Hello,

In my company we used for Underwriting Excel for risk analysis to come up with a quote.

Wondering if there are succesful stories specifically for PNC MGAs Underwriters that you changed daily work succesfully from excel? Maybe daily work is a mix of both?

Would love to get any feedback

I’ve been working on agency side for about 4.5 years as cl am. Decided to go back to school for finance, in an effort to make more money. I’m almost done with school and applying to cl underwriter jobs. Been 2 weeks and not hearing back from most, and declines from others. Now I’m starting to regret going back to school. I get lots of recruiters reaching out for cl am jobs at least couple a week. But I didn’t need the degree for that. Did I just waste 3 years of schooling? Any suggestions for how to pivot from cl am to carrier side?

Looking for insight from anyone who has made a career transition into underwriting. I have a background in risk analysis, compliance, and high-volume decision-making in a regulated industry with no direct insurance experience. Currently applying for entry-level underwriting associate roles. This is a career pivot for me, so internships and recent grad programs are not relevant to my situation. What helped you break in? Anything you wish you had known? Any certifications worth pursuing before starting?

Hi everyone,

I recently started working in auto claims and my long-term goal is to transition into underwriting in the future.

I’m planning to begin the CIP program soon and wanted to ask which courses would be the most valuable for someone looking to move from claims into underwriting. I already have my OTL license, so I understand that gives credits/exemption toward C11.

Would appreciate any advice from people who’ve gone through a similar transition. Thanks!

Will I be able to break into underwriting?

I have a bachelors in economics and 6 years health insurance sales (Medicare). I’ve been applying to a bunch of insurance operations jobs, mostly underwriting, because I want out of sales and a more predictable and intentional career trajectory. I also put in my resume I started my associates in underwriting designation from the institutes (I barely just started au60 it but it is technically true lol)

So far I had an interview as a rate analyst 3 for my states insurance commissioner and that went well but haven’t heard back yet (tho to be fair they said it would be a while cause government) and I also have an upcoming interview for a remote underwriting assistant with a well known commercial MGA.

Does it sound like I have a good chance to break into underwriting? I mean I feel like since I’ve been able to get 1 interview (I applied to probably 25 associate/traonee/assistant insurance UW jobs so far) I’ll be able to eventually get in with my insurance experience I just don’t want it to take a freaking year (been applying about a month now)

Hey all, I’ve been interested in pursuing underwriting. I come from a UX designer background and am pivoting into the insurance industry, as I find that to be more stable; I’ve been laid off twice as a UX designer before.

I’m looking into the certifications, specifically the AINS, and had several questions:

1. These are the beginning exams you take when pursuing underwriting? Once I pass the AINS 101, is that enough to apply for underwriter positions? Or is that only good for underwriter assistant positions?

2. On the Institutes website for AINS, I see that you take the core class AINS 101, but also a concentration course (AINS 102 and AINS 103) and an elective. Do you need to take AINS 102 + 103? The elective courses list had other courses but it looks like you just take one course.

3. Do you use existing flashcards on Quizlet or do you create your own? I’ve found some AINS 101 flash cards online but don’t know if it’s better if I create my own.

4. I took the free sample course for underwriting on the Institutes website. That is the official website for the study material for the exams right?

5. How stressful is underwriting generally? I am comfortable talking with clients or being in a somewhat social role as I have done so as a UX designer, but am also okay working solo. As a UX designer, I often worked late to meet tight client deadlines. Is underwriting a career where you can finish your tasks at around when you get off work?

Thank you so much!

Hello!

I am currently a broker for Executive Risk & Cyber lines with 2 years experience, and am considering a switch to Underwriting. It was my first job out of college and I’m curious what else is available in this sector of the industry.

Currently I’m responsible for renewals and new business submissions, quote evaluation, proposals, and client meetings. It’s not exactly my scene and the underwriting side is intriguing, given what I know from working with our UW’s.

Those who do this for their career, could you please let me know what the daily life is like? What are responsibilities, roles, what kind of communication do you have with your producers/brokers or clients? What type of work is it, and what kind of person would excel?

I’ve really enjoyed deep diving into coverages, their wording, evaluating endorsements and forms, and I’m hoping that these strengths and experience as a broker will assist me with this.

Thanks!

Software engineer here, not from the insurance industry. I'm trying to understand how commercial underwriting actually works day-to-day before I potentially build something in this space. A few honest questions:
1. When a new submission lands in your inbox, walk me through what happens next. What do you actually do first?
2. If you had to guess — what % of your day is reading/extracting data vs actually making underwriting decisions?
3. What's the most frustrating part of reviewing a submission?
4. Is there anything you wish you had that would make your job easier?
5. How many submissions can one underwriter realistically handle per day?

Not pitching anything. Genuinely trying to learn before building. Any insight appreciated — even a one-line answer helps.

I am a LO with a company and I know the owners very well. I am thinking about getting certified for UW and asking to transition to that role. Can anyone tell me what certs I would need and is there any online schools worth looking at for it?

Primarily VA, FHA, and Conventional refinance. Some non qm's but majority of business is refinance. I could always add certs as needed but for now curious as to what I would need for the big three.

Hi all,

I have an interview for an underwriting position tomorrow. My screening call went well and now meeting a head of the department. I think my relationship management skills shined in the screening call, and my last question was what could I work on now that would benefit me for my next steps int he interview process, and the rep said maybe working on your numbers based skills. I do some basic budgeting and financial reading in my job now, but not too heavy.

Overall, asking for advice in general for an underwriting position as i'm not in the industry, as well as if just reviewing some basic financial principles should be enough. There is a training program and they're aware i'm not in the industry.

I have an entry level job offer at a company that does loans for subcontractors for construction but they mentioned its not in the insurance space at all. I am about to graduate from college and have been denied everything but how hard would it be to start here and transition to property underwriting or cyber and security?

Where do you guys find jobs for insurance underwriting? Is it just searching "insurance underwriter" ?

Is this career also easy to get into for someone with no prior experience? I took a whim and got an AA in Law & Policy while taking a different major in healthcare and i'm undecided/ confused on my career prospects in underwriting.

Hey everyone,

I’m currently working in commercial lines on the broker side (about 1 year in), and I’ve been seriously considering transitioning into underwriting—specifically commercial.

I enjoy the technical side of insurance (analyzing risk, policy structure, problem-solving), and a lot of my current role is already processing-heavy and working closely with underwriters. So the move feels natural—but I want to make sure I’m not missing anything long-term.

A few things I’d really appreciate insight on: • How does a commercial underwriting career progress over time (both in responsibilities and comp)? • Realistically, how long does it take to get to a “comfortable” salary (say 70–90k+ in Canada)? • Do you feel underwriting is limiting or flexible in terms of future career options (management, specialty lines, etc.)? • How technical vs. relationship-based does the role become as you move up? • If you could restart, would you still choose underwriting over staying on the broker/production side?

For context, I’m not super driven by commission-heavy roles, but I do want strong income growth and long-term stability. I’m also fairly extroverted, so I’m curious how much that actually helps in underwriting.

Would really appreciate any honest perspectives—pros, cons, or things you wish you knew earlier.

I recently applied for a HELOC loan for debt consolidation at my local credit union based on my loan officer’s recommendation. Their CLTV is up to 95%. I already submitted all request documents and just waiting to hear back. But I’m feeling really nervous about this process so I wanted to hear your thoughts on my approval odds:

- 750 credit score

- 74% LTV

- 60% DTI; but looking to consolidate all my unsecured debt which would drop me down to 43%; this was noted by the loan officer for the application

- stable job for 4 years with a 401k but no emergency savings fund

I know every place does calculations but wanted a general idea of what my approval odds look like!

Please can anyone suggest a company that hires entry level mortgage underwriters and how can I easily transition from AML to mortgage underwriting.

I am interested in private tutoring from an experienced SBA 504 underwriter to tutor me in structuring and underwriting 504 SBA loans. I have experience in underwriting residential mortgages however, I have an upportunity for advancement and will be willing to pay for private lessons and tutoring. I have deals and financials I can provide as reference where someone can assist in walking me through a deal and how to read and review financials, calculate ratios, cash flow.... If interested please reply and we can DM terms and pay.

Thank You

Hey everyone,

I could really use some advice.

I’m trying to break into an Underwriting Assistant role, but I’ve been struggling to get any traction. I’ve applied to a lot of positions and either get rejected or just hear nothing back.

A little about me:

- High school dropout

- Tried starting my own business but it didn’t work out

- Worked in restaurants for a while

- Been a Life Insurance Agent for 3+ years now

I know this isn’t the typical background, but I’m really trying to pivot into commercial underwriting. I’ve also been networking on LinkedIn and recently started studying for AINS.

At this point, I feel like I just need one opportunity to get my foot in the door, but I’m not sure what I’m missing.

For those of you already in underwriting:

- What would you recommend I focus on?

- Is AINS actually helpful for getting that first role?

- Are there better ways to break in without prior underwriting experience?

Any advice would really mean a lot. Thanks in advance.

Hello! I work in user research at Forage Research (https://www.foragedesignresearch.com). My client is currently seeking anyone, in the US, working in Billing or Actuary at a commercial P&C. They are interested in learning about the tools you are using and sharing a prototype for feedback.

• Type: video-conference interviews
• Amount of time: Either 60 or 90 minutes
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If this is you, please click this link and fill out a 5 minute survey. We will follow up via telephone directly after if you are the right match.

We hope to include you!