Bond Claims Specialist - Remote

At Selective, we don't just insure uniquely, we employ uniqueness.

Selective is a midsized U.S. domestic property and casualty insurance company with a history of strong, consistent financial performance for nearly 100 years. Selective's unique position as both a leading insurance group and an employer of choice is recognized in a wide variety of awards and honors, including listing in Forbes Best Midsize Employers in 2025 and certification as a Great Place to Work in 2025 for the sixth consecutive year.

Employees are empowered and encouraged to Be Uniquely You by being their true, unique selves and contributing their diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives to our shared success. Together, we are a high-performing team working to serve our customers responsibly by helping to mitigate loss, keep them safe, and restore their lives and businesses after an insured loss occurs.

Manage a caseload of contract surety performance and payment claims, commercial surety and some commercial crime claim files with single bond limits of up to twenty five million dollars and aggregate exposure of up to sixty million dollars. This includes investigating and negotiating assigned claims through telephone, personal contact, including construction site visits and/or written correspondence and managing outside counsel and consultants in the investigation and resolution process. This also includes overseeing the company's interest in bankruptcy proceedings and lien contests with the IRS and others asserting liens against assets falling within the company's rights for salvage.

Also responsible for subrogation and salvage actions where appropriate against the account in claim, its personal guarantors, and potentially responsible parties such as design professionals, accountants and other contractors and their sureties. Provides feedback to underwriting on claim losses and provides underwriting support for new business involving complex transactions. This position will provide input in updating policies and procedures based on trends and evolving regulatory climate. All job duties and responsibilities must be carried out in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

• Effectively evaluate and resolve coverage issues for all types of bond claims. Investigate the claims through telephone, written correspondence, site visits and/or personal contact with claimants, attorneys, principals, witnesses, consultants and others having pertinent information. Conduct searches on investigative databases and perform credit report searches where appropriate.
• Timely analyze information in order to evaluate assigned claims to determine the extent of loss on a particular claim and the likelihood of loss on other bonded obligations with the account in question and determine the options available to the company to resolve the claim such as direct payment to the claimant, payment to a completion contractor or making loans to the existing account and whether to negotiate financing operating agreements with the account's existing secured lender.
• Must be able to analyze construction and design contracts to understand claim exposure and sources of recovery. Must be able to draft construction contracts and other agreements used in providing substitute performance in lieu of direct payments up to the penal sum of the bond in claim, while being mindful of labor, environmental and tax consequences of such agreements.
• Make recommendations on and manage the filing of indemnity and injunctive actions against bond accounts in claim and actions against other potentially responsible parties for recovery, which includes and not limited to: File proofs of claim in bankruptcy proceedings and represent the company on creditor committees on large losses. File or oversee the filing and tracking of financing statements pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code. Effectively evaluate, negotiate and resolve claims within delegated authority (ranging from $100,000 to $400,000) utilizing the appropriate denials or releases and assignments of claims.
• Participate in underwriting watch list meetings to help identify accounts in peril of causing large losses to the company. When asked, assist underwriting on certain complex transactions on new bond business. Regarding fidelity claims, must analyze applications and claim fact patters to identify potential rescission scenarios and coordinate action with the office of general counsel.
• Participates in industry functions such as lobbying, American Bar Association and other claims organizations to stay on top of trends and identify counsel and consultant expertise to assist the company in handling bond claims.
• Provide required reports to claims, underwriting, reinsurance and actuarial on accounts that reach the reinsurance reporting threshold.
• Report on all cases going to trial on a timely basis and attend portions of trials when warranted or were requested by management.
• Ability to handle or oversee Extra-Contractual claims against the Company.
• Must be able to drive an automobile to travel within territory. Travel represents approximately 10-25% of employee's time and a valid driver's license.

Knowledge and Requirements

• Experience in federal and state bond coverage analysis and significant large loss evaluations.
• Superior communication and strategic negotiation and claim disposition skills along with proven problem-solving skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Strong proficiency with standard business-related software including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Sufficient keyboarding proficiency to enter data accurately and efficiently; multi-State licensing.
• Must have valid state-issued driver's license in good standing and be able to drive an automobile.

Education and Experience

• College degree preferred.
• Law degree strongly preferred with admission to and current good standing with at least one state bar.
• 5-10 years of surety claims handling experience with a U.S. Treasury listed surety bond writer.

Selective Insurance offers a total rewards package that includes a competitive base salary, incentive plan eligibility at all levels, and a wide array of benefits designed to help you and your family stay healthy, achieve your financial goals, and balance the demands of your work and personal life. These benefits include comprehensive health care plans, retirement savings plan with company match, discounted Employee Stock Purchase Program, tuition assistance and reimbursement programs, and 20 days of paid time off. Additional details about our total rewards package can be found by visiting our benefits page.

The actual base salary is based on geographic location, and the range is representative of salaries for this role throughout Selective's footprint. Additional considerations include relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and business needs.

Selective is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. That means we respect and value every individual's unique opinions, beliefs, abilities, and perspectives. We are committed to promoting a welcoming culture that celebrates diverse talent, individual identity, different points of view and experiences - and empowers employees to contribute new ideas that support our continued and growing success. Building a highly engaged team is one of our core strategic imperatives, which we believe is enhanced by diversity, equity, and inclusion. We expect and encourage all employees and all of our business partners to embrace, practice, and monitor the attitudes, values, and goals of acceptance; address biases; and foster diversity of viewpoints and opinions.

For Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.