Underwriter: SME Casualty

Santam Insurance; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company in South Africa is looking for an Underwriter: SME Casualty to drive growth and deliver service excellence. The role requires at least 5 years of experience and a strong understanding of SME markets, focusing on underwriting and client relationship management. Ideal candidates should have an NQF 5 qualification in short-term insurance and be proficient in MS Office. This position offers opportunities for career growth and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience.
• Strong understanding of SME markets, risk assessment, pricing, and claims trends.
• RE 5 and FAIS & CPD Compliant.
• RE 5.
• FAIS & CPD Compliant.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong understanding of SME markets, risk assessment, pricing, and claims trends.
• Demonstrated ability to underwrite accurately within delegated authority via digital systems or portals.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• A proactive, solutions-driven mindset with strong analytical and decision-making ability.
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail and a passion for delivering on promises.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite SME Casualty products within defined parameters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers.
• Respond promptly to all queries via phone and email.
• Ensure all underwriting decisions comply with mandates, guidelines, and SOPs.
• Maintain accuracy and attention to detail when capturing data, processing quotations, or issuing documentation on the online portal.
• Treat every broker and client interaction as a service opportunity — delivering friendly, solution-oriented, and efficient support.
• Respond promptly to all queries via phone, email, or digital platforms, ensuring adherence to SLAs and TATs.
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with brokers and internal stakeholders to grow and retain business.
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and proactively at all times.

Skills

Client service

Communication

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Relationship management

MS Office

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Attention to detail

Education

NQF 5 in short-term insurance

Matric (Grade 12)

RE 5

FAIS & CPD Compliant

Tools

MS Office Suite

MS Office Suite

Job description

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Santam Casualty has an exciting opportunity for an Underwriter: SME Casualty based in Illovo.

What will make you successful in this role?

As an SME Casualty Underwriter, you will play a key role in driving growth and delivering service excellence within the SME segment. Working through an online underwriting portal and within defined parameters, you’ll combine technical skill with a strong customer-service mindset — ensuring brokers and clients experience fast, accurate, and professional service at every touchpoint.

Key Responsibilities:

• Underwrite SME Casualty products (General Liability, Professional Indemnity, D&O) within your delegated authority and defined parameters.
• Apply sound judgment and commercial insight to assess, select, and price risks responsibly to ensure portfolio profitability and sustainable growth.
• Re-underwrite renewals with a focus on quality, retention, and the evolving risk profile of clients.
• Ensure all underwriting decisions comply with mandates, guidelines, and SOPs.
• Maintain accuracy and attention to detail when capturing data, processing quotations, or issuing documentation on the online portal.

Service and Relationship Management:

• Treat every broker and client interaction as a service opportunity — delivering friendly, solution-oriented, and efficient support.
• Respond promptly to all queries via phone, email, or digital platforms, ensuring adherence to agreed service level agreements (SLAs) and turnaround times (TATs).
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with brokers and internal stakeholders to grow and retain business.
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and proactively at all times.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years experience
• NQF 5 in short-term insurance or any other relevant qualification ( or working towards completing this qualification )
• Matric ( Grade 12 )
• RE 5
• FAIS & CPD Compliant
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong understanding of SME markets, risk assessment, pricing, and claims trends.
• Demonstrated ability to underwrite accurately within delegated authority via digital systems or portals.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• A proactive, solutions-driven mindset with strong analytical and decision-making ability.
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail and a passion for delivering on promises.

Knowledge and Skills

Client service (complaints/queries/ investigations/advice)

Coaching, training and quality management

Reporting and adhoc meetings

Personal Attributes

Decision quality - Contributing independently

Persuades - Contributing independently

Action orientated - Contributing independently

Business insight - Contributing independently

Core Competencies

Cultivates innovation - Contributing independently

Customer focus - Contributing independently

Drives results - Contributing independently

Collaborates - Contributing independently

Being resilient - Contributing independently

Our recruitment process

Onboarding

You made it. Here we ensure we receive all your documents to get you onto our payroll system.

Our recruitment process

Advertise

Step 1

Our vacancies are advertised between 3-5 days depending on the market availability of the skills required.

Our recruitment process

Step 2

Could take a couple of days depending on the volume and the screening process, which various according to the complexity of the role.

Our recruitment process

Step 3

Long listed candidates are sent to the hiring manager to review and consider for the next stage of the selection process.

Our recruitment process

Telephonic screening

Step 4

Candidates may be contacted for a short screening interview to get to know them better and to ask any clarity seeking questions.

Our recruitment process

Your interview

Step 5

We use a competency interview model. Interview dates will be confirmed via e-mail. During the interview you will be introduced to the panel and the process will be explained. Remain calm and sell yourself. This is our opportunity to match your skills to the job. You only get one shot!

Our recruitment process

Assessment

Step 6

Should we like what you bring to the table, depending on the job you are being considered for, you may be invited to complete a psychometric assessment. Further employment checks are conducted the ensure the validity of your credentials.

Our recruitment process

Step 7

Prior to an offer being made, there may be a second interview to meet with the Head of Department.Should there be a need for any further interviews, be sure to bring the same charm that got you through your first interview.

Our recruitment process

Onboarding

Step 8

You made it. Here we ensure we receive all your documents to get you onto our payroll system.

Our recruitment process

Advertise

Step 1

Our vacancies are advertised between 3-5 days depending on the market availability of the skills required.

Our recruitment process

Step 2

Could take a couple of days depending on the volume and the screening process, which various according to the complexity of the role.

Our recruitment process

Step 3

Long listed candidates are sent to the hiring manager to review and consider for the next stage of the selection process.

Our recruitment process

Telephonic screening

Step 4

Candidates may be contacted for a short screening interview to get to know them better and to ask any clarity seeking questions.

Our recruitment process

Your interview

Step 5

We use a competency interview model. Interview dates will be confirmed via e-mail. During the interview you will be introduced to the panel and the process will be explained. Remain calm and sell yourself. This is our opportunity to match your skills to the job. You only get one shot!

Our recruitment process

Assessment

Step 6

Should we like what you bring to the table, depending on the job you are being considered for, you may be invited to complete a psychometric assessment. Further employment checks are conducted the ensure the validity of your credentials.

Our recruitment process

Step 7

Prior to an offer being made, there may be a second interview to meet with the Head of Department.Should there be a need for any further interviews, be sure to bring the same charm that got you through your first interview.

Our recruitment process

Onboarding

Step 8

You made it. Here we ensure we receive all your documents to get you onto our payroll system.

TIPS & TRICKS

Getting ready for your interview

There is not just one way to be successful at Santam, nor is there one way to interview with us. Interviewing is a two-way process - it helps us learn about you, and it helps you learn about us, our people, and what you could do here.

Santam has been officially recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer 2025 for excellence in people practices. This is the ninth consecutive year that we have achieved this accolade.