What are the responsibilities and job description for the Construction Defect Specialist position at Westfield Insurance?
Construction Defect Specialist resolves construction-specific claim assignments requiring specialized knowledge of commercial lines of insurance business, litigation, and related processes. The role works within broad limits and authority, determines coverage, investigates, analyzes, negotiates, and settles construction/ litigation claims. The role manages reserves throughout the life cycle of each claim, analyzes liability and damage issues including complex primary and excess claims, adheres to individual authority grants, statutory and regulatory requirements, fair claim practices and supports underwriting.
#LI-DNI
- 6 years of experience in claims litigation handling or in a related field.
- Bachelor's degree in business or a related field and/or commensurate work experience.
- Valid driver's license and a driving record that conforms to company standards.
Location
Remote
Behavioral Competencies
- Collaborates
- Communicates effectively
- Customer focus
- Decision quality
- Nimble learning
- Investigates and determines if proper coverage exists for assigned construction claims, obtains relevant facts, makes decisions on litigation claim resolution, evaluates complex damages, and reviews all work for accuracy, completeness, and soundness of assumptions.
- Determines value of physical damage, obtains documentation, recognizes exposures, oversees defense counsel, aids with monthly close process, evaluates claim facts, coverage assessment and negotiates settlements.
- Establishes and executes a disposition plan, establishes and reviews reserves, adheres to litigation management guidelines, manages legal expenses, and updates underwriting guidance on regulatory and legislative changes.
- Develops and maintains effective business relationships, assigns counsel, monitors work products, and partners with counsel to handle litigation construction claims efficiently.
- Utilizes outstanding written and verbal communication skills to articulate complex technical details, negotiate settlements, and maintain clear collaboration with legal teams, clients, and stakeholders, while developing strong business relationships.
- Completes reports, assists in reviewing invoices, adheres to authority grants, statutory and regulatory requirements, fair claim practices, and local compliance requirements.
- Follows collection results and trends, maintains an active diary of estimate review assignments, and completes accurate investigations and coverage evaluations on commercial general liability insurance policies.
- Participates in litigation activities, negotiates settlements with claimants, vendors, attorneys, and other insurance companies, refers claims exceeding authority and maintains appropriate documentation.
- Ensures customer service excellence, maintains effective stakeholder communication, independently manages key operational activities, collaborates with business partners to make decisions in company's best interest.
- Remains current on industry topics, trends, processes, technology, best practices, shares knowledge, drives new policies, processes, and procedures, and travels as needed to cover assigned territory.
- Supports underwriting by participating in client meetings and making presentations when requested, evaluates contract language, maintains well-documented file notes, and gathers facts to develop claims resolution strategies.
- Travels as often as needed to cover assigned territory. May involve traveling on short notice or other daily driving duties as assigned regardless of location.
