Marine Claims Senior Executive

The Opportunity

As a Marine Claims Senior Executive, you will be responsible for managing both marine liability and marine cargo claims from first notification through to settlement and closure. This role investigates incidents, assess policy coverage, negotiates settlements and coordinates legal or technical experts to minimise financial exposure for Zurich. 

The role supports Zurich's commitment to customer-focused claims outcomes, technical excellence and disciplined claims cost management across marine cargo, freight liability, logistics liability and related marine insurance claims.

Key Accountabilities

Claims Management

• Manage a diverse portfolio of marine liability and cargo from initial notice through to final settlement.
• Investigate claims merits, review maritima operational facts and determine liability and quantum.
• Appoints and manage external surveyors/adjusters, marine experts and maritime lawyers.
• Negotiate settlements and manage accurate financial reserving for open claims.
• Review shipping documents, commercial contracts/agreements and bills of lading to identify risk exposures.
• Make claims recommendations and decisions within delegated authority limits.
• Escalate complex, contentious or high-value claims to the Claims Manager or relevant senior stakeholders.
• Ensure claims are progressed within agreed service standards and regulatory requirements.

Technical Claims Assessment

• Review survey reports, expert opinions, legal advice, invoices and supporting documentation.
• Investigate cause, extent and nature of loss to determine the appropriate coverage position.
• Assess marine trade documentation, including Bills of Lading, shipping documents, delivery records and cargo-related evidence.
• Provide clear, well-reasoned claim recommendations and settlement strategies.
• Identify claim trends, emerging risks and potential coverage or operational issues.

Customer, Broker and Stakeholder Service

• Deliver responsive and professional service to customers, brokers and business partners.
• Provide regular claim status updates, coverage explanations and settlement progress communications.
• Collaborate with Underwriting, Distribution, Risk Engineering, Legal, Finance and Operations teams.
• Handle enquiries and complaints professionally and in accordance with Zurich standards.
• Build effective relationships with brokers, surveyors, adjusters, lawyers and other external service providers.

Recovery and Claims Cost Management

• Identify and pursue recovery opportunities, including subrogation, salvage and third-party recovery actions.
• Work with recovery specialists, legal counsel and adjusters to maximise appropriate recoveries.
• Support loss mitigation and claim leakage reduction initiatives.
• Manage allocated claims costs effectively and within authority limits.

Operational Excellence and Compliance

• Maintain accurate and complete claim records within Zurich systems.
• Ensure adherence to Zurich policies, claims controls, audit requirements and local regulatory obligations.
• Prepare claims reports, bordereaux and management information as required.
• Contribute to process improvement, quality assurance and claims transformation initiatives.
• Support knowledge sharing and technical development within the claims team.

Business Accountabilities

• Deliver fair, timely and customer-focused claim outcomes that support Zurich's claims philosophy.
• Achieve individual claims performance metrics, including service, quality, reserving and compliance standards.
• Support profitable portfolio management through disciplined claims handling and effective recovery management.
• Contribute to a collaborative claims culture focused on technical excellence, continuous improvement and customer service.
• Represent Zurich professionally in interactions with customers, brokers, partners and service providers.

Your Skills and Experience

Required

• Degree or Diploma in Insurance, Maritime Studies, Business, Logistics, Law or a related discipline.
• 5 to 8 years of dedicated marine claims experience within an insurer, broker, loss adjusting firm, claims consultancy or marine surveying environment.
• Working knowledge of Marine Cargo, Freight Forwarders Liability, Logistics Liability, Port Terminals, Ship Repairers Liability and related marine insurance products.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to handle high-pressure litigious environments and complex cross-border disputes.

Preferred

• Professional insurance qualifications such as ANZIIF, ACII, CII or equivalent.
• Experience with marine recoveries, salvage, subrogation and third-party liability issues.
• Exposure to regional or multinational claims handling across APAC.
• Familiarity with claims management systems and digital claims tools.
• Good understanding of shipping, freight forwarding, logistics, terminal operators and cargo movement processes.

Why Zurich

At Zurich, we are committed to helping customers understand and protect themselves from risk. We strive to create an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing workplace where people can develop, contribute and do meaningful work.