Claims Adjuster II, Field Property - National Catastrophe

Nationwide•Washington, DC

9d•$62,500 - $115,500•Onsite

About The Position

This is a highly visible, field-based opportunity on Nationwide’s National Catastrophe (NATCAT) Response Team—supporting customers when they need us most. As a Property Claims Field Adjuster, you’ll respond to major disaster events nationwide, including hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods, delivering hands-on support and guidance during critical moments of recovery. In this role, you’ll travel to impacted areas (up to 80%, often on short notice) to assess property damage, evaluate coverage, and help policyholders navigate the claims process with confidence. You’ll play a key role in helping individuals, families, and communities recover and rebuild. This is more than a claims role—it’s an opportunity to be a trusted partner during times of uncertainty. You’ll engage directly with customers—often in emotionally challenging situations—providing clear guidance, setting expectations, and delivering outcomes with empathy and professionalism. Strong communication skills and emotional intelligence are essential to success in this role. No two property claims are ever the same and each customer has unique needs. Our team thrives on providing the very best service and building lasting, successful relationships with our customers. If you are confident, curious, driven to learn and grow, and have a desire to help people when they most need it, we want to know more about you! As a National Catastrophe (NATCAT) Field Claims Specialist primarily supporting our Personal Lines (PL) business, you'll investigate and resolve moderate to severe property damage claims by phone.

Requirements

Prior insurance field/property claims handling or adjusting experience
Proficiency with Xactimate and prior estimate writing experience
Demonstrated ability to manage claims of varying complexity from start to finish
Experience working on-site in catastrophe (CAT) environments
Ability and willingness to carry a ladder and safely inspect roofs
Strong customer service orientation, especially in high-stress situations
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Three to five years of related property claims experience or comparable job-related experience, or education preferred.
Experience in a customer service environment, including flexible work schedules and extended work hours preferred.
General knowledge of insurance theory and practices, and contracts and their application.
Property estimating and automated claims systems.
Demonstrated knowledge of the investigation, consultation and settlement activities used to resolve extensive property damage claims.
Proven ability to meet customer needs and provide exemplary meaningful service by guiding customers through the claims process and ensuring a positive customer experience.
Analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to make decisions and resolve issues related to application of coverages to submitted claims, application of laws of jurisdiction to investigation facts, and application of policy exclusions and exceptions.
Ability to establish repair requirements and cost estimates for property losses.
Ability to evaluate and successfully advise on property claims.
Organizational skills to prioritize work.
Command of written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with policyholders, claimants, repairpersons, attorneys, agents and the general public.
Ability to efficiently operate a personal computer and related claims and business software.
Must be able to safely access and inspect rooftops using a ladder.
Must be prepared and capable of conducting physical inspections on rooftops, including first and second story roofs with pitches up to 8/12.
Must have a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.

Nice To Haves

Commercial claims property experience preferred.
State licensing where required.
Successful completion of required claims certification schools or classes.
Obtain Xactimate Level 1 certification within a year of start date.
Obtain Xactimate Level 2 certification within two years of employment.
Able to provide leadership to less experienced claims associates.

Responsibilities

Conduct on-site property inspections and damage assessments in catastrophe zones
Investigate and resolve moderate to complex property claims from start to finish
Determine policy coverage and prepare estimates using tools like Xactimate
Own the full lifecycle of claims, including reserving, supplements, and documentation
Partner with internal teams (e.g., Special Investigations, Subrogation) as needed
Maintain compliance with regulatory and internal standards while ensuring timely resolutions
Provide proactive, consistent updates to customers throughout the claims process
Handles all assigned claims promptly and effectively, with little to no direction and oversight. Makes decisions within delegated authority as outlined in company policies and procedures.
Determines proper policy coverages and applies appropriate claims practices to resolve cases in alignment with company guidelines.
Opens, closes, and adjusts reserves according to company practices to ensure reserve adequacy. Adheres to file conferencing notification and authority procedures.
Maintains current knowledge of insurance and applicable product/services; court decisions which may impact the claims function; current guidelines; and policy changes and modifications. This may require attending various seminars and training sessions.
Maintains current knowledge of local industry repair procedures and local market pricing.
Submits severe incident reports, reinsurance reports and other information to claims management as needed.
Partners with Special Investigations Unit and Subrogation to identify fraud and subrogation opportunities. Assists or prepares files for lawsuit, trial, or subrogation.
Initiates and conducts follow-ups through proficient use of claims and other related business systems.
Delivers outstanding customer service to all internal, external, current, and prospective Nationwide customers. Adheres to high standards of professional conduct while providing delivery of outstanding claim's service.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

medical/dental/vision
life insurance
short and long term disability coverage
paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date
nine paid holidays
8 hours of Lifetime paid time off
8 hours of Unity Day paid time off
401(k) with company match
company-paid pension plan
business casual attire