Senior Claims Specialist - Professional Lines

Senior Claims Specialist – Professional Lines

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Our client is seeking a Senior Claims Specialist – Professional Lines to join our Canada Claims Team. This role involves the direct handling of primary and excess claims under our D&O, FI, E&O, Cyber, Media, Crime, and EPL policies. The ideal candidate will bring a strong technical background, sound judgement, and a collaborative mindset to help drive claims toward resolution while engaging with brokers, insureds, underwriters and other stakeholders.  

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This role will be responsible for:

• Directly handling D&O, FI, E&O, Cyber, Media, Crime, and EPL claims by conducting thorough investigations and analyzing and evaluating coverage and liability on first and third-party claims.

• Assessing exposure and strategically guiding litigated and non-litigated matters towards efficient resolution.

• Maintaining high standards of documentation, ensuring each file reflects a clear and complete rationale for all claims decisions, including coverage determinations, exposure assessments, file strategy, and reserve recommendations.

• Drafting and communicating clear, well-supported coverage positions and settlement rationales to insureds, brokers, and legal counsel.

• Establishing or recommending loss and expense reserves.  

• Assigning and managing external partners, including legal counsel, while collaborating with internal Litigation and Vendor Management teams to enhance cost management efforts.

• Driving litigation strategy on litigated matters, collaborating closely with external counsel while critically evaluating litigation approaches, and providing budget and billing oversight, as well as settlement authority.

• Participating in mediations and settlement conferences, presenting strong, well-reasoned positions and negotiating outcomes that reflect the overall exposure, legal considerations, and strategic objectives of the claim.

• Tracking financials related to claims, including payment processing, retention erosion, reserve analysis, and reporting to internal stakeholders.

• Keeping underwriting partners and senior claims leadership informed of significant developments, trends, and large loss activity.

• Attending internal claims calls and participation in external account meetings to review claims history, identify and raise emerging trends, and ensuring adherence to claims handling protocols and service standards.

• Maintaining open and professional communication with broker partners and insureds throughout the life of the claim.

• Acting as a technical resource and mentor to peers, contributing to a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

• Contributing to internal initiatives, process enhancements, and training sessions.

• Other duties as assigned.

KEY SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• 5-7+ years of experience in claims handling, litigation, or related legal/insurance roles, with exposure to specialty lines.

• Demonstrated organizational and technical skills as well as a deep understanding of professional lines coverage and claim resolution strategies.

• In-depth knowledge of claims, litigation, and trial processes as well as excellent analytical, investigative, and negotiating skills.

• Ability to influence and collaborate at all organizational levels, both internally and externally as well as the ability to identify and resolve complex, disputed claims.

• An analytical thinker that can drive results using all facets of the legal and claims processes.

• Commitment to continuous learning and technical development.

• Understanding of and ability to balance both the immediate claim issues as well as the broader portfolio impact and customer service impact of coverage disputes and issues.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to deal effectively with people with conflicting expectations, differing opinions, and multiple viewpoints.

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field (e.g., insurance, law, business) or equivalent combination of education and experience. CIP or Law Degree a plus.

• French language a plus.

• Technical knowledge, skills, and training within the field to include:
  • Complex coverage analysis and experience required.
  • Confidence in coverage, evaluation and reserving.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills.
  • Solid negotiation and settlement skills.
  • Familiarity with KPI, Data, and Metrics a plus.

• Occasional travel and off-site meetings are required.

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