Liability Claims Specialist

Commercial Liability Claim Specialist

Department: Claims

Reports To: Liability Claims Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt (or Non-Exempt based on company classification)

Location: Hybrid

Position Summary

Bankers Insurance Group is seeking an experienced, analytical, and customer-focused Commercial Liability Claim Specialist to investigate, evaluate, negotiate, and resolve commercial liability claims involving bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury exposures. The position is responsible for handling claims primarily under Commercial General Liability (CGL) and Businessowners (BOP) policies while ensuring compliance with policy provisions, applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and company claims handling standards.

The Commercial Liability Claim Specialist independently manages a caseload from first notice of loss through final resolution by conducting thorough investigations, evaluating coverage and liability, establishing appropriate reserves, negotiating settlements, managing litigation, and delivering exceptional customer service to insureds, claimants, agents, attorneys, and business partners.

The ideal candidate possesses strong technical liability claims expertise, excellent negotiation skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage complex commercial liability exposures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Claim Investigation

• Receive, investigate, evaluate, and manage assigned commercial liability claims from first notice of loss through resolution.
• Review commercial insurance policies to determine coverage, exclusions, conditions, and endorsements.
• Investigate liability, causation, damages, and potential defenses.
• Obtain recorded statements from insureds, claimants, witnesses, and other involved parties.
• Review police reports, incident reports, contracts, leases, maintenance records, photographs, videos, and other evidence.
• Coordinate inspections with independent adjusters, engineers, accident reconstruction experts, consultants, and other specialists as necessary.
• Identify potential fraud indicators, risk transfer opportunities, contractual indemnification provisions, and subrogation potential.
• Evaluate comparative negligence and applicable state liability laws.

Coverage and Liability Analysis

• Interpret policy language and determine applicable coverage.
• Analyze liability based upon facts, applicable statutes, case law, and policy provisions.
• Identify coverage issues and prepare Reservation of Rights, Excess Exposure, and Disclaimer letters when appropriate.
• Consult with management and coverage counsel regarding complex coverage matters.
• Evaluate compensability, damages, and exposure throughout the life of each claim.

Claim Evaluation and Resolution

• Establish timely and accurate indemnity and expense reserves.
• Regularly review and adjust reserves as additional information develops.
• Evaluate bodily injury, property damage, loss of use, and other damages.
• Negotiate settlements within assigned authority.
• Prepare payment recommendations and settlement documentation.
• Maintain timely diary management and complete electronic claim documentation.
• Meet or exceed established quality, customer service, and cycle time expectations.
• Close claims promptly following appropriate resolution.

Litigation Management

• Manage litigated claims in partnership with defense counsel.
• Assign, monitor, and evaluate outside counsel performance.
• Develop litigation strategies and participate in case evaluations.
• Review pleadings, discovery responses, deposition summaries, mediation reports, and expert evaluations.
• Establish litigation budgets and monitor legal expenses.
• Attend mediations, settlement conferences, arbitrations, and trials when appropriate.
• Evaluate settlement authority throughout litigation.

Customer Service

• Serve as the primary point of contact throughout the claim lifecycle.
• Maintain proactive communication with insureds, claimants, agents, brokers, attorneys, vendors, and internal business partners.
• Clearly explain coverage determinations, liability decisions, settlement evaluations, and claim procedures.
• Deliver professional, timely, and empathetic customer service while effectively managing difficult conversations.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company claims handling procedures, state insurance regulations, fair claims practices, and applicable legal requirements.
• Maintain accurate electronic claim files that satisfy internal audit and regulatory standards.
• Participate in quality assurance reviews, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Protect confidential information and comply with privacy regulations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent insurance claims experience considered.
• Minimum 8-10 years of commercial liability claims handling experience.
• Demonstrated experience investigating bodily injury and premises liability claims.
• Working knowledge of:
  • Commercial General Liability policies and Businessowners Policies (BOP)
  • Premises Liability
  • Products and Completed Operations
  • Contractual Liability
  • Additional Insured endorsements
  • Comparative negligence principles
• Strong coverage analysis skills.
• Experience handling litigated claims.
• Ability to independently evaluate liability exposure and damages.
• Strong analytical, investigative, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate in Claims (AIC), CPCU, ARM, SCLA, or other industry designation.
• Multi-state commercial liability claims experience.
• State Adjuster License (where applicable).
• Experience working with commercial litigation.
• Experience with claim management systems such as AS400, Sapiens ClaimsPro, or similar platforms.
• Mediation and alternative dispute resolution experience.
• Bilingual (Spanish or other language) is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Claims Management Software
• Electronic Document Management
• Litigation Management Systems
• Medical Records Review
• Digital Imaging Platforms
• Electronic Settlement Processing

Core Competencies

• Commercial Liability Expertise
• Coverage Analysis
• Liability Investigation
• Litigation Management
• Negotiation
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Customer Focus
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Accountability
• Regulatory Compliance
• Attention to Detail
• Integrity
• Time Management

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work primarily in an office or hybrid environment.
• Occasional travel for mediations, trials, inspections, or business meetings.
• Ability to review extensive electronic documentation, contracts, legal pleadings, medical records, and claim files.
• Ability to sit or stand and work at a computer for extended periods.

Performance Expectations

The Commercial Liability Claim Specialist is expected to:

• Maintain high customer satisfaction scores.
• Meet established claim cycle time goals.
• Maintain appropriate reserving accuracy.
• Demonstrate sound coverage and liability analysis.
• Effectively manage litigation and settlement opportunities.
• Meet quality assurance and regulatory compliance standards.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement and operational excellence.

Why Join Bankers Insurance Group

At Bankers Insurance Group, we believe exceptional claims service begins with exceptional people. As a Commercial Liability Claim Specialist , you'll play a critical role in protecting our policyholders and the Company by delivering fair, timely, and technically sound claim resolutions. You'll work alongside experienced professionals in a collaborative environment that values integrity, accountability, innovation, and continuous professional development.