[Hiring] Property Damage Specialist @First Acceptance

Role Description

The Property Damage Specialist position reports to Tampa, FL, or Nashville, TN, with the potential to work remotely full-time. As a Property Damage Specialist, you will be responsible for investigating, evaluating, negotiating, disposing, and settling specialized auto and/or renters property claims and determining legal liability, damages, and coverage. Assigned specialty claims may involve:

• Adverse subrogation received on a single-vehicle or multiple-vehicle losses
• Uninsured/underinsured PD motorist claims
• Auto fire and theft claims
• Personal property and personal liability renters’ claims
• Complex coverage issues requiring direct involvement in property damage claim handling with minimal supervision

The position develops all potential exposures in the file and properly sets expense and indemnity reserves. The property damage specialist is responsible to protect our Insured and the Company’s financial exposures.

Responsibilities

• Plans and conducts investigations, including but not limited to:
  • Interviewing parties involved
  • Collecting and evaluating documentation
  • Securing evidence and protecting the chain-of-custody
  • Determining inspection needs
  • Ordering police reports
  • Scene investigation
  • Taking witness statements
  • Obtaining affidavits and contents sheets
  • Reviewing damage photos
• Analyzes coverage and determines liability, compensability, and the extent of damages.
• Assumes responsibility for assigned claims, including attorney-represented and non-represented parties, for both first- and third-party claimants.
• Demonstrates a high level of investigation, analysis, evaluation, and negotiation, including interpretation of coverages.
• Adheres to proper procedures relating to inspection and evaluation of property damage claims and making recommendations for the disposition of claims more than individual settlement authority.
• Evaluates policy coverage, contacting insureds, claimants, attorneys, body shops, and/or other insurance carriers while determining and establishing reserve requirements.
• Documents computer log with results of review and intentions for handling.
• Compiles information for decision-making with a discussion of the claims committee where appropriate.
• Maintains accurate records and handles administrative responsibilities associated with processing and payment of claims, records and updates status notes, and documents results of contacts per best practices.
• Determines the need for independent adjusters, cause and origin experts, economists, accident reconstructionists, and engineers.
• Responds timely and appropriately to all settlement demands.
• Keeps internal and external customers advised of file status and other matters, as required.
• Evaluates claims for potential fraud and works with Special Investigations Unit, as required.
• Assesses actual damages associated with claims and conducts negotiations to settle claims.
• Determines if subrogation exists and takes steps necessary to initiate recovery efforts.
• Works seamlessly between multiple claim systems and platforms.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred or equivalent experience
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum of two (2) years of property claims handling experience or related fields
• Exceptional evaluation and judgment skills are required
• Strong customer service skills and behaviors
• Ability to make decisions in an informed, confident, and timely manner
• Ability to maintain constructive working relationships despite differing perspectives
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to negotiate skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Understanding of applicable statutes, regulations, and case law
• Critical thinking skills and ability to anticipate, recognize, identify, and develop solutions to problems promptly
• Experience with subrogation laws and platforms such as Arbitration Forums preferred
• Experience with renters or homeowners and other personal liability exposures preferred
• Experience with auto fire or theft investigations preferred
• Ability to easily adapt to new or different changing situations, requirements, or priorities
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate an environment of teamwork and collaboration
• Ability to work independently and operate with latitude for un-reviewed action or decisions
• Computer proficiency (MS Office, Excel, Word, etc.)
• Must have or secure and maintain appropriate state adjuster license(s) and continuing education credits

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to do manual tasks, which may include the use of hands to finger and handle controls
• Frequently sit, bend, and reach with hands and arms
• Occasionally required to stand and walk
• May occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus
• Capacity to learn, concentrate, think, and read
• Communicating and interacting with others while working

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments.