Underwriters
A reinsurance underwriter is responsible for evaluating, analyzing then accepting or declining the risks submitted by insurers. It can be done on a risk-by-risk basis (known as facultative reinsurance) or for a portfolio of risks (known as treaty reinsurance). Before any decision is made, the underwriter actively participates to the technical, contractual and legal negotiations with the insurers and/or their representatives (reinsurance brokers). He must also ensure that the terms and conditions proposed by the insurer are in line with the underwriting policy of the company he/she represents.
Reinsurance underwriters generally have a higher education background: insurance, business or engineering schools, universities. Actuarial graduates are also sought after.
Actuaries
Actuaries are professionals in modelling and management of risks in their economic, insurance, financial and social dimensions. They have in common a high level of training with a base in mathematics and statistics. Underneath this specialization, however, there are many different professions.
Eight training courses are recognized by the Institute of Actuaries (ISFA, ISUP, University of Strasbourg, EURIA, University of Paris Dauphine, ENSAE, ESSEC, Collège des Ingénieurs and CNAM) but other training courses with a statistical or mathematical focus can also lead to becoming an actuary.
Intermediary
A reinsurance broker is an intermediary between the insurer and the reinsurer(s). He is mandated by the insurer, whom he advises on his reinsurance activities. His tasks are numerous and vary from one insurer to another. These may include risk modelling, structuring and placing the reinsurance program, drawing up reinsurance accounts or assessing the impact of reinsurance on the Solvency ratio. The broker is remunerated in the form of fees or a reinsurance commission.
As there are many different brokerage professions, there are many higher education courses available (business schools, university degrees, actuarial studies, etc.).
Consultants
Consultants are service providers. They work on projects relating to various reinsurance issues : actuarial reviews (modelling, provisioning), accounting, financial and regulatory issues, strategy, organization, etc.
With a higher education background, they are multi-skilled and have usually university, business school or engineering degree.
Legal Experts
Legal experts intervenes in cases (amicable or contentious), where an interpretation of the applicable law is required. He/she advises the person in charge of the case in order to find a solution for the parties involved. He can also support ongoing projects within the company and advise management and operational departments by drawing on his legal expertise. In all cases, their task is to ensure that the regulations in their field of expertise are properly applied.
Unsurprisingly, most legal degrees give access to this profession.
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