Auto Claims Adjuster
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Auto Claims Adjuster to independently investigate, evaluate, negotiate, and resolve complex automobile insurance claims involving physical damage, disputed liability, comparative negligence, and coverage investigations. The ideal candidate has recent, hands-on auto claims adjusting experience and a proven ability to manage an assigned claims inventory from initial investigation through final settlement.
This role requires strong investigative judgment, technical claims knowledge, proactive file management, and the ability to communicate complex or unfavorable decisions clearly and professionally to policyholders and claimants. Candidates must have personally handled the claims responsibilities outlined below, rather than solely supporting a team or gathering information for another adjuster to make decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Independently manage an assigned inventory of complex auto claims from initial investigation through resolution, maintaining ownership, accountability, and timely follow-through.
- Investigate automobile accidents by reviewing police reports, vehicle photographs, recorded statements, witness accounts, physical evidence, policy language, and other relevant documentation.
- Evaluate liability, disputed liability, and comparative negligence to determine responsibility for accidents and support well-documented claim decisions.
- Conduct coverage investigations to identify and resolve potential policy issues, including questions involving newly acquired vehicles, endorsements, mechanical failure, storage, and other coverage-related circumstances.
- Evaluate, negotiate, and settle first-party and third-party auto physical damage claims, including repair-related decisions and total loss claims, within established settlement authority.
- Determine appropriate investigative steps, obtain supporting documentation, assess damages, and make timely, well-supported coverage, liability, and settlement decisions.
- Prepare and communicate coverage determinations, liability decisions, reservation of rights correspondence, and denial letters when appropriate and within assigned authority.
- Communicate difficult or unfavorable decisions to policyholders, claimants, and other involved parties with professionalism, empathy, and clarity.
- Maintain accurate and complete claim documentation, manage diary activities and follow-ups, prioritize competing demands, and proactively move claims toward closure.
- Negotiate settlements, explain claim outcomes, establish expectations, and provide consistent updates throughout the claims process.
- Use claims management systems, investigation resources, digital collaboration tools, and available data to document decisions and manage claim files efficiently.
- Partner with appraisers, managers, technical resources, and other business partners to resolve complex issues and support appropriate claim outcomes.
- Support catastrophe-response activities and increased workloads as business needs require, including potential evening, weekend, holiday, on-call, and travel requirements.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- High school diploma or GED.
- Minimum of three years of recent, hands-on auto claims adjusting experience.
- Direct experience handling auto physical damage claims, including repair-related claim decisions and settlements.
- Experience independently managing an assigned auto claims inventory from investigation through resolution.
- Hands-on experience investigating auto liability claims, including disputed liability and comparative negligence.
- Experience conducting coverage investigations and personally completing the investigative work necessary to resolve coverage questions.
- Demonstrated ability to review evidence, evaluate liability, document findings, and make or support claim decisions within assigned authority.
- Experience communicating liability and coverage decisions, including difficult or unfavorable outcomes, to policyholders and claimants.
- Strong claim file management skills, including prioritization, diary management, follow-up, documentation, and timely resolution.
- Ability to acquire and maintain all required insurance adjuster licenses within 90 days, within three attempts.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, negotiation skills, and customer service capabilities.
- Ability to work a hybrid schedule in Phoenix and meet applicable workload, scheduling, and catastrophe-response requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Four or more years of recent auto claims adjusting experience involving complex liability and coverage investigations.
- Total loss claims experience, including vehicle valuation, settlement negotiation, and resolution.
- Experience preparing or communicating reservation of rights correspondence and coverage or liability denial letters.
- Experience handling complex coverage questions involving newly acquired vehicles, policy endorsements, mechanical failure, or storage issues.
- Experience using Guidewire ClaimCenter or comparable claims management systems.
- Active insurance adjuster license, including licenses in multiple states.
- Experience mentoring, coaching, or serving as a technical resource to other claims professionals.
- Bachelor's degree.
- U.S. military experience through military service or as a military spouse or domestic partner.
Work Arrangement and Additional Requirements
- The position is based in Phoenix, Arizona; relocation assistance is not available.
- The first 90 days are onsite for structured onboarding, hands-on training, and coaching.
- Following successful completion of onboarding, the role transitions to a hybrid schedule requiring three days per week in the office.
- Candidates must be able to manage an active claims inventory independently and maintain consistent ownership through resolution.
- Additional work outside normal business hours, on-call assignments, and deployment or travel during designated catastrophe events may be required.
- Successful completion of a job-related assessment may be required.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is an experienced adjuster who takes ownership of complex auto claims, conducts independent investigations, evaluates liability and coverage issues, and makes well-supported decisions. This individual is comfortable handling disputed claims, applying comparative negligence, negotiating physical damage settlements, and communicating difficult outcomes while maintaining accurate documentation and moving claims toward resolution.
Candidates must demonstrate recent, personal experience performing the required adjusting responsibilities. General exposure to complex claims or experience limited to administrative support, information gathering, or assisting other adjusters will not satisfy the core requirements.
