Claims Counsel - Financial Institutions

This is an opportunity to join Ascot Group - one of the world’s preeminent specialty risk underwriting organizations.

Designed as a modern-era company operating through an ecosystem of interconnected global operating platforms, we’re bound by a common mission and purpose: One Ascot. Our greatest strength is a talented team who flourish in a collaborative, inclusive, and entrepreneurial culture, steeped in underwriting excellence, integrity, and a passion to find a better way, The Ascot Way.

The Ascot Way guides our people and our organization. Our underwriting platforms collaborate to find creative ways to deploy our capital in a true cross-product and cross-platform approach. These platforms work as one, deploying our capital creatively through our unique Fusion Model: Client Centric, Risk Centric, Technology Centric.

Built to be resilient, Ascot maximizes client financial security while delivering bespoke products and world-class service — both pre- and post-claims. Ascot exists to solve for our clients’ brightest tomorrow, through agility, collaboration, resilience, and discipline.

Ascot is embedding artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across the organization to enhance decision making, efficiency, and quality of outcomes. In this role, you will be expected to work confidently alongside AI-enabled tools, apply sound judgment when interpreting insights, and adapt as technology continues to evolve. We value curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to embrace change as part of how we work.

Position Overview:

We are looking for a Claims Counsel, Financial Institutions, to join our Financial Lines Claims team. The Claims Counsel, Financial Institutions conducts thorough investigations, analysis, evaluation and disposition of claims and claim litigation with a focus on Financial Institutions (“FI”) claims.The successful candidate will achieve superior customer service, optimize claim results and work closely with internal business partners to provide legal advice as needed and participate in our Financial Lines Claim strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a case load of primary and excess FI claims.   

• Analyze, investigate and resolve FI claims of varying levels of severity with moderate supervision. 

• Prepare and present reports that accurately reflect loss development, potential/actual financial exposure, reserve adjustments, coverage issues, and claim and recovery strategies.

• Collaborate with underwriting on significant claim exposures. 

• Work closely with internal and external business partners such as retail and wholesale brokers, insureds and their counsel, to resolve claims.

• Analyze claim submissions and draft coverage correspondence, appoint and manage counsel. 

• Review claim and policy information and maintain comprehensive claims files. 

• Maintain knowledge ofFinancial Institutions trends and provide feedback to claims and underwriting team.

• Monitor marketplace conditions, conduct research, and draft reference materials to inform claim and underwriting colleagues on law impacting Ascot’s underwriting and claim decisions.
• Obtain and maintain required adjusters’ licenses.
• Travel to attend mediations industry conferences, settlement & claim conferences, trials, depositions and assist with Ascot’s marketing efforts. 
• Commit to The Ascot Way: As a member of the claims team embody The Ascot Way in their daily interaction with colleagues, fostering colleague engagement and development, collaboration, inclusivity, and individual accountability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree, with a J.D., preferred, or related field of study. 

• A minimum of 3 years of experience of relevant legal or claim handling work experience, ideally in the handling of Financial Institutions, or both either at an insurance carrier or in private practice.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively work through conflict and resolve issues with a professional demeanor.

• Ability to make sound decisions and negotiate terms and conditions within a designated authority limit.

• Time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail, work in a fast-paced environment and be able to effectively prioritize projects and assignments for multiple internal clients.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate coverage determinations.

• Ability to build and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with colleagues, customers, and business partners.

• Must be a self-starter and work independently.

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products as well as claims system skills required.

***This position may be filled at a different level, depending on experience***

 Compensation

Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, and skills. The base pay is just one component of Ascot’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual cash bonus, and other forms of discretionary compensation awarded by the Company. 

The annualized base pay range for this role is: $140,000 - $150,000

Company Benefits

The Company provides a competitive benefits package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):

Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Commuter Account, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, AD&D, Work/Life Resources (including Employee Assistance Program), and more.

Leave Benefits: Paid holidays, annual Paid Time Off (includes paid state /local paid leave where required), Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Other leaves (e.g., Bereavement, FMLA, Adoption, Maternity, Military, Primary & Non-Primary Caregiver) Retirement Benefits: Contributory Savings Plan (401k).

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