Friday, October 9

Careers in Insurance Investigation

Careers in Insurance Investigation, hosted by Career Services took place on 10/7/09 at noon.

Mark Robitaille - Liberty Mutual, Bodily Injury Claims Team
Bentley, 2009, Business Management

Robitaille as a bodily claims specialist where he got experience with negotiation/litigation and internal fraud investigation. He enjoys a career in the insurance industry because every day is different, the job is very analytical, and exposes him to negotiation and litigation.

Katie Nowakowski - Progressive Insurance, Claims Generalist Intermediate
Northeastern University, 2006, Psychology and minor in Business

Nowakowski was unsure what she wanted to do after graduating but was impressed with Progressive's college recruiting program. She started in claims where she contacted customers to find out which side may be at fault. Starting with a focus in property damage, she went to body shops to make sure claims weren't embellished. She later moved onto bodily injury claims with a focus on a determining a person's credibility, "witness potential," and what type of settlement would occur if it were to go to court or be settled.


1. What are some tools that your employer provides to you that make your job easier?


MR: Liberty Mutual provides ongoing training. There are 5-week training sessions that new hires go through to become familiar with the job. Skills such as understanding the specially designed claims system, corporate culture, and how to conduct investigations are the most common.

KN: Progressive also has an extensive new hire training program with different modules (such as how long to give a body shop for a dent, etc.). Progressive provides some employees Ford Escapes which are also known as "an office on wheels."


2. What types of skill do insurance companies look for in insurance investigator applicants?

KN: One with a Type A personality who is friendly and will aggressively attack claims, sees that assignments are done well, and follow through with what they say.

MR: Those with time management skills will do well. Adding onto KN's suggestions, he believes that customers pay a premium and expect a high level of service.


3. What types of leadership experiences, in your experience, are skills that make good supervisors/managers?

KN: Most investigators has police or fire department backgrounds which are often relevant to automobile insurance claims. Be willing to work hard, be good at what you do, and the ability to be promoted is there.

MR: It's very diverse. He has known some from the FBI or police agencies, some from specialized majors, and also talented college graduates like himself are willing to consider different roles in the company.


4. What is the supervisor-employee relationship like? Is there a close relationship or are the two more independent?

Both have relatively flexible schedules depending on case load or personal commitments if you let your supervisor know (sports, family situations)

KN: In her experience, Progressive has a culture that welcomes supportive employee relationships. She shared that more experienced reps have been willing to answer questions and that she's never had a problem asking an available manager for feedback.

MR: Liberty Mutual has an open door policy that employees appreciate and mentoring programs for new hires. Managers are also flexible adapt to the diverse types of employees they work with.