Senior Motor Underwriter at Santam Insurance

What will you do?

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

We have an amazing opportunity for a seasoned individual to join our organisation within the Underwriting and Reinsurance Services department at Santam Ltd.  The role will be based in Sandton and will form part of our Commercial Underwriting (Motor Underwriting).

JOB DESCRIPTION
• Responsible for balancing growth and profitability of the Motor portfolio (shared responsibility with Broker Services)
• Research and implement appropriate underwriting rules for the Commercial motor portfolio
• Research and benchmark vehicle security requirements and how to apply them, develop reports to support requirements
• Research and benchmark Driving behaviour requirements and how to apply them, develop reports to support requirements
• Research and benchmark vehicle Inspection requirements and how to apply them, develop reports to support requirements
• Research and benchmark the applicability of vehicle accessories and implement improvements
• Research and develop new improve products for motor insurance (Value add and Core products)
• Identify underwriting trends and address pro-actively
• Identify and manage data quality and correction of data
• Research and find ways to utilize data sources to enhance data quality and to automate processes and eliminate the amount of information required from brokers/clients
• Collaborate with Claims staff to identify and resolve any issues around motor claims settlement
• Do claims governance to ensure compliance with underwriting view on settlement of claims and identify gabs in our wording or processes to enhance claims service.
• Assist with transfer of skills to claims staff
• Assist with special commercial motor projects as and when it is necessary
• Manage Car hire agreement, administrate and communicate changes with stakeholders
• Engage with and influence industry stakeholders such as road traffic regulators, RAF, Compulsory Third Party insurance in RSA, SAIA and NAMSA etc. because of Santam’s dependency from a business perspective on the services provided by these stakeholders
• Provide internal stakeholders (e.g. ERM, Compliance Officer, Etc.) with subject matter expertise for all reporting and compliance requirements.
• Provide clarity on policy wording interpretation and indemnification at claims stage
• Draft and Sign-off on policy wordings

Qualifications and Experience

• B. Degree/AIISA or comparable short term insurance qualification
• FAIS compliant (120 credits-commercial insurance)
• Automotive body refinisher or Automotive Mechanic qualification
• 10 years extensive insurance industry experience, specifically in Motor claims, assessment, settlement and training.
• At least 5 years’ experience in assessing motor claims on a senior level
• 5 years Management experience in the motor trade (advantageous)
• Motor Supply Chain Management experience (advantageous)
• Drafting of commercial policy wordings (advantageous)

Knowledge and Skills

• Technical commercial underwriting skills – specifically in motor underwriting
• Short-term insurance knowledge – specifically in commercial business
• Knowledge of South African commercial insurance market products – specifically motor insurance products
• High level knowledge in the relevant repair processes and repair methods for vehicles
• High proficiency in MS Office:  Word, Excel (Advanced), PowerPoint
• Ability to statistically analyse information and data
• Research ability
• Ability to cope with conflicting demands and to prioritise tasks
• Appreciation of insurance, claims and underwriting principles
• Presentation skills
• Planning and organising skills
• Negotiation skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Bilingual (English and Afrikaans)
• Excellent writing skills
• Business analyses
• Performing under pressure
• Problem solving
• Conceptual thinking
• Information seeking
• Producing creative solutions

Competencies

• Collaboration
• Client focus
• Drives results 
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Cultivates innovation
• Enterprising and commercial thinking
• Deciding and initiating action
• Risk Management
• Strategic planning and implementation
• Reporting and Administration
• Quality, compliance and accreditation

About the company:

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. We are a large, diversified, expanding and transforming company and whilst based in South Africa, we are rapidly moving into a number of emerging markets, both in Africa and Asia.

Our success is rooted in our passion for our clients and everything we do is centered on our delivery of Insurance Good and Proper. We’re about people. People drive our business so it follows that we want to recruit the best people possible whether they work for us permanently or for a short time as temporary employees.