Simone Klein
Dothan,AL
Summary
Insurance professional with 30 plus years of comprehensive experience overseeing daily operations of a professional liability claims operation. Hardworking and versatile professional well-versed in executing business strategies, preparing and implementing business plans and overseeing financial performance. Thorough knowledge of market changes and trends paired with strong grasp of corporate finance and performance measures.
Committed job seeker with a history of meeting company needs with consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Claims and Litigation
Arthur J. Gallagher
12.2019 - Current
- Oversee team of litigation managers and claims advocates
- Monitor intake of high volume of claim reports annually for professional and general liability claims to assess potential exposure to insureds
- Review all litigation and pre-litigation files for multiple insureds in Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, and Florida
- Determine best path to resolution, reserve setting, and compliance with required file documentation and reporting to insured, captive board of directors and claim committee
- Review and update department guidelines for yearly compliance both internally and with outside panel counsel
- Draft Reservation of Rights letters, Denial letters and Potential Excess letters
- Review and approve monthly panel counsel invoices
- Facilitate and present at all department and board meetings
- Present to Insureds at annual speaking engagements and renewal meetings
- Collaborate with Loss Control, Underwriting and Production Teams on retaining current business and building new business opportunities.
Litigation Manager
Arthur J. Gallagher
Birmingham, AL
10.2013 - Current
- Analyze/Investigate medical malpractice claims and ascertain if they are covered under the policy of insurance
- Responsible for claims and non-claims for multiple insureds in Arkansas, Florida, and Alabama
- Correspond with senior living facilities, insured and defense counsel to keep all parties apprised of claim details and litigation strategy
- Work with assigned counsel to negotiate settlement of claims according to the policy provisions
- Review and authorize payment of all legal invoices for open claim files
- Set expense and indemnity reserves, monitor reserves throughout life of the claim, and keep insureds informed.
Producer and Small Business Owner
State Farm Insurance
Dothan, AL
01.2005 - 01.2011
- Producer in Life, Health, Property and Casualty, as well as Bank and Investment Products
- Recruited and trained licensed agents
- Oversaw day to day operations of a small business
- Partnered with community leaders and business owners to gain recognition and product awareness
- Recognized as effective public speaker for industry promotions and marketing
- Selected to study and produce effective training modules for a new agency management system
- Consulted large commercial accounts on risk management and underwriting
- Created marketing advantages for the agency, fostering a team with the common mission of customer satisfaction.
Claims Specialist
Cincinnati Insurance Company
Dothan, AL
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Investigated, evaluated, and negotiated settlements from a virtual environment
- Rated top claims handler in Alabama for accurate evaluations and timely settlement of claims
- Built solid relationships with all levels within the company, reporting to Sr
- And Executive level professionals
- Trained and assisted new employees in coverage analysis, policy interpretation, claims evaluation, and negotiations
- Effectively utilized granted settlement authority in alternative dispute resolutions as well as direct negotiations.
Claims Team Manager
State Farm Insurance
New Orleans
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Lead 50+ producers and claims professionals to ensure profitability in the region
- Reduced operating expenses in the department by 25%
- Actively recruited and interviewed potential candidates for entry-level and peer-level positions
- Worked directly with the Department of Insurance to resolve complaints and monitor regulatory activity
- Significantly improved a history of low accountability and performance in the team
- Prepared budget and reconciled accounting variances
- Consistently rewarded for leadership and commitment to quality improvement
- Acted as primary contact for software training and pricing database for the Southern zone
- Supervised large loss and litigation cases.
Business Analyst and Training Coordinator
Bloomington, IL
01.1997 - 01.2000
- Lead business analyst responsible for development and implementation of new estimating platform
- Researched and analyzed data from external and internal sources to meet end user’s needs
- Prepared and delivered presentations and marketing proposals to executive level sponsors, overcoming and objections
- Selected as Training Coordinator for Company-wide implementation of the project in all states
- Exceeded project goals for time and accuracy of training platforms
- Created pilot timelines for the project and met aggressive implementation deadlines
- Resolved client issues and evaluated project effectiveness for succession purpose.
Claims Specialist
Louisiana
01.1990 - 01.1997
- Handled first and third party claims in compliance with insurance contracts, laws, and DOI regulations
- Interfaced effectively with policyholders, claimants, physicians, and attorneys
- Assigned incoming claims and monitored process to ensure accurate and timely handling of claims in the department
- Effectively utilized independent settlement authority and monitored claim reserves for accuracy
- Traveled as needed for high profile cases and catastrophe claims, assisting market areas and policyholders effected by storms
- Was recognized and rewarded as being in the top 5% of the claims department based on performance
- Selected as an Arbitrator for the Louisiana Arbitration Panel.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Skills
- Operations Management
- Staff Development
- Multi-state Licensed Insurance Professional
- Hiring and Retention
- Professional Liability Claims
- Negotiations
Community Service
- Adjuster Licensed in Alabama, Florida, Arkansas for Life/Health, Property and Casualty
- Alabama Licensed Producer for Life/Health; Property and Casualty, and Variable products
- Notary Public, Alabama at Large
- Associate in Claims, 1994
- Associate in Management, 1998
- Chartered Property casualty Underwriter (6 parts)
- Service League of Dothan, AL
- Board Member, Chrysalis, A Home for Girls 2022-present
- Sandi McCool Breast Cancer Run, founding partner
Timeline
Director of Claims and Litigation
Arthur J. Gallagher
12.2019 - Current
Litigation Manager
Arthur J. Gallagher
10.2013 - Current
Producer and Small Business Owner
State Farm Insurance
01.2005 - 01.2011
Claims Specialist
Cincinnati Insurance Company
01.2004 - 01.2005
Claims Team Manager
State Farm Insurance
01.2000 - 01.2004
Business Analyst and Training Coordinator
01.1997 - 01.2000
Claims Specialist
01.1990 - 01.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
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