Commercial Property Damage & Cargo Auto Claims Adjuster

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Commercial Property Damage & Cargo Claims Adjuster is responsible for investigating, evaluating, negotiating, and resolving property damage and cargo claims arising from commercial trucking operations . This role focuses on losses involving damaged freight, cargo theft, spoilage, contamination, and third-party property damage resulting from commercial vehicle accidents.

The ideal candidate possesses strong expertise in cargo transportation, freight handling, property damage assessments, coverage analysis, and claim resolution. The adjuster exercises independent judgment while delivering timely, accurate, and cost-effective outcomes for insureds, claimants, brokers, and cargo owners.

Preference to candidates located in Palm Beach County, FL.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate and adjust cargo claims involving damaged, lost, stolen, contaminated, delayed, or spoiled freight.
• Investigate and evaluate property damage claims involving vehicles, buildings, structures, roadways, utilities, signage, equipment, and other third-party property.
• Review bills of lading, shipping agreements, freight invoices, cargo inventories, warehouse receipts, inspection reports, and transportation contracts.
• Determine liability and evaluate coverage under motor truck cargo, transportation, inland marine, physical damage, and commercial auto policies.
• Coordinate cargo inspections, salvage operations, inventory reconciliations, appraisals, and independent assessments.
• Evaluate repair estimates, replacement costs, depreciation, actual cash value, and total-loss exposures for property damage claims.
• Assess damages and establish appropriate reserves based on claim severity and exposure.
• Negotiate settlements with cargo owners, claimants, repair facilities, vendors, shippers, brokers, and legal representatives within established authority levels.
• Analyze loss documentation to determine cause, extent of damage, salvage potential, and financial exposure.
• Identify recovery and subrogation opportunities against responsible third parties, carriers, shippers, warehouses, maintenance providers, and manufacturers.
• Investigate potential fraud, cargo theft, misrepresentation, and other suspicious claim activity.
• Maintain complete and accurate claim documentation in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Provide exceptional customer service to insureds, fleet managers, cargo owners, brokers, and claimants.
• Collaborate with attorneys, experts, engineers, appraisers, and vendors on complex or litigated matters.
• Ensure compliance with all state regulations, company procedures, and claim handling standards.

QualificationsEducation & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 3-7 years of claims adjusting experience.
• Experience handling cargo claims, inland marine claims, property damage claims, or commercial transportation claims strongly preferred.
• Experience investigating freight losses, cargo damage, property damage, salvage, and recovery efforts preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of cargo transportation, freight operations, shipping documentation, and logistics processes.
• Knowledge of motor truck cargo coverage, inland marine insurance, and commercial property damage claims.
• Understanding of trucking operations, carrier liability, and DOT/FMCSA regulations.
• Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to evaluate repair estimates, replacement costs, and property valuations.
• Experience negotiating complex property damage and cargo settlements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage a high-volume caseload.
• Proficiency with claims management systems and standard business software.

Licensing Requirements

• Active adjuster's license as required by jurisdiction.
• Ability to obtain and maintain multi-state adjuster licenses.
• Industry designations such as AIC, CPCU, ARM, or transportation/cargo -related certifications are preferred.

Preferred Candidate Profile

Candidates with experience in the following areas are highly desirable:

• Cargo Claims
• Motor Truck Cargo
• Inland Marine Claims
• Freight and Logistics Claims
• Property Damage Claims
• Salvage and Recovery
• Transportation and Fleet Claims
• Commercial Auto Property Damage
• Subrogation and Recovery