You've gotta move at the speed of light.

Why moving fast, staying close to the file, and building trust across the table matters more than any one tactic when the pressure of a nuclear verdict starts to build.

Manny Manuelides is Senior Vice President and Chief Claims Officer at Atain Insurance. In the 8th episode of Claims Conversations with Scott Francis, he talks about why speed, relationships, and a clear-eyed read of the file are the real defenses against runaway verdicts.

Move at the speed of light

Manny's core message is simple: "You've gotta move at the speed of light." In his view, the claims that spiral are often the ones that sit. Time lets assumptions harden, positions become entrenched, and small problems compound. His team is trained to engage early, make decisions quickly, and adjust as new facts come in. "The longer you wait," he says, "the more expensive the conversation gets."

That speed is not about rushing. It's about removing friction from the decision-making process so the right people can act while the file is still flexible.

Stay close to the file

Manny believes senior claims leaders should not be abstracted from the work. He stays close to the files that matter, reviewing details, asking questions, and making sure his team knows he is paying attention. "You can't manage what you don't understand," he says. That proximity helps him spot when a case is drifting and when a small intervention early can prevent a much larger problem later.

It also signals to the team that quality and ownership matter at every level.

Build trust across the table

A recurring theme in Manny's conversation is the value of relationships, not just with internal teams but with outside counsel, brokers, and the other side. He argues that trust and credibility are operational assets. When people believe you are fair and prepared, negotiations move faster and outcomes improve. When they don't, even straightforward cases can become fights.

He points to the importance of picking partners who share the same philosophy and then giving them the context and authority to act.

What to apply on the next file

Manny's advice for any claims professional: look at your oldest open files and ask what would change if you had to decide today. Often the delay is not about missing information; it's about missing momentum. Speeding up the decision, even a small one, can reset the trajectory of a claim.

About Claims Conversations

Claims Conversations is an interview series hosted by amaise General Manager Scott Francis. Each episode is a short, on-the-record conversation with a VP, Director, or Head of Claims about one specific thing that is working in their shop.

Previous episodes

EP.01 - Dale Diamond, VP of Claims, NAMIC Insurance: "How mid-sized carriers punch above their weight on severity."

EP.02 - Mark Konerman, Director of Claims: "Resolving complex injury files before they escalate."

EP.03 - Michelle Raue, Founder & Advisor, Raue Strategic Advisory: "Use AI to take manual work off and let adjusters actually talk to people."

EP.04 - Awais Farooq, Chief Claims Officer, Venbrook: "A good claim is a closed claim."

EP.05 - Mike LaFond, Assistant Vice President of Claims, Pekin Insurance: "Take notes like it's gonna be read aloud in court."

EP.06 - Sherry Merber, Chief Claims Officer, Palms Insurance: "It's all about the people."

EP.07 - Briana Ford, AVP, Head of Excess Claims, Xceedance: "Collaboration, early and often."

Be a guest

If your team has changed something that moved severity, cycle time, or BI outcomes in the last 12 months, email scott.francis@amaise.com.