Insurance Claims Specialist

SUMMARY The primary objective of this position is the timely and satisfactory resolution of insurance claim situations resulting from damage to or loss of the vehicle, including negotiation of settlements. The incumbent will be responsible for the effective administration of physical damage/theft vehicle insurance claims involving AutoNation Finance customers and their insurance providers. This position is also responsible for proactively engaging with AutoNation Finance customers whose vehicles have been impounded by private, municipal or other governmental authorities, where AutoNation Finance has determined that it is desirable to assist the customer in retrieving the vehicle from impound. A core function of this role includes initiating contact with impound facilities upon receipt of electronic notifications from various sources and assisting customers through the GAP claims process. Specific responsibilities include investigating, evaluating, and facilitating primary insurer, third-party insurer, GAP, lien holder and repossession claims. These functions involve research, negotiation and interaction with insurers, insured, claimants, repair facilities, auto auctions and attorneys. This associate also serves as a backup resource for team members, providing continuity in negotiations with impound yards, body shops, and mechanical repair facilities as workload or coverage needs require. This individual will primarily interact with insurance providers and impacted customers, but will also have substantial lines of communication with other internal departments, including Collections, Remarketing, Titles, and Loss Recovery. Further interactions include communications with external entities, including tow yards, police departments, dealerships, motor vehicle departments, and third-party vendors such as repossession agents and vehicle transportation services. The successful candidate is self-directed in work prioritization and demonstrates superior judgment-making ability within the scope of the position’s areas of responsibility. The associate will perform all duties in accordance with AutoNation Finance policies and procedures and all state and federal regulations. This position requires working a variable schedule, which may include late evenings and occasional weekends, as directed by management. This position is an onsite position which the pay range is $28-$30 an hour. The selected candidate may be based at either of the following AutoNation locations: AutoNation Business Operations Support Center 2220 Chemsearch Blvd., Suite 150 Irving, TX 75062 OR AutoNation Finance 6 Executive Circle, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92614 ESSENTIAL DUTIES Investigates, evaluates, negotiates and resolves both routine and non-routine insurance claims requiring special handling. Manages caseload to meet service, productivity and quality standards. Administers, processes and settles vehicle claims promptly, protecting AutoNation Finance’s interests. Guides customers through the claim process, ensuring customer understanding of their responsibilities and obligations until full settlement is reached. Examines insurance policies to determine applicability of coverage and the insurer’s liability. Conducts interviews with customers/claimants and witnesses, consults police and/or impound records, and inspects property damage to determine extent of liability. Analyzes and confirms vehicle valuations while negotiating adequate settlements. Reviews possible reimbursement of applicable fees paid by CIG Financial in the event of a repossession or lien holder claim. Initiates outbound contacts with customers regarding resolution of impounded vehicles, assessing the customer’s intentions and needs in facilitating retrieval of the vehicle.  Initiates outbound contact with external parties involved in the retrieval process, including dealerships, insurance companies, police departments, and third-party vendors. Within company guidelines, uses good