Auto Claim Owner - Kansas City, KS Oklahoma City, OK Caledonia, MI Phoenix, AZ St. Louis, MO

Farmers Insurance•Phoenix, KS

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Auto Claim Owner investigates, confirms coverage, determines liability, establishes damages, and negotiates settlements for auto claims involving single- and multi-vehicle losses, basic coverage, and moderate liability complexity. The role conducts thorough investigations—including comparative-negligence cases—and maintains ownership of assigned claims through resolution with limited supervision. It serves as the primary point of contact for all claim exposures, collaborates with other claim specialists, and communicates coverage, liability, and repair decisions to customers and relevant parties. The position includes investigating coverage issues, determining liability and potential claim exposures, resolving auto physical damage claims, managing repair estimates, payments, rentals, and storage costs, and coordinating with specialists. It maintains claim diaries and resolution plans, documents files in compliance with regulatory requirements, and provides customers with professional correspondence and status updates. The role may also serve as an informal resource for less-experienced colleagues. This is a hybrid position for candidates residing within 50 miles of a listed Farmers corporate office. Employees within that radius work at least three days in the office and up to two days virtually. Paid training is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time for 8–12 weeks; the post-training schedule is also Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. The position is expected to work 40 hours per week, with flexibility based on business needs, location, and company policy. Starting pay is $26.01 per hour, with eligibility for an annual bonus; pay depends on location and relevant claims experience.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Active All Lines Adjuster license, or ability to obtain licensure. Candidates without an active license must obtain and pass the licensing requirements during training as a condition of employment.
Demonstrated customer service skills.
Effective conflict management skills.
Ability to identify key issues and patterns from partial or conflicting data.
Strong verbal communication and listening skills.
Strong written communication skills, including the ability to convey critical decisions and information in letters.
Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
Effective negotiation skills.
Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and discretion to adapt work practices and processes to achieve results or improve efficiency.
Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to take a broad perspective and identify less-obvious solutions.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Strong technical aptitude and proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Adaptability and flexibility with new technology.
Ability to work 40 hours per week, with flexibility based on business needs, geographic location, and Farmers Timekeeping Policy.
Must reside within 50 miles of a listed Farmers corporate office to be considered.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.
Claims auto handling or related industry experience is highly encouraged.

Responsibilities

Investigate auto claims, confirm coverage, determine liability, establish damages, and negotiate settlements.
Conduct in-depth investigations, including securing recorded statements, police reports, vehicle photos and estimates, and scene investigations.
Contact customers the same day, explain the claims process and applicable coverage benefits, confirm facts of loss, and determine vehicle location and drivability.
Offer vehicle repair and rental options; coordinate physical damage inspections and arrange release of vehicles accruing storage fees.
Investigate and determine coverage for complex policy issues, including out-of-force policies, unlisted or permissive drivers, excluded drivers, vehicles not on the policy, rideshare involvement, material misrepresentation, and new business investigations.
Maintain ownership of claims through resolution and serve as the primary point of contact for all exposures.
Communicate and collaborate with claim specialists and provide verbal and written explanations of coverage issues and decisions to customers.
Communicate policy risk issues to Underwriting and escalate complex coverage issues to a supervisor.
Apply venue laws for the states handled in the region; analyze duties and breaches by potentially responsible parties and determine liability percentages.
Escalate claims exceeding financial authority and communicate liability decisions to customers, claimants, claim specialists, and Underwriting.
Identify subrogation potential and refer claims to the Subrogation department when appropriate.
Investigate and recognize potential claim exposures, escalate non-auto property damage exposures, and resolve auto physical damage claims proactively and accurately.
Secure damage estimates through appropriate repair channels and write, review, and adjust estimates for repairable vehicles with minor to moderate damage.
Issue and authorize claim payments to customers and repair facilities, and explain the repair process and estimates to customers.
Manage rental claims through communication with customers, repair facilities, rental vendors, and claim specialists.
Proactively manage and mitigate storage costs and coordinate with auto physical damage and total loss specialists.
Maintain active diaries and resolution plans on open files and document claims in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Send professional correspondence, including claim status updates, to customers.
May act as an informal resource for colleagues with less experience.