An entry-level insurance underwriter works as a trainee or assistant while learning how to assess an insurance application, define risk, determine eligibility, calculate policy premiums, and accept or deny each request for coverage. You perform your duties under the supervision of a senior underwriter. At the start of your career, your responsibilities focus on data collection and basic application processing. As you gain experience, you handle more-complex applications and can work independently. An insurance underwriter can specialize in life, property, casualty, commercial, or specialty insurance.