
Senior Claims Specialist
- Toronto, ON
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Directly handling D&O, FI, E&O, Cyber, Media, Crime, and EPL claims by conducting thorough investigations and analyzing and evaluating coverage and liability on first and third-party claims.
- Assessing exposure and strategically guiding litigated and non-litigated matters towards efficient resolution.
- Maintaining high standards of documentation, ensuring each file reflects a clear and complete rationale for all claims decisions, including coverage determinations, exposure assessments, file strategy, and reserve recommendations.
- Drafting and communicating clear, well-supported coverage positions and settlement rationales to insureds, brokers, and legal counsel.
- Establishing or recommending loss and expense reserves.
- Assigning and managing external partners, including legal counsel, while collaborating with internal Litigation and Vendor Management teams to enhance cost management efforts.
- Driving litigation strategy on litigated matters, collaborating closely with external counsel while critically evaluating litigation approaches, and providing budget and billing oversight, as well as settlement authority.
- Participating in mediations and settlement conferences, presenting strong, well-reasoned positions and negotiating outcomes that reflect the overall exposure, legal considerations, and strategic objectives of the claim.
- Tracking financials related to claims, including payment processing, retention erosion, reserve analysis, and reporting to internal stakeholders.
- Keeping underwriting partners and senior claims leadership informed of significant developments, trends, and large loss activity.
- Attending internal claims calls and participation in external account meetings to review claims history, identify and raise emerging trends, and ensuring adherence to claims handling protocols and service standards.
- Maintaining open and professional communication with broker partners and insureds throughout the life of the claim.
- Acting as a technical resource and mentor to peers, contributing to a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
- Contributing to internal initiatives, process enhancements, and training sessions.
- Other duties as assigned.
- 5-7+ years of experience in claims handling, litigation, or related legal/insurance roles, with exposure to specialty lines.
- Demonstrated organizational and technical skills as well as a deep understanding of professional lines coverage and claim resolution strategies.
- In-depth knowledge of claims, litigation, and trial processes as well as excellent analytical, investigative, and negotiating skills.
- Ability to influence and collaborate at all organizational levels, both internally and externally as well as the ability to identify and resolve complex, disputed claims.
- An analytical thinker that can drive results using all facets of the legal and claims processes.
- Commitment to continuous learning and technical development.
- Understanding of and ability to balance both the immediate claim issues as well as the broader portfolio impact and customer service impact of coverage disputes and issues.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to deal effectively with people with conflicting expectations, differing opinions, and multiple viewpoints.
- Post-secondary education in a relevant field (e.g., insurance, law, business) or equivalent combination of education and experience. CIP or Law Degree a plus.
- French language a plus.
- Technical knowledge, skills, and training within the field to include:
- Complex coverage analysis and experience required.
- Confidence in coverage, evaluation and reserving.
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Solid negotiation and settlement skills.
- Familiarity with KPI, Data, and Metrics a plus.
- Occasional travel and off-site meetings are required.
- Axis Culture and Values – everyday demonstrate the Axis behaviors that support and align with Axis values: People, Decisiveness, Excellence and Stronger Together