experience at a reinsurance intermediary

[rj_rattigan]

Consider an actuary with say an ACAS and 5 years of experience working exclusively at an industry leading reinsurance *intermediary*. In terms of experience, what sorts of advantages/skills might this actuary have over an ACAS who spent five years at an industry leading primary or reinsurer? Are there any kinds of jobs/roles that the ACAS at the intermediary would be better suited for? And conversely, what sorts of advantages/skills would the ACAS at the primary or reinsurer have over the actuary at the broker, and would the primary guy be better able to apply for jobs/roles that the actuary at the intermediary would be less qualified for?

BTW - thanks so much to all who respond/have responded, your advice is invaluable.

[DW Simpson]

Even after five years on the P&C side, often it just comes down to whether you know what you're talking about and whether you've learned in five years in the industry what you should have learned in five years. If you're an ACAS with 5 years of P&C experience, they'd each would want you.

Clients split hairs more often over on the SOA side. P&C is one big happy family through the first several years, mostly.

[rj_rattigan]

Thanks very much for your reply!

If things are as you say, how come the P&C postings on the DW Simpson often seem to request specific experience, e.g. "Must have at least 3 years of personal automobile pricing experience, as well as 3 to 6 exams." or "This ACAS must have pricing experience" or "Personal lines experience required" or "Reserving experience ideal" ?

Would the ACAS' five years of experience pricing reinsurance structures qualify as "pricing experience" as far as a primary insurer is concerned?

[DW Simpson]

If things are as you say, how come the P&C postings on the DW Simpson often seem to request specific experience, e.g. "Must have at least 3 years of personal automobile pricing experience, as well as 3 to 6 exams." or "This ACAS must have pricing experience" or "Personal lines experience required" or "Reserving experience ideal" ?

I'm certainly not saying that every P&C job will take every kind of experience. Personal lines insurers especially can have narrow preferences.

So I'm not saying that you'd be qualified for every role. I'm saying that few companies are in a position to turn you away with five years of property & casualty experience and an ACAS.

Clients can say "must have at least 3 years of personal automobile pricing experience, as well as 3 to 6 exams" and hire somebody with 1 year of commercial auto reserving experience and 2 exams. It happens daily.

Would the ACAS' five years of experience pricing reinsurance structures qualify as "pricing experience" as far as a primary insurer is concerned?

At a commercial lines insurer, sure. At a specialty lines insurer, sure. At a personal lines insurer, not as much.