2024 Underwriters of the Year |Bridget Lee, Personal Lines Underwriter, Optimum West Insurance Company

Bridget Lee began her insurance career in 2018 as an Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) batcher. Soon after, she completed her CAIB designation and then became an insurance agent for a brokerage.

Lee has held various roles, including processor and underwriting assistant for an MGA, where she gained experience that prepared her for her current role. With a BA from Simon Fraser University and her CAIB 2 designation, she is currently pursuing her CIP designation and prides herself in delivering excellent service.

Lee recently got married and has a deep love for animals, offering pet boarding and daycare services in her free time. She’s also an avid social media content creator, sharing food, lifestyle, and adventure videos online.

“Being nominated is an incredible honour,” says Lee of her recognition by Acera Insurance, a member of the Canadian Broker Network. “It’s truly humbling to be acknowledged by such a respected group within our industry.”

Q: What makes a great underwriter-broker working relationship?

“One built on mutual trust, open communication, and a shared commitment to solving problems together. It’s important for both parties to understand each other’s perspectives and collaborate toward common goals. Trust is crucial, as the underwriter relies on the broker to provide accurate and comprehensive information, and the broker relies on the underwriter to make informed decisions for the best possible solution. Open communication allows for discussion of any issues or concerns and helps address them before they become significant obstacles.”

Q: Why did you become an underwriter, and what do you love most about your role?

“My goal was to be a producer, but I soon realized it didn’t suit my personality. My manager suggested underwriting, which matched my communication, problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills — I’ve never looked back. I love the variety: providing creative solutions for different risks, constantly challenging myself, and learning new things.”

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for underwriters in P&C currently, and one thing they can do to overcome it?

“The increasing frequency of natural disasters and catastrophic events makes it difficult to price risks. Investing in technology data insights will help us make more informed underwriting decisions.”

Q: What’s one opportunity you think underwriters should focus more on in today’s marketplace?

“Cyber. With increasing cyberattacks, there’s a growing need for comprehensive and innovative insurance solutions that protect businesses of all sizes, including providing risk management services to mitigate future cyberattacks.”

Q: Given the current talent shortage, what would you say to encourage people to join the industry?

“It’s an enduring industry that offers job security and steady career growth, even during economic downturns. It’s not just about sales. There are many different career paths within insurance, and each of these roles utilizes different skill sets and allows you to find your niche.”

Q: How do you see technology, including AI, impacting the role of underwriters in the coming years?

“AI’s role in insurance is evolving, and already we see its potential applications in chatbots for policy and claims inquiries. Technology will continue to transform how we analyze, access, price, and process risks. Automating routine tasks also allows underwriters to focus on more complex issues.”

 

The Canadian Broker Network Underwriter of the Year awards is a flagship program that CBN has been running on behalf of its members since 2017. The program is exclusive to CBN in partnership with Canadian Underwriter magazine. The categories allow for each of our member firms, at their option, to select one commercial lines underwriter winner as well as one personal lines underwriter winner from a primary market. The program evolved in 2021 to also allow for one commercial lines underwriter from an MGA in addition to the other two categories. The criteria includes underwriting excellence and risk knowledge; prompt and effective responsiveness back to CBN members; writing business that satisfies clients’ needs while creating a win-win for the broker and the insurer; a positive, helpful attitude; and investing time to develop trusting relationships with brokers.

Full list of 2024 Underwriters of the Year Award