Born and Raised in the Strata Industry: Meet Jess Davison CHU’s new Underwriting Manager for VIC/SA/TAS /WA

Jess Davison first joined CHU in 2012 and has experience across a range of roles within CHU from underwriting, specialty risk and leadership positions. In 2018, Jess took on the new role of mum, when she welcomed her first child, and following her maternity leave, she returned as a Senior Underwriter. Jess balanced her growing family with a focus on large and complex accounts and even stepped in as the delegate Manager for the National Specialty Risks Team. Now, as her youngest child prepares for school, Jess is excited to embrace her new role as Underwriting Manager for the Southwest regions which includes Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Jess has accumulated an impressive blend of experience in underwriting and team leadership. Her path, however, started much earlier, shaped by her upbringing and family roots in the strata world. Jess was raised in a strata-centric family, with parents who owned a strata management company for over 25 years. This experience gave her an intimate understanding of the complexities and challenges that strata managers and owners face. This connection to strata living has been invaluable in her career, particularly at CHU, where customer focus is paramount. Jess’s firsthand experience allows her to truly think about underwriting through the customer lens.

We took this opportunity to talk to Jess and learn more about her experiences and she shared her perspective of the ‘customer-first’ approach to underwriting at CHU.

Q&A with Jess Davison

Q: How did growing up in a strata-focused family shape your approach to underwriting?

Growing up in a strata-focused environment has given me a head start in understanding the intricacies of the industry. When I joined CHU, I already had a sound understanding of the complexities of strata, which has been invaluable in my day-to-day work. For example, in handling complex cases that involve specific policy conditions, I understand the processes an Owners Corporation might need to follow before repairs or rectifications begin. This insight helps me recommend conditions that are fair, realistic, and achievable, ensuring smoother interactions and outcomes for both our clients and our underwriting team.

I see our team of underwriters at CHU as problem solvers, especially when working with buildings with defects or complex claims history. My background and experiences align well with this problem-solving mindset, as I always aim to find balanced solutions that work for both the insurer and the insured.

Q. How can underwriters work with brokers, strata managers and owners to improve provide insurance solutions?

As underwriters, we play an essential role in collaborating with brokers, strata managers, and lot owners to ensure everyone understands the risks and the coverage needed. This involves clear, consistent communication, particularly around the importance of specific, detailed disclosure. When we receive accurate information up front, we’re able to assess risks more efficiently, ultimately leading to quicker quote turnaround and better outcomes.

Building strong relationships and establishing open communication with our customers is essential as an underwriter. The more two-way communication flows, the more we can provide positive experiences for the insured (our customers).

Q: Do you have any tips for underwriters, brokers and strata managers in terms of customer-centric decisions?

See the Customer’s Perspective - At the end of the day, our clients are individuals with unique needs and expectations. Keeping this perspective in mind helps us create policies that reflect empathy and understanding.
Work as a Team - Our roles (underwriters, brokers and strata managers) involve listening to customers, understanding their needs, and finding solutions (wherever possible) that address their specific situations. By approaching our work as a collaborative effort, we can create more effective policies and develop lasting customer relationships.

Q: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in your new role as Underwriting Manager?

In my new role, I’m excited to continue the work that CHU has pioneered in underwriting and service delivery. I’m looking forward to leading my team of experts, sharing my experience, and building new industry connections and ensuring our team continues to deliver exceptional service that aligns with our customers’ evolving needs.

CHU are excited to welcome Jess into this new role, she is well-positioned to guide her team and help meet and exceed customer expectations. This appointment is great news for our broker and strata manager clients in the South-West region.

To learn more about the critical role of underwriting within the strata insurance industry, join one of our industry-focused webinars or see our recent article and video from Renee Reiri – Being an Underwriter.