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Closer vs personal lines underwriter

The differences between closers and personal lines underwriters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a personal lines underwriter has an average salary of $69,706, which is higher than the $29,291 average annual salary of a closer.

The top three skills for a closer include customer service, cleanliness and punctuality. The most important skills for a personal lines underwriter are insurance policies, underwriting decisions, and loss ratio.

Closer vs personal lines underwriter overview

CloserPersonal Lines Underwriter
Yearly salary$29,291$69,706
Hourly rate$14.08$33.51
Growth rate4%-4%
Number of jobs7,56019,754
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4544
Years of experience6-

What does a closer do?

The duties of a closer depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to ensure that they understand and adhere to all terms of the agreement, completing all requirements and necessary documents, and maintaining records of all transactions. A closer must also monitor the regular payments of clients to ensure their compliance with the agreement, answer any inquiries, perform follow-up calls, and address any issues or concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently.

What does a personal lines underwriter do?

A personal lines underwriter works at insurance companies to ensure that clients are eligible to receive insurance services. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing insurance applications, verifying client information, studying financial histories and occupational risks, and conducting interviews. They may also perform clerical support tasks such as preparing and processing documents, handling calls and correspondence, and updating databases. Moreover, a personal lines underwriter typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Closer vs personal lines underwriter salary

Closers and personal lines underwriters have different pay scales, as shown below.

CloserPersonal Lines Underwriter
Average salary$29,291$69,706
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $40,000Between $43,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CityGreece, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew York
Best paying companyGPACCapital Group
Best paying industry-Insurance

Differences between closer and personal lines underwriter education

There are a few differences between a closer and a personal lines underwriter in terms of educational background:

CloserPersonal Lines Underwriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Closer vs personal lines underwriter demographics

Here are the differences between closers' and personal lines underwriters' demographics:

CloserPersonal Lines Underwriter
Average age4544
Gender ratioMale, 45.0% Female, 55.0%Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 6.1% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 5.7% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between closer and personal lines underwriter duties and responsibilities

Closer example responsibilities.

  • Time management and organization skills to effectively prioritize multiple objectives and achieve volume goals.
  • Process conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans, clearing conditions before submission.
  • Clear property conditions for insurance and title on all FHA, VA and USDA loans.
  • Submit information to mortgage insurance carriers, FHA, VA, FHLMC, and FNMA for workout alternatives to foreclosure.
  • Coordinate with foreclosure and eviction and litigation teams to ensure properties are in transferable condition prior to closing.
  • Prepare high volume of loan closing packages under a variety of loan programs including conventional, FHA and VA.
  • Show more

Personal lines underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Review individual mortgage origination/post origination documentation and perform database research.
  • Review individual mortgage origination/post origination documentation and perform database research.

Closer vs personal lines underwriter skills

Common closer skills
  • Customer Service, 42%
  • Cleanliness, 31%
  • Punctuality, 8%
  • Dependability, 4%
  • Food Orders, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 1%
Common personal lines underwriter skills
  • Insurance Policies, 12%
  • Underwriting Decisions, 9%
  • Loss Ratio, 9%
  • Strong Analytical, 6%
  • Inspection Reports, 5%
  • Renewal Retention, 5%

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