Life As an Insurance Underwriter
Career Description Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.
Insurance Underwriter Responsibilities
- Decline excessive risks.
- Examine documents to determine degree of risk from factors such as applicant health, financial standing and value, and condition of property.
- Review company records to determine amount of insurance in force on single risk or group of closely related risks.
- 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.
- Evaluate possibility of losses due to catastrophe or excessive insurance.
- Authorize reinsurance of policy when risk is high.
Featured schools near , edit
What Every Insurance Underwriter Should Know
Insurance Underwriters state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Insurance Underwriter
- Underwriting Account Representative
- Marine Underwriter
- Underwriting Manager
- Personal Lines Underwriter
- Bond Underwriter
Job Demand for Insurance Underwriters
There were about 104,100 jobs for Insurance Underwriter in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Insurance Underwriter. The BLS estimates 7,500 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Insurance Underwriter are Utah, Arizona, and Maryland. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Insurance Underwriter
Insurance Underwriters make between $42,260 and $122,840 a year.
Insurance Underwriters who work in New Hampshire, District of Columbia, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Insurance Underwriters make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $60,750 |
Alaska | $67,430 |
Arizona | $73,290 |
Arkansas | $55,290 |
California | $88,140 |
Colorado | $77,170 |
Connecticut | $85,010 |
Delaware | $67,330 |
District of Columbia | $87,010 |
Florida | $70,900 |
Georgia | $81,290 |
Hawaii | $67,040 |
Idaho | $68,710 |
Illinois | $75,690 |
Indiana | $77,190 |
Iowa | $71,680 |
Kansas | $74,630 |
Kentucky | $69,940 |
Louisiana | $69,440 |
Maine | $68,390 |
Maryland | $77,650 |
Massachusetts | $82,540 |
Michigan | $70,270 |
Minnesota | $68,410 |
Mississippi | $65,530 |
Missouri | $68,250 |
Montana | $76,830 |
Nebraska | $68,120 |
Nevada | $67,260 |
New Hampshire | $81,280 |
New Jersey | $88,510 |
New Mexico | $61,050 |
New York | $92,810 |
North Carolina | $78,220 |
North Dakota | $68,310 |
Ohio | $74,370 |
Oklahoma | $59,820 |
Oregon | $72,570 |
Pennsylvania | $77,300 |
Rhode Island | $71,260 |
South Carolina | $55,320 |
South Dakota | $78,370 |
Tennessee | $68,630 |
Texas | $68,390 |
Utah | $60,040 |
Vermont | $65,610 |
Virginia | $68,950 |
Washington | $81,210 |
West Virginia | $58,830 |
Wisconsin | $68,670 |
What Tools & Technology do Insurance Underwriters Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Insurance Underwriters may use on a daily basis:
- 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
How to Become an Insurance Underwriter
Education needed to be an Insurance Underwriter:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Insurance Underwriters Work?
Below are examples of industries where Insurance Underwriters work:
References:
Image Credit: Nick Youngson via Creative Commons 3 - CC BY-SA 3.0
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info | Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |