ClearView Bolsters Underwriting Capability

Experienced senior underwriters, Sheldon Hatzantonis and Daniel Yianakis, have joined  ClearView Wealth as Principal Underwriters.

Based in Sydney, Hatzantonis was previously NSW State Underwriting Manager at BT Financial Group and Victorian State Underwriting Manager at Asteron Life.

Meanwhile Yianakis, who is based in Melbourne, joins ClearView from BT Financial Group, where he held a variety of underwriting roles including Regional Underwriting Manager. Prior to BT, Yianakis also worked as an underwriter at Asteron Life and OnePath.

Both underwriters report to ClearView Chief Underwriter Warren Page.

A statement from the insurer says it has also bolstered its tele-underwriting team with the appointment of Karen James.

James, previously an administration officer at Mater Health Services, is based in Brisbane and reports to ClearView Technical Underwriting Manager Nikki Ashley.

Page says that ClearView continues to build its underwriting team and capability, as demand for the group’s flagship life insurance product series, ClearView ClearChoice, grows.

“Over the years, ClearView’s distribution and underwriting teams have developed a reputation for being knowledgeable, accessible and helpful, which is a key strength of our offer,” he says.

Demand for tele-underwriting

Page added that demand for speedy tele-underwriting had also increased, with tele-underwriting currently representing around 30% of all underwriting applications.

He says advisers like the ability to outsource the completion of personal statements to the company.

“We can gather medical information and seek personal disclosures, freeing them to spend more time in front of clients.”

Kathryn Williamson, ClearView Head of Distribution Strategy, says the group continues to build its capability in underwriting and distribution to meet strong adviser support for ClearView ClearChoice.

She says that the company has invested significantly in technology, processes and people over the past few years “…as part of our transformation journey. Our new policy administration system and new underwriting rules engine will underpin future growth.”