Senior Catastrophe (CAT) Desk Claims Adjuster (Austin, TX) - REMOTE

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Job description

Overview

Summary: UPC is seeking an experienced Catastrophe Claims Adjuster to join the Claims department. The Senior CAT Claims Adjuster handles low to complex exposure to property claims, from first notification through final settlement. The adjuster is responsible for investigation, evaluation, negotiation, and settlement of first party claims by performing the duties and responsibilities corresponding with level II - level III claims. Level II - III claims include but are not limited to Large Losses, PA or Attorney represented, or complex application of policy in response to damages claimed at the insured location.

Note: This position is eligible for remote work in accordance with UPC's Telecommuting / Remote Work Policy.

UPC Insurance, a fast-growing, financially strong national stock company, is hiring multiple Catastrophe Claims Adjusters to handle homeowner property claims. Whether you are starting your career or have prior claims experience, join the team that is largely responsible to Keep the Promise® to our policyholders. As one of the 20 largest homeowner insurance writers in the country, we will train and develop you in the role - no matter your level of expertise - with our state-of-the-art, on-campus training facility.

Our mission statement is to Keep the Promise® - to our policy holders, our shareholders and to our stakeholders. The promise to our policy holders is to fairly and timely resolve their claims. Our business practices, processes, objectives, and how we conduct ourselves daily is done from the perspective of our policyholders rather than from our own convenience of how claims should be handled. This embodies the standard that our professional Claims department strives to achieve every day, both in daily claims handling and CAT claims. Since the UPC mission is to be the premier provider of homeowner insurance in catastrophe exposed areas, we take our responsibility to Keep the Promise® as one of the fundamental tenets of accomplishing this mission.

THE POSITION:The UPC Senior CAT Claims Adjuster manages assigned claims and provides prompt, courteous and fair claim service on homeowner property catastrophe claims. The position is responsible for investigating homeowner property claims to determine coverage under the contract, communicating with customers over the phone, obtaining important claims information, and negotiating claim settlements. The role also documents claims activity into UPC's electronic claims system and follows processes that provide fair claim resolutions, customer satisfaction, and cost-management.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

* Interprets and applies policy coverage to loss.
* Communicates policy coverage and benefits to insured.
* Investigates and documents cause of loss and area of origin.
* May create, review, and/or approve estimates for the cost of repairs or replacement of damaged or destroyed property.
* Reports findings of investigation, coverage interpretation and damage estimates to company.
* Negotiates with insured, contractors, and vendors; may have limited interaction with public adjusters and attorneys under close supervision.
* Complies with timeliness, accuracy, and service standards of the company.
* Complies with the legal, statutory, and regulatory requirements.
* Maintains appropriate adjusters license and complies with continuing education requirements.
* Identifies and documents subrogation opportunities; Identifies and addresses salvage of damage or destroyed items.
* Identifies and investigates questionable and possible fraudulent activity.
* Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties may be assigned.

Duties specific to Catastrophe Response:

* Expected to work extended hours/days during catastrophe response.
* May need to assist as subject matter expert in the onboarding/training/assistance of independent catastrophe adjusters.
* May need to serve in Team Lead role at times of high volume and catastrophe response.
* May be called on to assist in catastrophe orientations, emergency response assist stations and onsite assistance of independent adjusting partners that could involve some limited travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience:

* Bachelor's degree preferred. Other considerations may be given for an Associate degree or an industry-recognized designation (such as CPCU, AIC, SCLA), or a combination of education and equivalent experience.
* A minimum of two (2) years property claims experience is required for the Senior Property Claims Adjuster position.
* Own and maintain a valid driver's license.
* Ability to ensure that all assigned claims are concluded equitably and promptly.
* Excellent verbal/written communication skills and organizational skills.
* Ability to manage relationships in a fast-paced environment, while demonstrating persistence and problem-solving skills.
* Exceptional organizational, analytical, and negotiation skill sets.
* Knowledge of residential construction materials and standards.
* Functional computer skills and computer literacy, or the ability to acquire the skills, utilizing standard office software including Microsoft Office Suite, estimating software (e.g. Xactimate or Symbility), and web-based Claim and Policy Management Systems.

Competencies:To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behaviors:

* Motivation/Initiative: Motivated and curious, willing to ask questions, research issues and take on challenging projects/assignments; creative, brings new ideas to the table, exhibits self-confidence. Has strong achievement motivation and tenacity.
* Administrative Skills: Possesses ability to organize and follow-through on multiple tasks, recognizes and attends to important details with accuracy and efficiency, effectively prioritizes work of staff members. Works to complete goals, tasks and plans, anticipates potential problems and analyzes alternative solutions.
* Interpersonal Style: (Interpersonal Skills, Communication, Teamwork); develops/ maintains effective working relationships; listens attentively to others; communicates ideas clearly (written & verbal); relates to people in an open/ sincere manner; participates effectively in meetings; assists in finding solutions as well as identifying problems; communicates appropriately with supervisor, managed staff and co-workers.
* Self-Management: (Adaptability/Flexibility, Stress Tolerance, Autonomy); adapts readily to changes in routine; works effectively in stressful situations; needs limited guidance and direction; is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment; is reliable and dependable; is results-oriented; maintains productivity and composure under pressure; views problems as opportunities to create solutions.
* Thinking Skills: Diagnoses problems efficiently; gathers sufficient input before making decision or plans; makes timely decision, quickly determines sources of problem, identifies information needed to solve problem and analyzes alternative solutions, communicates issues and decisions effectively to team.
* Customer Orientation: Sensitive & responsive to internal and external customer needs; demonstrates skills in customer services and satisfaction; maintains a positive attitude, willing to listen to customer problems and seeks solutions; stays in tune with changing needs of customers.

Skills:

* Communicates Effectively
* Situational Adaptability
* Action Oriented
* Drives Results
* Time Management
* Strong Estimate Reconciliation
* Decision Quality
* Customer Focus
* Priority Setting
* Being Resilient
* Balances Stakeholders
* Organized and Efficient

Physical:

* Position typically requires reaching, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
* Sedentary work: Exerting 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.