Equipment/Transportation Adjuster

Job Description

TITLE:                                  Adjuster

DEPARTMENT:                  Specialty Marine & Transportation (SM&T)

REPORTS TO:                     VP, Specialty Marine & Transportation or Practice Leader

STATUS:                               Regular, full-time; exempt          

SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE 

The Adjuster effectively determines and communicates the extent of loss or damage associated with commercial property and liability claims in a variety of business classes. The Adjuster II assists the insurer in fulfilling its obligation to policyholders and helps safeguard the insurer’s reputation and efficacy by providing highly specialized claims adjusting services to clients in the cargo and/or heavy equipment niche market. The incumbent in this role is typically assigned loss or damage assessments in a low to moderate cost range, based on experience and demonstrated aptitude.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Investigates insurance claims in a variety of settings involving trucks, trailers, or other cargo or cargo-related vehicle(s) or equipment and caused by such events or conditions as overturn, collision, refrigeration or temperature breakdown, load shift, securement issues, fire, flood, theft, inclement or catastrophic weather, earthquakes, vandalism, or negligence.
• Uses knowledge of the property, cargo and heavy equipment industries specifically, personally conducts inspections and photographs claim sites as necessary to depict and substantiate losses or damage, or the lack thereof.
• Through interviewing or other methods, obtains necessary information from the claimant and/or parties such as carriers, shippers, or receivers as well as subject matter experts such as mechanics, electricians, freight brokers, and attorneys to assess the extent of the loss fully and accurately.
• Works cooperatively with expert witnesses, attorneys, public adjusters, and carrier’s examiners as needed to conduct investigations, confirm findings, and support evaluations.
• Applies understanding of contracts of carriage and bills of lading as they define and affect the liability of various parties.
• Applies a basic level of understanding of insurance policies, policy interpretation, and relevant case law to properly provide findings regarding cause, coverage, subrogation, and salvage and establishes loss estimates based on all relevant information and findings.
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of a variety of coverage and loss types.
• Recommends the reasonable and proper amount the insurance company should pay on a claim; participates as required in subrogation actions and processes.
• Ensures the accuracy of information collected and reported, and guards against fraudulent claims.
• Communicates via telephone, electronic, and face-to-face, as necessary to obtain relevant information and documents interactions, services, and findings clearly and promptly.
• Prepares accurate, clear, thorough, and concise reports and letters to insurance carriers and other clients on conclusions and recommendations, anticipating clients’ questions and responding to inquiries as necessary. Follows established policies, procedures, and processes in preparing information, and submits reports and documents in a timely manner and in accordance with insurer’s standards and expectations. Effectively uses software systems as necessary to help produce accurate estimates.
• Maintains accurate and thorough time and expense records as required. Submits reimbursement reports in keeping with organization and client policies, procedures, and practices and with accepted industry standards. Applies knowledge of both time-and-expense and fee-for-service procedures, according to the stipulations of the agreement with the insurer.
• Formulates recommendations and completes evaluations and reports, in accordance with EM policy and practice, obtaining supervision or guidance when necessary.
• Functions as an effective member of the team, assisting co-workers as needed and learning from colleagues and supervisors; supports the goals of the department, division, and organization; participate in special assignments and activities as required or approved.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with other members of the organization across departments, divisions, and locations.
• Maintains the confidentiality of proprietary and sensitive information, exercising sound judgment and discretion in any disclosure of information related to EM and its endeavors.
• Upholds the values of Engle Martin and Our Foundation.
• Adheres to all applicable State Insurance Regulation requirements and other applicable laws, regulations, and standards; assumes personal responsibility for maintaining the requisite state licensure for the state(s) assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or demonstrated equivalent experience
• At least one year of experience in related claims handling preferred
• Active license or ability to obtain such in multiple jurisdictions

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Proficiency in a variety of office software, including Microsoft Office Suite (including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Adobe)
• Skills in using word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software
• Ability to understand claims adjudication processes
• Basic knowledge of automotive and transportation industry desirable
• Familiarity with cargo- and heavy equipment-related adjustment case law desirable
• Negotiation, conflict resolution, and persuasion skills
• Ability to analyze, interpret, synthesize, prioritize, and report pertinent information
• Sound written and oral communication skills, including the ability to produce articulate, compelling reports
• Effective time management and organization skills
• Basic mathematical, finance, and accounting skills
• Ability to interpret policies and other written technical information
• Trustworthiness, integrity, and personal accountability and adherence to standards of ethical behavior and professional conduct
• Commitment to confidentiality and ability to discretely handle sensitive information
• Keen service orientation and customer service skills
• Detail-oriented, and the ability to research, investigate and problem solve
• Commitment to professional and personal growth and development
• Team-oriented work style

WORKING CONDITIONS 

May require work to be performed at the site of the damage or loss, including locations where disasters or catastrophes have occurred; may require evening, overnight work and weekend travel; incumbent may be subject to outside weather and environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, extreme heat, cold, and precipitation; incumbent may be exposed to noise, vibrations, proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, heights, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

The incumbent may be required to work in close quarters, crawl spaces, small enclosed rooms, narrow aisles, passageways, or other enclosed areas, requiring physical agility and resistance to claustrophobia.  The incumbent may be required to work in high areas such as roofs or scaffolding, requiring physical agility, balance, and resistance to acrophobia.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the working conditions and associated physical activities and requirements above, the incumbent may be required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, or feel, especially in the course of investigating and assessing property damage; these requirements may include the need to lift weights of up to 50 pounds, including a ladder.

Periodic driving is required with the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in a work capacity; close visual acuity, with or without correction, to prepare reports containing words, symbols, and numerical figures; the incumbent is required to view a computer terminal, use a keyboard, read printed documents, make detailed visual inspections, perceive color, perceive depth, and have a sufficient field of vision to carry out all inspection and related duties.

The incumbent must be able to speak clearly, and, on occasion, loudly. The incumbent must be able to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction and to receive and impart detailed information through oral communication, making fine discriminations in sound.