What is the comparison between an aerial refueling pilot and a specialty lines underwriter? The similarity is that both are hired and trained for highly skilled work. The difference is that refueling pilots actually get to do the work they are trained for 100% of the time, while underwriters get to do what they are trained for, at best, 50% of the time.
Underwriters are paid to balance profitability with risk. Yet what they are required to do within the 24-48 hour turn-around time is collect data from various sources, enter and re-enter the data in various systems and then with the remaining minutes or hours, assess and price the risk. While this is true for underwriters, generally, it is particularly so for underwriters working with a wide range of complex or specialty risks.