2024 Underwriters of the Year | Leighton Salmon, Personal Lines Underwriter, Intact Insurance

Leighton Salmon’s underwriting excellence stems from his technical expertise and passion for working with people.

He began his insurance journey in 2010 as an insurance advisor with TD Insurance. He then moved into a junior underwriting position with RSA, where he held several advancing roles before joining Intact Insurance in his current role.

Outside of work, Salmon spends his time with his family and loves playing sports with his two boys.

Salmon says he feels both “honoured and humbled” to be recognized by Lawrie Insurance Group, a broker member of the Canadian Broker Network, Canada’s largest network of independent brokers. “It’s an amazing feeling knowing that you’re making a difference and being recognized with such a prestigious award.”

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

“Mutual trust and respect are at the core of a great working relationship between an underwriter and a broker. These qualities create a solid foundation that benefits the relationship between not only the two parties but also the insured.”

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

“Underwriting combines my technical skills with my passion for working with people, offering me the best of both worlds. What I love most about the industry is that it’s constantly evolving and adapting to keep up with the many different changes in the world.”

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

“One of the biggest challenges is economic pressure on customers, which has shifted the focus significantly toward price. One of the most practical ways to discuss price is to continue to emphasize the value and security of the product. Customers need to understand that, even though they hope never to use insurance, they need to ensure they have the best possible product available in a time of need.”

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

“I’ve been working in personal lines for 14 years, and the landscape of personal insurance has changed over and over again. The introduction of ride-sharing, home sharing, and usage-based insurance are just a few recent examples of how insurance companies have adapted products to market changes. As the insurance landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead of these changes and responding with innovation to emerging trends will remain essential.”

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

“The insurance industry offers a wide range of opportunities to apply various skill sets and talents. You’ll have a chance to contribute to overall societal good by helping people in their time of need. You’d be part of one of the fastest growing and evolving industries. Ultimately, the industry offers a plethora of opportunities where you can make a meaningful impact.”

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

“Technology, including AI, will continue to shape our practices and procedures. While AI may not replace underwriters, it will be a valuable tool we adopt to aid in our day-to-day activities and will help enhance decision-making.”

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