Commercial Liability Handler

Job Description

Technical Consultant- Commercial Liability Direct

Bromley & Manchester - Hybrid (1/2 days in the office)

Full Time, Permanent Position

Let's make the most of your talent.

Join us as a Commercial Liability Direct Claims Consultant as part of our Large and Complex Loss Specialist Claims team, where you'll manage a variety of claims to resolution and shape excellence in claims handling.

About us

At Direct Line Group, insurance is just the start. Combining decades of industry experience with talented people in every field from data, technology, customer care and auto repair, to HR, finance, and procurement, we're a customer-obsessed market powerhouse. And we all work together to be brilliant for customers, every single day.

It always feels good, helping people when they need it most. Taking calls, helping customers with queries, finding the right insurance product for their lifestyle. Helping to keep people safe on the roadside when their vehicle breaks down. Being a reassuring presence when someone needs to make a claim. Our contact centre teams give customers all kinds of support. It can get busy, but the culture, training and friendly teams are great here.

What you'll be doing

Reporting directly to the Technical Claims Team Leader, you will be responsible for the validation, investigation, negotiation and settlement of Multi-Branded commercial liability claims, proactively managing the end to end process of all third party claims. Establish and maintain accurate claim reserves within your own financial handling authority whilst controlling the overall expenditure throughout the lifecycle of the claim. 

  • Triage of new Liability Claims encompassing Employers Liability, Public Liability and Property Liability Claims, to include Disease and Products, validating policy cover, undertaking full investigations of claims giving consideration to injury triggers, liability and fraudulent claims. Robust control of indemnity, identifying the correct area of policy cover and the limits therein whilst having a clear understanding of when repudiation is required and the process to be undertaken.
  • Effective gathering of information/desk-based investigations to enable early arrival at the correct liability decision giving consideration to both economic settlement and commercial considerations.
  • Settle Third Party Claims within financial handling authority, up to a value of £50k, through active negotiation to achieve the optimum claims settlement using department and best practice strategies, whilst at all times giving appropriate consideration to avoidance of unjustified litigation.
  • A practical understanding of all regulations (existing and new) relevant to each type of claim, such as The Six Pack Regulations for workplace claims, the Defective Premises Act , Occupiers Liability Act 1957 and Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 for  Public Liability and Property Owners Liability cases. In addition, the ability to establish where there is a Common Law Duty of Care/ Vicarious Liability. Also a practical knowledge of MOJ is required, as is an ability to deal with cases emanating from both Scotland and Northern Ireland with their differing legal frameworks.
  • Handle and deal with all Low Value Pre-Action Protocol injury (MOJ Stage 3) litigation up to the portal value of £25,000 within court deadlines, liaising with Counsel as appropriate. Refer all other litigated cases (non MOJ) requiring legal intervention to our Panel Solicitors.
  • Manage and own the customer experience (including third party), ensuring adherence at all times to the principles of Treating Customers Fairly, highlighting where you do not feel our processes support contribution to the overall success of the business
  • Manage and maintain effective relationship with both internal (Counter Fraud, Underwriting etc) and external stakeholders (Rehabilitation providers, medical experts, Counsel, Forensic Accountants, Brokers, Panel Solicitors etc) to ensure adherence to internal and external policies, procedures and governance.
  • Proactively identifying trends and using relevant data and information to understand and promote emerging issues, maintaining an awareness of solicitor behaviours and changes in relevant legislation to understand the market place and claims handling approaches, provide suggestions for improvements
  • Identify, own and manage the risks involved in running our business appropriate to my role, in line with the DLG risk framework.

What we're looking for

  • Ability/experience of handling claims involving, Employers Liability, Public Liability and Property Liability, as well as Disease and Product claims.
  • Ability/experience in managing, end-to-end claims processes, with a preference for experience handling claims valued up to £50K
  • An understanding of common law and insurance-related legislation
  • Strong problem-solving skills, including the capacity to analyse complex issues, identify root causes, and formulate effective solutions.
  • A proactive and results-oriented approach to work, with the drive to meet and exceed performance targets.

What we offer in return

We wouldn't be where we are today without our people and the wide variety of perspectives and life experiences they bring. That's why we offer excellent benefits to suit your lifestyle and a flexible working model combining the best parts of home and office-working, varying with the nature of your role. Core benefits include:

  • Generous 9% employer pension contribution
  • 22 days holiday allowance (plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days each year)
  • 50% off home, motor and pet insurance
  • Free travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover
  • Additional optional Health and Dental insurance
  • Plus, many more

There's no-one else like you. No-one with the exact same mix of strengths, quirks, skills and thoughts. That's why you could belong here. As part of a team of brilliant individuals, in a place that empowers you to be the best you can be.

We're proud of who we are, of what we do, and what every single one of us brings. Every person, team, Squad, Tribe and Chapter, across every business that makes our Group. And we're happy to say we're customer obsessed.

Join us. Help us keep innovating and putting customers at the heart of everything. To be an insurance company of the future. When we work together, we can all achieve great things. Inspiring, challenging, and supporting each other to aim higher.

Difference makes us who we are. We believe everyone should feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work - that's why we champion diverse voices, build workplaces that work for people, and invest in the things that matter. From senior leadership to inclusivity networks, adaptive working to inclusion training, we've made it our mission to give you everything you need to be authentically you. Discover more at directlinegroupcareers.com

Together, we're one of a kind

Ways of Working

Our hybrid model way of working offers a 'best of both worlds' approach combining the best parts of home and office-working, offering flexibility for everyone. When you'll be in the office depends on your role, but most colleagues are in 2 days a week, and we'll consider the flexible working options that work best for you.

Read our flexible working approach here

Hours: 35 hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)