Insurance Claims, Agency, Underwriting, Operations

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Chief Claims Officer, State Operations Officer, Regional Vice President, Chief Operations Officer - Nationwide Insurance [retired] I began my insurance career as an adjuster-trainee, and over the next 40 years, I worked through many Claims and General Management assignments to ultimately become Nationwide's first Chief Claims Officer. I was also cross- trained in Underwriting and Sales / Agency Operations and assigned to large business territories as both a Regional Manager and a State Officer, with full P/L responsibility for the Sales Agents, Underwriters and Claims associates. Initially, I led the Philadelphia market area and was subsequently promoted to manage the State of Michigan. As a hands-on leader with strong experience in both P/C general management and all aspects of Claims, I offer expertise across the entire Property & Casualty spectrum. Retiring from my role as Chief Claims Officer in 2019, I was responsible for all claims operations countrywide, across all lines of coverage and every business unit. I partnered very closely with our General Counsel teams and I held decision-making authority over all claims-related litigation, including extracontractual and bad faith situations. Throughout my career, I led Auto, Homeowners, Commercial, Agribusiness, Excess & Surplus [Scottsdale Insurance], Environmental / Asbestos, Pet & Veterinary, as well as the National Catastrophe group and Nationwide's Special Investigations anti-fraud teams. Throughout my career, I also developed and installed all forms of audit, quality-control and Best Practices processes. I was deeply involved with assessing and grading claims/sales/underwriting performance and this experience helps me withstand the occasional Daubert challenge that seeks to imply distance/unfamiliarity with frontline performance. I am deeply familiar with claims coverage interpretation, best practices, bad faith situations, limits, exclusions, claims procedures, NAIC model regulations, market conduct exams, liability investigations, contract interpretation, secondary evidence, automotive repair/estimating and building construction. As a general manager, I led the Agency Sales, Claims and Underwriting departments that included front-line and management levels. I held full P & L responsibility for these profit centers and worked very closely with our senior underwriting and product/contract development teams, product pricing, sales leadership, corporate marketing, human resources and information technology teams. I understand how Agents and Underwriting operate, as well as Claims. I am familiar with every business/operational component of the Property & Casualty industry. I try balance my work between plaintiffs and defendants, seeking to achieve a 50/50 ratio. I prefer to enter a case early, and as a Consultant. I review the available materials, and provide an honest, objective assessment. If we concur, the relationship then shifts to the expert witness role. This process supports the integrity of my opinions and works to create a timely and effective meeting of the minds. I am currently available for work across the lower 48 States. My direct email is: davebano212@gmail.com and my LinkedIn address is: linkedin.com/in/dave-bano-33577011/ If I can be of assistance, please contact me. Please click on my complete SEAK listing, and/or my CV for additional information. Thank you.