Senior Claims Counsel

Company Details

Berkley Human Services, a Berkley Company, is devoted to meeting the needs of Human Services Organizations. Our insurance policies are written through our Berkley affiliates, each of which is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company with a Financial Category of XV.

We offer property and casualty coverage designed for the unique operational aspects of social service organizations. Our Human Services Program dates back to 1989 and has continuously evolved to meet the unique needs of the market we serve. We insure both nonprofit and for-profit social service organizations, such as child daycare, sheltered workshops, group homes, senior citizen centers, senior independent living, schools, counseling services, YMCAs, YWCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs.

Responsibilities

The Sr. Claims Counsel position will deliver superior claim results through the thoughtful execution of best practices in managing high exposure and complexity. These include professional liability, sexual abuse and high-exposure personal injury claims. This individual is expected to exercise significant judgment but will work within a highly collaborative team that most enjoys the problem-solving aspects of our work.

Responsibilities

• Investigate assigned claims through application of defined best practices.
• Actively develop information on reported claims, including specific facts of case, nature and extent of injury, standard of care and causation defenses, venue specific factors and other characteristics that impact claim severity.
• Evaluate information obtained through claim investigations and estimate damage ranges for purposes of prompt identification of claims with potential excess exposure.
• Apply ongoing triage rules to determine proper severity and assignment levels.
• Directly manage and actively intervene on the most technically complex and highest severity claims within company inventory.
• Timely recognize and evaluate claim exposures to establish accurate case reserves.
• Execute effective claim adjudication strategies/tactics to help achieve optimal outcomes on exposures within and in excess of account retentions.
• Cultivate strong business relationships with key personnel within current accounts, brokerage community, and law firms across the country.
• Maintain effective working relationships with Underwriting, Risk Management, and Actuarial partners.
• Aid in the development and modification of claim management practices, policies and procedures in furtherance of continuous process improvement culture.
• Assist Underwriting and Actuarial in risk selection and pricing accuracy through claim due diligence for new and renewal business.
• Utilize customer service skills with client contacts to advance business opportunities.
• Identify service needs for claim, risk management and data mining strategy.
• Understand renewal strategy.
• Extend discussion with client beyond claim transaction and toward potential needs not immediately recognized by the decision maker.
• Communicate effectively with team members.
• Develop, or assist with development, claims marketing content and utilization of content for marketing purposes.
• Serve as mentor for claims associates and claims specialists; provide technical advice.
• Work with other departments on special projects or assignments.
• Maintain all State licensing requirements.
• May perform other functions as assigned. 

Qualifications

• 15 years related experience handling claims.
• Experience servicing professional liability and high-exposure bodily injury lawsuits is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of legal terminology and concepts.
• In-depth understanding of industry best practices for adjudicating claims.
• Proficiency with insurance contract interpretation and coverage issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university.
• J.D. required. 

Additional Company Details

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Important Outside Agency Notice: Only solicited resumes/candidate profiles that are submitted by a Berkley Preferred Agency Partner that have been requested by Berkley Internal Recruiting to engage in a particular search will be subject to the payment of Agency fees as defined in the formal agency agreement. Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles are not subject to payment of the agency fees. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees including: • Base Salary Range: $160k-$190k • Benefits include Health, dental, vision, dental, life, disability, wellness, paid time off, 401(k) and profit-sharing plans The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

Additional Requirements

- Travel: up to 25%