Insurance Underwriter Job Description

What is the job description of an Insurance Underwriter? What are the duties and responsibilities of an Insurance Underwriter? What does an Insurance Underwriter do?

Job description of an Insurance Underwriter

Insurance underwriters decide if applications for insurance cover (risks) should be accepted and if so, what the terms of that acceptance are. They assess a risk according to the likelihood of a claim being made by weighing up a number of factors and asking for detailed information from prospective clients (policyholders). The aim is to minimise losses for their company and help to make a profit. Most underwriters specialize in one type of insurance.

Insurance underwriters work closely with actuaries, risk and claims managers to ensure a balance between attracting and retaining customers through competitive insurance premiums (fees) and being able to cover any potential losses from claims.

This Insurance Underwriter job description example includes the list of most important Insurance Underwriter duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Insurance Underwriter profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Insurance Underwriter Duties and Responsibilities

Insurance Underwriter job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Keeping detailed and accurate records of policies underwritten and decisions made.
  • Studying various insurance proposals;
  • Visiting brokers or potential customers and preparing quotes;
  • Liaising with specialists, such as surveyors or doctors, for risk assessment;
  • Calculating possible risk and deciding how much individuals or organisations should pay for insurance (the premium);
  • Negotiating with brokers and drawing up contracts;
  • Writing policies;
  • Gathering and assessing background information in order to effectively assess the risk involved;
  • Specifying conditions to be imposed on different types of policies, for example, asking that a property owner install a security alarm;
  • Deciding whether the risk should be shared with a reinsurer;
  • Computing results for appropriate premiums using actuarial information, other statistics and own judgement;
  • Gathering information and various types of reports (e.g. medical records) from specialists;
  • Negotiating terms with policyholders or their brokers;
  • Ensuring that premiums are competitive;

Insurance Underwriter Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Insurance Underwriter job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • A degree in insurance or related numerate discipline.
  • Strong numeracy, analytical and strategy skills
  • Good research skills
  • A professional approach to work, integrity and respect for ethics
  • IT competence and computer literacy
  • Negotiation skills
  • Written and oral communication skills
  • The confidence to relate to a range of people and to challenge people when necessary.
  • Planning and organisational skills and problem-solving ability
  • The ability to explain complex issues and present technical information clearly
  • Commercial awareness
  • The capacity to work independently and cope with pressure and responsibility

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Insurance Underwriter starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Insurance Underwriter job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of an Insurance Underwriter may also reference it in preparation for the interview.