Senior Claims Specialist, Personal Lines Accident Benefits

The Opportunity

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada.

If you have experience handling personal lines accident benefits claims, and are looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Zurich Canada is currently looking for a Senior Claims Specialist, Personal Lines Accident Benefits, in our Waterloo office, to handle single and multi-party commercial lines and personal lines claims of low to high exposure and complexity within specific authority limits.

Reporting to the Claims Team Manager, you will ensure that claims are handled in the most efficient, effective way while delivering a customer-centric claims service. This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Zurich Canada uses artificial intelligence–enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including the initial review and screening of applications. Artificial intelligence is not the sole basis for candidate shortlisting or selection. All hiring decisions are reviewed and made by qualified hiring professionals.

Zurich follows a hybrid work model requiring three days per week of in-person presence, which may include time in the office or market-facing engagements.

What you will do

- Handle personal lines accident benefit claims in good faith and in accordance with legislative requirements and best practices
- Handle moderate to complex loss transfer claims
- Determine priority for commercial and personal lines accident benefit claims
- Document claims files by accurately capturing and updating claims data/information in compliance with best practices for single and multi-party personal line claims of moderate to high exposure and complexity, including LAT disputes
- Exercise judgment to determine liability by gathering and analyzing relevant facts, utilizing applicable law, and establishing basic principles of negligence
- Perform policy verification and coverage determination by analyzing applicable coverage for claims and determining whether the loss falls within accident benefits coverage
- Develop case strategies and evaluations to ensure timely resolution of claims, escalating issues as appropriate
- Establish timely reserves and perform ongoing reviews throughout the claims cycle within authority limits by estimating and validating the value of claims
- Assess damages by calculating applicable damages or range of damages allowed by law
- Negotiate settlements by establishing appropriate negotiation strategies and utilizing available tools and resources within authority limits
- Maintain quality standards by following best practices

Job Qualifications - What you bring to the table

- Bachelor’s Degree and 3 or more years of experience in the Claims or Insurance area
OR
- Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice, including an Associate Degree and 3 or more years of experience in Claims or Insurance area
OR
- Completion of Zurich Claims Training Program and 3 or more years of experience in the Claims or Insurance area
OR
- High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5 or more years of experience in the Claims or Insurance area
AND
- Knowledge of insurance regulations, markets, and products
- Microsoft Office experience

Preferred:
- Minimum 3 years of experience handling personal lines accident benefit claims
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills
- Solid time management, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills
- Experience collaborating in a team environment and building cross functional working relationships
- Adept in identifying and explaining complex financial and/or actuarial concepts
- Ability to determine the scope and exposure for moderately complex claims
- Demonstrates understanding of the reserving process for indemnity and expense in analyzing the potential exposure of moderately complex claims
- Ability to develop and execute a negotiation strategy and plan for resolution
- Ability to identify subtleties in customer/client and/or business partner interactions
- Ability to present information necessary to propose a claim resolution to stakeholders

At Zurich Canada, we are committed to pay equity. We determine compensation based on objective criteria such as skills, experience, and internal equity. The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $115,000. This range reflects the expected pay for the role across Canada and may vary depending on factors like office location, specific responsibilities, and individual qualifications. As required by local law, Zurich provides in good faith a reasonable compensation range, but starting salaries may exceed this range based on a candidate’s skills and experience.

Our Culture

- At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work. Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.
- We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact.
- We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health/benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package.
- We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that.
- We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health. Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion.
- We are committed to continuous improvement and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.
- We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources.
- We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and to have received Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.

About Us

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 650 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider combined with in-depth knowledge of industries and local markets. Zurich Canada aspires to be risk management professionals’ first choice as their premier partner to help meet the risk challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at .

A future with Zurich

Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 148 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. We are a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. Today, we serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology and insure 90% of the Fortune 500®. Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, Zurich strives to provide ongoing career development opportunities and foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our people, our customers and the communities we serve.