Welcome to the Network: Larry Han and Continental Insurance Brokers

1. How did your career in insurance begin?

In 2006, I started my first job at an insurance call centre, taking about 50 calls per day. This busy environment helped me develop my communication skills and gain a lot of basic insurance knowledge. Not long after this, as the only person fluent in Mandarin at the time, I was selected to deal with all Chinese customers. I was able to get trained in all general insurance products and systems quickly. I’m a quick learner which has enabled me to become an insurance professional in a very short period of time. 

From 2011 – 2017, I worked at NZI in a few different roles: starting as Senior Claims/Resolution Consultant, then becoming a Libero Player assisting with Asian loss adjusting, to claim investigating plus some technical claims management. In the meantime, I also looked after all the training for the claims team and quite enjoyed imparting my insurance knowledge to colleagues. 

In 2018, I walked into the commercial underwriting zone. The job required me to deal with a lot of commercial risks which are often branded as ‘too hard’. I saw each of them as a ‘special’ project, which required me to provide accurate insights and interpretation for risks. In return, I accumulated a wealth of knowledge in large/complex insurance programmes. 

2. What have you found over that time is important to your success as a broker? 

Working in the insurance claims environment let me obtain a decent amount of policy knowledge and developed my case management skills. I was thriving on achieving results, taking responsibilities of any claim issues and getting confidence to provide timely resolutions. My commercial underwriter background and re-insurance modelling experience has assisted me in getting more sense of premium/rating model and/or other insurance term changes.  

I enjoy attending all Asian community functions, sometimes being a host/MC for small events. I have an outgoing personality and I enjoy meeting and dealing with people. I like to share my knowledge and experience with whoever potentially needs it. I believe reputation starts from being a good person, and gradually with each passing day, you will see yourself building your own network, like I have. My goal is to be successful in whatever vocation I choose and to exceed clients’ expectations but enjoy life at the same time. 

3. Career highlights? 

In 2015-2016, as a Senior Claims/Resolution Consultant and won the ‘IAG Best Team Player Quarter Award’ twice and was also nominated in the Annual Final List. 

In 2018, I obtained support from AON Benfield (UK) and had my underwriting binding authority approved by Lloyds. 

In 2019, I was nominated as the ‘Top Underwriter’ in the Steadfast, Australia - New Zealand Conference Final Awards ceremony. 

4. What prompted you to decide to step out on your own? 

My professional growth and referral network development are very important to me. Although I have enjoyed working as an insurance expert for the last few years, I find that I have learnt everything I possibly could and gained complementary experiences. I have excellent communication skills, and after enjoying several interactions with people, when I re-evaluated my plans for the future, I realised my passion lies in insurance broking. To pursue that passion, I even started looking for new ways to get further involved in client relationships and establishing a stimulating environment to remain fully engaged within this industry. As such, I have known for a while that I am ready for a new challenge. 

5. How do you feel about starting your own business? 

It will be a challenge because of the uncertainties that come with starting your own business. However, I also see this as a big step towards forging closer client relationships. With this step, I feel I can be more independent, flexible and confident in providing sound professional advice and can take more responsibility in helping protect the insured’s assets and liabilities than before. I also have the support of my family and friends which makes me feel excited and ready for this. 

6. Tell us about your vision for your business and your clients. What value do you think you can bring to your clients and what do you hope to achieve?   

I want to be the TOP Asian broker in Wellington. i.e., when Asians talk about insurance, the first broker’s name that comes up should be Larry Han.  

Compared to other brokers, I was an authorised underwriter for Lloyds and dealt with a lot of reinsurance programmes in Wellington. I possess a thorough knowledge of insurance models and rating scales and have a very strong sense for business opportunities. I know the Asian community very well and aim to build a large referral network in the community. 

7. Can you tell us a bit about you - e.g., your family, a hobby, something that gives a little insight into you? 

My wife was born in China but spent approx. 15 years in Dublin. I respect all her Irish culture and custom, and we still celebrate St Patrick’s Day. I have two daughters, 2 and 7 years old. For me, my family always stays at the top of my priority list. We usually do a long trip once a year, be it hiring a large motorhome in Queenstown for a week or spending a couple of weeks overseas.

I like to play table tennis and was the VUW team coach for about 3 years. These days, I am training my 7-year-old too. I am an amateur singer and enjoy spending some time doing karaoke on weekends. I also occasionally help friends and people in the Chinese community to organise functions and/or act as host/MC for events.