Swiss Re Claims Medical Specialist Carly Van Den Akker has won the Australian Life Underwriters and Claims Association (ALUCA) TurksLegal Scholarship.

The prize covers travel and accommodation valued up to $8000 to attend a major US conference.

The runners-up were CommInsure Underwriter Stephen Connolly and MLC Claims Consultant Stephanie Catalucci.

Ms Van Den Akker won the prize for her essay “Early intervention for life and health insurance”.

“The experience has given me a tremendous sense of personal satisfaction in being able to write on a topic that I’m very passionate about,” she said.

TurksLegal Insurance and Financial Services Partner Alph Edwards says the scholarship encourages further professional development, “ensuring underwriters and claims professionals continue to enhance the quality and professionalism of the sector”.

The judges included TAL MD Jim Minto, CommInsure MD Paul Rayson, ClearView MD Simon Swanson, Tracey Peters and Chris Healey from ALUCA, BT Group Head of Life Insurance Phil Hay and TurksLegal Partners John Myatt, Lisa Norris and Mr Edwards.