Senior Claims Specialist

Berkley•Naperville, IL

22d•$115,000 - $140,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Berkley Program Specialists is seeking an experienced claims professional to join its Claims organization as a Senior Claims Specialist, based in Naperville, Illinois, or Lexington, Kentucky. The role handles complex commercial general liability and auto liability claims in a collaborative, customer-focused environment. The specialist may also handle first-party crime and cyber claims and is expected to independently manage high-exposure litigated and non-litigated claims. This opportunity is suited to an established senior claims professional or a high-performing claims adjuster ready to advance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
At least seven years of commercial claims handling experience, including general liability and/or auto liability claims.
Demonstrated career progression with increasing responsibility and claim complexity.
Experience handling litigated casualty claims.
Strong knowledge of insurance coverage, investigation techniques, liability analysis, and claim resolution strategies.
Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
Ability to independently manage a complex claim inventory.
Applicable adjuster licenses, including licenses for the listed jurisdictions: CA, CT, DE, FL, KY, LA, NH, NM, NC, OK, RI, SC, TX, VT, WV, and WY; any required licenses not already held must be obtained within the first six months of employment.

Nice To Haves

AIC, SCLA, CRIS, or similar industry designation.
Experience handling first-party property claims.

Responsibilities

Independently manage a portfolio of general liability and auto liability claims from first notice through resolution.
Evaluate liability, damages, coverage, and litigation exposure to develop effective resolution strategies.
Establish and maintain appropriate claim reserves.
Lead settlement negotiations and work toward favorable claim outcomes.
Analyze policy terms, exclusions, and endorsements to identify potential coverage issues.
Draft coverage position letters, reservation of rights letters, and coverage determinations.
Analyze emerging legal and claims trends affecting books of business.
Review additional insured and contractual indemnification tenders to determine policy response.
Direct defense counsel on litigation and settlement strategy.
Monitor legal spending and case budgets.
Partner with attorneys and experts to achieve efficient claim resolutions.
Build relationships with insureds, brokers, underwriters, and business partners.
Serve as a technical resource within the claims organization and mentor less experienced claims professionals.
Communicate complex claim and coverage issues clearly and provide responsive, professional service.
Support long-term relationships with internal and external business partners and stakeholders.
Ensure claims activities comply with internal guidelines, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
Maintain accurate and timely claim documentation and reporting.
Participate in audits, peer reviews, claim reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.