Property Adjuster

Description

The Property Adjuster is responsible for the end-to-end management of first-party property claims involving high-net-worth homeowners and their residences, property, and lifestyle exposures. This role combines strong technical claims expertise with the judgment, responsiveness, discretion, and service orientation required when working with affluent and high-net-worth clients.

At Vault, the claims experience is an important extension of the client relationship. The Property Adjuster serves as a primary point of contact throughout the claim, coordinating closely with insureds, agents and brokers, personal representatives, vendors, experts, attorneys, and internal partners to deliver a thoughtful, proactive, and efficient resolution.

The successful candidate will understand that high-net-worth claims frequently require a more individualized approach. Losses may involve custom or historic residences, high-end finishes, specialized construction, secondary or seasonal homes, significant contents, complex living arrangements, and clients with unique service expectations. The adjuster is expected to balance technical accuracy, coverage discipline, appropriate expense management, and regulatory compliance with an exceptional client experience.

Job Responsibilities

Claims Management & Technical Expertise

· Manage an active caseload of first-party property claims involving high-net-worth homeowners, including both litigated and non-litigated matters.

· Take ownership of claims from initial assignment through resolution, ensuring appropriate investigation, documentation, communication, reserving, evaluation, and settlement.

· Analyze policy language, facts of loss, damages, and applicable coverage to make timely, well-supported coverage determinations.

· Identify coverage issues and draft clear, accurate, and professional reservation of rights, partial denial, and denial correspondence as appropriate.

· Evaluate claim severity and exposure, establish and maintain accurate reserves, and adjust reserves as new information becomes available.

· Evaluate damages and settlement options and negotiate fair, timely resolutions within assigned authority.

· Identify potential subrogation, recovery, salvage, fraud, and other loss-mitigation opportunities and coordinate appropriate next steps.

· Maintain comprehensive and timely claim file documentation supporting coverage decisions, financial changes, communications, settlement strategy, and claim outcomes.

· Manage assigned claims in accordance with company standards, applicable regulations, licensing requirements, and established service expectations.

High-Net-Worth Client Experience

· Deliver a high-touch, concierge-level claims experience appropriate for Vault’s high-net-worth clientele.

· Establish clear expectations early in the claim and maintain proactive communication with insureds and their authorized representatives throughout the process.

· Adapt communication and claim handling to each client’s individual circumstances, preferences, property, and needs while maintaining consistency with policy terms and claims standards.

· Demonstrate empathy, composure, discretion, and sound judgment when assisting clients through significant or disruptive losses.

· Recognize that complex property losses can substantially affect a client’s residence, family, lifestyle, and personal property, and coordinate the claim accordingly.

· Anticipate potential client concerns, communication gaps, or service issues and work proactively to resolve them before they escalate.

· Explain complex coverage, repair, valuation, and claims matters in clear, straightforward language.

· Coordinate effectively with family offices, personal representatives, attorneys, agents or brokers, property managers, and other authorized client representatives when appropriate.

· Maintain professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive client, financial, property, and personal information.

· Balance exceptional service with consistent application of policy language, claims practices, regulatory requirements, and appropriate financial stewardship.

Property Damage Evaluation & Vendor Management

· Direct independent field adjusters and leverage available technology to investigate losses, document damages, and develop appropriate scopes and estimates.

· Coordinate emergency mitigation and restoration resources to help protect the property and minimize additional damage when necessary.

· Retain, direct, and evaluate the work of appropriate experts, which may include engineers, building consultants, accountants, restoration specialists, contractors, and other technical professionals.

· Effectively evaluate losses involving high-quality construction, custom finishes, specialized materials, significant contents, and other characteristics commonly associated with high-value residences.

· Evaluate repair versus replacement considerations, scope differences, contractor estimates, and expert findings to support accurate claim outcomes.

· Monitor vendor performance, responsiveness, documentation, costs, and quality throughout the life of the claim.

· Coordinate complex or multi-party losses in which several vendors, experts, representatives, or stakeholders are involved.

Complex, Litigated & Large Loss Claims

· Manage complex and high-severity matters requiring heightened technical judgment, communication, documentation, and oversight.

· Retain and direct defense counsel when appropriate and partner effectively on litigation strategy, discovery, evaluation, and resolution.

· Represent the Company in mediations, settlement conferences, examinations, legal proceedings, and other claim-resolution activities as required.

· Develop clear claim strategies for complex or disputed matters and communicate material developments, exposure changes, and recommended resolution strategies to leadership.

· Prepare and present severity claims and large loss during internal claim reviews and large-loss meetings.

· Escalate significant coverage, reputational, financial, service, or litigation concerns appropriately.

Catastrophe Response

· Support catastrophe response activities, including increased claim volumes and travel to affected areas when business needs require.

· Manage catastrophe claims with particular attention to client communication, temporary living needs, mitigation, vendor coordination, and timely resolution.

· Remain composed and service-focused during periods of elevated volume, urgency, or client need.

· Travel approximately 10%, including potential travel associated with large-scale catastrophe events.

Agent, Broker & Internal Partnership

· Build effective working relationships with independent agents, brokers, and other distribution partners while maintaining appropriate claim-handling independence.

· Communicate professionally with agents and brokers regarding claim status, significant developments, and client needs when appropriate.

· Partner with Underwriting and Risk Management to share relevant post-loss observations and support renewal risk assessment consistent with company practices.

· Participate in underwriting discussions when claims experience or property conditions may be material to future risk decisions.

· Collaborate with Finance and Accounting, Actuarial, Sales and Marketing, Risk Management, Operations, Technology, and other functions on claims-related initiatives and projects.

· Provide insights from claim activity that may help identify recurring loss trends, service opportunities, process improvements, or emerging risks.

Reporting, Compliance & Operational Excellence

· Prepare claim summaries, large-loss reports, management updates, and other documentation as required.

· Complete internal and external reporting accurately and within required timeframes.

· Maintain required adjuster licensing and continuing education requirements.

· Manage multiple priorities effectively while