Position Summary

The Experienced Homeowner Litigation and Appraisal Adjuster is a senior-level individual contributor role within Openly’s Property Claims organization, responsible for managing complex homeowner property claims in litigation and appraisal from assignment through final resolution. This position demands deep technical claims expertise, strong litigation acumen, and the confidence to drive strategy independently on high-stakes files. The right candidate can write and critically review their own estimates, navigate sophisticated coverage questions, manage defense counsel and appraisal panels, and deliver fair, well-reasoned outcomes for every party.

The ideal candidate is a consummate professional who commands every file with proactive ownership and unwavering integrity. They bring urgency and genuine empathy to every interaction, partner effectively with defense counsel and vendors, and thrive in an environment that demands both independent judgment and close collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Litigation & Appraisal Management

• Manage end-to-end handling of HO property claims in litigation and appraisal, from assignment through final resolution, including supplements and post-resolution activity.
• Drive litigation development and strategy on the file, partnering closely with defense counsel and providing clear direction on case posture, exposure, and resolution path.
• Manage the appraisal process from invocation through award, including appraiser selection, umpire engagement, and oversight of scope and methodology.
• Make difficult, independent decisions with confidence and sound judgment, taking ownership of outcomes and escalating appropriately when warranted.

Claim Investigation & Coverage Analysis

• Conduct thorough investigations including review of policy terms, complete coverage analysis, and damages evaluation on complex HO property claims.
• Examine claims for potential subrogation opportunities and identify potential fraudulent issues.
• Issue coverage position letters, reservation of rights, and other formal claim correspondence as needed.

Estimating & File Documentation

• Independently scope and write property damage estimates using Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), applying independent technical judgment to scope and methodology.
• Critically review estimates prepared by public adjusters, contractors, and opposing experts, identifying gaps and unsupported positions.
• Prepare and maintain thorough file documentation, including coverage letters, estimates, activity notes, and settlement documentation.
• Adhere to reserving best practices and update reserves accurately throughout the life of the claim.

Customer Service & Communication

• Provide superior customer service to insureds, claimants, agents, public adjusters, attorneys, and appraisers throughout the claims process.
• Discuss and provide updates to insureds, claimants, agents, attorneys, and leadership throughout the life of the claim, ensuring every party has clarity, confidence, and timely communication.
• Maintain absolute, proactive control of every file — anticipating next steps, setting clear action plans, and driving claims forward without waiting for external prompts.

Negotiation & Independent Decision-Making

• Apply strong verbal negotiation skills to work through complex, high-stakes, and often convoluted claim situations — asking tough questions, identifying gaps in logic or documentation, and securing fair outcomes for all parties.
• Negotiate settlement of claims with insureds, claimants, public adjusters, attorneys, and vendors with fairness, professionalism, and confidence.

Vendor & Partner Collaboration

• Manage and collaborate with vendor partners — including defense counsel, appraisers, umpires, engineers, building consultants, and field inspectors — to drive accurate, efficient, and aligned claim outcomes.
• Provide feedback on process and performance as Openly engages with new litigation partners, helping shape and improve the program.
• Partner with internal functions — including SIU, Subrogation, Legal, and Catastrophe — to drive aligned claim outcomes, and actively contribute to team roundtable discussions.
• Support and mentor peers as needed, sharing expertise on litigation strategy, appraisal handling, and complex estimating.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of HO claims experience, with demonstrated experience handling litigation matters from assignment through resolution
• Proven ability to independently scope and write property estimates in Cotality — not merely reviewing estimates prepared by others, but authoring them with technical precision and scope accuracy
• Experience managing the appraisal process from invocation through award
• Strong verbal negotiation skills and a track record of working collaboratively with defense partners to drive the litigation strategy and resolution
• Experience with formal claim handling, reservation of rights, coverage position letters, and related correspondence
• Active adjuster license(s) or eligibility to obtain licenses in all required states; must maintain licensure as a condition of continued employment
• Experience in a remote or hybrid claims environment, with the ability to work from home without distraction
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Google productivity tools
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively across diverse audiences including policyholders, public adjusters, contractors, experts, and legal counsel
• Strong organization, time management, and multi-tasking abilities
• Tech-savvy with comfort using high-end technology tools for adjusting
• Ability to work highly independently, make difficult decisions without constant direction, and proactively manage a complex workload in a fast-paced team environment
• Agile and change-ready mindset, comfortable with constant change, adaptability, and flexibility in a rapidly growing company

Preferred

• Experience handling claims in Oklahoma and other West Coast states
• Auto Physical Damage (APD) experience
• Innovative mindset with a track record of contributing to process improvement
• Experience with MacBook and Google Suite products in claims handling
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• CPCU, AIC, or other relevant professional designation