Underwriter

Category: Underwriting practice · Reviewed by Tim Roche, Director · PI & Commercial · Last reviewed

Underwriter

An underwriter is the individual (or, for delegated authority, the entity) that accepts insurance risk on behalf of an insurer or Lloyd’s syndicate, sets the price and terms, and binds the contract. The role combines technical analysis, commercial judgement and authority management.

Types of underwriter

• Direct insurer underwriter — employed by an insurance company, writes business presented by brokers or direct to consumers.
• Lloyd’s underwriter — employed by a managing agent, writes business on behalf of a syndicate.
• Reinsurance underwriter — writes outwards risk presented by ceding insurers.
• MGA / coverholder underwriter — operates under delegated authority from a capacity provider.
• Captive underwriter — manages risk for the captive’s parent.

Authority and binding

Every underwriter operates within a written underwriting authority that specifies:

• Classes of business permitted.
• Geographies permitted.
• Maximum line size per risk.
• Aggregate authority across the book.
• Maximum loss limit and minimum retention requirements.
• Conditions on referral to senior underwriters.

Breach of authority can render the contract voidable as against the insurer and trigger personal disciplinary consequences.

Professional standards

• Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) qualifications — Cert CII, Dip CII, ACII, Chartered Insurer.
• Lloyd’s Underwriting Standards (PERIL Standards 1–7).
• SM&CR — senior underwriting roles can fall within Certification Regime or SMF roles.

References

• Lloyd’s Underwriting Standards.
• CII syllabi.
• Solvency II Directive 2009/138/EC.

Cross-references

• Underwriting
• Underwriting authority

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Maintained by Matt Bartlett, Director, Apex Insurance Brokers Limited. FCA FRN 724952. Companies House 07014570.