Insurance Underwriter - Liability Specialist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Remote working arrangement

Medical and retirement benefits

Career growth opportunities

Exposure to diverse liability risks

Profit-sharing opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Liability Underwriter to join a remote-first team serving South Africa, with a focus on the North West region. The ideal candidate will assess professional indemnity, public liability, and D&O exposures, structure sound insurance solutions, and manage broker relationships.

The role demands strong analytical skills, legal and risk-management understanding, and the ability to work independently in a remote setup across the country.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of underwriting experience in commercial liability.
• Strong knowledge of professional indemnity, public liability, and D&O.
• Ability to work remotely with brokers and internal stakeholders.
• Understanding of South African regulatory landscape and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite new and existing liability insurance business, setting terms and premiums.
• Analyze financial statements, exposures, and legal docs to evaluate risk.
• Build relationships with brokers and agents.
• Collaborate with claims to understand loss trends and inform decisions.
• Adhere to underwriting guidelines, authority levels, and profitability targets.
• Identify strategies to grow the liability book profitably.
• Keep abreast of legislation and industry best practices affecting liability.
• Provide technical underwriting support to junior underwriters.
• Contribute to development of new liability products and tools.
• Manage a portfolio of accounts and renew policies on time.

Skills

Underwriting

Liability insurance

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Education

Law/Commerce/Insurance degree

Tools

Underwriting systems

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading specialist insurer, is actively seeking an experienced Liability Underwriter to join their expanding, remote-first team. This critical role focuses on evaluating and accepting complex liability risks for businesses across **South Africa**. You will be instrumental in assessing exposures related to professional indemnity, public liability, directors and officers liability, and other commercial liability lines. The successful candidate will possess a sharp analytical mind, a deep understanding of legal frameworks governing liability, and the ability to structure appropriate insurance solutions. This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility and autonomy while requiring proactive engagement with brokers and internal stakeholders. We are looking for a meticulous professional ready to contribute to our client's growth and risk management strategies from anywhere in the country, with a focus on serving the **North West** region and beyond. Your expertise will be vital in ensuring profitable growth within the liability portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Underwrite new and existing liability insurance business, assessing risks and determining appropriate terms, conditions, and premiums.
• Analyze financial statements, operational exposures, and legal documentation to evaluate risk profiles.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with insurance brokers and agents.
• Collaborate with the claims department to understand loss trends and inform underwriting decisions.
• Ensure adherence to underwriting guidelines, authority levels, and profitability targets.
• Identify and implement strategies to grow the liability book of business profitably.
• Stay informed about changes in legislation, case law, and industry best practices affecting liability insurance.
• Provide technical underwriting support and guidance to junior underwriters and other team members.
• Contribute to the development of new liability products and underwriting tools.
• Manage a portfolio of accounts effectively, ensuring timely renewal of policies.

Requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification (e.g., Law, Commerce, Insurance) is preferred.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of underwriting experience, with a specialization in Commercial Liability lines.
• In-depth knowledge of various liability insurance products, including Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, and D&O.
• Strong understanding of legal principles and risk management concepts related to liability.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation abilities.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage workload effectively in a remote environment.
• Familiarity with the **South African** insurance market and regulatory landscape.
• Proficiency in underwriting systems and MS Office Suite.
• A proactive approach to continuous learning and professional development.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities.
• Fully remote working arrangement offering maximum flexibility.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional growth.
• Exposure to a diverse range of complex liability risks.
• Supportive virtual team environment.