Litigation Adjuster – Casualty Claims Specialist

Hybrid Work Schedule

Buffalo, NY

Merchants Insurance Group, is a leading Property and Casualty Insurer in the Northeast, and is looking for a Litigation Adjuster – Casualty Claims Specialist to join our Corporate Claims & Compliance team located in Buffalo, New York.

The Litigation Adjuster – Casualty Claims Specialist will become part of a dedicated team focusing on providing high-level technical expertise in the handling of complex, high exposure liability and extra-contractual claims, including claims against Merchants, in multiple jurisdictions.

Merchants Insurance Group is proud to be named one of Buffalo Business First’s Best Places to Work in Western New York for a 2nd consecutive year and to be named both a “Fast Track” company and Top Private Company for the 5th year in a row by Buffalo’s Business First. Merchants has also been named as one of Ward's top 50 performing insurance companies in the United States for the 3rd year in a row. Ward's is the provider of benchmarking and best practices for the insurance industry. They analyze staff levels, compensation, business practices and expenses for all areas of company operations.

Merchants offers its colleagues a Hybrid work schedule. The Hybrid work schedule requires 8 full days per month in the office, with the option to work the remaining days at home or in the office. This exciting Hybrid Work benefit offers colleagues a flexible work schedule with the ability to remain connected with their Merchants team and colleagues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Cultivating relationships with claims and other internal staff, policyholders, attorneys, agents and a variety of service providers and experts all while working towards achieving the most optimal outcomes for Merchants and our policyholders.
• Provides high level technical expertise in the handling of complex, high exposure liability, and extra-contractual claims.
• Manages a pending claim inventory of select complex high exposure claims (e.g. multi-party catastrophic injury claims, mass tort and class action litigation), insurance coverage litigation/disputes, and claims against Merchants, including those seeking extra-contractual damages.
• Responsible for staying current in case law development as well as statutory and regulatory changes impacting liability claims or coverage interpretation and serving as a training and information resource for casualty and litigation claim representatives and claim management.
• Responsible for all claim handling activities on assigned high exposure claims through disposition, including investigation, litigation management, evaluation, procuring appropriate settlement authority, engaging in settlement negotiations, providing instruction and guidance on risk transfer and coverage issues, training and development of claim staff through informal knowledge transfer and formal training activities, preparing for and presenting claims to the Large Loss Committee, and ensuring proper reinsurance reporting and communication.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Qualified candidates will have a 4 year degree or equivalent work related experience.
• 5 plus years complex high exposure claim handling experience.
• Candidates with a JD and insurance defense experience looking for a new career path are encouraged to apply.
• Leadership & Coaching Skills.
• Strong policy interpretation and coverage analysis skills.
• Familiarity with various regulatory and judicial venues.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Well-organized and effective at managing competing deadlines/responsibilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others in the planning and execution of complex resolution strategies.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office products and document imaging systems.

Merchants Insurance Group Pay information:

Merchants Insurance Group offers a competitive pay scale. The actual compensation will be determined based upon experience and other factors permitted by law. The pay range for this position is $78,574 - $110,000.

Merchants Insurance Group Benefits:

• Welcoming and positive work environment.
• Flexible work arrangements, including flex scheduling and summer hours.
• Hybrid work schedule. The Hybrid work schedule will require 8 full days per month in the office, with the option to work the remaining days per month at home or in the office.
• Competitive pay scale.
• Generous paid time off package.
• Full Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, 401(k) employer match amount is 100% up to 6% of your annual contributions. You are immediately 100% vested in the employer match dollars.
• Outstanding company bonus program.
• Tuition Reimbursement.

And many more exciting company benefits!! EOE

Experience

• 5 year(s): 5 plus years complex high exposure claim handling experience.