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Underwriting

Always about making the right decision for the customer

Underwriting

We have over 400 people in the Underwriting function at NFU Mutual. They can be found in our Stratford-upon-Avon Head Office, in our regional centres in Belfast, Bristol, Glasgow, and York, and alongside teams of home-based Underwriters. No matter where they’re based, they focus on providing Underwriting Services to NFU Mutual Agents and our Customer Contact Centre in Glasgow.

Our Underwriting Strategy

Our goal in both setting our Underwriting Strategy and providing Underwriting Services to agents and customers is two-fold. Firstly, to provide members with the reassurance of first class insurance protection. Secondly, to do so within a framework of Underwriting Excellence which delivers a sustainable and profitable book of insurance risk to NFU Mutual.

We work hard to ensure our Underwriting philosophy is always 100% aligned to NFU Mutual’s three key strategic objectives of being a great company to do business with, a great place to work and delivering sustainable profitable growth.

Our key Underwriting teams

Counter Fraud Underwriting

Large Corporate Insurance Underwriting

Mutual Direct (Underwriting team)

Performance, Operations and Governance

Personal Lines Underwriting

Regional Underwriting

Reinsurance

Counter Fraud Underwriting

Put simply, we protect the business and our customers. With over 20 people, we manage and deliver NFU Mutual’s underwriting fraud strategy - setting out what our tolerances are. We’re also responsible for our underwriting fraud system as well as the regulatory governance and control of the fraud. We investigate fraud following our own NFU Mutual guidelines while working closely with fraud regulatory bodies and the wider market.

Large Corporate Insurance Underwriting

Our Large Corporate Insurance underwriters work closely with colleagues in the Claims and Risk Management teams to deliver bespoke, added value services that support our clients in managing their risks. They also work in partnership with the Agency Network and our partner Insurance Brokers to deliver solutions. We underwrite and manage the largest and most complex corporate risks with premiums typically in excess of £100,000 and up to £10 million. We underwrite Property, Liability and Motor Fleet risks to develop long term sustainable profitable growth.

Mutual Direct (Underwriting team)

We're involved in a range of underwriting support for insurance policies held through the NFU Mutual Direct account. It's important work, as we make sure the Direct division applies the company’s overall underwriting strategy effectively, manage performance and provide a range of support to customers. This Involves answering customer questions on technical issues, premiums or cover, dealing with new business sales, reviewing renewals and handling customer requests. In short, we provide a strong service to the business on a variety of topics.

Performance, Operations and Governance

Through the Operations team we are responsible for the design of key Underwriting processes, looking to deploy our Underwriting and Pricing strategy in ways that balance efficiency and effectiveness. The Risk and Control Team are responsible for our governance framework, ensuring that we have appropriate first line controls in respect of both the Head Office Underwriting and Pricing Team, and Regional Underwriters. The Performance Team analyse the numbers, ensuring that the actions in place are delivering the required result, and where we are off plan, they are responsible for recommending remedial action to get us back on track.

Personal Lines Underwriting

We’re responsible for NFU Mutual’s Personal Lines underwriting strategy – which is aimed at delivering sustainable profitable growth whilst effectively managing and controlling our personal lines exposure and risk. We decide where we want to write business, what lines of business we want to write and what type of risks we want to attract. Our strong technical underwriting capability ensures that we’re delivering excellent underwriting judgement and consistent decision making across our General Insurance business. We’re also responsible for governance and control around technical underwriting.

Regional Underwriting

Our Regional Commercial and Personal Lines Underwriting teams sit across our offices in York, Bristol, Stratford upon Avon, Belfast, Chester, Norwich and Glasgow. We work with 288 agencies across the UK-wide NFU Mutual Agency Network to provide Underwriting Services for our members, both from the business communities and the general public. We focus our energy and underwriting expertise to help agents provide innovative insurance and risk management solutions to protect their property, assets and their responsibilities. We do this by analysing and assessing individual customers risk and understanding their requirements.

Reinsurance

We facilitate NFU Mutual’s ability to manage and reduce insurance volatility, by transferring risk through the use of reinsurance. Our work involves the negotiation, placement and management of reinsurance Treaties with a number of different external reinsurance companies. This process supports both our Corporate strategic objectives and our wider underwriting strategy.

Commercial Underwriting

Working on a diverse portfolio of accounts, ranging from new business opportunities to onsite underwriters, our 280-strong team of dedicated commercial underwriting professionals understands that effective underwriting involves not only assessing risk but also delivering underwriting solutions that support our customers’ ever-changing and evolving insurance needs.

By understanding the unique needs of each customer, whether it’s property, liability, business interruption, livestock, renewables, motor trade, or motor fleet, we determine the terms and the cost to provide appropriate coverage. Our focus and drive to deliver sustainable, profitable growth while managing commercial risk make the Commercial Underwriting team vital to the success of NFU Mutual.

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Supporting the Agency Network

At NFU Mutual, we run a unique tied Agent model and have over 200 agencies within our UK-wide NFU Mutual Agency Network. These agencies are the vital day-to-day link with our customers. The close partnership our underwriters have with the Agency Network enhances our capacity, enabling us to serve our customers effectively and provide the right insurance solutions to protect their livelihoods. This distinctive aspect of our approach sets us apart from other insurers and is the cornerstone of our continued success.

Our key Commercial Underwriting teams

Commercial Technical Underwriting

Development Underwriting

Fleet

Mid-Corporate and Estates

New Business

Onsite Underwriting

Package Insurance

Small, Medium Enterprise and Mid-Market

Commercial Technical Underwriting

The Commercial Technical Underwriting team serves as the technical backbone of the underwriting function, ensuring quality, consistency, and capability across the business. This team supports underwriters, Agents across our UK-wide Agency Network and stakeholders by guiding complex risk decisions, handling referrals, ensuring compliance, and driving strategic development. They are also responsible for managing the most intricate and high-value cases.

In addition to their technical responsibilities, the team provides training and coaching to underwriters, helping them build their expertise and confidence to achieve objectives and deliver outstanding customer service. They lead technical initiatives, promote awareness of underwriting strategy, and champion continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and service delivery throughout the organisation.

Development Underwriting

The Development Underwriting team is instrumental in supporting our Sales and Agency function by offering expert guidance on mid-corporate risks. Their responsibilities include underwriting new business enquiries and developing innovative solutions to meet customers’ insurance needs, all while ensuring these solutions align with our risk appetite. The team works closely with NFU Mutual Agents, frequently visiting agencies within our network and attending customer meetings to help secure new business. Through their technical expertise and strategic input, they enhance conversion opportunities and contribute to commercial growth.

Fleet

Specialising in vehicle fleet insurance, this team underwrites small and large fleet cases. A fleet underwriter will support the full life cycle of a fleet policy, from inception through mid-term adjustments and renewal. The team always ensure competitive pricing and compliance for clients with multiple vehicles.

Mid-Corporate and Estates

The Mid-Corporate and Estates team is responsible for managing larger, more complex policy renewals, specifically those with premiums exceeding £35,000. This includes overseeing our entire Estate portfolio, high-net-worth policies such as mansion houses and farms, and renewable energy assets such as solar farms and biomass boilers. Our goal is to ensure customers receive the coverage they need for these substantial and intricate cases. Typically, these renewals involve broader risk profiles and require coordination with agencies across our UK-wide Agency Network and third-party partners, rather than direct engagement with the businesses themselves.

New Business

The New Business Team works closely with the Agents in our UK-wide Agency Network to review their quotes for new insurance policies valued under £15,000. They evaluate whether each quote meets our standards and provides the right level of cover. The team also collaborates with key stakeholders, including our Agency Network, to help improve the quality of quote submissions. This partnership between NFU Mutual and the Agency Network ensures an efficient and seamless process for serving new customers.

Onsite Underwriting

Onsite underwriters collaborate with agencies across our UK-wide Agency Network, both in person and remotely, to assist Agents in managing larger, more complex cases. These cases often present technical or performance challenges or involve key relationships. Providing expert guidance on underwriting decisions, our onsite underwriters recommend effective strategies and occasionally support mid-term policy adjustments to ensure optimal outcomes.

Package Insurance

Package Insurance is all about protecting business owners, their employees, and their business assets. At NFU Mutual, when we say "Package Insurance", we're talking about business clients with a £3-4 million turnover. This means a fast-paced, dynamic environment - with work split between phone calls and actions coming through the 200 agencies in our UK-wide Agency Network.

Small, Medium Enterprise and Mid-Market

This team looks after existing customers who may want to change or renew their policies. This means reviewing the annual renewal to ensure customers maintain the correct level of coverage, or managing any policy changes a customer might want mid-term, such as taking on new risks. One of our largest underwriting teams works on products for policies up to £35,000 across a wide variety of sectors and businesses, everything from commercial select and motor trade to farm products and water parks.

Developing your career

At NFU Mutual, we encourage continuous development via formal programmes, on-the-job learning, and opportunities for shadowing, with coaching and mentoring available to support career progression. New commercial underwriters benefit from a comprehensive induction and ongoing training through the Underwriting Academy, which combines classroom learning, interactive sessions, and practical experience to build technical and professional skills.

All our underwriters regularly complete technical and regulatory eLearning modules to ensure compliance, and those aspiring to leadership or specialist roles can access advanced programmes focused on decision-making and coaching. You’ll also find a strong culture of internal mobility, secondment opportunities, and support for further qualifications, all within a collaborative environment that values personal growth and team development.

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What you could be working on

Whichever Underwriting team you join, you'll play an important role in maintaining NFU Mutual's reputation as a fair and reliable insurer. You could be involved in:

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Controlling and managing insurance exposure and risk to create sustainable, profitable growth.

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Protecting the business and our customers from potential fraud.

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Providing Underwriting Service to our Agents and members, going home knowing what you’ve done today could make a real difference if the worst happens.

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Helping to keep us on track to hit our financial plans.

 

Meet some of the team

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Liv Pratt, New Business Commercial Underwriter

I joined NFU Mutual four years ago as a Commercial Underwriter in the New Business team. From day one, I’ve been building my expertise in assessing and managing risk for a wide range of businesses. My role is all about analysing complex information, ensuring policies truly meet customers’ needs, and supporting Agents and colleagues in delivering outstanding service. Over time, I’ve developed a deep understanding of underwriting and the importance of balancing risk with customer care - a skill that’s at the heart of what we do. What makes NFU Mutual special is its genuine commitment to integrity and building long-term relationships. It feels good to be part of a team that truly puts customers first. There are also plenty of opportunities across the business to keep developing, whether you want to grow in your current role or try something new. It’s a genuinely supportive environment where everyone encourages each other and wants to see others succeed.

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Lucy Francis, Underwriter (Bespoke and High Net Worth)

Working in High Net Worth, it’s all about using my expertise to support Agents in our UK-wide Agency Network, so they can pass on that knowledge to our customers. For example, I’m really interested in art and jewellery and love getting to see our customers’ collections, hearing the stories behind them all and making sure we provide the best insurance solution for them. I started my career at NFU Mutual, but left to be a broker. I soon came back! When I was a broker, I felt really isolated with no support, but here, everyone works so well together. That makes a massive difference.

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Andrew Tippett, Regional Senior Technician (Underwriting)

Having returned to NFU Mutual for a third time after working with various insurers, I can confidently say that nowhere else matches the unique atmosphere here. My working week is varied, with responsibilities ranging from handling complex case referrals to delivering training, coaching, and mentoring to underwriters, and contributing to broader business projects. What I enjoy most is supporting colleagues as they develop their underwriting skills and seeing them progress and secure increased authority or new roles. The business is constantly evolving, and there are plenty of opportunities for growth within the technical career path—one I would highly recommend to others.

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Hayley Alcock, Mid-Corporate and Estates Underwriter

No two days are the same on the Mid-Corporate and Estates Underwriting team. I joined NFU Mutual from a specialist insurer just over a year ago to expand my underwriting knowledge and gain exposure to new areas. It has definitely been the right move. Our team, based in York and Bristol, is exceptionally open and supportive. We handle a wide range of products and risks, but what truly sets NFU Mutual apart is the autonomy and trust given to underwriters. While there are manuals to guide your initial thinking, you’re encouraged to apply your own rationale and judgement, knowing your decisions will be supported. This variety not only makes the work engaging but also empowers you to take charge of your own development and deepen your understanding - qualities that make NFU Mutual a genuinely welcoming place to grow your career.

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Simon Mayo, LCI Underwriting Team Manager

I joined NFU Mutual in 2001 and remember thinking the people were very open, honest and friendly. They were clearly proud of the business. Since I joined, I’ve had lots of support from the people around me – managers, coaches and colleagues across the business. This has enabled me to move from underwriting roles into team leading and now management. The culture here is about performance, giving everyone the opportunities to do their best and achieve their goals. I’ve always been able to challenge myself and increase my knowledge by taking on new responsibilities outside my role to prepare me for my next one.

Current vacancies

Here are just some of the vacancies that we currently have in Underwriting. Simply, click on the job title to find out more.

You can see all the jobs we have available by clicking the ‘See all jobs’ button. But don’t forget, if you can’t find your perfect job right now, you can 'Register for job alerts' or ‘Make a speculative application’. That way, we’ll get in touch when a relevant job does come up.

If you have any questions about the opportunities that we have available, or if there's anything else you'd like to know before you apply (or indeed during the application process), please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Email the resourcing team