At a Glance
- Tasks: Select, price, and structure commercial fleet risks while making impactful underwriting decisions.
- Company: Join Reli, a pioneering insurance MGA transforming commercial fleet insurance with technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, stock options, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and meaningful impact on the business.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the insurance industry while collaborating with talented professionals.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK commercial fleet underwriting and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: United Kingdom
Use data, technology and experienced judgement to shape the risks Reli accepts, how we price them and how the portfolio learns.
Why Reli: We are setting a new standard in commercial fleet insurance by pricing and mitigating risks proactively and making safer fleets better business for everyone. Trusted by market leaders. Powered by extraordinary talent and technology. Reli is an insurance MGA, co-founded with the world's largest logistics company and built to solve the real problems and needs of commercial fleet operators and the wider insurance ecosystem. We combine insurance expertise with technology across fleet risk, loss prevention, pricing, underwriting, claims and operations. Our tech frees underwriters to do what they do best: smart, data driven underwriting decision making; build relationships with brokers and solve problems for policyholders.
Why this role matters: Select, price and structure UK commercial fleet risks within authority so Reli grows profitably, serves distribution partners decisively and maintains a complete, reproducible underwriting record. You will make clear underwriting decisions within authority, combining market knowledge, our proprietary pricing tools and experienced judgement. The role sits close to sales, clients, actuarial, capacity partners and claims insight, so your decisions must be commercially useful, technically sound and reproducible.
Our broker and partner standard: Brokers and distribution partners are central to reaching and serving the right fleets. We want to build extraordinary relationships through trust, curiosity, value generation, responsiveness and reliability. Your underwriting judgement - and how you communicate it - is central to that standard.
What you will make happen:
- Select, price and decide risks within authority: Deliver timely decisions with sound risk selection, price adequacy, terms and referral quality, as well as joining in on bringing in healthy business proactively.
- Create a complete underwriting record: Document data, assumptions, pricing-model output, judgement, wording, authority and final rationale so another qualified person can reproduce the decision.
- Provide decisive broker and client service: Ask the right questions, explain decisions clearly, set next actions and balance commercial responsiveness with underwriting discipline.
- Improve portfolio and pricing feedback loops: Identify drift, referral patterns and emerging experience; feed practical improvements into pricing tools, guidelines, renewal and portfolio actions.
- Build shared underwriting judgement: Share cases and learning, coach constructively and strengthen commercial understanding of risk without lowering the standard.
What you will own: You will own the end-to-end underwriting process, making clear decisions and setting terms, conditions and pricing within your delegated authority. You will refer more complex risks with a clear recommendation, decline risks out of scope, and demonstrate underwriting governance daily. Operating close to the action, you will collaborate with Sales, Actuarial, Claims, Operations and our Capacity Partners to drive profitable portfolio growth.
What you bring:
- Proven experience in UK commercial fleet underwriting across multiple segments and within delegated authority frameworks.
- Pricing and portfolio management judgement to balance growth with disciplined loss ratios.
- UK market awareness with a strong grasp of market trends and competitor dynamics.
- Underwriting evidence and decision documentation.
- Credible and clear communications with capacity partners, including presenting portfolio performance, demonstrating underwriting control and building long term relationships.
- Broker communication and negotiation that builds trust, expectations and wins business.
How you work: Decisive decision making within your authority; precise evidence and transparent judgement. Early escalation with a clear recommendation; deep competence with low ego. We care more about evidence of outcomes, judgement and learning than a perfectly linear career or identical previous title. You do not need to match every line to apply.
The working reality: You will often work with incomplete or uneven information while balancing responsiveness with risk discipline. You must be comfortable declining or referring when the evidence is insufficient and explaining the decision clearly. You will complete the full underwriting process within our proprietary pricing and underwriting workbench, as well as being client/partner present, engage and kick tires. This is unlikely to suit someone who reactively waits on opportunities by the desk, wants to follow a static rulebook, treats documentation as administration, or optimises for short-term volume over portfolio quality. High trust. High care. High output. We give capable people meaningful freedom and context and expect them to own outcomes. Care means supporting colleagues, clients, brokers and partners, giving direct feedback and addressing problems early. Output means solving the right problems fast to a high standard.
Join as a co-owner: We are looking for people who want to join in and act as co-owners - taking responsibility for the whole company, improving what sits beyond their immediate remit and helping others succeed. The package includes a competitive fixed salary, participation in Reli's company-wide bonus structure and participation in our stock option programme (VSOP). The VSOP gives team members the opportunity to participate in potential long-term value they help create.
Apply: Start with the role-specific application form and complete our "Reality Check". The "Reality Check" is part of the application and gives you an honest view of the situations, expectations and choices you may meet at Reli. Are we the right fit for you? Application and Reality Check: https//careers.reli-insurance.com/ The remaining process is: introductory phone conversation - Culture Fit Interview - Function Fit Interview - references - final decision and offer. Reli welcomes different backgrounds and career paths. We will make reasonable adjustments to help candidates participate fully in the process.
Portfolio Underwriter employer: Vermelo
Tradex Insurance is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where employees are empowered to make impactful decisions. With a strong focus on professional development, employees have access to continuous learning opportunities and the chance to work closely with senior leaders in a dynamic environment. The role of 2nd Line Risk Partner offers the unique advantage of influencing key risk frameworks while travelling to vibrant locations like Manchester and Brentwood, ensuring a diverse and engaging work experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Underwriter
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.
✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like Vermelo). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!
✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Vermelo. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Underwriter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.
Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at Vermelo.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Vermelo. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vermelo
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Vermelo to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Side
In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at Vermelo, they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.
✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out
Understanding Vermelo's values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.