Underwriting Assessor

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

• Be part of a high-integrity team focused on delivering quality and fairness in every decision.
• Gain exposure to AI-led underwriting and work directly with reinsurers on complex case assessments.
• Competitive salary and opportunities for professional development within a fast-scaling insurer.

• Independently assess and finalise life insurance applications in line with Dis-Chem Life’s underwriting policies and delegated authority limits.
• Evaluate all core risk components including medical disclosures, financial standing, occupational and territorial risk, lifestyle indicators, and insurability history.
• Apply appropriate underwriting loadings, exclusions, postponements, or declines in line with underwriting guidelines and reinsurer mandates.
• Maintain high standards of accuracy, clarity, and auditability in all case decisions and notes.

• Finalise underwriting decisions within defined service level agreements
• Accurately update internal systems, load decisions, and apply underwriting codes where applicable.
• Monitor and manage your own work queue in accordance with turnaround standards, complexity, and escalation procedures.
• Support audit readiness and participate in quality assurance reviews or calibration sessions.
• Maintain accurate records for internal quality checks and external audits.

• Provide support to the Sales, Broker, QA, and Admin teams by responding to underwriting queries.
• Participate in training initiatives and present underwriting-related content to internal teams when required.
• Act as the first-line point of escalation for complex cases and policy rule interpretations.

• Operate within and provide feedback on the digital underwriting platform and rule engine.
• Identify rule logic gaps, edge cases, or system errors that need escalation or revision.
• Support system testing and enhancement initiatives to improve STP (Straight-Through Processing) rates.

• Deep understanding of life underwriting principles including medical, financial, and lifestyle risk assessment.
• Proficient in underwriting across income protection, funeral, and business life cover.
• Familiar with reinsurer communication protocols and facultative referral standards.
• Comfortable navigating digital underwriting systems and working in tech-enabled environments.
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation (FAIS, POPIA, TCF, and insurance-related compliance).

• Applies rigorous checks when assessing documents, disclosures, and system entries.
• Stands by underwriting calls with clarity and consistency.
• Able to simplify technical explanations for both internal and external audiences.
• Acts with fairness, impartiality, and full responsibility for risk decisions.
• Thrives in a hybrid, fast-paced, AI-enhanced underwriting environment.
• Understands the importance of supporting Sales and QA while upholding risk principles.

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience as a Life Underwriter (retail or business).
• Experience in Underwriting Personal and Business Protection Products
• Experience in AI/digital underwriting environments is advantageous.
• Previous support or collaboration with Sales, QA, or Broker channels is beneficial.

• Matric/Grade 12 – Essential
• Diploma/Degree in Medical, Financial, or Insurance-related field – Advantageous
• FAIS-compliant or working towards RE5 – Advantageous