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About the Role

Merchants Insurance Group is seeking an experienced Claims Coverage Counsel or Claims Coverage Administrator for our Corporate Claim Legal Team. This position is responsible for preparing coverage opinions and coverage position letters for claims involving complex coverage issues or disputes, assisting claims professionals in risk transfer evaluation, and directing coverage litigation strategy.

Responsibilities

• Prepares coverage communication consistent with internal quality standards and applicable state regulations.
• Works collaboratively with front-line claims professionals and managers to provide coverage analysis and preparation or review of coverage position letters for claims involving complex coverage issues or disputes.
• Provides legal or coverage guidance to claim professionals handling declaratory judgment actions in which Merchants is a named party.
• Directs outside counsel on litigation strategy.
• Leads claim staff in training involving legal or coverage matters.
• Provides claim legal support to underwriting and product development teams.
• Assists in regulatory compliance programs by providing supplementary research regarding statutes and regulations impacting our business.
• Assesses and directs coverage litigation strategy in conjunction with outside counsel and the claims professional.
• Develops and executes a plan to manage coverage litigation through final resolution.
• Provides legal support to underwriting, product development and regulatory compliance programs.
• Responsible for both first- and third-party coverage review, analysis and decisions for all levels of claims, including those involved in litigation.
• Provides claim, policy, regulatory and legal expertise to all levels of management.
• Reviews all policy forms for updates and revisions, ensuring compliance with state regulations, statutes, and case law.
• Trains all levels of claims staff in matters of policy interpretation, investigatory processes, regulatory compliance, and good faith claims practices.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree preferred, with license in good standing
• Minimum 5 years of insurance coverage experience and/or practicing attorney experience
• Minimum 10 years of technical experience in complex coverage analysis
• Prior leadership experience is highly desired
• Experience with construction and labor law litigation coverage issues related to risk transfer.
• Proven demonstration of creative problem-solving abilities.

Skills

• Proficiency with Westlaw or other legal research applications
• High degree of competency in insurance coverage analysis, policy construction, and legal research with exemplary writing skills.
• Ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training with demonstrated excellent written and oral presentation skills.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills with influence, initiative, and ability to communicate effectively across all levels across an insurance organization to include cross-departmental relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and work in a cooperative manner.

Location

• Buffalo, NY

Work Type

• Hybrid
• Full-time

Experience Level

• 5 years of insurance coverage experience
• 10 years of technical experience in complex coverage analysis

Education Level

• Juris Doctor degree preferred
• CPCU highly desirable

Salary/Compensations

• $100,000 - $145,000

Benefits

• Welcoming and positive work environment.
• Colleague Appreciation Events.
• Flexible work arrangements, including flex scheduling and summer hours.
• Hybrid work schedule.
• Competitive pay scale.
• Generous paid time off package.
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability
• 401(k) employer match amount is 100% up to 6% of your annual contributions.
• Outstanding company bonus program.
• Tuition Reimbursement.

About the Company

• Merchants Insurance Group is a leading Property and Casualty Insurer in the Northeast.
• Merchants Insurance Group is rated A- (Excellent) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best.
• Consistently recognized as a top employer and high-performing organization.
• Best Places to Work in Western New York (Buffalo Business First, 2023–2026)
• New York #1 Commercial Insurer (Big I, New York 2026)
• Fast Track Company (2019–2025) and Top Private Company (2019–2025)
• Ward’s 50® top-performing property-casualty insurer (2021–2024)
• Ivans Spark Award for Innovation (2024–2025)
• Named to Newsweek and Statista’s America’s Most Reliable Companies list (2025), ranked among the top 300 of 1,500 B2B organizations evaluated.

Equal Opportunity

• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
• Merchants Insurance Group supports a safe workplace through pre-employment background screenings.