Claims Counsel Representative

Who are we?

Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving customers' property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States. Known as “The Relationship Company®,” we define success as a measure of the relationships we’ve built over time. In everything that we do, we know that delivering a friendly and helpful interaction makes for a better experience for everyone involved. That’s the power of “nice”. At Western National, nice is something we work to bring to every person and organization with whom we partner and serve.

Does this opportunity interest you?

Western National Insurance Group is seeking a Claims Counsel Representative to join our team! 

The individual in this role will have the opportunity to handle complex property and casualty and coverage claims for the company and supervise claims. The individual in this role will perform legal work, including, but not limited to, legal research and coverage analysis. 

What are the responsibilities and opportunities of this role?

• Supports our core business principles of empowerment, accountability, and connectiveness by working collaboratively with claims and legal teams and learning how these values guide daily decision-making.
• Supervises property, casualty and / or coverage civil litigation claims across the United States. 
• Assists claims staff in evaluating legal matters and provides education to department on relevant changes in law or legal trends.
• Appears as needed as an attorney for the company and / or insureds, based on lawyer licensing.
• Shares relevant information with those who may be affected by decisions.
• Analyzes and interprets commercial and personal insurance policies and makes recommendations for the handling and / or resolution of complex civil litigation claims to upper management, including presentation of evaluations and recommendations in large group settings.
• Assists in formulating recommendations with respect to the resolution of complex claims, coverage determinations, and / or the handling of civil litigation matters.
• Deals with complex problems that must be broken down into manageable pieces.
• Sees relationships between problem components and prioritizes them.
• Utilizes knowledge, experience, and available resources to find solutions.
• Participates in development of improvements and helps implement change.
• Maintains regular contact with customers (policyholders, claimants, agents), outside vendors, and employees across the organization.
• Presents on claims-related and / or legal issues and topics in front of various internal and external clients. 
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

What are the must-have qualifications for a candidate?

• Demonstrated knowledge of industry practices, standards, and claims concepts.
• Ability to anticipate legal obstacles and challenges and strategize plans to address them.
• Skillfully negotiate complex settlements. 
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Proficient oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to multitask.
• Proficient use of various core systems, office and computer equipment, and software packages.
• Ability to travel to home office when appropriate.
• Three to five years of litigation experience, preferably litigation involving property, casualty, or commercial and / personal coverage claims issues.
• Minnesota Bar License is required; Wisconsin Bar License is nice to have.

Compensation overview

The targeted hiring range for this role is $93,100 - $128,040, annually. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on the job-related knowledge, skills, credentials, and experience of each candidate, as well as other factors such as the scope and location of the role. Candidates looking for compensation outside of the posted range are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on their individual qualifications and / or may be considered for other positions.

Culture and Total Rewards

Western National has long been known as “The Relationship Company®”, and caring for our employees is part of that relationship commitment. We value connectiveness, empowerment, and accountability, and we believe that our employees are our biggest asset. 

Currently ranked as the 41st largest private company by revenue in Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal), Western National has earned accolades year-over-year as an employer of choice and garnered multiple awards for wellness in the workplace. Western National has also been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for the past four consecutive years. In addition, the Group is consistently recognized as a Ward’s 50 property-and-casualty insurance company for its outstanding financial results.

Western National offers full-time employees a significant Total Rewards Package, including:

• Medical insurance plan options and other standard employee benefits, including dental insurance, vision benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, and more!
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) Plan (participants are eligible for 100% matching on the first 6% of their contributions)
• Wellbeing Program, including onsite fitness studio
• Paid Time Off – including holiday, vacation, and volunteer
• 100% company-paid tuition reimbursement for approved job-relevant coursework and access to The Institutes (Risk and insurance education)
• Paid parental leave
• Bonus opportunities

Western National believes in supporting balance between work and life by providing a flexible work environment, which includes a variety of hybrid and remote work arrangements designed to balance individual, job, department, and company needs. 

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Western National provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

#LI-AN1

#IND123