Insurance underwriters are faced with countless complex scenarios that challenge them to think outside the box and craft unique coverage on a daily basis. Surely, this is no small feat. So, what sort of preparations must they make to ensure they exceed expectations for their brokers? 

With a focus on providing best-in-class insurance solutions to customers, the opportunity for education, growth and professional development are prioritized daily. While no day is the same, let’s take a look at a day in the life of an underwriter. 

An average day begins and ends with monitoring workflow. When submissions flow in, underwriters must work quickly to review them, searching for any initial concerns with a fine-tooth comb. Should any inquiries arise, the underwriter consults the broker over a phone call to discuss the deal in-depth. This is a great way to unearth additional information about a submission, elaborate on confounding variables and become more comfortable with the specifics of a submission. Often, many issues can be resolved with a short discussion, which also strengthens the relationship between an underwriter and a broker. 

Staying in touch with brokers and building a robust bond with them is fundamental to the success of our team and is something that Great American prides itself on. 

Several times a year, our underwriters take time to reconnect with their valued brokers at a variety of venues, from baseball games to fishing frenzies . Underwriters also attend numerous conferences and networking events throughout the year, where they learn about industry trends, share insights and collaborate with environmental professionals, which can often lead to not only enhanced business relationships, but flourishing friendships. 

Teamwork is essential in all aspects of the underwriting process. From receipt of the submission to its final binding, our underwriting team collaborates with one another to exchange unique insights, ask questions and ensure division-wide confidence with each deal. For more complex issues, underwriters can consult the risk control team, who is well-versed in environmental regulations and ongoing legislation, helping to provide an educated analysis on any given situation. Collaboration can be rewarding for all parties involved, by allowing underwriters the chance to assist a teammate while also providing support on more intricate and unique submissions. 

Underwriting can be a great way to stay informed on current events, due to the wide variety of businesses that seek out environmental insurance and the national reach of our underwriting arm. In their day-to-day operations, underwriters must review and comprehend a number of unique business practices to determine their exposure, allowing them to continuously expand their knowledge. So, while their days are busy, they are certainly never boring!

“It is a rewarding process to work closely with our technically versatile team to provide solutions for our insureds’ day-to-day risks.”

– Scott Tardif, Senior Underwriter

Grant is a fourth year at The Ohio State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a specialization in marketing and a minor in environment, economy, development and sustainability. Throughout his internship, Grant focused his efforts on supporting marketing and business development for the Division.

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