What does an Insurance Underwriter do?

According to people in this career, the main tasks are...

TaskImportance
Examine documents to determine degree of risk from factors such as applicant health, financial standing and value, and condition of property.
90%
Decline excessive risks.
88%
Write to field representatives, medical personnel, or others to obtain further information, quote rates, or explain company underwriting policies.
86%
Evaluate possibility of losses due to catastrophe or excessive insurance.
83%
Review company records to determine amount of insurance in force on single risk or group of closely related risks.
80%
Decrease value of policy when risk is substandard and specify applicable endorsements or apply rating to ensure safe, profitable distribution of risks, using reference materials.
79%
Authorize reinsurance of policy when risk is high.
78%