The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) is inviting entries for its “Making a Difference” recognition awards in the categories of Broking, Claims and General Insurance.

Insurance professionals are encouraged to enter or nominate a peer who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, commitment, achievement and passion in the insurance industry. Entries are open until September 24 and winners will be revealed December 1.

The awards are part of the ANZIIF’s Year of the Insurance Professional initiative and highlight individuals who have gone “above and beyond” to display professionalism.

“By celebrating the things we do well, we can continue to raise the profile of insurance in the community,” ANZIIF GM Industry Engagement Damian Falkingham said.

The broking award, which is supported by QBE, comes with a restaurant or travel voucher valued at $500 while the prize for the General Insurance award, which is supported by JB Hi-Fi Solutions, is an Apple Watch, and the winner of the Claims award, supported by Independent Validation Advisory Australia (IVAA), receives a one-on-one session with IVAA MD Matt McHutchison or a professional biography written by Foundry Productions.

In June, the ProRisk Claims Team, Professional Risk Underwriting, took out ANZIIF’s Most Valuable Team Award, sponsored by Munich Re, while Flex Insurance Senior Underwriter Lillian Zhou won for Underwriting and Vocational Services and IPAR Team Leader Rachael Crick took the Life award, sponsored by AIA.