Insurance Underwriter
Finance & Accounting
75%
High Risk
Task-Based Role
AI Impact Overview
This role faces substantial automation risk. Many tasks are repetitive or data-driven, making them prime candidates for AI replacement. Proactive career planning is strongly recommended.
Past 3 Years
- 2022: Lemonade's AI Jim processed claims and underwrote policies in under 3 seconds, demonstrating full automation potential
- 2023: Traditional insurers (Travelers, Liberty Mutual) deployed AI underwriting for personal lines, reducing human review to exception handling only
- 2024: Commercial insurance AI from Cytora and Planck achieved 85% accuracy on risk assessment, encroaching on complex underwriting
2-5 Year Outlook
- By 2026, 90% of personal lines underwriting will be fully automated, with human underwriters focusing only on complex commercial and specialty risks
- 2027: AI will handle 70% of small commercial underwriting, requiring human underwriters to specialize in large, complex risks
- By 2028, underwriter positions will decline by 60%, with remaining roles requiring deep expertise in emerging risks and relationship management
Adaptation Strategies
- 1Specialize immediately in complex risks AI struggles with: large commercial, excess liability, professional liability, and emerging risks like cyber
- 2Develop broker and agent relationships - human underwriters who bring value through consultation and flexibility will remain employed
- 3Learn AI/ML fundamentals to transition into underwriting model validation, bias testing, and AI governance roles
- 4Consider pivoting to risk management consulting, loss control, or claims management where human judgment remains essential
Related Roles to Consider
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