining and establishing reserve requirements
• Document computer log with results of review and intentions for handling
• Compile information for decision-making with a discussion of the claims committee where appropriate
• Maintain accurate records and handle administrative responsibilities associated with processing and payment of claims, record and update status notes, and document results of contacts per Best Practices
• Determine the need for independent adjusters, cause and origin experts, economists, accident re-constructionists, and engineers

• Respond timely and appropriately to all settlement demands
• Keep internal and external customers advised of file status and other matters, as required
• Evaluate claims for potential fraud and work with Special Investigations Unit, as required
• Assess actual damages associated with claims and conduct negotiations to settle claims
• Determine if subrogation exists and take steps necessary to initiate recovery efforts
• Work seamlessly between multiple claim systems and platforms
• Performs other duties as assigned

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possesses strong customer service skills and behaviors
• Makes decisions in an informed, confident, and timely manner
• Maintains constructive working relationships despite differing perspectives
• Possesses strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to negotiate skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups
• Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills, promotes and facilitates free and open communication
• Understanding of applicable statutes, regulations, and case law
• Thinks critically and anticipates, recognizes, identifies, and develops solutions to problems promptly
• Experience with subrogation laws and platforms such as Arbitration Forums preferred
• Experience with renters or homeowners and other personal liability exposures preferred
• Experience with auto fire or theft investigations preferred
• Easily adapts to new or different changing situations, requirements, or priorities
• Cultivates an environment of teamwork and collaboration
• Operates with latitude for un-reviewed action or decision
• Computer proficiency (MS Office, excel, word, etc.)
• Must have or secure and maintain appropriate state adjuster license(s) and continuing education credits
• Minimum of two (2) years of property claims handling experience or related fields
• High school diploma or equivalent
• College Degree preferred or equivalent experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to do manual tasks, which may include using hands to finger and handling controls. Tasks may also require the ability to talk or hear. The employee will frequently sit, bend, and reach with hands and arms and is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must often lift and move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Other skills include breathing, protecting oneself, and possessing the capacity to learn, concentrate, think, and read. Frequently, the employee communicates and interacts with others while working.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform basic functions.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments.

#LI-REMOTE

As a Team Member at First Acceptance Insurance Company, you will be part of a growing organization that continues to evolve and positively impacts the lives of our team members and customers.

We are looking for team members that engage – who take responsibility for themselves and take care of their customers and colleagues. Ideal candidates can compose themselves under pressure, have a “make It right” mindset, and focus their energies on solving problems. This means you’ll be supported by a team with all these qualities, too. If this sounds like the kind of team you’d like to join, we want to hear from you! ​

First Acceptance Insurance Company offers a full line of benefits including: Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, Paid Vacation, Disability Insurance and Employer Matching 401(k) Program.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Applicants are considered for position and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, color, gender, national origin, age, marital status, military or veteran status or any other protected local, state or federal status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.