50 Performance Review Phrases for Underwriters

Self Assessment Phrases - Achievements

• I reviewed applications thoroughly, weighing risk factors against guidelines before making a decision.
• I kept my turnaround times consistent even when submission volume increased.
• I caught a discrepancy in [type of documentation] that would have affected the risk assessment.
• I worked closely with brokers to clarify submission details rather than declining on incomplete information.
• I applied underwriting guidelines consistently while still considering the specifics of each case.
• I documented my rationale clearly so decisions could be understood and audited later.
• I stayed current on changes to underwriting guidelines and applied them correctly to new submissions.
• I balanced risk tolerance with business goals when evaluating borderline cases.
• I collaborated with the claims team to understand how past losses should inform current pricing decisions.
• I identified a pattern of risk in [line of business or segment], which prompted a review of our guidelines there.

Self Assessment Phrases - Growth and Development

• I want to get faster at reviewing straightforward applications so more time is available for complex ones.
• I am working on communicating declines to brokers in a way that leaves the relationship intact.
• I would like to deepen my knowledge of [line of business] so I can underwrite it with more confidence.
• I sometimes over-document routine files and want to calibrate my notes to the complexity of the case.
• I plan to get more comfortable pushing back on submissions that are missing key information.
• I want to improve how I explain my reasoning to newer team members reviewing my files.
• I recognize I could ask clarifying questions earlier in the process instead of waiting until close to the deadline.
• I would benefit from more exposure to reinsurance treaty terms that affect how I price certain risks.
• I want to get better at flagging trends across my book rather than treating each file in isolation.
• I plan to work on my speed with policy administration systems so processing time drops.

Peer Review Phrases

• They apply underwriting guidelines consistently, which makes their files easy to review and audit.
• They are quick to share guidance when a colleague is unsure how to handle an unusual submission.
• They document their reasoning clearly, which helps when a file gets picked up by someone else later.
• They communicate professionally with brokers, even when delivering a decline.
• They flag questionable submissions early instead of letting them sit until the deadline.
• They stay current on guideline changes and are a reliable source when others have questions.
• They balance thoroughness with turnaround time, rarely letting files stall.
• They are approachable when a coworker wants a second opinion on a borderline case.
• They caught an issue with [type of exposure] on a shared file that changed how it was priced.
• They handle high volume periods without letting quality slip on individual files.

Manager Review Phrases - Strengths

• They apply guidelines consistently while still using sound judgment on borderline cases.
• They keep turnaround times steady even during periods of higher submission volume.
• They document their rationale clearly, which supports audits and file reviews.
• They communicate decisions to brokers professionally, which helps maintain the relationship even on declines.
• They stay current on guideline and regulatory changes and apply them correctly.
• They are dependable about flagging unusual risk patterns to the team.
• They collaborate well with claims and actuarial when a file needs additional input.
• They are reliable with deadlines and rarely need files chased down.
• They mentor newer underwriters on how to evaluate complex submissions.
• They identified a risk trend in [line of business], which led to a useful guideline adjustment.

Manager Review Phrases - Areas to Develop

• They could work on turning around straightforward files more quickly so complex ones get more attention.
• They sometimes request more documentation than the file actually requires, which slows the process down.
• They would benefit from more practice explaining declines to brokers in a way that preserves the relationship.
• They tend to escalate borderline cases rather than using judgment within their authority level.
• They could improve how consistently they document rationale across similar files.
• They occasionally need reminders about updated guidelines after a policy change.
• They would gain from additional training on [line of business or risk type].
• They could build more confidence pushing back on brokers who submit incomplete applications.
• They sometimes underestimate how a small detail in a submission affects the overall risk picture.
• They would benefit from spotting trends across their book rather than reviewing files purely one at a time.

How to use these phrases

Don't paste these in verbatim. Pick the two or three closest to what you actually did, then make them specific: swap the generic claim for your own project, metric, or outcome. Use the rest as a checklist of themes worth covering in a Underwriter review, and see the Perform Review blog for guides on structuring the full review.