Graduate Profiles

Aliza Crotch-Harvey

I studied Politics at the University of Leicester, finishing my studies in July 2001. When I graduated I knew I wanted to move to London, but had no idea what career I wanted to follow, so what better way to start out than as a recruitment consultant in the City? This provided me with the perfect platform from which to learn more about the different opportunities available to me. After working with clients in the insurance industry I decided that insurance was the way to go and found a position at Lloyd's. Lloyd's provided me with a good grounding in what can be a very confusing world of insurance but I wanted something more! I hoped to be more directly involved with insurance/reinsurance, have a more structured career path (through completing the ACII) and work for a strong and influential market leading firm. So I decided to apply for the Aspen Re graduate programme.

I also decided that rather than going for the traditional underwriting route, I wanted to work within Claims, to eventually become a Claims Adjuster. Claims handling is an extremely important function within any insurance company, it is the "shop window" of insurance. Claims need to be handled promptly and efficiently, exceeding our customer's expectations so that when renewal time comes, our clients will return to Aspen Re.

At Aspen Re I have the opportunity to work with varied specialties within the Claims department, from Commercial Property Insurance to International Casualty Reinsurance; one day I could be dealing with a relatively straight forward property fire claim and the next a complicated US medical malpractice claim involving lawyers and possible court attendance. Through the completion of professional exams, internal and external courses and lectures, as well as the highly invaluable on-the-job training provided by experienced insurance professionals, I believe this will enable me to gain the knowledge and experience required to be a successful Claims Adjuster.

After a year rotating within the claims department, I settled down to work within Liability Insurance Claims. I deal mostly with personal injury claims from slip and trips through to catastrophic injuries such as serious brain damage and spinal injury involving paralysis; I also have exposure to product claims and disease matters. On a day to day basis I could be on the phone to solicitors negotiating settlement of claims, instructing medical experts or even surveillance operatives. I would recommend this career to anybody looking for variety where no day is the same.