Pros
The atmosphere was very friendly and supportive. I began as an associate underwriter and was given extensive training on general underwriting principles as well as company practice and systems. Due to the relatively small size of the department it was possible to directly interact with senior management regularly. The underwriters have an assorted work history which allows for interesting collaboration and ideas when attempting to solve problems. The work and clientele are diverse which allows the underwriter to learn about many different industries and occupations. The salary is very competitive compared to many other companies in the same industry. The company also has opportunities for employees to gain certifications and qualifications such as the CPCU which are paid for by the employer. The hours are very flexible during the off season though it is expected that the necessary hours are worked to complete tasks during heavy periods of work.
Cons
The opportunity for growth was limited during my time there and there were very few opportunities to progress past a senior underwriter post. Compared to some of its publicly traded counterparts the bonuses were fairly low and tied to a performance rating system in which the rating received can sometimes seem arbitrary due to the vague performance guidelines. Promotions and awards can seem capricious as, again, performance is not tied to any specific metric but broadly defined categories. The internal relationship between other internal departments such as Sales and Actuarial can be contentious and adversarial instead of collaborative. The actuarial department in particular can be rigid and conservative in its methodology which is counter-productive to growth.