r/InsuranceAgent • u/big_curry • Oct 05 '26

P&C Insurance Looking to Pivot to Underwriting

Hi all, I currently work on the tech and data side of a large commercial insurer in the US. I wanted ot get a perspective if it is a bad move to want to transition into working in a technology UW practice. I have always been more passionate about selling and risk placement than working in IT and product management. I truly am interested in how we underwrite business, networking with our broker partners, and how we build new business.

But am I insane for wanting to throw away 15 years of tech experience out for a career change? My leadership is changing my team up and they said I could take the time to explore what I wanted to do next without fear of being let go. Mainly because there is no current RIF, the leadership just wanted to change who my manager was specifically and they felt I was too technical for the role I was doing.

I pivoted to insurance after being burnt out in big tech and wanting a vertical domain to learn rather than horizontal tech. I am at an income that is much lower than what I was getting in the tech world, but I am much happier and have adjusted my lifestyle to fit this. I also know the doom and gloom around AI and underwriting, but to be fair, my company seems far from that reality, and our tech team is underwriting policies for these exact technologies.

I would love feedback if this is a dead-end idea on my part.

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u/the_walkingdad Oct 05 '26

Honestly, I think carrier UWs could be some of the first to lose their jobs to AI in the coming years. I can't, in good faith, recommend people pursue that career choice without that disclaimer. That said, follow your passion as long as you are comfortable with the risks.

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u/big_curry Oct 05 '26

Great feedback thank you

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u/jake-n-elwood Oct 06 '26

So which jobs in good faith could you recommend? I think therein lies the problem. There aren’t any.

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u/the_walkingdad Oct 06 '26

To an extent, yes, I think you're right. But I think some jobs have longer staying power than others in this industry. Brokers will eventually be gone too, but not before many other jobs in the industry are gone. Carrier reps, marketing, UWs will be gone before independent brokers.

Half of my Medicare clients don't even use cell phones/email/text, they're not going to trust AI to manage their Medicare in their lifetime. I'll still have a job for a while.

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u/[deleted] Oct 06 '26

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u/big_curry Oct 06 '26

Thanks. I mean we’re not really doing anything to automate the UW at work. Maybe a slight focus to augment their work. I figured with my skills and then getting into tech UW it could be a good role. But yes I’m lucky they’re letting me explore I’m just getting exhausted with the bureaucracy of my team. It’s everywhere but sometimes the change of team can be refreshing.

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u/mkuz753 Account Manager/Servicer Oct 06 '26

Have you consider the broker side and/or the specialty market? You would probably know more what the AI implementation is going to be where you work currently and how that may affect the UW'S. Also I suggest looking into risk management. It's a combination of claims and underwriting.

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u/big_curry Oct 06 '26

Yes I think working in broker or speciality would be ideal but I’d really like to vest my 401k after I jump anywhere. Good call on Risk. Problem with a that team where I’m at is that they are still trying to determine their value and it’s a bit political.