Senior Claims Specialist, Auto & Liability

MSIG USA•Cincinnati, OH

2d•$90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Senior Claims Specialist is responsible for investigating, evaluating, negotiating, and resolving complex commercial automobile and general liability claims, including bodily injury, property damage, litigated matters, and coverage issues. The role proactively manages claims from assignment through resolution, establishes sound reserves, develops resolution strategies, and provides timely communication to insureds, brokers, and internal stakeholders in accordance with company guidelines, delegated authority, regulatory requirements, and fair claims practices laws. The position manages complex claims and litigation, including working with approved defense counsel on litigation plans, budgets, discovery, experts, mediation, and trial preparation. It assesses liability, damages, causation, coverage, and recovery opportunities; negotiates settlements; and escalates material severity, reserve, coverage, or litigation issues when appropriate. The specialist maintains complete and accurate claim documentation and complies with claim-handling, regulatory, licensing, and continuing education requirements. The role also communicates claim status and strategy to stakeholders, supports audits and quality assurance, uses approved claim systems and processes, and participates in process improvements and other assignments as needed. Same-day and overnight travel may be required for mediations, trials, claim reviews, or customer meetings.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D. required.
At least 7 years of progressively responsible commercial casualty claim experience, including demonstrated handling of complex automobile and general liability claims.
Demonstrated experience managing litigated claims, evaluating liability and damages, establishing reserves, negotiating settlements, and working with defense counsel.
Strong knowledge of commercial automobile and general liability claim investigation, liability analysis, damages evaluation, litigation management, reserving, and negotiation.
Ability to interpret insurance policies, endorsements, contracts, pleadings, medical information, expert reports, and other legal or technical documents.
Sound judgment and disciplined decision-making, including the ability to identify claim severity and escalate material issues appropriately.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex claim issues to business partners and senior stakeholders.
Strong organization, prioritization, and file-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex matters and deadlines.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and ability to learn and effectively use claim management and related systems.
Maintain all required adjuster licenses and continuing education requirements for assigned jurisdictions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
Experience with bodily injury, property damage, coverage analysis, and contractual risk-transfer issues.
AIC, SCLA, CPCU, or comparable insurance designation.

Responsibilities

Investigate, evaluate, and resolve complex commercial automobile and general liability claims, including bodily injury, property damage, litigated matters, and coverage or legal issues.
Develop and update documented claim strategies addressing liability, damages, causation, coverage, litigation posture, and resolution opportunities.
Establish and maintain accurate reserves, and recommend reserve or settlement values above delegated authority with supporting analysis.
Manage litigated claims with approved defense counsel, including litigation plans, budgets, discovery, experts, mediation, and trial preparation.
Monitor defense counsel performance, legal expenses, and compliance with litigation management expectations.
Negotiate fair and timely claim resolutions within delegated authority and participate in mediations, settlement conferences, and trials when appropriate.
Evaluate policy language and coverage issues, escalate matters requiring coverage support, and document timely, reasoned analysis.
Identify material claim developments and timely escalate severity, reserve, coverage, or litigation concerns to management.
Pursue subrogation, contribution, contractual risk transfer, and other recovery opportunities when supported by the facts and applicable agreements.
Maintain proactive, professional communication with insureds, brokers, claimants, counsel, underwriting, management, and other stakeholders.
Participate in claim reviews, stewardship discussions, and account meetings, communicating status, exposure, strategy, and next steps.
Maintain complete, timely, and accurate claim system documentation, including evaluations, reserve rationale, litigation strategy, coverage analysis, action plans, and material developments.
Comply with company claim-handling guidelines, settlement and reserve authority, fair claims practices requirements, applicable regulations, licensing, and continuing education requirements.
Complete required reports, notices, and management or Home Office updates accurately and on time; support audit, quality assurance, and governance requirements.
Use approved claim systems, data, vendors, and expense-management processes, and participate in projects, process improvements, and other assignments.