Casualty Claims Attorney

Casualty Claims Attorney:
A Claims Attorney specializes in managing insurance claims and disputes, with expertise in reviewing insurance policies, contracts, and related documents to assess coverage, liability, and damages. This role requires strong negotiation skills and a focus on resolving claims efficiently. The Claims Attorney does not represent the insured or the company in legal proceedings but plays a crucial role in evaluating and facilitating the resolution of claims.

Skills/Abilities:

• Investigate, evaluate and resolve non-litigated and litigated casualty claims in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Review and analyze insurance policies, contracts, and other documents to determine coverage. Write and issue appropriate coverage letters, with input and approval from management and/or coverage counsel.
• Conduct timely and thorough investigations either directly or by use of an independent adjuster, gather evidence and prepare reports in support of claim decisions.
• Analyze and determine liability, damages and value of the claim.
• Exercise independent decision making with minimal supervision, using knowledge of applicable codes, laws, standards and regulations.
• Analyze and timely establish appropriate reserves for both loss and expenses and adjust reserves timely as needed.
• Assign appropriate counsel for the defense of the insured, when needed, and work collaboratively with assigned counsel to establish a budget and a strategy for management of the claim.
• Negotiate with claimants, their counsel or other carriers to reach an appropriate resolution of the claim.
• Attend court procedures, including hearings, mediations or trials as needed.
• Resolve claims through negotiation, mediation or trial.
• Identify and report all suspected fraud to internal or external SIU experts.
• Abide by all state claim handling regulations and best practices.
• Obtain all closing documents and close claim file.
• Respond to insureds and third parties promptly, courteously and professionally.
• Communicate the status of claims to insureds in a timely manner and work to resolve problems or concerns as they arise.
• Maintain accurate and complete claim files, ensure information is current and manage diaries/activities for assigned claims.
• Keep management and the underwriting department apprised of developments and emerging trends.
• Handle special projects as assigned.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• License to practice law.
• Knowledge, experience and understanding of civil liability and litigation with a minimum of 3 years of handling civil matters.
• Adjuster license or ability to obtain licenses within 3 months of hire.

USIG targets property and casualty insurance for small and medium businesses that are managed in such a way that they deserve to qualify for, and enjoy, the additional advantages in security and coverage offered by an admitted product. We also offer an E&S product for those accounts that may qualify for our admitted market product after a few years of successful operation. We work exclusively with our appointed wholesale General Agents that demonstrate a commitment to professional underwriting practices and have multi-decade relationships with our underwriting teams. USIG incorporates a state-of-the-art risk acceptance process, employing expert underwriting rules, advanced analytics, machine learning, and external data sources to supplement standard risk information. USIG and its insurance entities (Universal Fire & Casualty Insurance Company “UFCIC” and Shield Indemnity Incorporated “Shield”) maintain an AM Best Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a-“. UFCIC also maintains a Demotech Financial Stability rating of A (Exceptional) and is Treasury Listed for surety bonds up to $5.9M. USIG also underwrites the Surety line of business through our admitted company, providing bonds for the Commercial, Contract and Specialty Surety markets. Through our proprietary, cutting-edge portal Bondramp.com, we provide agents at all levels access to a large library of competitively priced commercial and transactional bonds, immediately delivering many bonds upon the Principal’s payment. Conveniently, BondRamp.com and is available 24x7x365 and accessible by computer, tablet, or mobile device. We have corporate offices in Waterford and Grandville, Michigan as well as Dublin, Ohio.