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Property underwriter vs life underwriter

The differences between property underwriters and life underwriters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a life underwriter has an average salary of $78,633, which is higher than the $71,730 average annual salary of a property underwriter.

The top three skills for a property underwriter include CPCU, underwriting guidelines and insurance coverage. The most important skills for a life underwriter are underwriting decisions, risk selection, and health insurance.

Property underwriter vs life underwriter overview

Property UnderwriterLife Underwriter
Yearly salary$71,730$78,633
Hourly rate$34.49$37.80
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs11,64316,767
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a property underwriter do?

Property Underwriters will require skills in underwriting guidelines, sales territories, CPCU, analysis, math, interpersonal communication, and a bachelor's degree in economics, business, accounting, finance, or mathematics for this career choice. Also, on-the-job training may be needed from senior underwriters and completion of certification programs. Paying an annual salary of $82K, those who choose this career will help determine coverage amounts and premiums on property. This may include houses, land, boats, cars, or other properties of sufficient value.

What does a life underwriter do?

A life underwriter is a person who helps give the insurer a detailed outlook on their health and presents them with a premium. An underwriter works for an insurance company and examines an insurer's eligibility for certain benefits. They then evaluate the application depending on their capacity to pay and their current health status. Also, they need to inform them about the advantages and disadvantages of having life insurance.

Property underwriter vs life underwriter salary

Property underwriters and life underwriters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Property UnderwriterLife Underwriter
Average salary$71,730$78,633
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $111,000Between $53,000 And $116,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MA-
Highest paying stateMassachusetts-
Best paying companyChubb-
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between property underwriter and life underwriter education

There are a few differences between a property underwriter and a life underwriter in terms of educational background:

Property UnderwriterLife Underwriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Property underwriter vs life underwriter demographics

Here are the differences between property underwriters' and life underwriters' demographics:

Property UnderwriterLife Underwriter
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 47.1% Female, 52.9%Male, 41.7% Female, 58.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 5.7% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 73.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between property underwriter and life underwriter duties and responsibilities

Property 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.

Life 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.

Property underwriter vs life underwriter skills

Common property underwriter skills
  • CPCU, 11%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 10%
  • Insurance Coverage, 7%
  • Insurance Laws, 6%
  • Broker Relationships, 6%
  • Commercial Property, 6%
Common life underwriter skills
  • Underwriting Decisions, 9%
  • Risk Selection, 8%
  • Health Insurance, 8%
  • Medical History, 6%
  • Strong Analytical, 6%
  • EKG, 5%

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