r/Underwriting

Will I be able to break into underwriting?

I have a bachelors in economics and 6 years health insurance sales (Medicare). I’ve been applying to a bunch of insurance operations jobs, mostly underwriting, because I want out of sales and a more predictable and intentional career trajectory. I also put in my resume I started my associates in underwriting designation from the institutes (I barely just started au60 it but it is technically true lol)

So far I had an interview as a rate analyst 3 for my states insurance commissioner and that went well but haven’t heard back yet (tho to be fair they said it would be a while cause government) and I also have an upcoming interview for a remote underwriting assistant with a well known commercial MGA.

Does it sound like I have a good chance to break into underwriting? I mean I feel like since I’ve been able to get 1 interview (I applied to probably 25 associate/traonee/assistant insurance UW jobs so far) I’ll be able to eventually get in with my insurance experience I just don’t want it to take a freaking year (been applying about a month now)

Hey all, I’ve been interested in pursuing underwriting. I come from a UX designer background and am pivoting into the insurance industry, as I find that to be more stable; I’ve been laid off twice as a UX designer before.

I’m looking into the certifications, specifically the AINS, and had several questions:

1. These are the beginning exams you take when pursuing underwriting? Once I pass the AINS 101, is that enough to apply for underwriter positions? Or is that only good for underwriter assistant positions?

2. On the Institutes website for AINS, I see that you take the core class AINS 101, but also a concentration course (AINS 102 and AINS 103) and an elective. Do you need to take AINS 102 + 103? The elective courses list had other courses but it looks like you just take one course.

3. Do you use existing flashcards on Quizlet or do you create your own? I’ve found some AINS 101 flash cards online but don’t know if it’s better if I create my own.

4. I took the free sample course for underwriting on the Institutes website. That is the official website for the study material for the exams right?

5. How stressful is underwriting generally? I am comfortable talking with clients or being in a somewhat social role as I have done so as a UX designer, but am also okay working solo. As a UX designer, I often worked late to meet tight client deadlines. Is underwriting a career where you can finish your tasks at around when you get off work?

Thank you so much!

Software engineer here, not from the insurance industry. I'm trying to understand how commercial underwriting actually works day-to-day before I potentially build something in this space. A few honest questions:

1. When a new submission lands in your inbox, walk me through what happens next. What do you actually do first?
2. If you had to guess — what % of your day is reading/extracting data vs actually making underwriting decisions?
3. What's the most frustrating part of reviewing a submission?
4. Is there anything you wish you had that would make your job easier?
5. How many submissions can one underwriter realistically handle per day?

Not pitching anything. Genuinely trying to learn before building. Any insight appreciated — even a one-line answer helps.

Looking for insight from anyone who has worked the Associate Underwriter role at The Hartford.
I’ve seen mixed comments online—some people say it’s closer to a call‑center job with heavy phone/queue work, others say it’s true underwriting support with limited calls.
If you’ve done the job (or worked with people in it), how much of the day is actually spent on the phone? Is there a call queue? How much underwriting authority do you really get?

I start the CORE program soon.