Underwriters communicate our risk appetite
A skyscraper built in an earthquake hot zone, cargo traveling pirate-infested waters – what could possibly go wrong? For our underwriters writing such risks is part of their daily diet.
Underwriters find answers before questions come up
In the spirit of “not if but how”, Munich Re underwriters support major industry players, companies that shape the way we live and work. They enable the confident operation of businesses in a world that is growing more complex every day.
As an underwriter, you find the answers to all risk-related questions relevant to a case before you put ink to paper. For reinsurance solutions, you assess the risk of original policies and evaluate business portfolios. When assessing large-scale complex single risks, you draw on your expertise and that of the many expert teams available to you in the global Munich Re network. You not only calculate premiums but negotiate closely with clients to devise mutually satisfactory treaty conditions before you draw up – and sign – a contract.
What we look for in underwriters
Meet our underwriters
Michael: Helping clients make the risks they encounter more manageable
Writing a broad spectrum of complex industrial risks in Facultative Property, Michael serves global insurers worldwide with a focus on North America. For these transactional deals with tailored pricing, he negotiates multi-million Euro contracts, often with a tightly controlled schedule. His experience and a sound understanding of the industries help him to be innovative in the solutions he offers, such as Nat Cat and stand-alone Business Interruption products. For access to more in-depth subject-matter expertise he interfaces with Munich Re teams, such as Marine, Energy or Engineering.
Michael’s involvement doesn’t stop with the signed contract. He cultivates client relationships, not least because his underwriting can build a bridge to treaty commitments. He supports claims managers in adjusting claims and helps product innovation by sharing feedback. A significant part of his daily work goes to Nat Cat assessment and understanding the trends that affect the risk landscapes, in which his clients operate.
What do you enjoy about your work?
I look at risks from all angles – technical, legal, and social. The challenge inspires me, not just intellectually. Becoming a volunteer firefighter has led me to appreciate more deeply how we, as underwriters, help people manage – and even avoid – very real perils. We make an impact, and that’s gratifying.
What are your favourite projects?
My favourite projects change the way I perceive the world, for example, those involving household-name brands. We see and use their products every day. Underwriting allows me to glimpse the world behind a product. It comes with fascinating insights into companies’ global operations.
Manja: Not if but how: Transferring complex space risks into insurable solutions
As an experienced underwriter, Manja handles space risks with a higher level of complexity. Offering space insurance solutions, for example for the services of small multi-flexible satellites or satellite constellations, Manja is in daily contact with brokers to negotiate and exchange ideas. The required solutions she works out with the Space team balancing structured thinking and pragmatism. Face to face meetings with clients and leads frequently take her away from Munich.
Serving in a leadership role as a senior, Manja takes a cooperative approach. Her focus is on motivating more junior colleagues to stretch their abilities. She offers challenging tasks or encourages interaction with demanding clients and brokers. Manja helps colleagues expand their expertise in risk assessment and pricing, either by directly supporting them or by inviting them to collaborate on high-level and more complex risks. The ensuing lessons-learned exchanges cultivate their ability to work independently in the future.
Space insurance is a small community with long-standing relationships between individuals. It’s our ambition to be – and stay – best in class in the capacity we offer, the service we provide and in our cooperative approach to finding solutions for our clients.Manja PrömmelMunich Re, Germany, MunichSenior Underwriter Space
