Casualty General Liability Property Damage Adjuster

Job Description

TITLE:                                    Casualty General/General Liability Property Adjuster

DEPARTMENT:                  National Casualty Practice

REPORTS TO:                      Casualty Claims Manager

STATUS:                               Regular, full-time; exempt          

This is a field adjuster position in the Atlanta, GA market.

SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE 

The Casualty General/General Liability Property Adjuster manages all aspects of liability losses in a variety of business classes, effectively determining and communicating the extent of liability or damage associated with each claim. The incumbent assists the client in fulfilling its obligation to policyholders and maintaining the client’s claims processing functions, including evaluating potential coverage issues, liability and evaluation of damages, risk transfer opportunities, litigation and settlement matters within the limits of assigned authority levels and in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Casualty General/General Liability Property Adjuster may be called upon to manage losses which can be large or complex with respect to property damage, potentially involving multiple claimants with exposures in excess of $250,000.00

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Determines appropriate methods and extent of needed investigation for all assigned claims, including conducting investigations through field visits and phone contact; obtaining contracts, job files, and appraisals; conducting insured, witness, and claimant interviews and/or statements; complete site inspections; scope, measure, and write estimates using other necessary fact-finding methods to evaluate liability, damages, and proper coverage.
• Uses knowledge of property and construction, and/or knowledge of the specific industry or business affected, personally conduct property inspections and photograph claim sites as necessary to depict and substantiate losses or damage, or lack thereof.
• Investigates insurance claims in a variety of settings including, but not limited to retail establishments, office buildings, residences, condominiums, apartments, hotels, corporate facilities, governmental facilities, schools, clinics, or hospitals; assess loss or damage resulting from various events including, but not limited to inclement or catastrophic weather, construction defect, and fire.
• Conducts thorough interviews or other methods to obtain necessary information from the claimant and from experts such as architects, engineers, builders, construction workers, police officers, health care practitioners, accountants, and other to assess the extent of the loss fully and accurately.
• Applies a thorough understanding of insurance policies and policy interpretation to properly investigate, establish appropriate loss estimates based on all relevant information and findings, provide coverage recommendations, and draft coverage letters, if requested by the client.
• Works cooperatively with expert witnesses, attorneys, underwriting department staff, investigators, vendors, and carrier’s examiners as needed to conduct investigations, confirm findings, and support evaluations.
• Ensures the accuracy of information collected and reported, and guards against fraudulent claims based on critical issues identified and accurate conclusions drawn.
• Follows all applicable policies, procedures, and practices, and incorporates sound judgement in formulating recommendations and completing evaluations and reports.
• Prepares accurate, clear, thorough, and concise reports and letters to insurance carriers, providing appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
• Effectively use software systems such as Xactimate as necessary to produce accurate estimates.
• Attends trials, arbitration, ADR, and face-to-face negotiations as required.
• Assists with monitoring quality of services rendered by appraisers, law firms, and other experts or consultants.
• Ensures that liability assessments provided to clients contain appropriate and relevant information on statutes.
• Will be called upon to investigate, evaluate, and negotiate more complex claims including contractor liability, products liability, homeowner liability, construction defect cases involving multiple parties, etc. 
• Ability to identify claims whose complexity warrants escalation to a more senior level adjuster.
• Identifies and addresses third party liability and tender opportunities through investigation and/or contract interpretation.
• Effectively works with EM Business Development and Marketing department to identify opportunities and clients to grow general liability business.
• Works toward becoming a subject matter expert in one more types of liability losses to assist with training and mentoring of other adjusters.
• Provides training and assists in the development of less experienced adjusters as needed.
• Maintains accurate, thorough field notes, journal entries, and time and expense records as required. Submits reimbursement reports in keeping with organization and client policies, procedures, and practices, and within accepted industry standards.
• Applies knowledge of both time-and-expense and fee-for-service procedures, according to the stipulations of the agreement with the client.
• Functions as an effective member of the team, assisting co-workers as needed and learning from colleagues and supervisors; supports the goals of the department, division, and organization; participate in special assignments and activities as required or approved.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with other members of the organization across departments, divisions, and locations.
• Maintains the confidentiality of proprietary and sensitive information, exercising sound judgment and discretion in any disclosure of information related to EM and its endeavors.
• Upholds the values of Engle Martin and Our Foundation.
• Adheres to all applicable State Insurance Regulation requirements and other applicable laws, regulations, and standards; assumes personal responsibility for maintaining the requisite state licensure for the state(s) assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or demonstrated equivalent experience
• Five to ten years of experience in related claims handling preferred
• Active license or ability to obtain such in multiple jurisdictions

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Proficiency in a variety of office software, including Microsoft Office Suite (including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Adobe)
• Skills in using word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software
• Sound understanding of claims adjudication processes; thorough knowledge of commercial and residential construction industries and/or basic knowledge of automotive and transportation industry desirable
• Advanced knowledge of casualty claims law and jurisdictional issues
• Experiencing in performing codes investigations
• Thorough understanding of estimate building through Xactimate
• Thorough understanding of the Commercial General Liability Policy Form as well as with the applicable forms/endorsements
• Ability to draft coverage letters with minimal supervision
• Working towards becoming a subject matter expert in one of more of the following: contractor liability, construction defect, homeowner liability, professional liability, and/or product liability
• Ability to serve as a trainer for others in the organization
• Strong research and investigative abilities
• Excellent negotiating, conflict resolution, and persuasion abilities
• Skills in analyzing, interpreting, synthesizing, prioritizing, and reporting pertinent information, discerning the essential from the non-essential
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Sound time management and organization skills
• Basic mathematical and statistical skills
• Ability to interpret policies and other written technical information
• Trustworthiness, integrity, and personal accountability and adherence to standards of ethical behavior and professional conduct
• Commitment to confidentiality and ability to discretely handle sensitive information
• Keen service orientation and customer service skills
• Commitment to professional and personal growth and development
• Team-oriented work style

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Work is generally performed in a typical office environment or at loss sites, with limited exposure to harsh weather conditions, loud internal or external noise, fumes, or significant temperature changes. Occasional overnight and extended travel in a work and/or training capacity may be required.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the working conditions and associated physical activities and requirements above, the incumbent may be required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, or feel, especially in the course of investigating and assessing property damage; these requirements may include the need to lift weights of up to 50 pounds, including a ladder.

Periodic driving is required; visual acuity to prepare and read detailed hard copy and electronic documents’ ability to speak and to hear the spoken word in normal face-to-face and telephonic business communications; ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in a work capacity.