Commercial Underwriter

Commercial Underwriter George, Western Cape Overview Our client, an established independent short-term insurance brokerage based in George, services a diverse commercial client base and partners with several leading South African insurers. They are looking for an experienced Commercial Underwriter who genuinely understands commercial risk, rather than an administrative policy processor. This role offers the opportunity to grow into managing a commercial portfolio with limited supervision and to build a medium to long term career in the Garden Route. Key Responsibilities • Manage commercial renewals, endorsements and new business from start to finish. • Analyse clients' businesses in order to identify material risks and gaps in cover. • Interpret commercial policy wordings, including exclusions, extensions, limits and excesses. • Obtain and compare quotations from insurers and negotiate terms on behalf of clients. • Provide sound, considered insurance recommendations rather than simply processing client instructions. • Review sums insured, the basis of valuation and potential underinsurance exposure. • Apply an understanding of how underwriting decisions, claims experience and loss ratios relate to one another. • Prepare clear records of advice and maintain FAIS and PPR compliance. • Authorise claims payments presented by the claims department on a rotational basis. • Communicate professionally with clients, insurers, claims personnel and colleagues. • Take ownership of work and follow all matters through to completion. • Develop towards taking full responsibility for a commercial portfolio with limited supervision. Requirements • Proven experience as a Commercial Underwriter within the short-term insurance industry, preferably in a brokerage environment. • A solid technical understanding of commercial risk, policy wordings, extensions, limits and excesses. • Compliance with FAIS fit and proper requirements, including the relevant qualification and regulatory examination where applicable. • The ability to assess sums insured, valuation methods and underinsurance exposure with confidence. • Strong negotiation skills and established working relationships with insurers, or the ability to build them quickly. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to engage clients, insurers and colleagues professionally. • A high level of accuracy, accountability and follow through. • The ability to work independently and to grow into managing a commercial portfolio with limited supervision. • A commitment to building a medium to long term career in George and the surrounding Garden Route area. Benefits and Compensation The salary for this position is open and will be determined by the candidate's level of experience and technical ability, so our client welcomes applications from suitably qualified professionals across a range of salary expectations. Further details regarding benefits have not been confirmed by our client at this stage and will be discussed during the interview process. Enquiries and Applications Should you have any further enquiries regarding this opportunity, please email applications@morton-moore.com. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview, during which the position, client requirements and recruitment process will be discussed in more detail. Recruitment and POPIA Disclaimer This vacancy is advertised by Morton Moore, acting as a recruitment agency on behalf of our client. By submitting your application, CV and supporting information, you acknowledge that your personal information will be collected and processed for legitimate recruitment and employment related purposes in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA). Your information may be assessed against the requirements of this vacancy and, where appropriate and subject to applicable legal requirements, shared with the relevant client and service providers involved in the recruitment process. Applications are subject to the requirements and selection criteria of the client, and submission of an application does not guarantee an interview, placement or offer of employment. Morton Moore reserves the right, together with its client, not to proceed with or fill the vacancy. No fees will be charged to candidates for recruitment or placement services. Any employment offer will be made by the client and will remain subject to the client's applicable employment, verification and onboarding requirements.