Karen Garcia Torres
Split
Summary
Dynamic Claims Specialist with extensive experience at Progressive Insurance Company, adept at liability determination and claims evaluation. Proven track record in negotiating settlements and advocating for clients, while excelling in customer service and team collaboration. Bilingual in Spanish and English, leveraging strong communication skills to enhance client relations and drive successful outcomes.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
CLAIMS SPECIALIST SPECIALIST - LARGE LOSS LITE
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY
TAMPA/NEW PORT RICHEY
06.2024 - 04.2025
- Conduct in-depth investigations of complex and high-risk claims, including those involving litigation or attorney representation
- Gather and analyze information from claimants, police officers, medical professionals, and witnesses to establish a comprehensive understanding of the incident
- Determine insurance coverage and legal liability based on policy terms, investigative findings, and applicable laws
- Evaluate the total value of claims, factoring in medical costs, property damage, lost wages, and other relevant expenses
- Collaborate with legal counsel and medical experts to interpret complex reports and support claim decisions in litigated cases
- Document all findings, communications, and decisions thoroughly to ensure accuracy, compliance, and regulatory adherence
CLAIMS SPECIALIST INTERMEDIATE - ARBI
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY
TAMPA/NEW PORT RICHEY
07.2023 - 06.2024
- Evaluated personal injury claims and contractual exposures as locally defined.
- Identified questionable aspects of claims and refers such claims for an independent medical examination or accident investigation.
- Evaluated and settled attorney represented bodily injury claims while utilizing evaluation tools and abiding my established processes such as ISO, Medical records provided by attorneys, MDP, and LNAV.
- Completed policy disclosures at the request of attorneys.
- Accurately set reserves for claims.
- Advocated for Progressive's Insureds while also protecting insured by securing FULL and FINAL bodily injury releases.
- Conducted complex liability investigations to rule out shared liability on insureds, when liability is not clear.
- Negotiated with attorneys for multiple competing claims and claims where litigation has been filed and insured not served.
- Reviewed and responded to verbal and written demands made by attorneys.
CLAIMS GENERALIST INTERMEDIATE - URBI | QUALIFIED SUPERVISOR
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY
TAMPA/NEW PORT RICHEY
03.2021 - 07.2023
- Responsible for the accurate and efficient handling of personal auto claims.
- Evaluated and settled Unrepresented bodily injury claims by utilizing all tools available to me, such as BODILY INJURY calculator, ISO, and med authorizations signed by claimants.
- Pursued early settlement opportunities with injured person.
- Advocated for Progressive's Insureds while also protecting insured by securing FULL and FINAL bodily injury releases.
- Conducted complex liability investigations to rule out shared liability on insureds, when liability is not clear.
- Negotiated with customers when claims cannot be settled in full.
- Reviewed and responded to verbal and written demands made by claimants.
- Completed Policy Disclosures when requested by claimants, or when claimants have retained legal representation after settling their BODILY INJURY claims.
- Qualified Supervisor providing coaching, direction and development to a team consisting of 6-8 individual contributors.
CLAIMS GENERALIST ASSOCIATE
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY
TAMPA/NEW PORT RICHEY
03.2020 - 03.2021
- Responsible for the accurate and efficient handling of personal auto claims.
- Prioritized and efficiently managed the workload and maintained a low inventory of active claims.
- Conducted holistic liability investigations by reviewing photos, police reports, accident scene maps, and securing interviews with insureds, claimants, and witnesses, among others.
- Advocated for insured by making accurate decisions while protecting insureds from risk. Identified, investigated, and resolved coverage issues when appropriate while following company guidelines and elevating such issues to specialized teams when warranted.
- Scheduled and managed vehicle inspection and repairs while collaborating with internal partners and third-party providers.
- Successfully negotiated various aspects within the claim, such as Liability Decisions, Total Loss Settlements, and Property Damage Excess Claims.
- Collaborated with teammates by providing guidance and advice based on knowledge and past claims handling experience and actively assisting with their claims as needed.
- Consistently supported the Region by being available to take calls with the goal of providing an excellent claims experience across the company.
RETAIL INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST
THIRDCHANNEL
TAMPA
05.2019 - 03.2020
- Merchandising for different brand such as: 4moms, Honest co, naturpedic and Privé Reveux.
- Manage a monthly calendar of retail store visits (up to 20 hours per month).
- Work on product displays, pull product out of back stock, and merchandise/replenish displays as needed.
- Use ThirdChannel technology on a smart device to collect crucial data.
- Engage with consumers and provide sales support/brand education to retail associates.
- Provided timely briefings on current events to senior leadership regarding threat landscapes.
HR RECRUITER
TAMPA BUSINESS CENTRE
TAMPA
11.2017 - 04.2019
- Schedule the candidates that apply and booked them for the first and second round interviews.
- Screen applications of the candidates to select the ones that fit better for the position.
- Manage the calendar for interviews and orientations for the Managers.
- Conduct preliminary and second round interviews.
Corporate Trainer and Sales Representative
TAMPA BUSINESS CENTRE
TAMPA
11.2017 - 05.2018
- Train and develop the new account executives about the product knowledge of the campaign.
- Manage different territories of Sales at events, retail and residential.
CO-FOUNDER
TUDOR, GARCIA Y ASOCIADOS, S.C. (LAW FIRM)
BARQUISIMETO
07.2012 - 04.2016
- Nominal Member and Administrative Director.
- Follow the cases of the law firm at Court, managing the agenda for the Law firm and the agenda for the hearings at court.
- Visit the corporate clients of the law firm to develop their cases.
Associate Attorney
ASESORES LABORALES (LAW FIRM)
BARQUISIMETO
01.2008 - 07.2012
- Collaborated with colleagues from other disciplines such as accounting or finance when handling certain types of cases.
- Analyzed complex factual scenarios involving multiple parties or entities.
- Developed strategies for cases that are pending or anticipated to be filed in court.
- Advised clients about their rights under existing laws pertaining to intellectual property issues.
- Provided legal advice to clients on a variety of matters related to corporate law.
Legal Assistant
ASESORES LABORALES (LAW FIRM)
BARQUISIMETO
07.2003 - 01.2008
- Scanned physical documents into electronic format for storage in a secure database system.
- Processed incoming mail on a daily basis.
- Greeted clients upon arrival at office and provided assistance as needed.
- Conducted interviews with potential witnesses to obtain statements relevant to pending cases.
- Researched case law, statutes, regulations and other legal authorities to support assigned tasks.
Education
Post-grade - Public Law
UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA ANDRES BELLO
VENEZUELA01.2011
Bachelor Degree - Law
UNIVERSIDAD FERMIN TORO
VENEZUELA01.2008
Skills
- Native Spanish
- English Advance
- Manage Social Media
- Legal research
- Microsoft Office
- Word
- Excel
- Powerpoint
- Windows
- IOS
- Safari
- Firefox
- Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Negotiation strategies
- Liability determination
- Claims evaluation
- Risk assessment
- Customer service
- Team collaboration
- Time management
Accomplishments
- General Manager Award - Progressive Insurance Company December 2022
Timeline
CLAIMS SPECIALIST SPECIALIST - LARGE LOSS LITE
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY
06.2024 - 04.2025
CLAIMS SPECIALIST INTERMEDIATE - ARBI
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY
07.2023 - 06.2024
CLAIMS GENERALIST INTERMEDIATE - URBI | QUALIFIED SUPERVISOR
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY
03.2021 - 07.2023
CLAIMS GENERALIST ASSOCIATE
PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY
03.2020 - 03.2021
RETAIL INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST
THIRDCHANNEL
05.2019 - 03.2020
HR RECRUITER
TAMPA BUSINESS CENTRE
11.2017 - 04.2019
Corporate Trainer and Sales Representative
TAMPA BUSINESS CENTRE
11.2017 - 05.2018
CO-FOUNDER
TUDOR, GARCIA Y ASOCIADOS, S.C. (LAW FIRM)
07.2012 - 04.2016
Associate Attorney
ASESORES LABORALES (LAW FIRM)
01.2008 - 07.2012
Legal Assistant
ASESORES LABORALES (LAW FIRM)
07.2003 - 01.2008
Post-grade - Public Law
UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA ANDRES BELLO
Bachelor Degree - Law
UNIVERSIDAD FERMIN TORO
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