Senior Claims Handler

Markel International; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus at FTC end

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Private medical & dental

CII qualifications funded

Flexible working

Career progression

Job summary

Markel International in Leeds is seeking a Senior Claims Handler on an initial one-year fixed-term contract. You will own a diverse caseload across EL, PL, and professional indemnity, handling claims from notification to settlement with autonomy and strategic input.

The role offers a broad, varied workload, opportunities for progression, and a supportive, high-performing culture. Hybrid working is available, with a strong emphasis on client relationships and technical decision-making.

Qualifications

• Experience in claims handling OR a legal background (solicitor / legal exec).
• Exposure to EL/PL/liability claims and professional negligence.
• Ability to manage complex cases independently with strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a diverse, complex caseload from notification to settlement.
• Develop and drive your own claims strategy and work with brokers and solicitors.
• Handle high-value and sometimes high-profile claims while building client relationships.

Skills

Claims handling

Communication

Decision making

Independence

Stakeholder management

Job description

Leeds | Hybrid (4 days office / 1 day home)

The Opportunity:

At Markel, our Care Claims team handles complex, high-impact claims that genuinely matter, supporting organisations and individuals through some of their most challenging moments.

We’re now looking for a Senior Claims Handler to join our Leeds team on an initial one year fixed term contract, giving you the opportunity to step into a well-established, high-performing environment with real scope to grow.

If you’re currently in insurance claims or private practice, this role offers:

• More ownership and autonomy over your cases
• A broader, more varied and interesting caseload
• The chance to move into a strategic, decision-making role
• Better work-life balance without sacrificing technical challenge

What You’ll Be Doing:

You’ll take ownership of a diverse and complex caseload, handling claims across multiple lines, including:

• Employers’ Liability (EL)
• Public Liability (PL)
• Professional Indemnity / Professional Negligence
• Inquests and sensitive safeguarding matters

You’ll also:

• Manage claims from initial notification through to settlement
• Develop and drive your own claims strategy
• Work closely with policyholders, brokers, and solicitors
• Handle high-value and occasionally high-profile claims
• Build strong customer relationships and deliver great outcomes

You’ll have real autonomy, not just process execution, but ownership of decisions

About the Team:

• Specialist Care Claims team (not just injury or casualty)
• Handling multi-line, highly varied work
• Approx. 8 handlers across 2 teams
• Supportive, collaborative, and high-performing culture
• Strong track record of internal promotion and development

You’ll join a team where:

• People genuinely support and learn from each other
• Work is interesting, meaningful, and never repetitive
• There’s exposure beyond claims into clients, projects, and training

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience in claims handling OR a legal background (solicitor / legal exec)
• Exposure to:
• EL / PL / liability claims
• Personal injury or professional negligence
• Ability to manage complex cases independently
• Strong communication and decision-making skills

Highly Desirable:

• Experience in insurance claims environment
• Background in care / healthcare or sensitive claims
• Exposure to multi-line claims

This is a claims role (not a legal career path). You must have a genuine interest in care sector work and should be comfortable with sensitive and sometimes challenging but quality cases.

Why Join Markel?

At Markel, we believe insurance is about helping people when it matters most.

You’ll be part of a business that:

• Puts people first
• Encourages ownership and innovation
• Invests heavily in your long-term development
• Offers a culture that is both high-performing and genuinely supportive

What’s in it for you:

• A great starting salary plus a bonus paid at the end of the FTC & strong benefits package…
• 25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays, with the opportunity to buy / sell extra leave
• Fantastic company pension scheme, private medical and dental cover, life assurance, travel insurance cover, income protection, season ticket loan as well as other great benefits on offer
• Fully funded CII qualifications + structured development
• Clear progression into:
• Senior authority levels
• Technical specialist roles
• Leadership opportunities

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at [e-mail] or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.