Regional Property Claims Adjuster - Inspector

Overview

The primary location for this position is in or near Champaign, Illinois.

This position is based out of your home with a company-provided vehicle for travel to the claim sites. Grinnell Mutual employees and their family members enjoy a comprehensive health benefits package that reduces premiums for commitment to a healthy lifestyle, along with a full suite of disability and life insurance and a 401(k) program with a company match. Property Claims Adjusters receive a one-time home office reimbursement up to $1,000 to set up their remote home office and monthly internet expenses paid by the company. Grinnell Mutual offers a flexible work environment and paid holidays where the office is closed. Please note that candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Grinnell Mutual sponsorship. 

This position may be filled at the level equal to the individual's qualifications and experience. The Reinsurance Adjusting Program provides in-depth training to all new employees. Training programs are tailored to the individual’s experience level and needs so whether you are just starting out in your claims career or are an experienced adjuster you will be prepared to go out into the field and adjust claims. 

The Regional Property Claims Adjuster adjusts property claims as part of Reinsurance Adjuster Program for assigned mutuals. Determines coverage by consulting policy in force and endorsements, evaluates loss by completing on-site investigations, and settles claims according to Grinnell Mutual Claims procedures. Serves as an expert resource for Property Claims Adjusters – Inspectors. 

Responsibilities

• Investigates property claims for both farm and homeowners through on-site investigation and interviews with claimant, insured, and witnesses to determine the extent of damage.

• Manages a caseload of complex and high-severity property claims within an assigned geographic region.

• Determines proper policy coverages, and where necessary, investigates, evaluates, negotiates, and equitably settles all assigned claims cases in accordance with company policies and procedures at values commensurate with damages sustained. Sets reserves based on estimated loss for claim.

• Organizes and manages time effectively to ensure the prompt and successful resolution of all assigned cases, maintaining high standards of professionalism to deliver exceptional service.

• Prepares and submits initial and follow-up reports of findings and action taken on each assigned claim in conformity with established procedures. Documents file with activity, contacts, offers, and demands related to claim. May be asked to assist or prepare file for subrogation, suit, or trial.

• Coordinates with law enforcement to verify stolen items and confirm ownership and payment details. If recovery occurs after a claim has been paid, submits a written request for restitution in all applicable cases, including those involving arrests or vandalism.

• Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with Agents and Mutual Managers, serving as a liaison between customers and Grinnell Mutual. Supports the evaluation of mutuals for future business opportunities and conveys feedback from the Mutuals to the supervisor.

• Conducts on-site field inspections determining building values, making recommendations of risk acceptability, identifying hazards, and recommending appropriate corresponding corrective action.

• Recommends proper building insurance to value based on inspection. Works with underwriting to determine insurability and provide documentation the condition of property through photographs and diagrams.

• Authorizes and/or approves all claims payments within the delegated authority or within the maximum limits as outlined in company policies and procedures. Sets and maintains reserves through resolution of claim.

• Accountable for managing the settlement process of all assigned files from start to close.

• Serves as a leader coaching and mentoring peers on company and claims protocols, guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Completes special projects assigned by management.

• Serve as the field resource within a split-handling claims model by inspecting losses, documenting damages, capturing photographs, and preparing scope estimates for desk adjusters responsible for claim resolution.

• Investigate and adjust property claims from an office setting by analyzing field inspection reports, damage photographs, and scope documentation to determine coverage and support claim resolution.

• Periodic travel is required to support claim operations, with total annual travel estimated at approximately 4-6 weeks, typically scheduled in intermittent trips throughout the year.

• Supports claim operations during major weather or disaster events.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year accredited college or university and a minimum of three years property (home and farm owners) adjusting experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• AIC or CPCU designations preferred.

• Prefer experience with Xactimate or similar computer based adjusting tool.

• Possesses excellent interpersonal, active listening, and customer service skills to efficiently resolve claims. This includes being knowledgeable, patient, resilient under pressure, persistent, empathetic, and decisive.

• Ability to professionally communicate claim information and respond to inquiries in both one-on-one and group settings, whether over the phone, in person, or through written correspondence.

• Demonstrates strong written communication skills, using proper grammar and professionalism in business correspondence and reports directed to the file or mutual.

• Skilled in applying logical thinking and sound judgment, drawing on experience and factual information to make informed decisions on claims. Follows established procedures to assess coverage, determine negligence, and evaluate damages.

• Ability to organize work, determine priorities, and meet deadlines while incurring frequent interruptions.

• Demonstrates the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and supervisors, while interacting with customers and the public in a tactful and courteous manner.

• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license and travel from the office located in the employee’s home to Grinnell Mutual customer offices or claim sites. Daytime travel approximately 60 to 80% of the time. Occasional overnight travel is required approximately 10% of time depending on region size and/or number of claims incurred in concentrated area.

• Periodic travel is required to support claim operations, with total annual travel estimated at approximately 4-6 weeks, typically scheduled in intermittent trips throughout the year.

• Regular and predictable attendance is required to effectively meet the customer needs.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive or proprietary information.

• Demonstrated ability to adhere to all Grinnell Mutual policies.

• Demonstrated ability to incorporate Grinnell Mutual core values in all areas work.

Compensation

The salary range for the position is $67,496.93 - $116,994.65. For a list of benefits, click here.

Working conditions and physical efforts

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions.

• The Property Claims Adjuster works with many types of people while representing Grinnell Mutual and its Mutuals. This can be stimulating yet fast paced especially during high volume claims periods and when working with individuals facing a personal loss.

• The position is physically located in the employee’s remote home office. The position requires an individual to drive on a frequent basis.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.

• The employee must be able to climb a ladder, work on rooftops, and maneuver the ladder as needed. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to ten pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty pounds.

• Specific visual abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

• This role often involves working in outdoor weather conditions, with occasional exposure to extreme cold and heat.

• The incumbent occasionally works with all levels of employees in the home office including management, in-house counsel, property appraisers, special investigators, underwriters, finance, and support units.

• The incumbent has frequent contact with external customers including mutual managers, insureds, claimants, agents, witnesses, body shops, counsel, medical professionals, and local authorities.

This job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned, but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. As the nature of the business demands change, so too may the job duties and responsibilities.

Grinnell Mutual is an Equal Opportunity Employer in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.