2024 Underwriters of the Year | Alexander Hoppe, Commercial Underwriter II, Intact Insurance

Alexander Hoppe’s insurance career began in 2018 with a co-op position at Gore Mutual in auto physical damage claims. He soon took on a role as an advisor at a small insurance office before joining Intact as an underwriter, where he has thrived ever since.

A 2017 graduate of Conestoga College’s insurance program, Hoppe completed his CIP designation in 2020, complementing his experience and pursuit of providing world-class service.

Outside of his professional life, he enjoys cooking, music, and spending time with close friends.

Hoppe feels honoured and thankful to be recognized for his efforts from Cal LeGrow Insurance & Financial Group, a broker member of the Canadian Broker Network. “Working with our brokers is the most rewarding part of my job.”

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

“The foundations: openness and trust. I’ve found success in being approachable and providing solutions to brokers’ problems. Anticipating brokers’ needs and offering options or solutions they perhaps haven’t considered go a long way in cementing your relationship.”

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

“Since joining the insurance industry from another field, I’ve worked on the broker side, claims side, and now in underwriting, which suits me perfectly. Underwriting allows me to leverage my experiences to provide insightful feedback and solutions. Helping brokers secure the best coverages for unique situations is incredibly fulfilling.”

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 communication. We often over-rely on back-and-forth emails. This can hinder our deeper understanding of risk and relationship building. When we talk to each other, we should do that more telephonically or in person. We should focus on clear, plain language to express our ideas, coverages, and solutions, so we can provide the best support possible to our brokers and clients.”

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

“Providing world-class customer service is crucial. Getting to know your brokers, anticipating their needs, and responding promptly can make a significant difference. Forging a personal connection and helping brokers, in turn, enable brokers to build better relationships with their clients and provide them with the best products and services. We all win.”

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

“One industry, many careers! Insurance offers a plethora of career opportunities, from sales to IT/AI development, to office administration and more. I came from a construction background as a structural-steel fabricator/welder and found a home in this industry. It’s a stable, rewarding field with diverse roles.”

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

“Technology is changing the business landscape. We need to become data-minded in our conversations with clients. Useful data is crucial for driving AI, and as companies deploy AI, the right data will be key to making this transition work for our clients and brokers.”

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