Senior Casualty Underwriter

Santam; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Santam invites applications for a Senior Casualty Underwriter based in Alice Lane, Sandton. The role focuses on specialist underwriting for Casualty (Liability and Accident, including Fidelity), within Head Office Commercial Underwriting.

You will guide pricing, policy wording, and complex cover decisions to balance growth and profit. Ideal candidates have strong FAIS compliance, 7+ years in the insurance industry, and proven ability to translate complex terms into clear client and broker

Qualifications

• Underwriting knowledge in Casualty (Liability and Accident).
• Legal framework and compliance in short-term insurance.
• Experience in pricing and product design for covers.

Responsibilities

• Develop underwriting guidelines and rating for new covers.
• Review complex broker referrals and make pricing decisions.
• Provide guidance on liability and Fidelity claims interpretations.
• Maintain competitiveness of commercial products and coverage terminology.
• Create internal circulars and broker communications on new covers.

Skills

Liability underwriting

Fidelity underwriting

GPA underwriting

Advanced MS Office

Analytical skills

English & Afrikaans (bilingual)

Communication skills

Underwriting guidelines

Education

BCom or AIISA or related qualification

FAIS compliance (120 credits)

Insurance qualifications (IISA/Milpark)

Tools

WEBe

Mainframe

Guidewire

Job description

Risk Services, Commercial Underwriting has a position available for a Senior Casualty Underwriter who will be based in Alice Lane Sandton.

JOB DESCRIPTION

To provide specialist underwriting knowledge in respect of the Casualty portfolio (which incorporates the Liability and Accident classes, including Fidelity insurance).

This position forms part of the Head Office Commercial Underwriting department alongside the Motor and Property Portfolios.

The key activities of a Senior Casualty Underwriter are:

• Ensure C&P Growth and Profit targets remain the main objective in decision making.
• Keep abreast of claims trends and amend guidelines or develop new covers as necessary.
• Keep abreast of developments in global markets and incorporate into our offerings where possible.
• Develop underwriting guidelines and rating for new products/ covers.
• Assist Broker Services on more complex covers that require specialist underwriter input.
• Maintain existing Commercial products to ensure market competitiveness and retain relevance
• Create appropriate underwriting rules and processes to balance customers’ needs with Santam’s shareholders interests.
• Be able to adjust wordings and design clauses to include or exclude cover in line with underwriting decisions whilst always being aware of the impact on other covers in the Commercial portfolio following any changes.
• Provide advice to the Specialist Liability Claims unit in wording interpretations on liability claims.
• Provide advice to the Complex Claims Unit in wording interpretations on Fidelity claims.
• Write internal circulars and Broker communications to advise internal and external stakeholders of new covers or complex concepts.
• Assist with reviewing of training material and adhoc training to both internal and broker staff.
• Handle all referrals of a complex nature and make underwriting decisions which require logical balancing of profit and growth considerations (incl. pricing decisions), as well as the impact on the rest of the Commercial portfolio ie. decisions cannot be made in isolation.
• Analyse and sign-off of broker bespoke products including discussing reasons for decisions taken with brokers

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Commerce Degree/AIISA or comparable short term insurance qualification (focus on legal framework training would be preferred e.g. Law as a major). If B Comm only, should have completed or at least started insurance specific qualifications via IISA or Milpark.FAIS compliance (min of 120 credits in commercial insurance)
• FAIS compliance (min of 120 credits in commercial insurance)
• Advance knowledge in MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Minimum of 7 years’ insurance industry experience.
• 5 years' spent in a technical commercial underwriting department.
• 5 years’ experience specifically in Commercial Liability underwriting
• Knowledge of Professional Indemnity and Directors and Officers insurance would be an additional benefit.

SKILLS AND KNOWLDGE

• In depth Liability, Fidelity and Group Personal Accident (GPA) technical underwriting skills and knowledge
• Able to simplify complex legal and insurance terms into plain language for staff and consumers.
• Ability to statistically analyse information and data
• Advanced numeracy skills
• Fully bilingual (English and Afrikaans) – written and verbal
• Excellent communication, networking and interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Planning and organising skills

KNOWLEDGE

• Expert knowledge of Liability covers and how to find solutions to complex issues relating to these covers.
• Extensive knowledge of legal terms and South African legislation.
• Extensive short-term insurance knowledge including the principles of insurance and underwriting.
• Santam Underwriting and Policy Administration Systems, namely: WEBe, Mainframe, Guidewire
• Fully understand factors that should be considered when calculating Liability, Fidelity and GPA premiums and fully understand the total exposure of the Insured in respect of these covers.

COMPETENCIES

• Collaborates – building partnerships and working collaboratively and inclusively with others to meet shared objectives
• Client focus – building strong client relationships and delivering client centric solutions
• Drives results – consistently seizing opportunities and achieving results even under tough circumstances
• Flexibility and adaptability – rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations
• Cultivates Innovation – Creating new and better ways for the organisation to be successful
• Problem solving
• Ability to cope with conflicting demands and to prioritise tasks
• Developing and implementing strategy
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Enterprising and commercial thinking
• Attention to detail
• Leadership and influencing

ABOUT SANTAM

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.

With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected. Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting.

People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short-term opportunities.

Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro-inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive.