W

W.R. Berkley

Commercial insurance underwriting, reinsurance, and investments

Chief Claims Officer

Full-TimeDeadline 6/18/27
No salary listed
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's, JD
West Hartford, CT, USA
In Person
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 10 years of strategic leadership experience with responsibility for managing a claims operation.
  • At least 15 years of general claims experience with in-depth knowledge of industry best practices for adjudicating commercial property and casualty claims, ideally including general liability and product recall claims.
  • Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to multitask and independently prioritize competing demands and requests within given time constraints.
  • Ability to exercise independent judgment, make sound business decisions, and resolve unique and challenging business problems.
  • Demonstrated ability to use metrics and data to drive continuous improvement and increase efficiencies.
  • Knowledge of strategic leadership, claims management, reserve management, loss cost management, predictive analytics, litigation management, budget management, client relationship management, data analysis and reporting, cross-functional collaboration, regulatory compliance, operational planning, communication and negotiation, and process improvement.
  • A bachelor's degree is required.
Responsibilities
  • Manage all claims-related matters, including analysis, reserve development, and execution of claims strategies to deliver optimal loss cost management and customer satisfaction in accordance with performance standards.
  • Collaborate with the Leadership Team on loss trend, coverage, and exposure analysis for existing and new business opportunities.
  • Oversee internal claims personnel to achieve high standards of productivity, efficiency, and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Ensure compliance with local, federal, and state regulations related to claims while minimizing organizational risk and exposure.
  • Develop and implement claims strategy in conjunction with the President.
  • Provide vision and leadership to the Claims organization while cultivating communication, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Lead the development, implementation, and continuous planning of claim metrics, processes, results, and initiatives.
  • Collaborate with Underwriting, Actuarial, Finance, and other stakeholders on market trends, legal changes, and loss developments.
  • Use resources, technology, processes, and predictive analytics to drive innovation.
  • Apply internal claim best practices to support consistent claim performance, compliance, and business goals.
  • Work with the Leadership Team on cost-containment strategies, including allocated and unallocated expenses within the Claims operation.
  • Create the Claims annual operational goals, objectives, and budget.
  • Directly manage first-party and third-party claims as necessary.
  • Supervise, audit, and analyze panel counsel effectiveness, ensure compliance with agreed metrics, and recommend changes to the President.
  • Provide regular Claims updates to brokers and reinsurers as necessary.
  • Engage with clients to refine the company's understanding of client needs and requirements.
  • Support new business initiatives and marketing efforts through service presentations to insureds, brokers, and accounts in conjunction with Underwriting and Loss Control.
  • Ensure sound litigation management practices, including detailed review of legal bills using appropriate tools.
  • Attend mediations, arbitrations, depositions, and trials as necessary.
  • Participate in establishing, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on corporate Claims goals.
  • Approve claim settlements and reserve increases.
  • Monitor loss adjustment expenses to ensure efficient use of outside services, including independent adjusters and attorneys.
  • Provide the President with regular status reports on large losses.
  • Keep abreast of industry developments and monitor legislative and regulatory changes.
  • Perform other duties and projects assigned by the President.
Desired Qualifications
  • An advanced degree is preferred.
  • A Juris Doctor is strongly preferred.

About the company

W. R. Berkley provides commercial property and casualty insurance and reinsurance worldwide. It underwrites through two segments: Insurance with 53 operating units offering lines like excess and surplus, commercial auto, and workers’ compensation; and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess which writes reinsurance and excess policies for other insurers and self-insured entities. Revenue comes from premiums on insurance and reinsurance contracts and from investment income, supporting risk transfer and market capacity. The goal is to deliver steady underwriting results and financial returns for shareholders by serving a broad client base across many industries.

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Greenwich, Connecticut

Founded

1967

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 gross premiums written hit a record $4.1 billion, up year over year.
  • AM Best upgraded W. R. Berkley on June 25, 2026 to 'a' and 'aa'.
  • Berkley Meridian launched August 18, 2026, expanding construction, liability, and wholesale E&S distribution.

What critics are saying

  • Berkley sued Trisura on June 30, 2026 over additional-insured defense wording.
  • Reinsurance gross premiums fell in Q2 2026, exposing Berkley Re to pricing pressure.
  • A major catastrophe or reserve shock can erase specialty-margin gains and pressure capital.

What makes W.R. Berkley unique

  • 53 operating units underwrite niche commercial risks across 10 regions, preserving local pricing power.
  • Berkley specializes in E&S and specialty commercial lines, not commoditized personal insurance.
  • Decades of disciplined underwriting produced AM Best upgrades and 18.6% Q2 2026 ROE.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Wellness Program

Paid Time Off

401(k) Retirement Plan

Profit Sharing

Annual Bonus Potential

Company News

Business Wire
Sep 10th, 2026
W. R. Berkley declares 10 cent quarterly dividend, payable 30 September

W. R. Berkley Corporation has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 10 cents per share on its common stock. The dividend will be paid on 30 September 2026 to stockholders of record at the close of business on 21 September 2026. Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company and one of the largest commercial lines writers in the United States. The company operates two segments of the property casualty insurance business: Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess.

Business Wire
Aug 18th, 2026
W. R. Berkley forms Berkley Meridian through merger of Verus and Vela Insurance

W. R. Berkley Corporation has formed Berkley Meridian, a new specialty insurance business combining Verus Specialty Insurance and Vela Insurance Services. Marlo M. Morrison will serve as president of the new entity. The business will unite underwriting capabilities and expertise across construction, professional liability, garage, casualty, and other specialty lines, focusing on the excess and surplus wholesale broker market. Integration has begun and is expected to continue into early 2027. Morrison joined Verus Specialty Insurance as president in 2019, bringing nearly 30 years of property and casualty insurance experience. W. Robert Berkley, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, said the combination will allow the company to leverage expertise and provide a broader suite of solutions. Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States.

Reinsurance News
Jul 28th, 2026
Robert R. Coyne, Jr. to succeed Daniel R. Westcott as President of Berkley Re America.

Robert R. Coyne, Jr. to succeed Daniel R. Westcott as President of Berkley Re America. 28th July 2026 - Author: Saumya Jain - Insurance holding company W. R. Berkley Corporation has appointed Daniel R. Westcott as Executive Vice President (EVP), as Robert R. Coyne Jr. succeeds him as President of Berkley Re America, while Robert C. Hewitt has been named Chairman of Berkley Re. All appointments are effective immediately. Berkley Re is a global reinsurer comprising Berkley Re America, Berkley Re UK, Berkley Re Solutions, Berkley Re Australia, and Berkley Re Asia. Westcott joined Berkley Re America as president in 2019, and has nearly three decades of experience in the property casualty reinsurance market. Coyne joined Berkley in 2006 and became Senior Vice President of Berkley Re America in 2010. He also has over three decades of experience in the property casualty reinsurance business. Hewitt joined Berkley in 2002 as Senior Vice President for risk management and was named EVP of the firm in 2016. W. Robert Berkley, Jr., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of W. R. Berkley Corporation, commented on the appointments, "Rob, Dan, and Rob have all provided outstanding leadership within Berkley for many years. Dan's skills and broad experience in the reinsurance market, as well as his extensive knowledge of its organisation, will serve Reinsurance Group well as he takes on oversight of its assumed reinsurance businesses. "With deep expertise in developing reinsurance solutions for customers, Rob Coyne is very well-positioned to lead Berkley Re America forward to build upon its success. Rob Hewitt has made extraordinary contributions to Berkley during his tenure, and we are deeply appreciative of his leadership, judgment, and unwavering commitment to the Company." He continued, "He has been a trusted colleague and valued leader, and we are especially pleased, both personally and professionally, that we will continue to benefit from his extensive experience and expertise." Last week, for its second quarter 2026 results, W. R. Berkley reported a new record for gross written premiums (GWP) of $4.1 billion.

Business Wire
Jul 28th, 2026
Christopher Moede named president of Berkley Risk as Jack Goodwin moves to chairman

W. R. Berkley Corporation has appointed Christopher L. Moede as president of Berkley Risk, effective immediately. He succeeds John Goodwin, who has been named chairman of the business. Moede brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the commercial insurance market. Most recently, he led a global underwriting segment at a major multinational insurer. Goodwin joined Berkley Risk in 2012, serving as executive vice president before becoming president in 2014. W. Robert Berkley, Jr., chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, welcomed Moede's leadership skills and experience in developing risk solutions. He thanked Goodwin for his exceptional service and contributions. Berkley Risk provides at-risk and alternative risk insurance programme management services for public entity pools, professional associations, and self-insured clients.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 20th, 2026
W. R. Berkley misses Q2 revenue estimates but beats profit forecasts by 17.3%

W. R. Berkley, a property casualty insurer, missed revenue expectations in Q2 CY2026, with sales rising just 1.2% year-on-year to $3.72 billion, falling short of the $3.77 billion analyst estimate. The company's net premiums earned reached $3.19 billion, roughly in line with expectations. However, W. R. Berkley exceeded profit forecasts, reporting non-GAAP earnings of $1.27 per share, beating analyst consensus by 17.3%. The combined ratio of 90% also outperformed estimates of 91.4%. Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley operates through over 50 specialised insurance units globally. The company has demonstrated strong long-term performance, with 11.1% annualised revenue growth over the past five years, though recent growth has moderated to 7.8% over the last two years.