Chartis’ Approach to Writing WC High Risks: Bring on the Experts

Chartis has built underwriting practices around some of the riskiest professions, including aircraft pilots, miners, construction workers, refuse collectors, truck drivers and police officers.

To profitably manage these risks, the insurer hires underwriters who have specialized knowledge of these industries, which helps the insurer to get a better grip on the Workers' Comp exposures.

“They know and can identify risk characteristics that are bad that we either want to deal with or avoid,” says Russell Johnston, Casualty product-line executive for Chartis U.S. and Canada.

And the insurer also employs loss-control and claims people who know exactly what they're looking at.

For instance, Chartis hires licensed pilots to work in its aviation practice. Commercial-driving licensees man its trucking operations. And staff in the mining practice includes people with geology backgrounds.

“Industry experts in loss control lessen the likelihood that an accident happens,” says Johnston.

And if an incident occurs, “the people who touch these claims are only [the adjusters] from their specific industry space.”

This doesn't go unnoticed by policyholders. “It becomes clear [to the client] how deeply imbedded we are in the industry,” adds Johnston.