Claim Litigation Specialist

Navigate complex claims and drive effective resolutions.

Hastings Insurance is seeking an experienced Claim Litigation Specialist to join our Legal team. In this specialized role, you'll investigate, evaluate, and resolve complex coverage and high-exposure claims, including litigated and non-litigated matters across multiple jurisdictions.

You'll manage an assigned caseload, working closely with attorneys, insureds, claimants, and other stakeholders to develop effective claim and litigation strategies. From evaluating coverage and establishing reserves to negotiating settlements and participating in legal proceedings, you'll play an important role in achieving fair, timely, and cost-effective claim resolutions.

As a technical resource to fellow claims professionals, you'll also share your expertise in coverage interpretation, litigation management, and settlement strategies, helping strengthen our overall claim handling capabilities.

What You'll Do:

• Manage a caseload of complex coverage and high-exposure claims, including litigated and non-litigated matters, from investigation through resolution.
• Investigate and evaluate claim exposures, analyze applicable policy coverage, and develop appropriate claim handling and settlement strategies.
• Collaborate with defense counsel, insureds, claimants, attorneys, and other involved parties to support effective litigation management and claim resolution.
• Evaluate and negotiate settlements, exercising sound judgment and decision-making within established authority levels.
• Establish, evaluate, and maintain appropriate claim reserves based on exposure, anticipated costs, and potential settlement or litigation outcomes.
• Participate in mediations, arbitrations, hearings, trials, and other legal proceedings as necessary.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for subrogation, salvage, and loss mitigation while ensuring cost-effective use of outside vendors and professional services.
• Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely claim documentation in accordance with company procedures, established guidelines, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Identify potential indicators of fraud and coordinate appropriate referrals to the Special Investigations Unit.
• Serve as a technical resource to other claims professionals on complex coverage matters, reserving, litigation strategies, and settlement evaluations, providing guidance and mentorship as appropriate.
• Collaborate with internal departments to communicate relevant claim developments, emerging trends, and potential areas of exposure.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of insurance education and professional experience required.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible property and casualty insurance claims experience required.
• Ten or more years of claims experience, including commercial claims and litigation handling, preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of complex coverage issues, high-exposure claims, litigation processes, and settlement negotiations.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate complex information and develop effective claim resolution strategies.
• Proven negotiation and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to navigate challenging situations while maintaining productive professional relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with attorneys, policyholders, claimants, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to independently manage competing priorities and a complex caseload.
• Proficiency with claims management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Professional insurance designation, or active pursuit of a designation, preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain applicable state adjuster licenses and continuing education requirements, as necessary.

Location & Schedule:

This is a full-time, salaried position working Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position offers a remote work arrangement for candidates residing in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, or Wisconsin.

Preference will be given to candidates residing in the greater Detroit, Michigan, or Toledo, Ohio, areas due to the frequency of in-person mediations and other litigation-related proceedings throughout the region. However, qualified candidates residing elsewhere within our five-state operating region will be considered.

Occasional travel is required, with overnight travel dependent upon the employee's location and business needs. Candidates residing outside the preferred geographic area should anticipate approximately 10% overnight travel.

About Hastings Insurance:

For more than 135 years, Hastings Insurance has helped individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most. As a trusted partner to independent agents and policyholders, we've earned a reputation for financial strength, exceptional service, and long-term stability, including an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from A.M. Best.

While we're proud of our history, we're equally focused on the future. We're investing in technology, strengthening partnerships with independent agents, and continuously evolving our products and services to meet the changing needs of our customers.

Just as importantly, we're investing in our people. Employees enjoy a collaborative, down-to-earth culture where initiative is valued, growth is encouraged, and good work is recognized. We offer competitive pay and benefits, including a 401(k) with company matching contributions, generous paid time off, tuition and professional development assistance, and company performance-based incentive compensation opportunities.

Our Organizational Commitment:

At Hastings Insurance, we believe our people are our greatest strength. We foster a workplace where employees are treated with respect, supported in their growth, and empowered to contribute. We know that diverse perspectives lead to stronger collaboration, better decisions, and better outcomes for our customers and communities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to any legally protected characteristic.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at 800-442-8277.