With this edition, we are introducing Legacy Link, a new look and perspective that will replace our prior Spotlight column. In Legacy Link, we will highlight the personal side of the business. We hope to give our members a chance to connect by sharing professional experiences, hobbies and ideas that further our networking initiatives, and build our community of runoff claims professionals.
William Teich
Currently: Vice President, Strategic Claim Management, The Hartford Co-Vice Chair, AIRROC Board of Directors
Tell us about your work history and lessons learned.
I have been at The Hartford handling claims in some capacity for the past 32 years. I started in a Hartford all-line field office which was a great learning experience. I moved into environmental claims in the early 1990s handling direct claims for the northeast. From there, I moved to the company’s ceded group and finally to assumed reinsurance, where I currently work. I have learned that there are always new challenges, regardless of which team you are on or how old the business is. It is how you respond to those challenges that defines your work history and the success of your organization. I also learned that it is better to surround yourself with talented people, listen to them, take their advice, and trust them to do their job and do it well. Lastly, I believe continuing education is critical; I found the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriting program (CPCU) to be an outstanding foundation for all aspects of claim work, as well as similar programs such as Associate in Management (AIM), Associate in Reinsurance (ARe), Senior Claim Law Associate (SCLA) and Certified Legacy Insurance Professional (CLIP). I don’t yet have the CLIP designation!
Potential Second Career
I would like to get involved in providing financial advice on a volunteer basis. United Way has a program to provide financial planning and/or tax advice in the Hartford area and I am looking to join that program this fall.
What do you like best about your current position?
I enjoy working with a number of business partners across the industry. The insurance industry is full of talented and interesting people with a wide variety of backgrounds. In assumed and ceded reinsurance claims, the relationships continue forever — even when we commute. I like the work and, while it seems amazing after 20+ years in the runoff business, new things come up on a regular basis. Lastly, The Hartford is a great place to work, which is why I have been there for 32 years.
What is your favorite book?
All of John Grisham’s novels. I love a legal thriller and find all of his books to be a fun read. I can’t wait for the next book to be published.
For the full article, refer to page 25 in the Fall 2018 issue. https://www.airroc.org/assets/docs/matters/AIRROC_Matters_Fall_2018_Vol_14%20No_2.pdf
