Posted On: June 22, 2009, 3:43 pm CDT

Posted By: Reinsurance Professional

I have been both a reinsurance broker and an underwriter throughout my career. Both jobs required me to work closely with actuaries. I myself have a math background but never wanted to be an actuary. I enjoy working with them but I do have to admit there is some truth to them sometimes acting like they are in charge. While the cold hard pricing is a very important part of the process, this is a relationship business and I have found that some of the actuaries I have had the pleasure of working with over the years do not understand that part and are quick to dismiss what ultimately ends up being a good piece of business. Why do they always have to be so conservative?! It's a balancing act. It gets frustrating at times but I know I would never want to do what the actuaries do. Understanding it is enough for me!