Property Senior Claims Representative - Estimator

Job Summary

Westfield Property Claims resolves first party personal, commercial, and agriculture property claims, which include structural damage. The Inside Claims Senior Representative serves as a technical estimating expert on first party property claims damages. This role leverages technical estimating software, industry repair standards, and analytical skills to produce accurate, timely, and defensible estimates. The role may also determine applicability of coverage, investigate, establish damages, negotiate, and settle claims. The role delivers quality customer service in a high volume, moderate complex work environment, and mentors less experienced Inside Estimators on the team.

Job Responsibilities

• Review photos, reports, and other documentation from the inspection, to assess damage and prepare accurate estimates.
• Utilize industry-standard estimating platform Xactimate, to produce detailed repair scopes.
• Determine appropriate repair vs. replacement decisions based on best practices, jurisdictional code requirements, and policy coverage.
• Validate the accuracy of insured and/or contractor submitted estimates and to negotiate discrepancies when necessary.
• Apply current industry repair standards, materials pricing, labor rates, and construction methodologies.
• Provide technical expertise to frontline claims staff.
• Communicate clearly with customers, contractors, and vendors to explain scope and estimate decisions as/is necessary.
• Document all file activity in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Support supplemental estimate reviews.
• Ensure all estimates comply with company guidelines, state regulations, and industry's best practices.
• Maintain high levels of accuracy, productivity, and cycle time performance.
• Provides support in negotiation of settlements with insureds, attorneys, and other insurance companies.
• Manages approved vendors and counsel utilized as necessary in the claim process, including approval of investigation plans and budgets.
• Monitors, reviews, and issues payments to vendors and counsel in accordance with guidelines and standards.
• Establishes proper reserves for each claim based upon thorough investigation, evaluation, and experience.
• Refers claims exceeding authority to appropriate manager or complex claims specialist with recommendations.
• Meets established goals & objectives, arranges for salvage disposition and other recovery proceedings as necessary, participates in claim file reviews and audits with customer and broker.
• Formulates sound recommendations for claims file handling, subsequent transactions, and renewal processing.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts, guideline updates, and internal training initiatives.

Job Qualifications

• 4+ years of Claims Estimating experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Insurance, Business, Communications, Construction Management, or a related field and/or commensurate work experience.
• Proficiency with Xactimate

Location

Remote

Licenses and Certifications

• Associate in Claims (AIC) (preferred)

• Xactimate Level 1-3 Certification

• HAAG Residential & Commercial Inspector and/or Reviewer Certification

Skills & Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and technical accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced claims environment.
• Customer-focused with strong problem-solving ability.
• Negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.