Claims Handler – Motor & Third Party Property Damage

Location: York or Colchester (candidates based further north, e.g. Leeds or Manchester, considered if able to travel to York regularly)

The Opportunity

Our client is a leading specialist insurer in the UK market, known for underwriting a diverse and unique range of risks across a number of target sectors – from high-value personal lines through to some of the most innovative technology businesses. Their Third Party Property and Motor claims team is a group of professionals dedicated to providing technical expertise and excellent customer service, managing claims within their authority from first notification through to resolution, and working closely with policyholders, brokers, delegated authority partners and panel solicitors to achieve the best outcomes.

As Claims Handler, you'll be responsible for delivering a high standard of claims service across a varied portfolio of Third Party Property Damage and Motor claims. You'll work closely with underwriters, sharing insight on claim trends and developments to support product, sector and client understanding, and you'll contribute claims expertise to wider business initiatives and projects that enhance the customer experience and overall claims service.

What You'll Be Doing

•        Act as a key internal claims handling and relationship contact on Motor claims for the delegated authority claims handling team and solicitors – taking referrals on policy coverage and strategy, handling claims outside delegated authority, and supporting supplier management for key Motor claims relationships.

•        Manage a portfolio of third party property damage claims under public liability policies with a value of up to £100k, from first notification through to conclusion (pre-litigation through to final hearing or settlement).

•        Demonstrate customer focus throughout the claims lifecycle, with strong stakeholder engagement and a clear focus on good customer outcomes.

•        Review and confirm policy coverage positions, reaching decisions in-house with increasing confidence and autonomy.

•        Set claim strategy, handle claims in-house where possible, and implement claim prevention strategies to reduce formal claims against customers.

•        Select, instruct and actively manage law firms and other experts where necessary, including proactive indemnity and costs management.

•        Liaise and negotiate with clients, brokers, claimants and their representatives, including attending mediations, JSMs and court hearings.

•        Proactively manage your claims portfolio in line with the claims underwriting guide and relevant KPIs/SLAs.

•        Identify fraudulent claims and third-party recovery opportunities, with clear evidence of strategic claims handling.

•        Identify trends and areas of concern, reporting regularly to key stakeholders through meetings and internal training sessions.

•        Develop and manage relationships with key internal stakeholders (underwriters, Customer Relations, Wordings, Conduct) and external stakeholders (insureds, brokers, law firms and other experts), demonstrating commercial awareness throughout.

•        Take referrals from delegated authority partners on coverage, strategy and reallocation to the internal claims team.

•        Provide technical advice and guidance to insureds.

•        Support continuous improvement of the claims operation in line with current strategy, including embracing new technologies and digital tools as they become available.

•        Participate in wider projects and change programmes that may impact your claims area, providing subject matter expert input as agreed with your manager.

•        Obtain, or work towards, relevant professional qualifications (CII, CILEx or equivalent).

Our Must-Haves

•        Experience handling Motor claims, with particular emphasis on policy coverage, gained as an insurance claims handler or within a TPA/delegated authority or law firm environment. Special investigation/fraud experience in motor claims is advantageous.

•        Previous experience handling third party property damage claims under public liability policies is advantageous but not essential.

•        Experience managing claims end-to-end, including instruction of solicitors and oversight of claim strategy.

•        Sound understanding of pre-action protocols and civil litigation.

•        Demonstrable experience applying policy wording and assessing coverage/liability.

•        A background in insurance claims handling or a legal environment (e.g. law firm/paralegal).

•        Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple claims and prioritise effectively under pressure.

•        Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including brokers, solicitors and policyholders.

•        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide reassurance and build trust with customers.