With our Claims Team having recently received a Gracechurch Service Quality Marque along with a top quartile ranking in the 2024 London Claims Monitor, we sat down with Head of First Party Claims, Dan Trenkel, to hear his thoughts and what this recognition means for the team moving forward. , Congratulations on securing a top quartile ranking in the 2024 Gracechurch London Claims Monitor! What does this achievement mean to the claims team at Berkley Specialty London?, The team are delighted to receive this award. It aligns with our strategic goal of being a market leader in Claims. The recognition is a testament to the expertise of our claims handlers. We are committed to delivering outstanding service and good customer outcomes and this award reinforces that. , Brokers rated us strongest for relationships, with over half awarding us a score of 9 out of 10 or higher. What do you think sets our claims team apart in terms of building and maintaining strong relationships with brokers?, Our team is known for a pro-active and responsive approach, which demonstrates our commitment to excellent service. I think brokers appreciate dealing with our handlers knowing they have the right expertise to manage the claims process and are empathetic and understanding. , Responsiveness and expertise were highlighted as key strengths by the brokers. Can you share some examples of how the claims team has demonstrated these qualities in handling claims?, On all matters, we provide prompt responses following notification of a claim. We had an instance recently of a claim where an expedited response was required and we worked with the London broker, retail broker and loss adjuster to resolve the matter promptly, which was well received. , How does the claims team at Berkley Specialty London ensure that they stay responsive and provide expert service in a rapidly evolving marketplace?, The team cares about the claims we receive. Good customer outcomes are a big focus for us. We are always trying to innovate and ensure that we are staying on top of technological advancements and legal trends, in order to maintain and strengthen our offering. , What are some of the challenges the claims team faces, and how do you overcome them to maintain such high standards of service?, In a technologically advanced world, there is an expectation for rapid communication and decision-making. Dealing with highly complex claims have their challenges and it is important that we continue to meet the needs of our customers by maintaining our ‘no stone unturned’ approach to reviewing claims, whilst also keeping up the momentum on the claims process. Our response times are top quartile…, Looking ahead, how does the claims team plan to build on this success and continue to improve the service and relationships with brokers and clients?, We will be continuing to look at our broker value proposition and will work with brokers and clients to ensure we are meeting their requirements. The art of conversation is highly underrated whether that be face-to-face or on the phone. We want our brokers and clients to hear our voices and see the person they are speaking to when they have any questions or issues. And thus, we highly value in-…
Dan Trenkel reflects on our recent Gracechurch SQM award, what this means for the Claims Team and our approach to claims.
Type: Blog post
We are delighted to announce that Berkley Specialty London has been awarded the prestigious Gracechurch Claims Service Quality Marque (SQM) in 2025. This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional claims service and upholding the highest standards in the industry. Ben Bolton, Managing Director of Gracechurch, commented: , “Berkley Specialty London achieves the Service Quality Marque in 2025; this is the result of a clear ambition and determination to be the best, resulting in a top quartile performance throughout 2024. Berkley Specialty London’s ‘no stone unturned’ approach to service is highly valued by the claims community, and rightly so.”, , What is the Gracechurch Claims SQM?, The Gracechurch Claims SQM is an independent accreditation awarded annually to claims teams that consistently deliver outstanding service quality. It is a highly respected benchmark in the insurance industry, recognising excellence and dedication to customer satisfaction. , Commitment to Excellence, At Berkley Specialty London, we believe that exceptional claims service is the cornerstone of our business. Our team is dedicated to providing prompt, fair, and transparent claims handling, so our clients receive the support they need when it matters most. This award validates our efforts and motivates us to continue striving for excellence. Receiving the Gracechurch Claims SQM is a…
Berkley Specialty London has been awarded the prestigious Gracechurch Claims Service Quality Marque (SQM) in 2025.
Type: Blog post
Expertly crafted product recall cover to protect your brand, your product and your balance sheet
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Specialists in worldwide first-party delegated authority business, fostering long-term partnerships with tailored underwriting, exceptional claims services, and first-rate technical support.
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A longstanding underwriting division, complemented by an experienced claims management team.
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At Berkley Specialty, we bring a wealth of underwriting excellence and an unwavering commitment to confronting the evolving risks faced by financial institutions.
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Pragmatic risk transfer solutions provided by experienced underwriters with a solution focus, backed up by award winning claims and breach response.
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Empowering our customers with innovative solutions and trading efficiency.
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Great ideas start with great people – join a team where your future takes shape.
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Q&A with Laurence Woodford, Head of Engineering & Construction at Berkley Specialty London. , How did you start off in the insurance market?, I started in insurance after finishing my A-levels. I took on a 3-month internship at Berkley Specialty London in their Engineering team, which then led to a job offer as an Underwriting Assistant. , What has been your career path since then?, I spent 2.5 years as an Underwriting Assistant, then a further 2.5 years as an Assistant Underwriter. During this time I studied for my ACII and once qualified was promoted to a full Underwriter. After 3 years I was promoted to Senior Underwriter and 1.5 years into this role, I was promoted to Head of Department; a role I have held for the past 3 years. By working hard I’ve been successful in…, What do you like most about your role?, From the outside looking in, I think insurance has a reputation for being a bit ‘dry’ but once you start to understand the industry it becomes genuinely interesting. In my job I am essentially putting a price on risk – which is something unquantifiable – and so I have to rely on a mixture of data and analysis along with knowledge and judgement in order to do this. I enjoy the social side of the…, What do you like most about Berkley Specialty London?, I’ve been with WRB my whole career and the main reason is probably down to the fact that they really let you create your own pathway. If you want to go in a certain direction and you can prove that you are adding value, then the business will help you to get there. Even though the Berkley businesses are part of a big corporation, each of these businesses operates within a decentralised…, What advice would you give to school-leavers who are thinking about insurance as a career?, Apply! You don’t have to be a university graduate to get access to this industry. If you are hardworking there is a lot of scope to do well and make a real success of yourself – personally, financially and professionally. Learn more about our career opportunities and available roles here .
Discover how a successful career in the insurance industry can begin with an internship. Read Laurence Woodford’s Q&A to learn more.
Type: Blog post
