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Insurance underwriter vs loan originator

The differences between insurance underwriters and loan originators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an insurance underwriter has an average salary of $64,163, which is higher than the $41,291 average annual salary of a loan originator.

The top three skills for an insurance underwriter include health insurance, insurance underwriting and insurance coverage. The most important skills for a loan originator are customer service, origination, and FHA.

Insurance underwriter vs loan originator overview

Insurance UnderwriterLoan Originator
Yearly salary$64,163$41,291
Hourly rate$30.85$19.85
Growth rate-4%4%
Number of jobs39,02610,716
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4445
Years of experience-6

What does an insurance underwriter do?

An insurance underwriter specializes in identifying and assessing financial risks in insurance policies. It is their duty to gather and review insurance applications, understand the coverage of policies and claims, determine a client's ability to uphold financial obligations by studying their personal information, and develop strategies to prevent the impact of risks and financial losses. They may also negotiate with external parties while adhering to the company's rules and regulations. Moreover, there are instances when an insurance underwriter must produce progress reports and presentations for managers and executives.

What does a loan originator do?

A Loan Originator is a potential liaison between borrowers and lenders. They help borrowers complete loan applications and evaluate which loans are most appropriate for the customers.

Insurance underwriter vs loan originator salary

Insurance underwriters and loan originators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Insurance UnderwriterLoan Originator
Average salary$64,163$41,291
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $116,000Between $28,000 And $60,000
Highest paying CityHartford, CTNew York, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutSouth Dakota
Best paying companyCitiCentennial Bank
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between insurance underwriter and loan originator education

There are a few differences between an insurance underwriter and a loan originator in terms of educational background:

Insurance UnderwriterLoan Originator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Insurance underwriter vs loan originator demographics

Here are the differences between insurance underwriters' and loan originators' demographics:

Insurance UnderwriterLoan Originator
Average age4445
Gender ratioMale, 33.4% Female, 66.6%Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 5.7% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between insurance underwriter and loan originator duties and responsibilities

Insurance underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient's records, appointments, and account balances while adhering to HIPPA standards.
  • Manage A/R, A/P, credentialing, surgery scheduling, and coordinate patient referrals to other physicians.
  • Manage operating procedure and accounting systems for payroll, operating expenses, supplies and inventory management and commercial accounts.
  • Prepare all HCFA billing with proper ICD-9 codes and CPT codes for accurate turn around time on payments.
  • Follow up with insurance carriers and patients to expedite the recovery of payment obligations
  • File insurance and process billing and payments, coordinate patients financial arrangements, present treatment plans, verify insurance coverage.
  • Show more

Loan originator example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage the processing staff and also underwrite conventional loans for correspondent lenders.
  • Complete yearly the NMLS continuing education requirements.
  • Direct lender with FNMA while maintaining all loan servicing.
  • Increase revenues and product awareness by cross-selling service lines and packages.
  • Complete a rigorous training program and have obtained 25 NMLS state licensing requirements to be a loan originator.
  • Review FHA case number assignments, mortgage credit rejects and refinances authorizations to determine qualification.
  • Show more

Insurance underwriter vs loan originator skills

Common insurance underwriter skills
  • Health Insurance, 11%
  • Insurance Underwriting, 8%
  • Insurance Coverage, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 7%
  • Insurance Products, 6%
Common loan originator skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Origination, 9%
  • FHA, 6%
  • Va, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

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