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Commercial lines underwriter vs underwriting technician

The differences between commercial lines underwriters and underwriting technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a commercial lines underwriter has an average salary of $67,892, which is higher than the $44,704 average annual salary of an underwriting technician.

The top three skills for a commercial lines underwriter include CPCU, multi-line and commercial property. The most important skills for an underwriting technician are cancellations, insurance policies, and data entry.

Commercial lines underwriter vs underwriting technician overview

Commercial Lines UnderwriterUnderwriting Technician
Yearly salary$67,892$44,704
Hourly rate$32.64$21.49
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs33,0478,615
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a commercial lines underwriter do?

Commercial lines underwriters are professionals who are responsible for reviewing corporate insurance applications to evaluate the risk involved and to approve or disapprove applicants. These underwriters are required to analyze the business information of their clients as well as monitor their activities to change insurance policies when risk is high or substandard. They must contact outside parties to discuss and explain underwriting policies as well as quote rates. Commercial lines underwriters must also utilize underwriting guidelines so that they can determine the loss-ratio history and loss-control reports.

What does an underwriting technician do?

Underwriting technicians may also be known as underwriters or underwriting assistants. They determine which customers qualify for various insurance policies or loans. Their duties include finding information, writing quote letters, checking customer eligibility, and arranging loans. They are expected to carry out background checks and credit history checks for clients seeking insurance. They diligently analyze applications of clients based on certain criteria.

Commercial lines underwriter vs underwriting technician salary

Commercial lines underwriters and underwriting technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Commercial Lines UnderwriterUnderwriting Technician
Average salary$67,892$44,704
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $104,000Between $28,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between commercial lines underwriter and underwriting technician education

There are a few differences between a commercial lines underwriter and an underwriting technician in terms of educational background:

Commercial Lines UnderwriterUnderwriting Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Commercial lines underwriter vs underwriting technician demographics

Here are the differences between commercial lines underwriters' and underwriting technicians' demographics:

Commercial Lines UnderwriterUnderwriting Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 43.1% Female, 56.9%Male, 25.2% Female, 74.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 5.8% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 73.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between commercial lines underwriter and underwriting technician duties and responsibilities

Commercial 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.

Underwriting technician example responsibilities.

  • Generate business leads by promoting AIG's products and servicing.
  • Assist underwriters in expediting new business, processing endorsements and/or modifying existing policies while achieving broker relationships.
  • Work directly with independent agents and BCBS marketing department to analyze information and make eligibility decisions with strict timelines.
  • Order and code clues and MVRs for renewing umbrella policies.
  • Train staff members on the MMS system.
  • Evaluate new and renewal submissions as delegated by underwriters for prescribe criteria and clearance into AS400 invoicing system.

Commercial lines underwriter vs underwriting technician skills

Common commercial lines underwriter skills
  • CPCU, 14%
  • Multi-Line, 13%
  • Commercial Property, 8%
  • Loss Ratio, 7%
  • Renewal Retention, 4%
  • Risk Selection, 4%
Common underwriting technician skills
  • Cancellations, 17%
  • Insurance Policies, 10%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 7%
  • Underwriting Analysis, 6%
  • Worksheets, 4%

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