DUAL Underwriting Perspectives: Getting your risk to the top of the underwriter’s pile

News

5 minutes

03 February 2026

Tips for brokers to ensure their risks go to the top of her pile

Chelsea Sparey

Senior Underwriter, DUAL Commercial

In this latest edition of DUAL Underwriting Perspectives, Chelsea Sparey, a Senior Underwriter at DUAL, shares valuable tips for brokers to ensure their risks go to the top of her pile. This article also provide you with a simple checklist to help make sure we can move as fast as we can to get a quote back to you, and your client.

We all know the feeling: the market is moving fast, clients are demanding more, and the clock is always ticking. In my role at DUAL, I see every day how much pressure is on brokers to deliver.

We often talk about DUAL’s service as our "superpower", but I’ll let you in on a secret: underwriters are human beings, not algorithms. We want to say "yes" just as much as you want to hear it, but we can only move at lightning speed when we have the right fuel.

I wanted to share a few honest thoughts on how we can work together to get your risks off your desk and into a "Bound" folder as quickly as possible.

We’re in this together

The best part of my job isn’t just quoting a risk; it’s helping a broker win a piece of business they’ve worked hard to secure. When a submission comes in with the "full story", (even just a few informal notes on why the client is a great risk or even the hairy stuff) it changes my job from data entry to problem-solving. It allows me to use my seniority and DUAL’s flexibility to find a "yes" when a computer might say "no."

The request for more information ‘speed bump’

We share the pain of the "Request for Information” back-and-forth as much as you do. If there’s a gap in the data or a historical claim that looks a bit ‘messy’, just let us know the context upfront. It doesn't have to be a formal report; an up-front chat or a quick email helps us advocate for your client and keeps the momentum moving toward a quote.

Transparency is our biggest time-saver

I’ve found that the most successful placements come from a place of mutual trust. If you have a target premium you need to hit or a specific coverage must-have, telling us early doesn't weaken your position. It can empower us to build the right solution first time and saves you from having to go back to the client with a quote that isn't quite right.

The DUAL advantage

The reason DUAL’s service is great is because we’re empowered to make decisions. We don’t have to check with a committee in another time zone. When you give us a clean, honest, and complete picture, you’re giving us the green light to use that authority for you. When we have the right information, we can move mountains to meet a deadline.

Ultimately, our door (and phone line) is always open. We’re here to make you look like a hero to your client, and with a bit of collaborative groundwork, there’s very little we can’t solve together.

Submission checklist

At DUAL, our service superpowers are built on local authority and expert decision making. We want to move at pace, but we need the right fuel. Use this 10-point checklist to bypass the back-and-forth and get a “yes” at speed.

The business narrative – Go beyond the trade or basic business description. A two‑sentence summary of what the client does day‑to‑day helps me visualise the processes and activities of the business immediately.
Confirmed five‑year claims experience – Provide the full picture – not just “Claims TBC”. If there are large losses, include a quick note on remedial actions. It’s the best way for me to put a story behind the loss ratio.
The target premium – Transparency is key: if you have a number to beat, tell me. Knowing the target doesn’t limit negotiations; it allows me to tailor our solution so it hits the mark first time.
Detailed trade breakdown – Where a client has multiple revenue streams, a percentage breakdown of activities allows for a much more nuanced and often more competitive solution.
Current financials – A clear view of current turnover and wage‑roll and a quick “why” if anything has changed in the last 12 months.
Valuation confidence – Confirmation that rebuild and ‘day one’ values are up to date (especially for listed buildings) gives us certainty needed to offer future proof capacity.
Risk management highlights – Don’t let the ‘good news’ get buried. Highlighting superior security or health and safety protocols allows me to apply discount that may get missed on standard portals.
The ‘why’ behind the quote – Understanding why the risk is in the market (service, poor claims experience, market pulling out) helps me tailor our response to what you and the client values most.
Digital presence – A link to the client’s current website or social media helps me verify the risk profile quickly without having to pause for extra questions.
The pre‑submission ‘heads up’ – Most importantly! For complex or urgent risks, a quick five‑minute call ensures we’re aligned on appetite before you spend time on a full presentation.

Our goal: your success

At DUAL, we pride ourselves on being accessible and empowered. When we have the full picture, we can provide the lightning-fast service your clients expect.