Internal Coverage Counsel – Claims

Location: Van Wert, OH; Dublin, OH; Alpharetta, GA; Irving, TXWork Model: Hybrid or Remote based on location Position type: Full time - salary    We are a team of employees who are passionate to deliver best in-class customer service and innovation in the industry. It’s because we put Integrity, Relationships and Excellence in all aspects of our work. Our employees have the opportunity to fully utilize their talents and bring their best self.  We believe that who you are is just as important as what you do! Key Responsibilities of the Role   Leadership and Culture Supports operational teams and senior management by providing timely, consistent, and defensible coverage guidance aligned with policy intent and claim handling best practices Serves as a centralized internal resource for coverage interpretation, promoting consistency across claim teams, jurisdictions, and lines of business Communicates clearly and proactively with Claims, Underwriting, Insurance Product, and other stakeholders to enable effective risk decisions and reduce friction created by inconsistent coverage positions Promotes sound legal governance, including appropriate management of attorney-client privilege and documentation practices in claims and coverage consultations Claims Coverage Support Provides legal analysis and guidance on personal lines and complex commercial lines claims involving coverage questions, including interpretation of forms, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, tenders, additional insured issues, and priority/other insurance disputes Reviews and standardizes key coverage correspondence, including reservations of rights, coverage position letters, denial letters, non-waiver agreements, and tender response communications Conducts targeted legal research and prepares written coverage assessments and recommendations for claim professionals and leadership, including identification of escalation triggers and extra-contractual exposure considerations Develops and maintains reusable work product (templates, playbooks, issue-spotting tools, and guidance notes) to improve quality and speed of coverage decisioning Implements and supports an intake, triage, and prioritization approach for coverage requests; establishes service expectations and feedback loops with claim teams Manages the use of outside counsel for novel, high complexity, or high exposure coverage matters; scopes assignments appropriately, enforces budget discipline, and captures lessons learned for internal knowledge sharing Delivers training to claim professionals on recurring coverage issues, quality documentation, and best practices for defensible coverage communications Insurance Product and Underwriting Support Provides coverage and form interpretation support to Insurance Product and Underwriting on personal lines and commercial lines to enable consistent underwriting intent and claim outcomes Participates in form and endorsement reviews, offering recommendations to improve clarity, reduce ambiguity, and minimize preventable coverage disputes Identifies recurring coverage issues and claim dispute drivers and communicates actionable insights to Product and Underwriting, including opportunities for wording clarification or process improvements Participates in cross-functional working sessions to align coverage interpretation, underwriting strategy, and claims handling practices as the organization grows or expands into new markets Claims Compliance Support Provides targeted guidance to support regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and adherence to claims handling standards, including documentation, timeliness, and required notices Supports Medicare-related and other claims compliance obligations as applicable by providing process guidance and training to reduce operational risk Assists with development of practical compliance tools and reference materials that improve consistency and reduce avoidable handling defects   Required Qualifications   Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school Active license and good standing to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction 8 years of experience in insurance coverage, claims legal support, and/or insurance litigation with substantial commercial lines property and casualty exposure   Preferred Qualifications   Prior in-house experience at a property and casualty insurer supporting claims operations and/or insurance product teams Experience supporting both personal and commercial lines product development, forms, endorsements, or underwriting coverage consultation Familiarity with multi-state claims handling requirements and both personal and commercial lines coverage trends Insurance industry designation(s) (e.g., CPCU) or other relevant credentials  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to translate legal and policy language into practical guidance for claim professionals and business partners Demonstrated ability to produce clear, well-reasoned written analysis and draft high-quality coverage correspondence Deep knowledge of commercial lines coverage analysis, including policy interpretation, exclusions and conditions, additional insured/contractual risk transfer issues, tenders, allocation, and priority of coverage concepts Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly to non-lawyers and influence outcomes across multiple stakeholders Strong legal research and analytical skills with sound judgment and discretion in managing sensitive matters and attorney-client privileged communications Operational mindset with the ability to standardize and improve workflows, templates, and guidance to increase consistency and efficiency in coverage decisioning Strong collaboration skills across Claims, Underwriting, Insurance Product, Compliance, and external partners; ability to manage competing priorities and deliver timely guidance in a fast-paced environment Ability to travel occasionally for business needs, training, mediations, or significant claim reviews, including overnight as required Ability to understand Central Insurance’s policies and processes       Total Rewards Central establishes base pay based on several factors including labor market data and an evaluation of candidate qualifications relative to role requirements. Base pay is one component of a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support employees’ financial, health, career, and retirement objectives. Central provides extensive health and wellness benefits to promote flexibility, work-life balance, and long-term financial security. For more information, see Central Insurance Benefits