Social
In our latest edition of ‘Honan on the Move’, where we put the spotlight on the career progression of our team, we catch up with our Legal Counsel Vanessa Yap. Moving away from handling insurance litigations and navigating the labyrinth of complex claims to becoming Legal Counsel at Honan seemed like a career detour at the time but turned out to be a career evolution instead. Vanessa shares the motivation behind her change from the claims to the legal team, the most fun part of her job and some of the daily habits that set her up for success.
%20-%20Vanessa%20Yap-01.jpg)
My parents had big dreams for me. They wanted me to be a doctor or a dentist; those "respectable" professions that come with white lab coats and endless floss samples. But I decided to become a lawyer instead. The idea of arguing with people for a living and wearing fancy lawyer robes intrigued me.
It all started when I fell into the world of insurance litigation after law school. I worked in this field for over seven years, fighting for justice and helping people get their claims settled. Then one day, I stumbled upon the role of complex claims manager at Honan. I figured managing complex claims would be a natural transition if I could handle insurance litigation. Little did I know about how complex insurance could get but that only motivated me more to sink my teeth into it. After navigating the labyrinth of complex claims, I made an internal move and emerged on the other side as a legal counsel. Now, I spend my days providing legal advice and helping navigate the intricacies of insurance policies and the laws and regulations that rule them all.
It was a combination of a desire for something different and to broaden my horizons and explore different facets of the insurance industry beyond courtroom battles and claim complexities. As I transitioned from a career in a private practice to an insurance brokerage, I discovered a whole new world of opportunities. What I initially perceived as a career detour turned out to be a career evolution. I realised that my experiences in insurance litigation and managing complex claims had equipped me with skills that I could now apply to help make informed decisions and navigate the insurance landscape effectively. I found myself not just interpreting policies and regulations, but also working closely with each of the business units to tailor solutions that meet their needs.
I thought insurance was primarily about sales and premiums and saw insurance as a straightforward transaction where people purchase policies and hope they never have to use them. In my current role, I've come to understand that insurance is about so much more than sales. It's about risk assessment, legal compliance, tailored solutions, and even a bit of psychology when it comes to understanding clients' needs and concerns.
It's the thrill of knowing that while everyone else is out there saving the day as doctors, firefighters, and astronauts, I'm part of making sure that people's insurance policies are in tip-top shape. I might not wear a cape, but I do have the ability to decipher insurance jargon. Plus, I get to drop phrases like "policy exclusions" and "premium calculations" at parties. And if that doesn't make you chuckle, you probably haven't spent enough time in the fascinating world of insurance!
Whether it's the discipline to consistently show up and do the work, the dedication to continual learning, or the practice of effective time management, the small, repeated actions quietly steer me toward my goals.
One work-related goal I've set is to master the art of "inbox zero”. It’s that mythical state that sometimes seems impossible to reach.
I would love to have a job as a professional personal shopper. Something I don’t ever want to do is work in pest control.
Being surrounded by the amazing people I get to work with. These fantastic people make every day an adventure.
In the grand theater of life, I've learned that the most cherished scenes are the ones where laughter and camaraderie take center stage, both at work and beyond.
