Senior Marine Claims Adjuster

About Us Founded in 1848, Westfield is a global leader in property and casualty insurance, delivering superior risk insights and innovative solutions to customers through a diverse portfolio of insurance products. Westfield underwrites commercial, personal, surety, and specialty lines of coverage through a network of leading independent agents and brokers in the United States and specialty products through Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200. As a mutual insurance company with more than 3,000 employees, Westfield has revenues in excess of $4 billion and more than $10 billion in assets.

Key Accountabilities:

• Handle, adjust and negotiate settlement of Syndicates standard claims including management of specific insureds and coverholder accounts;
• Handling and management of complex claims under referral to the Head of First Party Claims/Head of International Claims;
• All claims emanating from policies written by Westfield Specialty to be handled in accordance with Westfield Specialty’s Claims Philosophy and Claims Guidelines meeting the service levels set out therein to ensure an exceptional customer experience;
• Liaise with and establish good relationships with brokers, legal representatives, service providers, experts, DCAs and coverholders in connection with claim related matters;
• Organise and attend regular broker relationship meetings;
• Work with actuarial and underwriting teams to assist in the preparation of claims information for underwriting renewals and reserving meetings;
• Update the underwriters and Head of First Party Claims on significant claims, wording issues or trends affecting the account to include portfolio analysis and provision of MI;
• Ensure that claims are managed effectively through diary, maintenance of the marine and energy watchlist static/outstanding claim inventory review;
• Manage the marine and energy claims portfolio and the development of all reported claims to assess and provide input into the adequacy of IBNR provisions and ultimates;
• Ensure and oversee the monitoring and recording of monthly bordereaux receipt for delegated accounts;
• Escalation of claims handling queries to Head of First Party Claims/Head of International Claims;
• Ensure reserving practice complies with documented practice;
• Ensure full compliance with all Westfield Specialty stipulated global and local operating protocols, procedures and policies, service standards and FSA and regulatory compliance;
• Relationship building, developing Westfield Specialty’s market recognition and promoting the Westfield Specialty’s brand (including participation in industry conferences/committees, by way of attendance or presentation, steering committee/market meetings, meetings with brokers and insureds to discuss trends and developments in the context of an existing claim and assisting Underwriters in their marketing efforts);
• Prepare and host lessons learned seminars for claims/underwriting;
• Attend renewal meetings, new business pitches and client meetings on an ad hoc basis as required;
• Working with the reinsurance team to report claims and effect recovery from outward reinsurers;
• Deliver against targets for departmental KPIs;
• Arrange, host and attend weekly/monthly underwriting/reserving meetings;
• Mentoring of team members/more junior members of staff through day-to-day coaching and oversight;
• Oversee runoff of elements of the portfolio and ensure service company claims/other facilities are reconciled and reserves updated accordingly;
• Actively participating in and contributing to system and process improvements initiatives and innovations across the International Claims operation as required;
• Any other ad hoc or project work as may be assigned by the Head of First Party Claims and/or Head of International Claims.

Skills/Competencies:

• Exceptional technical expertise and analytical skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions with limited direction;
• Self-starter who is results orientated and proposes solutions challenges;
• Ability to work within deadlines and manage multiple competing priorities;
• Able to manage upwards and keeping senior management appraised;
• Team player who can motivate people and drive change;
• Ability to innovate and anticipate problems/issues prior to their occurrence;
• Ability to develop excellent working relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and ECF;
• Strategic thinker – understanding of the bigger picture;
• Ability to acquire, understand and absorb information quickly;
• Good organisational skills;
• Ability and confidence to work alone and take reasoned decisions in connection with claims adjustment, but to recognise the need to refer as appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Educated to at least A-Level standard ACII qualified or significant progression towards attainment of ACII.

Experience:

• Preferably 10 years or more adjusting experience in Marine claims;
• Proven track record in handling large, complex and litigated marine claims (1st and 3rd party) with limited direction;
• Experience of handling claims within the Marine Liability market is essential;
• Additional prior experience in handling Energy claims is also advantageous;
• Experience in handling claims within a DCA environment;
• Ability to understand and apply regulatory and legal requirements in the claims context;
• Detailed knowledge of claims life cycle and ability to work to and develop best practice;
• Managing Agency background preferred/knowledge and understanding of Lloyd’s minimum standards;
• Experience of leading a market on complex losses.