A new ad hoc series is set to take you behind the scenes with the RU team.
First up, we introduce Emma Seaborne, an Underwriter here at Renovation Underwriting, to find out what makes her tick, what keeps her energised, and what work she gets involved in in her role to write contract works policies.
A typical day for me will tend to start with a 4:30am alarm. I am currently progressing through the Couch to 5k programme to rekindle my love for running. I schedule my runs on the days I head to the office.
After a quick prep, warm-up and stretch (safety first, we don’t want to risk any injuries here) I’m out the door for 30-40 minutes of interval runs, followed by a calming cool-down walk back home.
Being an early riser has its rewards. My lunch and bags are prepped the night before, so once home, I quickly get ready and head out the door to catch the 6:40 AM train to the city. The early start means I usually get a seat on the train, which is a small but significant victory!
Arriving well before 8:00 AM, means I have plenty of time to grab a hot latte, my go-to for getting my brain in gear.
Quiet time in the office is also precious. I review my diary, plan my day, and tackle tasks that my “5 PM brain” would find daunting.
As colleagues trickle in, the office hums with morning chatter. The first call typically comes in at 9:01 AM, setting the tone for the day. By mid-morning, I head to the communal kitchen for a breakfast of oats with blueberries, honey, and protein powder, possibly accompanied by a second coffee.
This is taken back to my desk where I continue to deal with a mix of phone calls with brokers, new risk submissions, extension requests, and insurer referrals. Lunch is a quick chicken salad, eaten while I dive back into work.
The day continues working on extensions, new business risks, and liaising with brokers to gather necessary information for writing policies or referring them to capacity if needed. I specialise in unoccupied new business risks, which requires thorough fact-finding to understand the property’s status and future plans. Additionally, I review documents from brokers to meet policy subjectivities, ranging from Schedules of Work to Water Risk Management Plans.
The day flies by, and suddenly it’s 5:30 PM. After a quick check of the train schedules (a must, given their lack of reliability), I pack up and bid farewell to my team, ready to unwind and prepare for another early start tomorrow.
Balancing an early start, a productive workday, and some personal time for fitness keeps me on my toes. It’s a routine that might seem hectic to some, but it’s the rhythm that keeps me moving forward.
