Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Insurance Underwriter
What insurance underwriters actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an insurance underwriter?
Review new submissions. From there, the day usually includes review applications, assess risk, and set premiums and terms. Full-time business hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an insurance underwriter working full time.
- Review new submissions.
- Analyze a restaurant’s loss history.
- Call a broker about terms.
- Review an inspection report.
- Price a renewal.
- Refer a large risk to a manager.
- Document decisions.
Where insurance underwriters work
Underwriters work in insurance company offices, and many work remotely.
Hours and schedule
Full-time business hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Review applications
- Assess risk
- Set premiums and terms
- Approve or decline coverage
- Work with agents and brokers
- Review loss histories
- Follow underwriting guidelines
Tools you’ll use every day
- Underwriting software
- Rating engines
- Loss run reports
- Excel
- Inspection reports
- CRM
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Analytical work
- Good pay
- Remote options
- Clear career ladder
What’s hard
- Declining employment
- Quotas
- Automation
- Pressure from brokers
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like analyzing risk
- I make decisions confidently
- I like rules with judgment
- I want remote options
- I’m detail-oriented
- I want a stable industry
Not sure? Take the free Insurance Underwriter fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Protect applicant data
- Follow anti-discrimination rules
- Follow state insurance rules
- Report suspected fraud