Barbara Leone Email and Phone Number

Manage team of 5 experienced claims analysts who handle over 500 complex Miscellaneous Professional Liability primary and excess claims. Provide authority for denial letters, settlements, hiring of coverage counsel, non-disclosure agreements, and reservations of rights letters. Make presentations to senior management and underwriters on claims due to severity, trends, and to obtain authority. Identify and report claim trends to underwriters and potential impact on the book. Analyze claim metric data and prepare quarterly business reports on team for senior management. Identify cases for OFAC review, ensure compliance with licensing requirements and adherence to claims best practices. Liaise and collaborate with Legal Department on claims in litigation against the company.

Supervised team of up to 6 claims analysts who handled primary and excess commercial and financial institution Fidelity claims. Managed insurance program relationships with brokers, insureds and underwriters. Strategized with analysts on investigations, coverage issues, reservation of rights letters, denial letters, non-disclosure agreements, reserves, resolution of claims, and potential recovery opportunities. Collaborated with underwriters in drafting new policies and endorsements. Solved customer service issues and coverage disputes. Identified and hired appropriate legal and forensic vendors for claim investigations domestically and internationally. Detected fraudulent insurance claims and strategized with internal Fraud Unit on its investigation and referral to state regulators or law enforcement. Drafted responses to Department of Insurance complaints and collaborated with compliance team on resolution of those complaints. Analyzed and reported claim trends and the impact of recent fidelity case law to underwriters and senior managers.

Supervised team of analysts who handle primary and excess fidelity claims with an unlimited exposure. Strategized with analysts on claims handling, investigation, coverage issues, reserves, and settlement of claims. Managed the monitoring of large exposure claims handled in international satellite offices and report to senior managers in headquarters. Worked closely with underwriters on customer service and underwriting issues. Assisted underwriters in drafting new policies and riders. Solved customer service issues with brokers and insureds. Identified, analyzed and reported claim trends and recent fidelity coverage case law impact for underwriters and senior managers. Assisted senior vice president in managing the profitability of the product line.

Supervised six analysts who handle primary fidelity claims with a maximum exposure of $1,000,000. Evaluated and approved reserve and settlement authority requests. Discussed coverage positions and claims handling issues with insureds, brokers, and attorneys. Review and assist analysts in drafting coverage correspondence and negotiating settlements of claims. Coordinated the identity theft, computer damage, and corporate card policy programs, in addition to the traditional fidelity claims. Hired new analysts, drafted reviews, and recommended salary increases. Made presentations regarding the fidelity policy to other claims department employees and regional staff. Automated the submission of over 100 business credit card Waiver of Liability claims per month.

Investigated and made coverage determinations on fidelity primary and excess claims with a minimum potential exposure of $500,000. Drafted coverage letters, negotiated settlements with insureds, directed and supervised coverage counsel and forensic accountants, and participated in meetings with insureds to discuss coverage and investigations. Presented claims to management for reserve approvals.

Drafted and argued motions, attended court conferences, conducted legal research, drafted position statements for the EEOC, took and defended depositions, conducted harassment and discrimination investigations for clients, drafted reports to insurance companies, and recommended strategy for employment and premises liability litigation.