Property Claims Adjuster II (Seattle, WA - WFH)

Field Claims Specialist

If you're passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them at a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, as well as innovating and simplifying processes and operations to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide's Property and Casualty team could be the place for you! At Nationwide, "on your side" goes beyond just words. Our customers and partners are at the center of everything we do and we're looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

Territory: This role covers the Seattle, WA and surrounding areas (i.e. Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, and King Counties).

Ideal Candidate Locations: The ideal candidate will live in Seattle, WA or surrounding area.

This is a work-from-home position with day travel to policy locations (on average 3-4 days a week) via company vehicle (personal use, gas and maintenance included). Claims inspections will include onsite and virtual inspection.

Depending on claim volume, this role may also support additional territories in a desk adjuster capacity. Occasional overnight travel may be required in this role.

Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates who reside more than 50 miles outside of the territory.

Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of insurance field/property claims handling or adjusting experience
• Solid experience/proficiency with Xactimate
• Solid experience writing own estimates and handling claims start to finish
• Construction background/experience - Residential, Roofing, Remodeling, Water mitigation, etc
• Strong customer service competency
• Strong written & verbal communication skills

PLEASE NOTE that CAT duty is a requirement of this role

Benefits Include: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with company match, Company-paid Pension plan, Paid time off and more!

Job Description Summary

No two property claims are ever the same and each customer has unique needs. Our team thrives on providing the very best service and building lasting, successful relationships with our customers. If you are confident, curious, driven to learn and grow, and have a desire to help people when they most need it, we want to know more about you! As a Field Claims Specialist, you'll investigate and resolve moderate to severe property damage claims by phone and face-to-face.

Key Responsibilities:

• Handles all assigned claims promptly and effectively, with little to no direction and oversight. Makes decisions within delegated authority as outlined in company policies and procedures.
• Determines proper policy coverages and applies appropriate claims practices to resolve cases in alignment with company guidelines.
• Opens, closes and adjusts reserves according to company practices to ensure reserve adequacy. Adheres to file conferencing notification and authority procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge of insurance and applicable product/services; court decisions which may impact the claims function; current guidelines; and policy changes and modifications. This may require attending various seminars and training sessions.
• Maintains current knowledge of local industry repair procedures and local market pricing.
• Submits severe incident reports, reinsurance reports and other information to claims management as needed.
• Partners with Special Investigations Unit and Subrogation to identify fraud and subrogation opportunities. Assists or prepares files for lawsuit, trial, or subrogation.
• Initiates and conducts follow-ups through proficient use of claims and other related business systems.
• Delivers an outstanding customer service experience to all internal, external, current and prospective Nationwide customers. Adheres to high standards of professional conduct while providing delivery of outstanding claim's service.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Claims Manager. Individual contributor role.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience.

License/Certification/Designation: State licensing where required. Successful completion of required applicable claims certification or training classes. Obtain Xactimate Level 1 certification within a year of start date. Obtain Xactimate Level 2 certification within two years of employment.

Experience: Three to five years of related property claims experience. Experience in a customer service environment, including flexible work schedules and extended work hours preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: General knowledge of insurance theory and practices, and contracts and their application. Property estimating and automated claims systems. Demonstrated knowledge of the investigation, consultation and settlement activities used to resolve extensive property damage claims. Proven ability to meet customer needs and provide exemplary meaningful service by guiding customers through the claims process and ensuring a positive customer experience. Analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to make decisions and resolve issues related to application of coverages to submitted claims, application of laws of jurisdiction to investigation facts, and application of policy exclusions and exceptions. Ability to establish repair requirements and cost estimates for property losses. Ability to evaluate and successfully advise on property claims. Organizational skills to prioritize work. Command of written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with policyholders, claimants, repairpersons, attorneys, agents and the general public . Ability to efficiently operate a personal computer and related claims and business software. Able to provide leadership to less experienced claims associates. Must be able to safely access and inspect rooftops using a ladder. Must be prepared and capable of conducting physical inspections on rooftops, including first and second story roofs with pitches up to 8/12.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the business unit executive and HR Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values and Guiding Behaviors.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office or field claims environment. May require ability to sit and operate phone and personal computer for extended periods of time. Able to make physical inspections of property loss sites; including climb ladders, balance at various heights and rooftops up to 8/12 pitch stoop, bend and/or crawl to inspect vehicles and structures; work outside in all types of weather. Must be willing to work irregular hours and to travel with possible overnight requirements. May be on-call. Must be available to work catastrophes (CAT). Extended and/or non-standard hours as required. Must have a valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

Credit/Background Check: Due to the fiduciary accountabilities within this job, a valid credit check and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.