Claims Spec III, Coml Property - Farm and Agribusiness

Claims Specialist III, Commercial Property

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.

Role Overview

This is a field-based position responsible for handling commercial agribusiness and farm property claims. The role requires regular travel to inspect loss sites and manage claims on location, primarily across Central to Northern California and surrounding areas. Candidates must reside within this territory.

What You Can Expect

• Manage complex commercial agribusiness and farm property claims, typically ranging from $50K to $1M+
• Conduct on-site inspections, assess damages, prepare estimates, and manage claims through resolution
• Spend a significant portion of time in the field, with travel throughout the assigned territory
• Work autonomously while delivering a high level of service to policyholders

Preferred candidate location: Central to Northern California

Basic Requirements

• Experience with Xactimate
• Background in commercial and/or personal property claims
• Ability to climb ladders and perform roof inspections
• Willingness and ability to support CAT duty as needed

Licenses & Certifications

• Adjuster licenses for applicable states (can be obtained post-hire)
• Xactimate Level 1 certification required within 12 months
• Xactimate Level 2 certification required within 24 months

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of field-based property claims experience (commercial and/or personal lines)
• Farm and/or agribusiness claims experience preferred
• Strong estimating skills and working knowledge of business income claims
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex claims simultaneously
• Excellent customer service, communication, and negotiation skills

Job Description Summary

Do you have a strong desire to resolve complicated insurance claims by providing prompt, courteous and fair service to customers? Are you a skilled investigator, negotiator and communicator? If you thrive in an environment where you can problem-solve claims resolution, while following processes that provide fair resolution, customer satisfaction and cost management, then we want to hear from you! As a Claims Specialist III, you will work on commercial property damage claims of a serious and sometimes complex nature. You'll promote and provide outstanding customer service while adjusting serious exposure commercial property claims requiring investigation, property damage evaluation and negotiations. In addition, you'll handle lawsuit files to conclusion and oversee defense counsel activities.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Promptly and effectively handles assigned claims with little to no direction and oversight, which may include complex and catastrophic casualty losses. Makes decisions within delegated authority, recommends settlement values in the disposition of significant or intricate claims as outlined in company policies and procedures. Adheres to high standards of professional conduct, consistent with the delivery of superior service.
• Uses various methods of settlement in cases where warranted; assigns cases to outside vendors as warranted.
• Opens, closes and adjusts reserves per company practices designed to ensure reserve adequacy. Recommends Special Reserves where vital according to Corporate Reserving Guidelines. Adheres to file conferencing notification and authority procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge of: assigned insurance lines; court decisions which may impact the claims function; current guidelines in the claims function; and policy changes and modifications. This may require attendance at various seminars or training sessions.
• Mentors less experienced claims associates and assists with training/presentations as assigned by claims management.
• Partners with Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and Subrogation to identify fraud and subrogation opportunities. Assists or prepares files for suit, trial, or subrogation. (Property/MD/Casualty).
• Oversees defense counsel in all lawsuit activities from inception throughout the life of the claim.
• Delivers a positive and outstanding customer service experience to all internal, external, current and prospective Nationwide customers.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

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

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate studies in business administration or related field preferred and/or relevant meaningful experience.

License/Certification/Designation: Successful completion of required claims certification schools/courses. Professional development such as IIA or CPCU preferred. State licensing where required.

Experience: Five years commercial property claims handling experience preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Confirmed knowledge of medical, legal and/or commercial claims terminology, state regulations, claims processes, standard methodologies, and customer relationship management. Extensive knowledge of insurance theory and practices, insurance contracts and their application. Excellent customer service skills and validated ability to proactively meet customer needs. Analytical skills vital to making decisions and resolving issues in application of coverage, laws of jurisdiction to investigation facts, policy exclusions and exceptions. Proven interpersonal skills to successfully prioritize increased and more sophisticated workloads. Demonstrates strong and flexible standards to balance the conflicting demands of the position. Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate and/or influence various audiences. Demonstrated leadership capabilities to effectively train, coach, and provide feedback to less experienced associates. Understanding of claims systems. Superior knowledge of the best claims methods to resolve serious and/or high exposure/large loss commercial claims. Consistent track record meeting customer needs and providing outstanding service by advising customers of the claims process and ensuring a positive customer experience. Ability to coordinate with defense counsel in the handling of cases involving significant and sometimes intricate commercial property damage issues from inception through trial. Organizational skills to establish work priorities in alignment with Best Claims Practices. Ability to operate personal computer and related software.

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

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by Business Unit Executive and Human Resources.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Nonexempt (Eligible)

Working Conditions: Inside or field claims environment. May require ability to sit and use telephone and personal computer for extended periods of time. Able to make physical inspections of accident scenes and property loss sites. Able to climb ladders, balance at various heights, stoop, bend and/or crawl to inspect vehicles and structures. Able to work outside in all types of weather. Able and willing to work irregular hours and to travel with possible overnight requirements. May be on-call. Available to work catastrophes (CAT). 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.