Insurance Underwriter
Life As an Insurance Underwriter
Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.
Insurance Underwriter Responsibilities
- Authorize reinsurance of policy when risk is high.
- Decrease value of policy when risk is substandard and specify applicable endorsements or apply rating to ensure safe, profitable distribution of risks, using reference materials.
- Review company records to determine amount of insurance in force on single risk or group of closely related risks.
- Examine documents to determine degree of risk from factors such as applicant health, financial standing and value, and condition of property.
- Evaluate possibility of losses due to catastrophe or excessive insurance.
- Decline excessive risks.
Skills Needed to be an Insurance Underwriter
- Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles
- Underwriting Account Representative
- Underwriting Director
- Commercial Lines Underwriter
- Underwriting Consultant
- Underwriting Manager
Tools & Technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- LexisNexis
- Delphi Technology
- C++
- Fannie Mae Desktop Underwriter