Hey everyone,
I’m currently working in commercial lines on the broker side (about 1 year in), and I’ve been seriously considering transitioning into underwriting—specifically commercial.
I enjoy the technical side of insurance (analyzing risk, policy structure, problem-solving), and a lot of my current role is already processing-heavy and working closely with underwriters. So the move feels natural—but I want to make sure I’m not missing anything long-term.
A few things I’d really appreciate insight on: • How does a commercial underwriting career progress over time (both in responsibilities and comp)? • Realistically, how long does it take to get to a “comfortable” salary (say 70–90k+ in Canada)? • Do you feel underwriting is limiting or flexible in terms of future career options (management, specialty lines, etc.)? • How technical vs. relationship-based does the role become as you move up? • If you could restart, would you still choose underwriting over staying on the broker/production side?
For context, I’m not super driven by commission-heavy roles, but I do want strong income growth and long-term stability. I’m also fairly extroverted, so I’m curious how much that actually helps in underwriting.
Would really appreciate any honest perspectives—pros, cons, or things you wish you knew earlier.