Senior Technical Claims Specialist; Insurance Coverage Litigation

Argo Group

Argo Group is an underwriter of specialty insurance products in the property and casualty market. Argo offers a full line of products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims-handling needs of businesses. The Argo entities are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Clearbrook Group Holdings Inc.

We are looking for a highly capable insurance coverage and bad faith litigation specialist to join our team and work in our Omaha, Chicago, or New York office. We work together in the office five days a week in order to strengthen our culture, build team connections, and drive profitability. This role will directly report to the SVP, Claims Legal, based in Chicago, and is responsible for providing technical support on insurance coverage disputes and major cases in litigation assigned to Adjusters throughout the US.

This is a 100% in-office position. Candidates must be able to work on-site at a designated company office during standard business hours.

• Manage litigated and non-litigated insurance coverage and bad faith claims on all lines of business (e.g., casualty, environmental, garage, construction defect, NYLL, inland marine, and WC/EL), utilizing the highest degree of technical and legal experience, and working closely with management and outside coverage counsel to resolve all such claims in the most successful manner possible.
• Conduct detailed investigation and analysis of claims involving insurance coverage and bad faith issues to advise management on appropriate strategic positioning and resolution.
• Negotiates highly complex settlement packages, sets reserves and authorizes payment within scope of authority, settling claims in most cost-effective manner and ensuring timely issuance of disbursements.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance and counsel to claims personnel and management on liability claims involving complex legal and factual issues on all lines of business with a focus on appropriate strategic positioning and resolution.
• Strong familiarity and experience with insurance policy forms and endorsements under the following types of policies: CGL, Environmental, Excess/Umbrella, Garage, Inland Marine, Motor Truck Cargo, and Builder's Risk.
• Attend mediations, settlement conferences, and court hearings to represent company with respect to claims involving insurance coverage and bad faith issues.
• Consult with and advise management and underwriting on trends and developments with claims and policies nationwide, including on insurance coverage and bad faith issues.
• Managing diary timely and complete tasks to ensure that cases move to the best financial outcome and timely resolution.

• A deep knowledge of claims adjudication and focus on customer service typically achieved through:
  • At least seven years' experience handling insurance coverage issues and disputes, with exposure of $100,000 or more, for Commercial General Liability (including Bodily Injury and Property Damage), Construction Defect, New York Labor Law, Garage, Inland Marine, Excess, Property, and Environmental.
  • A J.D. from an accredited law school. Litigation experience is beneficial, but not required.
• Must have good business acumen (i.e. understand how an insurance company works and makes money, including how this role impacts both Argo Group and our customers' ability to be profitable).
• Ability to regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance. This role primarily faces problems and issues that are difficult and require an understanding of a broader set of issues.
• Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to build lasting relationships.
• Exhibit natural curiosity in order to consistently explore and consider all options and are not governed by conventional thinking.
• A strong focus on execution in getting things done right. Proven ability to consistently produce and deliver expected results to all stakeholders by:
  Finding a way to achieve success through adversity. Being solution (not problem) focused. Thinking with a global mindset first.
• Successful traits (flexibility, ability to thrive in change, being resourceful on your own) are necessary to work in a fast-paced environment that is evolving constantly.
• Excellent evaluation and strategic skills are required.
• Strong claim negotiation skills a must.
• Knows how claims reserving techniques are used and how to assess whether a claim reserve is accurate.
• Must…