Senior Technical Claims Specialist (Insurance Coverage Litigation)

Company

Argo Group

Argo Group is an underwriter of specialty insurance products in the property and casualty market. Argo offers a full line of products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims-handling needs of businesses. The Argo entities are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Clearbrook Group Holdings Inc.

Job Description

We are looking for a highly capable insurance coverage and bad faith litigation specialist to join our team and work in our Omaha, Chicago, or New York office. We work together in the office five days a week in order to strengthen our culture, build team connections, and drive profitability. This role will directly report to the SVP, Claims Legal, based in Chicago, and is responsible for providing technical support on insurance coverage disputes and major cases in litigation assigned to Adjusters throughout the US.

This is a 100% in-office position. Candidates must be able to work on-site at a designated company office during standard business hours.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Manage litigated and non-litigated insurance coverage and bad faith claims on all lines of business (e.g., casualty, environmental, garage, construction defect, NYLL, inland marine, and WC/EL), utilizing the highest degree of technical and legal experience, and working closely with management and outside coverage counsel to resolve all such claims in the most successful manner possible.
• Conduct detailed investigation and analysis of claims involving insurance coverage and bad faith issues to advise management on appropriate strategic positioning and resolution.
• Negotiates highly complex settlement packages, sets reserves and authorizes payment within scope of authority, settling claims in most cost-effective manner and ensuring timely issuance of disbursements.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance and counsel to claims personnel and management on liability claims involving complex legal and factual issues on all lines of business with a focus on appropriate strategic positioning and resolution.
• Strong familiarity and experience with insurance policy forms and endorsements under the following types of policies: CGL, Environmental, Excess/Umbrella, Garage, Inland Marine, Motor Truck Cargo, and Builder's Risk.
• Attend mediations, settlement conferences, and court hearings to represent company with respect to claims involving insurance coverage and bad faith issues.
• Consult with and advise management and underwriting on trends and developments with claims and policies nationwide, including on insurance coverage and bad faith issues.
• Managing diary timely and complete tasks to ensure that cases move to the best financial outcome and timely resolution.

Qualifications / Experience Required:

• A deep knowledge of claims adjudication and focus on customer service typically achieved through:

• At least seven years' experience handling insurance coverage issues and disputes, with exposure of $100,000 or more, for Commercial General Liability (including Bodily Injury and Property Damage), Construction Defect, New York Labor Law, Garage, Inland Marine, Excess, Property, and Environmental.
• A J.D. from an accredited law school. Litigation experience is beneficial, but not required.

• Must have good business acumen (i.e. understand how an insurance company works and makes money, including how this role impacts both Argo Group and our customers' ability to be profitable).

• Ability to regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance. This role primarily faces problems and issues that are difficult and require an understanding of a broader set of issues.

• Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to build lasting relationships.

• Exhibit natural curiosity in order to consistently explore and consider all options and are not governed by conventional thinking.

• A strong focus on execution in getting things done right. Proven ability to consistently produce and deliver expected results to all stakeholders by:

• Finding a way to achieve success through adversity.
• Being solution (not problem) focused
• Thinking with a global mindset first.

• Successful traits (flexibility, ability to thrive in change, being resourceful on your own) are necessary to work in a fast-paced environment that is evolving constantly.

• Excellent evaluation and strategic skills are required.

• Strong claim negotiation skills a must.

• Knows how claims reserving techniques are used and how to assess whether a claim reserve is accurate.

• Must possess a strong customer focus.

• Effective time management skills and ability to prioritize workload while handling multiple tasks and deadlines.

• Demonstrates innovative thinking and regularly shares ideas to help the team whenever possible

• Ability to articulate the financial value of your work at multiple responsibility levels, which may include company executives.

• Demonstrates inner strength.  Has the courage to do the right thing and demonstrates it on a daily basis.

• Proficient in MS Office Suite and other business-related software.

• Polished and professional written and verbal communication skills in order to present information accurately and effectively.

• The ability to read and write English fluently is required.

• Must demonstrate a desire for continued professional development through continuing education and self-development opportunities.

• Licensed Claims Examiner is beneficial, but not required. Must be willing to quickly obtain a license in each jurisdiction where it is required to adjudicate claims within 120 Days.

• Ability to travel about 5% of the time (average one day per month), sometimes overnight.

About Working in Claims at Argo Group

• Argo Group does not treat our claims or our claims professionals as a commodity. The work we offer is challenging, diverse, and impactful.
• Our Adjusters and Managers are empowered to exercise their independent discretion and, within broad limits and authority, be creative in developing solutions and treat each case as the unique situation it is.
• We have a very flat organizational structure, enabling our employees have more interaction with our senior management team, especially when it relates to reviewing large losses.
• Our entire claims team works in a collaborative nature to expeditiously resolve claims. We offer a work environment that inspires innovation and is open to employee suggestions. We even offer rewards for creative and innovative ideas.
• We believe in building an inclusive and diverse team, and we strive to make our office a welcoming space for everyone. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds to apply.

PLEASE NOTE:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. At this time, we are not able to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar state or local law and you wish to discuss potential reasonable accommodations related to applying for employment with us, please contact our Benefits Department at 210-321-8400.

Benefits and Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation package, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits program-including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Core Values

At Clearbrook our Core Values are Integrity, Collaboration, Pursuit of Excellence and Forward Thinking. These values reflect who we are today and who we aspire to be - guiding how we work, how we lead and how we succeed.