CII 960: Advanced Underwriting Coursework Assignment 1 2026

Here, you can see the relevant CII R06 Financial Planning Practice Assessment Answers

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Top tips for answering coursework assignments

• Read the 960 Specimen coursework assignment and answer, available on the unit webpage.
• Read the assignments carefully and ensure you answer all parts of the assignments.
• You are encouraged to choose a context that is based on a real organisation or a division of an organisation.
• For assignments relating to regulation and law, knowledge of the UK regulatory framework is appropriate.
  However, marks can be awarded for non-UK examples if they are more relevant to your context.
• There is no minimum word requirement, but an answer with fewer than 2,800 words may be insufficiently comprehensive.

Assignment 1

Provide a brief context for an insurer or reinsurer, or a division of either, with which you are familiar.

For this insurer or reinsurer, or division of either:

• Identify one significant class of business currently underwritten.
• Analyse three ways in which its underwriting policy for this class of business is influenced by competition.
• Make recommendations, based on your analysis, to optimise its underwriting policy in response to competition.

Purpose

To enable candidates to understand the management of the underwriting function in an insurance organisation.

Assumed knowledge

It is assumed that the candidate has the knowledge gained from a study of the relevant sections of IF1 Insurance, legal and regulatory and M80 Underwriting practice or equivalent examinations.

1. Analyse key developments, regulation and legislation affecting the underwriting function

1.1 Explain the impact of legislation and regulation on the underwriting function.

1.2 Examine the relationship between the underwriting function and solvency requirements.

1.3 Examine the issues and implications of underwriting business internationally. 

1.4 Examine the issues and implications of advances in technology on the underwriting function.

2. Evaluate underwriting strategy, policy and practice

2.1 Analyse the relationship between the corporate, reinsurance and underwriting strategies.

2.2 Explain the impact of various distribution channels on the underwriting function.

2.3 Explain the implications of using binding authorities.

2.4 Explain the research required to ensure effective underwriting policy.

2.5 Analyse the factors to be taken into account when entering and withdrawing from classes of business and markets. 

2.6 Explain the significance of claims reserving policy and practice on portfolio management.

2.7 Analyse the impact of product mix, segment mix and cover mix on portfolio management.

2.8 Explain underwriting considerations to be taken into account when establishing policy terms and conditions.

2.9 Evaluate the importance of risk acceptance, evaluation and control on the portfolio mix.

3. Analyse the principles and practices of pricing

3.1 Examine the internal and external data required for pricing.

3.2 Explain the various components to be taken into consideration for pricing.

3.3 Explain how different statistical methods are used in pricing.

3.4 Examine the impact of the underwriting cycle on portfolio management.

3.5 Examine claims information in relation to setting the price, setting reserves and regulatory requirements.

4. Evaluate the management of exposures in the portfolio

4.1 Explain aggregation and the techniques available to measure exposure to single risks, single events and catastrophes.

4.2 Evaluate emerging risks, including systemic losses.

4.3 Explain the various means of managing exposure and enabling capacity, including reinsurance.

5. Evaluate planning, portfolio monitoring and operational controls

5.1 Explain the process of planning, budgeting and forecasting.

5.2 Explain the reasons for monitoring underwriting results.

5.3 Evaluate the techniques for monitoring underwriting results.

5.4 Evaluate the effect of monitoring and forecasting on the underwriting strategy.

5.5 Explain the significance of identifying the underwriting skill-set required, key performance indicators and continuing professional development.

5.6 Evaluate the use of underwriting licences and auditing.