The Chartered Insurance Institute
2025
2025-03
Underwriting
Learning
resources
v1.6
March 2025
March 2025 Underwriting
Contents
About Underwriting ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Learning by bands ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Member CPD ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Assess corporate e‑learning .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Training and courses ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Qualification units ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
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March 2025 Underwriting
About Underwriting
Working in the area of underwriting requires specialist technical knowledge and skills defined in the Professional Map. The scope of the work
covered in your role will be determined by the organisation in which you work and area of insurance in which you operate.
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March 2025 Underwriting
Learning by bands
This section outlines the Underwriting competency standards for each of the four professional bands, together with links to relevant CPD
learning, qualification units and other learning to help you prioritise and access your skills development.
The bands
The Professional Map is structured into 4 bands of experience, each describing the different level of impact professionals have in the work
they do.
Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4
Typical job roles Front line staff, administrative and First line managers, team leaders, Middle managers, and senior Senior leaders and business
entry level roles regulated and specialist roles technical roles owners
Nature of work Tactical, focusing on the day to day Operational, with some complexity Complex, with challenging Strategic, with a significant level of
requirements complexity and challenge
Sphere of Line manager, immediate Managers, colleagues, customers/ Wider range of stakeholders, both Senior stakeholders from across
influence colleagues and customers/clients clients and external professionals internal and external the profession, customers,
suppliers and regulators
Focus of activity Deliver immediate and short-term Directly create short-term value, Create medium to long-term value Create long-term value
outcomes contribute to longer-term value
Focus of thinking Gather and use information Contribute to the thinking and Critically question information and Develop evidence-based thinking,
analysis of information evaluate it to make informed using qualitative and quantitive
judgements and decisions data to shape the future activity
Focus of Knowledge of the principles of Broad understanding of insurance Deeper understanding of the Deep technical knowledge in an
knowledge insurance practice concepts of insurance, with area, or an excellent understanding
specialism in a functional area of the broader environment
Where time is Customer/client services, providing Issue identification, analysis and Understanding the wider business Developing strategies and plans,
spent information, handling data, evaluation, proposal and delivery of context and risk, bringing strands of making complex judgements,
following procedures solutions to agreed standards, and activity together, innovating considering the organisation and
within agreed limits sector position
Breadth of focus Team Department Area or responsibility/Organisation Organisation/Profession/Wider
society
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Band 1
Competency standards
• I understand the role of an underwriter, their responsibilities, the services they provide
• I know my authority limits and my organisational procedures for the referral of risks to stakeholders
• I understand how premiums are calculated and why different rates are applied to different types of risk
• I understand how risks are priced, including, the significance of the claims loss ratio, the expense ratio, and how premium loading and
discounts operate in my area of work
• I know the meaning of relevant insurance terms and understand how policies are underwritten and applied
• I gather information from identified data sources and stakeholders in order to make recommendations on pricing
• I perform underwriting reviews for straightforward risks
• I understand the structure of an insurance policy and policy schedule and know what information must be provided for: issuing quotations,
processing a new application, renewal, cancellation, and/or alterations to existing risk
• I process documentation for the classes of business being underwritten
• I can explain the scope of cover, including, policy extensions, limitations, and exclusions for the class of business being underwritten
• I know the significance of the premium payment and the ways in which premiums can be paid
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Band 1 learning resources
Member CPD Assess corporate e‑learning* Training and courses Qualification units
The underwriter of the future Underwriting Risks and Determining For more details on CII Training, Insurance underwriting process (IF3)
Premiums please visit our website:
The Power of Contributory Data in [Link]/learning/training/ Underwriting practice (M80)
Pricing and Underwriting Introduction to Underwriting
Advanced underwriting (960)
Tackling the blind spot in ADAS data for Pricing Insurance Contracts
greater pricing precision
Statistics for Underwriters
Risks, Perils and Hazards
Policy Construction and Wording
Premium Finance
Product specific policy cover &
underwriting modules
Product specific underwriting modules
Financial competence
General Insurance Accounting
*Content held on the Assess platform is available to those with a corporate licence. Click on the links to find out more about the features and benefits of a corporate Assess licence or request a free trial.
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March 2025 Underwriting
Band 2
Competency standards
• I understand the importance of underwriting authority limits and how they are used to manage an underwriting portfolio
• I understand how prices are determined and I price a limited range of risks
• I validate data using external checks and provide complete and accurate quotations for straightforward risks
• I process risks in line with my authority limits and adhere to my organisation's referral procedures
• I know the policyholder’s rights for the class of business being underwritten
• I know what is necessary for an underwriting contract to have contract certainty
• I issue documentation for the classes of business being underwritten, incorporating any amendments, relevant extensions and/or
limitations to cover
• I may use binding authorities and line slips in my area of business and I recognise the potential benefits and associated risks
• I identify special requirements for the class of business I am handling and I process these according to my organisation’s own guidelines
• I know the measures of profitability in my area and understand the impact of inaccurately pricing risk on business objectives
• I demonstrate an understanding of the processes and policy issues relating to the performance of underwriting portfolios, such as
reserving policy and 'add-on' services
• I know the benefits of ‘add-on’ services for the customer and the organisation, and how they can affect the performance of an underwriting
portfolio
• I recognise the impact that risk accumulation and aggregation can have on a portfolio of business
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Band 2 learning resources
Member CPD Assess corporate e‑learning* Training and courses Qualification units
Seven reasons why there will be a hard Managing an Underwriting Portfolio For more details on CII Training, Insurance underwriting process (IF3)
market please visit our website:
Underwriting Risks and Determining [Link]/learning/training/ Underwriting practice (M80)
Premiums
Advanced underwriting (960)
Pricing Insurance Contracts
General Insurance Accounting
Introduction to Underwriting
The Role of the Actuary
Contract Certainty
Policy Construction and Wording
Binding and Delegated Authority
Agreements
Statistics for Underwriters
Lloyd’s Accounting and Regulation
Product specific policy cover &
underwriting modules
*Content held on the Assess platform is available to those with a corporate licence. Click on the links to find out more about the features and benefits of a corporate Assess licence or request a free trial.
Copyright © 2025 The Chartered Insurance Institute 8
March 2025 Underwriting
Band 3
Competency standards
• I accurately price a range of complex risks using different statistical methods, risk data and risk premium in order to establish that the risk
price is working
• I work with actuaries and other stakeholders to ensure accurate pricing policy
• I take into account the impact of external and internal factors, including capital and solvency requirements, that affect pricing
• I negotiate prices with key stakeholders, making technical adjustments where appropriate
• I suggest ways to mitigate any adverse impact on the business through identifying the impact of rating changes on my own class of
business
• I interpret and apply complex policy wordings, extensions and / or limitations appropriately.
• I apply variations in policy wordings, terms and conditions applicable to complex risks and can explain the significance of these
• I authorise new and existing risks for complex cases
• I monitor the operation of delegated authority agreements, binding authorities and/or scheme arrangements where appropriate, to ensure
that organisational underwriting procedures and policy wordings are being followed
• I assess the reinsurance requirements for the classes of business being processed where appropriate and comply with reinsurance
notification and settlement procedures
• I manage the underwriting performance for my own class/portfolio of business
• I explain risk exposure measurements and the subsequent available management options to support ‘spread of risk’ to key stakeholders
where necessary
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Band 3 learning resources
Member CPD Assess corporate e‑learning* Training and courses Qualification units
How to evaluate cyber risks when Statistics for Underwriters For more details on CII Training, Commercial insurance contract wording
underwriting a policy please visit our website: (M21)
Pricing Insurance Contracts [Link]/learning/training/
Underwriting practice (M80)
The Role of the Actuary
Advanced underwriting (960)
General Insurance Accounting
Lloyd’s Accounting and Regulation
Policy Construction and Wording
Subjectivities, Conditions Precedent and
Warranties
Reinsurance
Solvency II
Underwriting Risks and Determining
Premiums
Reinsurance in the London Market
Product specific policy cover &
underwriting modules
Managing an Underwriting Portfolio
*Content held on the Assess platform is available to those with a corporate licence. Click on the links to find out more about the features and benefits of a corporate Assess licence or request a free trial.
Copyright © 2025 The Chartered Insurance Institute 10
March 2025 Underwriting
Band 4
Competency standards
• I determine and review the policies and procedures for the processing of new and existing risks
• I assess the potential impact on underwriting income and profitability of changes in pricing factors for my area of responsibility
• I evaluate and adapt pricing strategy and recommend measures in response to changes in the market/underwriting cycle and other
external factors
• I input into cross-product growth, pricing of new products and profitability strategies
• I input into the management of reinsurance facilities in accordance with organisation policy, settlement procedures and local arrangements
• I set, monitor and review the company referral process in relation to the processing of new and existing risks
• I develop and execute a strategy for running a profitable portfolio working with key stakeholders
• I evaluate outsourcing and identify any changes required to protect the risk portfolio and control risk exposure
• I set, review, administer and report on the underwriting framework for my area of responsibility to regulators
Band 4 learning resources
Member CPD Assess corporate e‑learning* Training and courses Qualification units
D&O Storm Reinsurance For more details on CII Training, Underwriting practice (M80)
please visit our website:
The Cyber Security threat landscape – Managing an Underwriting Portfolio [Link]/learning/training/ Advanced underwriting (960)
Why including cyber assessments when
underwriting insurance policies will give Outsourcing and Off-shoring
better data to understand the potential
Reinsurance in the London Market
risks.
*Content held on the Assess platform is available to those with a corporate licence. Click on the links to find out more about the features and benefits of a corporate Assess licence or request a free trial.
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Member CPD
Here you will find links to Member CPD available related to this competency.
Report: The underwriter of the future
Article: The Power of Contributory Data in Pricing and Underwriting
Article: Tackling the blind spot in ADAS data for greater pricing precision
Webinar: Seven reasons why there will be a hard market
Article: D&O Storm
Webinar: The Cyber Security threat landscape – Why including cyber assessments when underwriting insurance policies will give better data to
understand the potential risks.
Webinar: How to evaluate cyber risks when underwriting a policy
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March 2025 Underwriting
Assess corporate e‑learning
Assess is the Corporate Learning Management System from CII, including hundreds of digital learning units on technical insurance, regulatory
and compliance content, together with a wide range of wider business skills.
If you already have an Assess licence through your employer, you should be able to access the following modules relevant to this competency.
If your organisation does not have an Assess licence and would be interested in acquiring one, you can sign up for a free trial here:
[Link]/forms/k17wqe99089pcpi/
Here you will find Assess corporate e-learning listed under the Learning by bands section in one place.
Foundations of General Insurance
The Insurance Market
London Market
Outsourcing and Off-shoring
Principles and Underwriting
Risks, Perils and Hazards
Introduction to Underwriting
Policy Construction and Wording
Subjectivities, Conditions Precedent and Warranties
Contract Certainty
Pricing Insurance Contracts
Statistics for Underwriters
The Role of the Actuary
Managing an Underwriting Portfolio
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Finance
General Insurance Accounting
Lloyd’s Accounting and Regulation
Premium Finance
Reinsurance
Reinsurance
Broker Operations
Binding and Delegated Authority Agreements
Governance, Risk and Compliance
Insurance Regulation
Management
Solvency II
Managing the Customer
Financial competence
Introduction to the London Market
Underwriting Risks and Determining Premiums
Reinsurance in the London Market
Delegated Authority and Binding Agreements
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Training and courses
The diversity of our course programme and breadth of corporate services makes us a one stop-shop training provider. We work in partnership
with employers to develop relevant and cost-effective training solutions that are driven by business needs and deliver lasting results.
CII Training
For more details on CII Training, please visit our website:
[Link]/learning/training/
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March 2025 Underwriting
Qualification units
Here you will find all Qualification units listed under the Learning by bands section in one place.
If you are a current member you can also view non-printable PDFs of each study text here:
[Link]/learning/support/cii-study-texts (PIN required to login).
Advanced Diploma in Insurance
Advanced underwriting (960): [Link]
Diploma in Insurance
Commercial insurance contract wording (M21): [Link]
Underwriting practice (M80): [Link]
Certificate in Insurance
Insurance underwriting process (IF3): [Link]
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