CHRISTA BESTER
Dunton Green,Sevenoaks
Summary
I am a conscientious insurance professional, focusing on client service, policy management and business development. I am a goal-driven individual and dedicated to building lasting client relationships.
My 19-year experience in the financial industry brought a wealth of experience in customer satisfaction across the spectrum in all corporate dealings. I pride myself in the fact that my meticulous eye to detail is evident in effort and accomplishment. I am studying towards my CII Certificate, having completed IF1 with distinction.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Insurance Consultant
Howden Insurance (Previously A Plan Insurance)
08.2021 - Current
- Illustrating good insurance knowledge in a customer facing role
- Providing excellent customer service – handling new and existing customer enquiries
- Optimizing business processes through cross-selling
- Illustrating knowledge of rating structures, industry developments and scheme structures
- Providing product information and insurance solutions across a wide range of service providers, ensuring client has clear and concrete information to make an informed decision
- Handling Renewals – applying successful strategies to ensure business is retained and new business is sourced from existing book
- Developing excellent client relationships to ensure referrals and cross-selling
- Processing mid-term adjustments
- Ensuring pronounced emphasis on a pleasant client journey through policy queries and claims experience
- Ensuring all targets are met and supporting relevant teams to secure branch targets are well maintained
- Produce new business through own networking, cross-selling and referrals
- Ensuring all files are neatly maintained, correctly noted, and all documents are filed as per FCA guidelines
- Managing Personal Lines Teams in a supporting role to the Branch Manager, ensuring processes and workflows are managed on a day-to-day basis.
Commercial Validation – Aqueous Portfolio
Trinity Claims Management
- Accept claims information from FNOL agent
- Screening company checks and directors
- Screening policy to determine exclusions, endorsements and conditions
- Determine indemnity and liability
- Processing all information and registering the claim
- Referring any discrepancies over to underwriter
- Managing an expectation of claims journey with the insured
- Ensuring excellent customer service and a pleasant claims journey
- Ensuring fair response time and timeous conclusion of claims.
Business Interruption Coordinator – COVID 19
Trinity Claims Management
- Establishing and cementing a successful workflow ensuring all claims are timeously dealt with
- First point of contact ensuring claims are validated and registered
- Execution of proper administrative processes preventing delays on claims
- Supporting the team in managing volumes of Business Interruption claims
- Ensuring correct correspondence reach the insured to allow timeous settlement/declining of claims
- Reporting stats to insurer.
Property Claims Handler – Theft Claims
Trinity Claims Management
- Respond to theft claims after FNOL has been completed
- Efficiently and effectively manage theft claims
- Screening theft claims against fraud indicators and determining other important risk factors
- Ensuring policy terms and conditions are met before quantum is established
- Participating in telephonic interviews with insured to determine honesty and inconsistency
- Effectively managing caseload and ensuring effective time management to secure a successful claims process.
FNOL agent
Trinity Claims Management
10.2019 - 08.2021
- Dealing with inbound telephone calls
- Compiling accurate and complete information ensuring the client enjoys a stress-free claims journey
- Manage the client’s expectation and determine the most appropriate course of action
- Instruct suppliers as and when required
- Confirming policy terms with the insured
- Creating an expectation for the insured with regards to timeframes and next steps.
Supportive roll as administrator on freelance basis
09.2011 - 10.2019
- Assisting self-employed husband with administrative tasks including: Processing of documents
- Liaison with clients
- Telephonic queries
- Project management
- Marketing and events co-ordination.
Sales Broker and Insurance Administrator
First National Insurance Brokers South Africa
07.2006 - 09.2011
- Building and maintaining business relationships
- Negotiating policy terms and costs with underwriters
- Renewing existing policies for clients
- Preparing reports for underwriters
- Building new business portfolios utilising networking and referrals
- Business retention
- Processing new business
- Preparing and presenting quotations to Personal lines clients
- Achieving new business targets
- Cross sales between various insurance products to existing books of clients
- General Administrative Tasks.
Sales Broker – Personal Lines - ENVOY
Alexander Forbes Insurance Brokers South Africa
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Assessing client’s insurance needs and creating a risk profile
- New business dealings with elite clients
- Preparing and presenting quotes and portfolios to corporate as well as personal lines clients
- Ensuring new business targets are achieved
- Foresee clients’ insurance needs at renewal and negotiating competitive terms
- Cross sales between various insurance products to existing books of clients
- Managing top-end insurance portfolios
- Responsible for developing sales presentations for current and prospective clients
- Administration of portfolios.
Head of Department – Personal Lines
ABSA Insurance Brokers South Africa
01.1994 - 01.1999
- Managing the operation and administration within the team
- Conduct team meetings
- Approving new business portfolios
- Approving quotations
- Administering top-end new business clients
- Policy administration
- Ensuring integration of new business product.
Education
National Senior Certificate -
Hugenote High School for Girls
01.1989 - 04.1993
Skills
- Client consultation
- Sales and marketing
- Claims handling
- Product knowledge
- Regulatory compliance
- Claims management
- Business development
- Relationship building
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 09/11/75
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: South African
- Marital status: Married
Timeline
Insurance Consultant
Howden Insurance (Previously A Plan Insurance)
08.2021 - Current
FNOL agent
Trinity Claims Management
10.2019 - 08.2021
Supportive roll as administrator on freelance basis
09.2011 - 10.2019
Sales Broker and Insurance Administrator
First National Insurance Brokers South Africa
07.2006 - 09.2011
Sales Broker – Personal Lines - ENVOY
Alexander Forbes Insurance Brokers South Africa
01.2000 - 01.2006
Head of Department – Personal Lines
ABSA Insurance Brokers South Africa
01.1994 - 01.1999
National Senior Certificate -
Hugenote High School for Girls
01.1989 - 04.1993
Commercial Validation – Aqueous Portfolio
Trinity Claims Management
Business Interruption Coordinator – COVID 19
Trinity Claims Management
Property Claims Handler – Theft Claims
Trinity Claims Management
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