In the latest installment of a special bonus podcast series from the Big “I" national Young Agents Committee (YAC) and Trusted Choice®, a panel of independent agents and brokers discuss working with underwriters in the hard market.

In this episode, host Daschle Larsen, national YAC committee member and risk executive at North Risk Partners in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is joined by Bryan Clinkscales, Big “I" Executive Committee member and owner of Boone Ritter Insurance in Springdale, Arkansas, and Trey Sinclair, vice chair of the Legislative Council at the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) and owner of Wells Insurance Agency in Macclenny, Florida.

The panel explores actions for underwriting risk, such as checking websites and social media, reviewing court records, and conducting general online research; building relationships through phone calls and attending industry events to connect with underwriters on a personal level; and emphasizing the need for clear expectations and deadlines to maintain effective communication with underwriters in a digital working environment.

“The relationship with the underwriter is key. And if you burn that relationship, it's going to be tough moving forward," Clinkscales said. “The more information we can obtain and give up front to the underwriter tends to make them more comfortable with the risk."

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