Behind the line with General Liability

Hiscox London Market’s General Liability team share more about themselves including their key goals, their roles, how the general liability market has changed, the new emerging risks, what the future holds for general liability and…because it’s not always just about business, what theme song they would choose to reflect their lives.

Lara Frankovic: General Liability Line Underwriter 

Q: What is your main leadership goal this year for the General Liability underwriting team?
General liability is a fast-changing line of insurance with our customers facing new liability challenges every day from both traditional and newer, emerging risks. I want to make sure we can continue to evolve and innovate what we do, so together with our brokers, we can help clients successfully meet those challenges and confidently grow in new areas knowing that they are well protected from a liability perspective. Internally, that means creating the right conditions to help each General Liability team member thrive in their roles, grow in confidence, and enjoy what they do. If we can continue to deliver for our clients, develop great relationships with our brokers, cement our position in the general liability market, and deliver on our financial goals, 2024 will be a great year!

Matthew Hunt: Senior General Liability Underwriter 

Q: How have general liability risks changed since you first joined the industry 20 years ago?
The risks themselves haven’t changed a great deal; railways still move people and goods around a network, construction companies still put-up buildings, dig tunnels, lay roads, and factories still produce goods. However, modernisation has brought change to pretty much every industry and whilst this is often driven by a desire for efficiency, I think we as liability insurers have benefited from associated improvements in areas such as safety, monitoring, and recording.
We are much more aware of potential future problems. We receive a huge amount of data and opinion which helps us to make informed decisions about industries and products before it’s too late.

Louise Jones: Senior General Liability Underwriter 

Q: How would you describe your role as a Senior General Liability Underwriter?
My role is to understand each individual risk and to offer an insurance solution that meets every client’s needs at a fair price. I achieve this by reading through submissions, discussing the risks with brokers, and meeting with clients. Each risk is different, which is why I take the time to fully understand it and ask the relevant questions.

Christina Short: Senior General Liability Underwriter 

Q: What emerging risks are you seeing appear more in the general liability space?
The emergence and increasing use of AI across industries is going to present new challenges in the general liability space, from the use of autonomous processing, employment screening, through to data collection and  employment applications. We expect the usage of AI to rapidly evolve as it incorporates into day-to-day life. I think there are potential benefits to be had from an insurance perspective, allowing our clients to improve health and safety across their operations and to better enable underwriters in our decision-making.

Liam Harvey: General Liability Underwriter 

Q: What has been the most pivotal point in your underwriting career?
For me, and I promise no one has twisted my arm on this, it was when I joined Hiscox. Moving to an open market general liability role has opened a world of new exposures, clients and brokers which has been a great and rewarding challenge. We constantly see a real mix of risks in the industry which keeps the role interesting and keeps you on top of your game.

Abby Walters: General Liability Underwriter 

Q: What skills will you be bringing over from your previous role as a Terrorism Underwriter into general liability?
My four years as a Terrorism Underwriter helped me develop a commercial underwriting style and build strong relationships with a wide range of brokers. The fast-paced nature of the work also taught me to work efficiently and manage multiple deadlines, all of which I will be bringing into my new role within the General Liability team.

Morgan Sword: General Liability Underwriter 

Q: How would you describe the future of underwriting general liability insurance in the London market?
Exciting! London has always been there as a market to service the trickiest and most unique problems through expertise and innovation. Given the social inflation trends we are seeing, the general liability space is as tricky as it has ever been making London as necessary as ever. The future of general liability in London lies in embracing these challenges and leading with innovation and the same expert and sustainable approach we have always had.

Now for the music round: if you could choose a theme song for your life, what would it be and why?

• Lara: As I grew up on the beautiful coast of Croatia and lived for many years in Tuscany after that, it can only be ‘Holiday’ by Madonna.
  Matthew: I love my golf and whilst I wish I could pick ‘Straight Down the Middle’ (Bing Crosby) I’m afraid “A Thousand Trees” by my favourite band, Stereophonics, would be more appropriate. 
• Louise: ‘Bright Lights’ by Matchbox Twenty! I grew up in the Dorset countryside and moved to London when I was 21. I didn’t know where the move would take me and always thought moving back to my small hometown was an option. Thankfully, things worked well, and I’ve never looked back but this song always reminds me of the time when I didn’t know where life would take me.
• Christina: ‘9 to 5’ by Dolly Parton because she calls it like it is.
• Liam: ‘Dakota’ by Stereophonics as they were the first band I saw live as a kid and the song always reminds me of good times!
• Abby: ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams. I always try to be optimistic, see everything from a glass half full perspective and believe the sky is the limit!
• Morgan: ‘Almost Cut My Hair’ by Crosby, Stills and Nash, because I need a haircut.