Claims Specialist III - Excess & Surplus

UFG Insurance•,

2d•$103,221 - $136,105•Remote

About The Position

UFG is hiring a senior-level, technically advanced Claims Specialist III for Excess & Surplus lines. The role makes claim decisions and takes actions to provide high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective representation of insureds and UFG in complex, high-exposure litigated matters. It also ensures compliance with technical large-loss management and reporting requirements, provides timely and accurate management updates, and communicates significant claim developments to internal stakeholders. The specialist investigates, evaluates, negotiates, and resolves high-severity, high-complexity casualty claims involving significant exposure, complex legal issues, and challenging coverage considerations. Responsibilities include investigating claims; analyzing coverage, liability, damages, and exposure; establishing and maintaining appropriate reserves; developing claim and resolution strategies; evaluating settlement opportunities; selecting and managing defense counsel and experts; and directing litigation activities. For excess claims, the role monitors litigation and underlying claim handling, assesses defense and resolution strategies, collaborates with primary insurers, defense counsel, brokers, and insureds, and identifies developments that may affect excess exposure. The position applies proactive oversight and best practices to support informed decisions, mitigate risk, achieve favorable outcomes, and manage loss costs and expenses. The role requires strong technical, communication, and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently. The specialist must work independently with limited supervision and a high level of accountability. A strong commitment to professional development is essential. The position also mentors other E&S Specialists and serves as a subject-matter expert in coverage analysis, risk transfer, additional insureds and tenders, liability analysis, reserves and settlement evaluation, negotiation, and defense strategy. The work may be performed remotely from home or in a general office environment. Occasional overnight travel and weekend hours may be required. The stated annual base salary range is $103,221–$136,105. UFG also describes annual incentive compensation, insurance coverage, retirement plans with employer contributions, time off, and employee well-being and financial-security programs.

Requirements

At least 10 years of casualty claims experience; excess experience is preferred.
Meet the appropriate state licensing requirements to handle claims.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret policy language, endorsements, and contracts and apply them to claims.
Ability to analyze coverage, risk transfer, liability, and bodily injury or property damage when evaluating reserves and settlements.
Strong negotiation, human relations, analytical, organizational, oral communication, and written communication skills.
Ability to concisely document information in appropriate file notes and reports.
Strong negotiation skills with attorneys and effective mediation and arbitration techniques.
Ability to mentor and demonstrate leadership aptitude.
Ability to proactively manage defense counsel and expenses.
Service-oriented mindset; clear and concise communication; analytical and critical thinking; collaboration and curiosity; proactive decision-making and problem-solving; effective negotiation; time management and urgency; and mentoring and development capabilities.
Polished presentation skills and ability to present and articulate claims to committees.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision and a high level of accountability.
Occasional overnight travel and weekend hours may be required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
CPCU, AIC, SCLA, or AEI Legal Principles, CCLA, or PCLA designation.
Casualty claims experience involving excess claims.

Responsibilities

Review new claim assignments to determine the nature of the claim and the action required.
Obtain and review notice materials and litigation complaints to determine UFG's obligations; draft coverage position letters when coverage issues exist.
For primary specialty files, investigate claims and determine whether resolution should be attempted before assigning defense counsel.
Vet and retain appropriate defense counsel, collaborate on case strategy and action plans, and document plans in litigation plans and budgets.
Actively manage claim files and defense counsel to carry out agreed plans and move claims toward resolution.
Document file activity in detailed notes and prepare claim reports in accordance with best-practice guidelines.
Evaluate damages and recommend reserves in accordance with reserve timeliness and accuracy guidelines.
Develop and execute negotiation strategies and proactively pursue claim resolution.
Identify subrogation potential and position claims for successful recovery.
Identify risk-transfer opportunities and exposures, draft tender letters, and notify potential responsible parties.
Work with defense counsel to vet, select, and retain experts when needed, while applying expense-management initiatives.
Notify insureds of key developments and demands and communicate significant exposure changes to agencies and underwriting.
Review legal fee statements and negotiate adjustments in accordance with UFG billing guidelines.
For excess files, investigate coverage, determine UFG limits and attachment points, and draft coverage position letters.
Evaluate applicable jurisdictional priority-of-coverage rules.
Determine whether monitoring or coverage counsel is needed and escalate requests to a supervisor.
Monitor underlying carriers' claim handling, obtain defense counsel reports, and participate in strategy sessions and other discussions.
Influence underlying carriers' claim positions and handling, including through correspondence encouraging resolution within their limits.
Inform underwriting of increased hazards or unusual circumstances involving a risk or policy exposure.
Participate in company-sponsored education and other learning opportunities, and take part in claims committees.
Support the team through adaptability, collaboration, sharing improvement ideas, and pursuing professional development.
Mentor other E&S Specialists in their development and technical skills.
Serve as a subject-matter expert in coverage analysis, risk transfer, additional insureds and tenders, liability analysis, reserve and settlement evaluation, negotiation, and defense strategy.