Field Auto Claims Representative I (De Smet)

De Smet Farm Mutual, Affiliate of Goodville Mutual•De Smet, SD

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for investigation, inspection, and settlement of assigned losses. This position is also responsible for providing outside field property claims inspection service as directed by inside claims representatives, and adjusting and settling claims for all lines of business written by the company. This position is responsible for performing inspections of potential and existing policyholders’ properties in order to assist the Underwriting Department and agency partners in determining if risks fall within company guidelines for issuing coverage. This position is responsible for identifying areas of concern, making recommendations to underwriters to reduce frequency and severity of losses and physical hazards, and training agents and policyholders in loss prevention measures. Handle claims according to company guidelines and in compliance with the Unfair Claims Practices Act. Investigate claims assigned. This may include taking photos, measuring damaged property, diagramming, and writing estimates as well as written and phone communication with insureds, claimants, and their legal representatives. Verify policy coverage on assigned losses. Pursue subrogation, salvage, and third-party liability contribution. Conduct physical inspections of property loss sites. Evaluate claim information to determine if payment of the claim or a denial is in order. Notify Claim Manager of all claims that exceed settlement authority of $50,000. Establish and maintain proper and adequate reserves on assigned claims. Report claim complaints, questionable claim submissions and possible fraud to Claims Manager. Attend claims seminars and insurance related meetings; participate in claims associations. Assist Claims Manger in attending arbitrations, hearings, or court proceedings, as needed. Remain available to service claims after normal business hours, weekends, and holidays, if needed. Perform other duties as assigned. Ensure claims inspections are complete with photos and. Complete inspections for company underwriters within 30 days of assignment; discuss account with Underwriter if unable to meet 30 day timeframe. Inform underwriters of exposure concerns and offer recommendations to reduce frequency and severity of loss arising from fire, crime, liability, accidents, etc. Assist underwriters in researching and providing additional information and photos when necessary. Serve as a loss control resource for underwriters and agents. Maintain knowledge in field-of-loss control practices and developments through continuing education. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school education required.
Ability to learn the coverages of all insurance policies written by the company required.
Effective communication and negotiation skills required.
Ability to work effectively with company computer systems required.
Ability to work remotely, independently and without direct supervision required.
Ability to effectively converse with the public required.
Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record required.
Ability to set up and climb ladders, balance at various heights, stoop, bend, or crawl to inspect structures while conducting physical inspections of covered property required.
Provision of own vehicle required.
Ability to use Mitchell estimating software and AllPoints required.
Knowledge of or ability to understand company underwriting guidelines and forms required.
Ability to operate a camera and take clear and accurate photos of assigned inspections and claims required.
Ability to work independently with attention to detail required.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communications skills and abilities required.
Proficient computer skills; ability to learn company computer systems required.
Ability and willingness to travel short and long distances on a daily basis, with periodic overnight travel required.
Ability to work flexible hours, travel to all organization offices (including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and South Dakota) and travel to vendor work sites required.
Ability to work in an office environment with moderate noise level, remain in a stationary position and operate a computer a majority of the time required.
Ability to move throughout the office to access work materials and to move work materials weighing up to ten pounds daily required.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation required.

Responsibilities

Investigation, inspection, and settlement of assigned losses.
Providing outside field property claims inspection service as directed by inside claims representatives.
Adjusting and settling claims for all lines of business written by the company.
Performing inspections of potential and existing policyholders’ properties to assist the Underwriting Department and agency partners in determining if risks fall within company guidelines for issuing coverage.
Identifying areas of concern, making recommendations to underwriters to reduce frequency and severity of losses and physical hazards, and training agents and policyholders in loss prevention measures.
Handling claims according to company guidelines and in compliance with the Unfair Claims Practices Act.
Investigating assigned claims, which may include taking photos, measuring damaged property, diagramming, and writing estimates, as well as written and phone communication with insureds, claimants, and their legal representatives.
Verifying policy coverage on assigned losses.
Pursuing subrogation, salvage, and third-party liability contribution.
Conducting physical inspections of property loss sites.
Evaluating claim information to determine if payment of the claim or a denial is in order.
Notifying Claim Manager of all claims that exceed settlement authority of $50,000.
Establishing and maintaining proper and adequate reserves on assigned claims.
Reporting claim complaints, questionable claim submissions and possible fraud to Claims Manager.
Attending claims seminars and insurance related meetings; participating in claims associations.
Assisting Claims Manager in attending arbitrations, hearings, or court proceedings, as needed.
Remaining available to service claims after normal business hours, weekends, and holidays, if needed.
Ensuring claims inspections are complete with photos.
Completing inspections for company underwriters within 30 days of assignment; discussing account with Underwriter if unable to meet 30 day timeframe.
Informing underwriters of exposure concerns and offering recommendations to reduce frequency and severity of loss arising from fire, crime, liability, accidents, etc.
Assisting underwriters in researching and providing additional information and photos when necessary.
Serving as a loss control resource for underwriters and agents.
Maintaining knowledge in field-of-loss control practices and developments through continuing education.