Laura Barber
Ball Ground
Summary
Highly skilled TPA Director with extensive experience in insurance claims. Successful in building and providing leadership to the team to provide the oversight and direction to the TPA to improve claims handling and customer satisfaction. Demonstrated ability to improve and maintain relationships with external and internal partners. Committed to actively contributing to advance organizational goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, TPA Oversight
GUARD Insurance
10.2021 - Current
- Lead a team of 7 in overseeing TPA Operations for Programs, including claim processing, compliance with carrier expectations, appropriate reserving, and TPA staffing.
- Train and guide team members to maintain high productivity.
- Lines of business include PD, AL, GL, PL, APD, Tow/trucking, HO, and BOP.
- Complete quarterly TPA audits to ensure handling is in compliance with carrier guidelines.
- Develop and facilitate training for the TPA as areas of needed improvement are identified.
- Oversee counsel panel, work with counsel and adjusters to ensure litigation guidelines are met.
- Mentor and encourage skill development among the team.
- Monitor and interpret TPA data, review for trends and metrics.
- Complete onboarding with new clients and develop and maintain successful relationships.
- Work closely with Underwriting to review the risks on accounts.
- Complete monthly Reinsurance reporting.
Virtual Property Adjuster – Full file handler - Remote
The Hartford
03.2019 - 10.2021
- Investigated HO claims by reviewing policy contracts to determine claim coverage based on cause and facts of loss.
- Developed and maintained working relationships with independent adjusters and contractors to assist in prompt claims handling.
- Review independent adjuster estimates, work with IAs to keep estimates within the estimating guidelines and collaborate estimates as needed.
- Prepared sketch of floor plan and roofline and entered data into Xactimate to develop line-by-line item costs of damages.
- Provided exceptional customer service while navigating sensitive situations involving property loss or destruction due to natural disasters or accidents.
- Handled claim from first contact to resolution.
- Completed mentorship with the Reinspection Team that reviewed files for quality and compliance.
Property Field Adjuster and Desk Adjuster
Independent Adjuster
09.2017 - 01.2019
- EMCO Claims- Residential Field adjuster for Hurricane Florence - Lighthouse
- EMCO Claims – Commercial Desk Adjuster (Remote) – UPC
- Primeco Claims – Residential Field Adjuster for Hurricane IRMA - UPC
- Primeco Claims - Remote and inside Desk Adjuster for CAT claims -UPC
- BrightClaim Inc. – Commercial Field Adjuster for Hurricane IRMA- Citizens
Team Lead/Claim Reviewer
BrightClaim, Inc.
09.2013 - 09.2017
- Fostered strong relationships with team and accounts.
- Evaluated client needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
- Conducted regular progress reviews with individual team members to identify areas for improvement and provide training as needed.
- Review files to ensure each carriers guidelines are met.
- Monitor metric data - established clear performance metrics for the team which helped in tracking progress towards set targets effectively.
- Mentor field staff in Xactimate estimating and coverage application.
- Team Lead for Citizen MCM claims - provided training to independent adjusters in the SE.
- Influenced positive change within the organization through strategic thinking, innovation, problem-solving abilities, and consistent leadership style.
Outside Property Field Adjuster for Personal and Business Lines claims
Travelers Insurance
06.2009 - 07.2013
- Inspect, scope, estimate and settle property losses with appropriate coverage application, completion of Xactimate estimates and issuance of payment.
- Successful deployments on major CAT events and local deployments
- Focus on high level of customer service – focus on first call settlement at inspection.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Team mentor for new hires and coverage investigation
- Proficient in Xactimate
Auto Damage adjuster for Personal Lines and Commercial Lines claims
Travelers Insurance
01.2005 - 06.2009
- Investigate and develop strategy to resolve claims in a timely manner
- Investigate and determine liability and coverage
- Identify subrogation or recovery potential
- Ability to recognize liability and coverage issues
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain rapport with commercial accounts
- Provide high level of customer service to all parties
Paralegal
Robertson, Bodoh & Nasrallah, LLP
07.2003 - 01.2005
- Responsible for file set up and management of cases involving personal injury and product liability;
- Maintain communication with insurance companies involving coverage limits, med pay, and property damage claims
- Draft client correspondence, prepare complaint and discovery documents, demand packages, and court filings;
- Review and research information regarding insurance, medical records, defendant locations and backgrounds and conduct interviews with witnesses;
- Prepare files for litigation;
Education
Paralegal Certificate -
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA01.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Sociology
Purdue University
Fort Wayne, IN01.1991
Skills
- Proven client relationship management
- Dynamic Leadership and team development
- Expertise in claims processing, management and oversight
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Proven success in identifying and resolving challenging situations
- Exceptional decision making skills
Timeline
Director, TPA Oversight
GUARD Insurance
10.2021 - Current
Virtual Property Adjuster – Full file handler - Remote
The Hartford
03.2019 - 10.2021
Property Field Adjuster and Desk Adjuster
Independent Adjuster
09.2017 - 01.2019
Team Lead/Claim Reviewer
BrightClaim, Inc.
09.2013 - 09.2017
Outside Property Field Adjuster for Personal and Business Lines claims
Travelers Insurance
06.2009 - 07.2013
Auto Damage adjuster for Personal Lines and Commercial Lines claims
Travelers Insurance
01.2005 - 06.2009
Paralegal
Robertson, Bodoh & Nasrallah, LLP
07.2003 - 01.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Sociology
Purdue University
Paralegal Certificate -
Kennesaw State University
Similar Profiles
Doran VolkelDoran Volkel
Insurance Support Services / Policy Services Assistant / Business Systems Analyst at GUARD InsuranceInsurance Support Services / Policy Services Assistant / Business Systems Analyst at GUARD Insurance
Julia CrossinJulia Crossin
Complex Liability Claims Representative at GUARD InsuranceComplex Liability Claims Representative at GUARD Insurance
Nina MeagerNina Meager
Senior Customer Service Representative at Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance CompanySenior Customer Service Representative at Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Company
Nicholas WoodallNicholas Woodall
Sergeant/Paramedic at Big Canoe POA Public SafetySergeant/Paramedic at Big Canoe POA Public Safety
Jessica ElliottJessica Elliott
Manager at OTR SolutionsManager at OTR Solutions