Technical Claims Handler in Bristol

Our client is a highly respected UK law firm with a well-established insurance practice and a growing delegated claims handling service. Based in the firm's Bristol office, the team manages claims on an outsourced basis for a broad range of leading insurers, underwriting businesses and insurance organisations. Operating under delegated authority, the team reviews, adjusts and settles claims from first notification through to resolution. Its work focuses on financial loss claims made against professionals, including professional indemnity, title indemnity, technology and media matters. The team does not handle consumer, retail or personal injury claims.

The wider claims function is structured across scheme managers, technical claims handlers, senior claims handlers and claims handlers. Each client is supported by a dedicated scheme manager and claims team, with individuals typically working across more than one client or scheme. This role will be based in the firm's Bristol office, with occasional travel to London where required.

This opportunity is available on either a permanent or a 9 month fixed-term contract basis, offering flexibility depending on your preference and circumstances. An excellent opportunity to join a specialist and growing team, managing a reduced caseload of complex professional indemnity claims while providing technical support, coaching and guidance to colleagues. You'll work closely with insurers, scheme managers and stakeholders to deliver high-quality claims handling and strategic decision-making.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage complex professional indemnity claims from notification to resolution.
• Assess policy coverage, liability, quantum and insurer exposure.
• Investigate claims, develop strategies and make decisions within delegated authority.
• Negotiate settlements and provide accurate insurer reporting.
• Manage external legal providers where required.
• Support, mentor and train claims colleagues.
• Build strong relationships with insurers, brokers, insureds and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with SLAs, KPIs and reserving requirements.
• Maintain accurate records on the case management system.

You will have strong technical claims handling experience and a sound understanding of insurance principles, policy coverage and delegated authority arrangements. Previous professional indemnity claims experience would be valuable, although the team is also open to candidates from transferable insurance backgrounds, including commercial insurance or legal expenses insurance, who demonstrate the right technical aptitude and attitude to learning. You will be confident assessing policy coverage, liability and quantum, and able to make well-reasoned decisions in the best interests of insurers. You will also understand the importance of compliance, accurate reporting, service level agreements and the consistent application of client reserving policies.

As an important part of the role involves supporting others, you should enjoy coaching, mentoring and sharing technical knowledge with colleagues. You will be able to explain complex claims issues clearly and provide constructive guidance to less experienced team members. You will also possess:

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work.
• Commercial and practical approach to claims handling.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

You will join a growing and specialist claims team, gaining exposure to complex, high-quality professional indemnity work for an impressive range of insurers and delegated authority providers. The firm is prepared to invest in training candidates with relevant transferable insurance experience. You will receive technical support from experienced claims professionals, alongside specialist training delivered by lawyers from across the wider firm, including teams with expertise in areas such as construction and professional negligence. There is a strong focus on developing and promoting people internally. As the team continues to grow, there may be opportunities to progress into senior claims handling, technical supervision or scheme management positions, subject to individual development and suitable roles becoming available. The firm offers a supportive, inclusive and collaborative working environment, together with a flexible hybrid working approach where possible. Support and reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and during employment.

If you are interested in this Technical Claims Handler opportunity or would like further information, please get in touch for a confidential discussion. If this position is not quite right but you are considering new opportunities within claims, insurance or legal services, we would still be keen to hear from you. We would expect someone with the appropriate level of technical claims experience to have developed the skills required for this position. However, applications from candidates with different levels or types of relevant insurance experience are encouraged and will be considered.