The Australasian Life Underwriting and Claims Association (ALUCA) has named the winners of its annual excellence awards, with MetLife Australia coming out top in five out of the 11 categories.

ALUCA says a total of 54 entries were submitted from life insurance professionals across the country.

The special awards celebrate the value that outstanding life insurance, underwriting, claims, rehabilitation and other professionals contribute to the industry.

MetLife says it is the first organisation to win five awards in a single year, demonstrating the strength of its operating functions.

Here are the individual winners:

• Leadership Award - Arleen Hatton (MetLife Australia)
• Claims Award - Paula Ramsay (MLC Life Insurance)
• Underwriting Award - Sonya Strachan (MetLife Australia)
• Rehabilitation Award - Melissa Colonna (MetLife Australia)
• Rising Star of the Year Award - Senthil Baladhandayutham (TAL)
• David Mico Education Award - Matthew Parsons (MLC Life Insurance)
• Volunteer Hero of the Year Award - Josh Agar (MLC Life Insurance)

Here are the team winners:

• Claims Team of The Year Award - OnePath Mental Health Team (Zurich/OnePath)
• Underwriting Team of The Year Award - Metlife Australia Underwriting Team (MetLife)
• Customer Service Team of the Year Award - Strategy and Recovery Team (MetLife)
• Innovation Team of the Year Award - Cancer Support Program with Valion Health (Zurich/OnePath)