Commercial Auto/Garage Claims Specialist

About the Job

Universal Shield Insurance Group (and its member companies - Universal Fire & Casualty Insurance Company ( and Shield Indemnity Inc ( has an opening for an experienced Commercial Casualty Claims Adjuster.

Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Universal Shield Insurance Group is a hybrid property and casualty insurer and insurtech that provides innovative insurance solutions to underserved markets for small businesses on both an admitted and surplus lines basis. Via online state-of-the-art agency portals and direct-to-consumer retail and B2B websites, we design our products intuitively and device-agnostic to accelerate competitive underwriting decisions for our partners and customers.

This position is an excellent opportunity to join an expanding and growing established insurance company led by experienced insurance professionals with a proven track record of success. Our insurance group is seeking an experienced Commercial auto/garage Specialist to join our team. This is a hybrid position, and the successful candidate will be required to work in the office three days per week.

Responsibilities for efficiently handling assigned auto or casualty claims:

• Maintains claim load of litigated and non-litigated claims.
• Investigates and verifies coverage; investigates losses by gathering all pertinent information; issues coverage determinations; and consults with in-house coverage counsel as appropriate.
• Investigates, evaluates, and adjusts assigned claims in accordance with all company policies and procedures, with all applicable laws and regulations, and within assigned authority. May use independent adjusters to assist in claim investigations as appropriate.
• Exercises independent decision-making with minimal to moderate supervision and direction on assigned claims, using knowledge of applicable codes, laws, standards, and regulations.
• For litigated claims, assigns defense counsel and ensures cases are handled effectively and efficiently until final resolution through settlement or judgment. Collaborates with panel counsel on claims strategy and ensures counsel is complying with the company's outside counsel guidelines.
• Prepares and presents claim recommendations to upper management.
• Investigates and identifies all sources of recovery and subrogation for assigned claims.
• When necessary and appropriate, attends mediations, arbitrations, or trials on assigned claims.
• Works with SIU to protect the company from false or inflated claims.

Responsibilities for accurate and complete claim files:

• Ensures information in claim files is timely documented, accurate, current, and complete.
• Maintains active tasks for assigned claims files, with the current plan of action.

Responsibilities for providing a high level of customer service:

• Responds to insureds and third parties in a prompt, courteous, and professional manner.
• Relays status of claims to insureds in a timely manner.
• Researches and resolves problems, questions, or concerns or refers them to management as appropriate.

Responsibilities for related duties as required or assigned:

• Attends meetings and training as necessary.
• Keeps management and underwriting team apprised of developments and emerging trends.
• Handles special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned.

Performance Measurements:

• Claims are processed according to company policy, laws, and regulations. Accurate and fair judgments are made.
• Investigations and claims are handled in a prompt, courteous, and professional manner.
• Claim files are current and complete.
• Accurate information is communicated to insureds in a timely manner.
• Management is appropriately informed of activities and significant problems.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Required insurance certifications and licenses. If not licensed, must complete licensure within 60 days of employment.
• Minimum 5-10 years of related professional experience handling auto and casualty claims. Prior litigation management experience preferred. Understanding of general legal concepts is required. Comprehensive knowledge of insurance policies and the ability to understand complex documents is required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and public relations skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Solid analytical skills.
• Ability to identify and understand coverage issues with good knowledge of exclusions and endorsements.
• Good organizational, problem-solving, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to use related office and computer equipment and administrative claims systems with training.

Universal Shield Insurance Group offers an industry-competitive benefits package, including health insurance with a company-contributed HSA, dental insurance, vision coverage, short term disability insurance, long term disability insurance, AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and other lifestyle and family-friendly and work/life balance benefits. We also offer a company-matched 401K, unlimited PTO for exempt employees, and other ancillary workforce benefits. Applicants selected for interviews will receive more information on our full company benefit program.

Universal Shield Insurance Group (and its member companies - Universal Fire & Casualty Insurance Company and Shield Indemnity, Inc.) is an equal opportunity employer. Discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran's status, pregnancy or on any basis prohibited by federal, state or local law is not tolerated at Universal Shield Insurance Group.