Gauteng Women in Insurance (GWII) recently hosted a highly informative Continuous Professional Development (CPD) session titled “The Claims Perspective: Lessons in Liability Claims,” proudly sponsored by Camargue.
The session was presented by Melissa Mannell, Claims, Legal & Compliance Specialist at Camargue, who shared practical insights drawn from real-world liability claims scenarios. Her presentation offered attendees a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in liability claims handling and highlighted the importance of careful assessment, documentation, and risk awareness.
Understanding liability through real-world scenarios
Melissa guided attendees through a series of relatable scenarios that illustrated how liability can arise across various industries and everyday situations. These included incidents at recreational facilities, vehicle theft from service providers, slip-and-fall situations, workplace accidents involving equipment, veterinary liability, and environmental damage such as wildfire spread.
Each scenario highlighted the multiple parties involved in liability claims, typically including the insured party, the third party who suffered loss or injury, and in some cases, additional stakeholders such as contractors, service providers, or employees.
The claims perspective - lesson… through these examples, Melissa demonstrated that liability claims are rarely straightforward. Determining responsibility often requires a detailed analysis of the facts, contractual relationships, duty of care, and whether negligence can be established.
Key lessons from the claims perspective
A central theme of the session was the importance of understanding liability from a claims professional’s perspective. Melissa emphasised that claims are assessed based on evidence, legal principles, and the specific circumstances surrounding each incident. Even seemingly minor situations can evolve into complex claims if the duty of care is breached.
She also highlighted the critical role that businesses play in mitigating liability risk. Proper safety protocols, staff training, maintenance procedures, and clear contractual agreements can significantly reduce exposure to liability claims.
Another important takeaway was the need for clear and timely reporting of incidents. Early notification and accurate documentation can make a meaningful difference in the claims process, supporting insurers in investigating and resolving claims efficiently.
Bridging theory and practice
The interactive format of the session allowed attendees to reflect on how liability exposures arise in everyday business operations. By exploring practical examples, Melissa helped bridge the gap between policy wording and real-life application, reinforcing the importance of proactive risk management.
For insurance professionals, brokers, and risk advisers, the session provided valuable insight into how liability claims are evaluated and the factors that influence outcomes. This knowledge equips industry professionals to better advise clients, manage expectations, and promote sound risk management practices.
Continued commitment to professional development
GWII remains committed to empowering women in the insurance industry through meaningful learning opportunities and professional development initiatives. This CPD session not only enhanced technical knowledge but also fostered engagement and dialogue around one of the most critical aspects of insurance: understanding and managing liability risk.
GWII extends its sincere thanks to Camargue for sponsoring the session and to Melissa Mannell for sharing her expertise and real-world experience with attendees.
See the photo album here
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