The Underwriting Process– Who, How, and Why?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1: THE UNDERWRITER

4

WHAT IS AN UNDERWRITER?

7

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF UNDERWRITING?

12

PHYSICAL HAZARD

13

MORAL HAZARD

14

WHAT TYPES OF DECISIONS DOES AN UNDERWRITER MAKE?

16

ISSUING A POLICY WITH HIGHER PREMIUMS

17

ISSUING A POLICY WITH LIMITED POLICY BENEFITS

17

ISSUING A POLICY WITH CERTAIN EXCLUSIONS

17

ISSUING A POLICY THAT IS EQUITABLE

18

ISSUING A POLICY THAT IS DELIVERABLE

18

ISSUING A POLICY THAT IS PROFITABLE

19

WHAT KIND OF UNDERWRITING BEHAVIORS ARE VITAL FOR UNDERWRITERS?

20

SECTION REVIEW

24

SECTION 2: THE UNDERWRITING PROCESS– WHAT IS INVOLVED?

25

THE INSURANCE APPLICATION: GATHERING PERTINENT INFORMATION

25

THE RATING SYSTEM: DETERMINING RISK CLASSIFICATION

34

THE UNDERWRITING MANUAL: EVALUATING AND RATING RISKS

35

THE UNDERWRITING PROCESS: PRELIMINARY PROCESSING

41

INSURABLE INTEREST

42

VALID CONTRACT

43

INSURABLE RISK

44

THE UNDERWRITING PROCESS: EVALUATING THE INFORMATION AND MAKING A DECISION

46

EVALUATING LOSS EXPOSURES

46

DETERMINING UNDERWRITING DECISION

47

SELECTING AN UNDERWRITING DECISION

47

IDENTIFYING THE APPROPRIATE PREMIUM

48

IMPLEMENTING THE UNDERWRITING DECISION

48

MONITORING THE INSURED

48

ADDITIONAL FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND: WHEN REVIEWING THE APPLICATION

49

ADDITIONAL FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND: CASE APPROVAL AUTHORITY

51

ADDITIONAL FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND: UTILIZING UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE

53

SECTION REVIEW

57

SECTION 3: MAINTAINING PROFITABILITY AND SOLVING PROBLEMS

58

UNDERWRITING AND THE UNDERWRITING CYCLE

59

PROBABILITY AND INSURANCE

61

EVENTS

61

PROBABILITY SCALE

61

COMPOUND EVENTS

62

COMPOUND PROBABILITY

62

RATEMAKING AND UNDERWRITERS

64

REINSURANCE AND PROFITABILITY

68

LARGE-LINE CAPACITY

70

CATASTROPHE PROTECTION

70

STABILIZATION

71

WITHDRAWAL

71

UNDERWRITING ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

72

SECTION REVIEW

73

SECTION 4: HOW LEGISLATION AFFECTS UNDERWRITING

75

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION STATUTES

76

DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX

77

DISCRIMINATION BASED ON PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS

77

DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS AND INFORMATION

80

DISCRIMINATION BASED ON MARITAL STATUS

86

DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL PREFERENCE

86

PERSONAL INFORMATION AND PRIVACY LAWS

87

THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT (1971)

88

THE PRIVACY ACT (1974)

90

THE GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY ACT (1999)

98

SECTION REVIEW

102

COURSE REVIEW

104

SECTION 1: THE UNDERWRITER

104

SECTION 2: THE UNDERWRITING PROCESS– WHAT IS INVOLVED?

107

SECTION 3: MAINTAINING PROFITABILITY AND SOLVING PROBLEMS

109

SECTION 4: HOW LEGISLATION AFFECTS UNDERWRITING

111

REFERENCES

113

 

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