Senior Complex Claims Specialist - Labor Law

Company Details

Vela Insurance Services provides specialized Excess and Surplus Lines Casualty and Professional Liability insurance solutions in the following market segments:
Construction, Specialty Casualty, & Professional Liability.

We offer national service and local knowledge to our exclusive wholesale broker network and the businesses they serve.

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

• Investigate, evaluate, negotiate, and resolve complex and high-exposure litigated and non-litigated claims across bodily injury, property damage, personal and advertising injury, and professional liability lines.
• Analyze coverage, identify coverage issues, and prepare coverage letters for supervisor approval
• Investigate and evaluate liability
• Investigate and evaluate damages
• Manage litigation by assigning counsel from the approved panel where applicable, establishing litigation plans and budgets, coordinating with defense counsel, and continuously reviewing the potential for resolution
• Establish timely reserves within authority and re-evaluate throughout the life of the claim
• Maintain up-to-date, appropriate file documentation and written file notes
• Maintain an active diary and productive file inventory
• Timely complete all required large loss reporting
• Negotiate settlements within authority limits and attend mediations, mandatory settlement conferences, and/or alternative dispute resolutions
• Proactively control the work product and expense of outside vendors
• Develop and maintain positive customer relationships and provide superior customer service
• Timely identify all potential opportunities for co‑insurance, transfer of risk, and/or subrogation
• Work with designated assigned accounts
• Recognize and investigate fraud
• Comply with deductible/self‑insured retention recovery protocol
• Meet all state licensing requirements
• Adhere to all statutory regulations, unfair claims practices acts, and corporate best practices
• Serve as mentor for claims associates and provide technical advice
• Assist management with administrative tasks as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Eight (8) or more years of claims handling experience or equivalent experience
• In-depth knowledge of the insurance industry, including legal and regulatory environments
• Specific knowledge and expertise in New York Labor law and construction‑related claims (preferred)

• Four (4) year college degree, or commensurate experience and training
• JD preferred
• Industry designations preferred (e.g., CRIS, AIC, SCLA)
• New York adjuster’s license a plus

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third‑party recruiting agencies or firms.

The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full‑time regular employees which for this role includes:

• Base Salary Range: $135,000 – $150,000.
• This role is eligible to participate in the annual discretionary bonus program.
• Benefits:
  Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Wellness, Paid Time Off, 401(k) and Profit‑Sharing plans.

Sponsorship not offered for this role.