Reinsurance Broker Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Most Reinsurance Broker interviews in the UK follow a pattern, and knowing it beats guessing. Below are eight questions from our bank of 12, each with a note on what the interviewer is really after.

Eight Reinsurance Broker interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. What is the difference between proportional and non-proportional reinsurance, and when would a cedant favour each?

Why they ask: This is the foundation of reinsurance broking and they will test it early.

2. How do reinstatements and the hours clause work on a catastrophe excess of loss programme?

Why they ask: They want to see technical knowledge of cat treaty features that affect cost and recovery.

3. What are rate on line and payback period, and how would you use them when advising a cedant on the top layers of a programme?

Why they ask: They want to see you can use pricing metrics to support buying decisions.

4. How would you explain a sliding scale commission or a loss corridor on a quota share treaty to a client?

Why they ask: They want to know whether you can explain proportional treaty terms that influence the cedant's economics.

5. What attracts you to reinsurance broking and what does the job involve day to day?

Why they ask: They want to see whether you appreciate the technical, relationship-based nature of the role.

6. Following a major catastrophe event, reinsurers push for large rate increases and tighter terms on your client's programme. How would you handle the renewal?

Why they ask: They want to see strategy, data use and client management in a hard market.

7. A reinsurer disputes a claim recovery on your client's treaty, citing a late notification. What do you do?

Why they ask: They want to see claims advocacy skills in reinsurance.

8. Tell me about a time you built a relationship with a reinsurer or client that led to new business.

Why they ask: They want to see business development within the specialist reinsurance market.

A sample answer to question 1

What is the difference between proportional and non-proportional reinsurance, and when would a cedant favour each?

In proportional reinsurance, such as quota share or surplus, the reinsurer takes an agreed share of premiums and losses, paying the cedant a ceding commission to cover acquisition and some overhead costs. It is useful for capital relief, supporting growth in a new or capital-intensive class, or sharing the whole portfolio's volatility. In non-proportional reinsurance, such as excess of loss, the reinsurer pays only when losses exceed a retention, up to a limit, in return for a premium priced on the expected layer loss. It protects against large individual losses or catastrophe events and leaves the cedant keeping more of the premium and the attritional experience. A cedant with a stable book and healthy capital might prefer excess of loss to protect earnings, while one under solvency pressure or entering a new line may favour quota share. Often programmes combine both. As a broker, I would use the cedant's risk appetite, rating agency view and capital position to guide the structure.

Common mistake to avoid: Only reciting definitions; Ignoring the cedant's capital position

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 12 questions are on the Reinsurance Broker interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.