Field Claims Specialist III, Agribusiness Catastrophe Response

If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them at a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, as well as innovating and simplifying processes and operations to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers and partners are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

This is a field-based role on the Agribusiness Catastrophe Response team.  The position will specialize in farm/agribusiness property claims of varying complexity.  This position is responsible for managing farmowners and commercial agribusiness property claims in response to catastrophic events across the country. As a field-based adjuster, you will be deployed to areas impacted by disasters—such as pocket wind/hail events, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or other major events—to assess damages, support policyholders, and help communities begin the recovery process. The role requires extensive travel (up to 80%), often on short notice, and the ability to work in high-pressure, fast-paced environment. Additionally, virtual work will be performed as needed.

You will regularly engage in direct interactions clearly explaining coverage decisions, setting expectations, and delivering best in class service with empathy and professionalism. The ability to remain composed and compassionate in the face of loss, frustration, or uncertainty is essential. Strong communication skills and emotional resilience are critical, as you’ll be guiding customers through some of the most challenging moments of their lives.  

In this role, you’ll conduct on-site inspections, evaluate property damages, determine coverage, and make timely, accurate decisions using a variety of tools and resources, including vendor estimates, independent adjusters, and self-written assessments. You'll also be responsible for full file ownership, maintaining appropriate reserves, managing claim activity, ensuring compliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements, and providing proactive communication with external customers throughout each stage of the claim. Collaboration with internal teams such as Special Investigations and Subrogation may be required to identify fraud or recovery opportunities. Staying current on industry repair practices, regional pricing trends, and legal developments is key to success.   

Ideal candidates will have:

• 5+ years of commercial and/or property field-based claims handling or adjusting experience.

• Farm/Agribusiness claims handling experience (preferred). 

• Proficiency with Xactimate

• Strong estimating and damage assessment skills.

• Ability to handle claims of varying complexity from start to finish.

• Prior experience working on-site in a catastrophe environment.

• Demonstrated strong customer service competency.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Drone licenese preferred
   

Ideal candidates will be located:

• IA, IL, IN, OH, KS, NE

• Other Locations: PA, TN, WI, MN

Job Description Summary

No two property claims are ever the same and each customer has unique needs. Our team thrives on providing the very best service and building lasting, successful relationships with our customers. If you are confident, curious, driven to learn and grow, and have a desire to help people when they most need it, we want to know more about you!

As a National Catastrophe (NATCAT) Field Claims Specialist supporting Commercial Lines (CL) business, you'll resolve serious exposure claims requiring investigation, liability evaluation and negotiation by phone and face-to-face. We'll count on you to expedite settlements and control average loss cost and litigation expense according to the best claims practices.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Handles all assigned claims promptly and effectively, with little direction and oversight, which may include complex and catastrophic losses. Makes decisions within delegated authority, recommends settlement values in the disposition of claims as outlined in company policies and procedures.

• Determines proper policy coverages and applies standard methodologies to conclude assigned cases according to company guidelines. Adheres to high standards of professional conduct while delivering outstanding service.

• Opens, closes and adjusts reserves according to company practices to ensure reserve adequacy. Adheres to file conferencing notification and authority procedures.

• Maintains current knowledge of assigned insurance lines; court decisions which may impact the claims function; current guidelines; and policy changes and modifications. This may require attending various seminars or training sessions.

• Maintains current knowledge of local industry repair procedures and local market pricing.

• Able to act for the Claims Manager. Mentors and provides leadership to less experienced claims associates. Provides one-on-one training and helps with training/presentations as assigned by claims management.

• Partners with Special Investigation Unit and Subrogation to identify fraud and subrogation opportunities. Assists or prepares files for suit, trial or subrogation.

• Initiates and conducts follow-ups through proficient use of the claims and other related business systems.

• Delivers outstanding customer service experience to all internal, external, current and prospective Nationwide customers.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Claims Manager. Individual contributor role.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate studies in business administration or related field preferred and/or validated experience.

License/Certification/Designation: Successful completion of required claims certification schools/courses. Professional development such as IIA or CPCU preferred. State licensing where required.

Experience: Five years of experience handling property claims, insurance processing or field claims adjusting, or comparable job-related experience or education preferred. Commercial claims property experience preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Demonstrated knowledge of insurance theory and practices, insurance contracts and their application. Sophisticated knowledge of property claims standard methodologies and the legal aspects of court procedures affecting legal liability for all lines of insurance. Excellent customer service skills and confirmed ability to meet customer needs and provide meaningful service by advising customers of the claims process and ensuring a positive customer experience. Sophisticated analytical and problem-solving skills needed to make decisions and resolve issues related to application of coverage to submitted claims, application of laws of jurisdiction to investigation facts, application of policy exclusions and exceptions. Validated ability to establish repair requirements and cost estimates for property losses. Validated organizational skills to appropriately prioritize work. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate and/or advise policyholders, claimants, repair persons, attorneys, physicians, agents and general public. Ability to operate personal computer and related claims and business software.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the business unit executive and HR Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office or field claims environment. Able to make physical inspections of property loss sites; climb ladders, balance at various heights, stoop, and bend and/or crawl to inspect vehicles and structures; to work out-of- doors in all types of weather. Must be willing to work irregular hours and to travel with possible overnight requirements. May be on-call. Must be available to work catastrophes (CAT). Extended and/or non-standard hours as required. Must have a valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

Credit/Background Check: Due to the fiduciary accountability within this job, a valid credit check and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.

Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations. For more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at 888-944-2247.

NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:

We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.

Nationwide pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule.

The national salary range for Field Claims Specialist III, National Catastrophe Property - Commercial Lines : $88,000.00-$164,000.00

The expected starting salary range for Field Claims Specialist III, National Catastrophe Property - Commercial Lines : $88,000.00 - $132,000.00