2024 Underwriters of the Year | Franco Mok, Underwriter I, Intact Insurance

Franco Mok has been a dedicated underwriter for the past two decades.

A computer science graduate from the University of Calgary, Mok began his insurance career in 2004 at Intact Insurance as an underwriter assistant. Over the years, he has held various advancing roles, contributing to different projects that have helped hone his deep knowledge and understanding of underwriting — skills that saw him promoted to Underwriter I.

Outside of work, Mok loves spending quality time with his family and enjoys outdoor activities — including camping, biking, and kayaking — with his two children.

Mok says he feels honoured to be recognized for his hard work by Sharp Insurance, a broker member of the Canadian Broker Network. “I pride myself in building relationships with my brokers and providing second-to-none service,” he says, adding that this award inspires him to keep doing what he loves.

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

“In order to have a great relationship with my brokers, I believe in open and honest communication, along with providing quick responses and solutions to meet the broker’s and customer’s needs.”

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

“After working and gaining experience in the industry, I found myself enjoying the role and planned to make this my career. I love the variety of the role: no day is the same. I get to work with great colleagues and help my broker partners bring solutions that are the right fit for their customers.”

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

“The increasing frequency of severe weather-related losses has been the biggest challenge for underwriters lately. Along with the inflation costs to repair, premiums are increasing, and some insurance companies are leaving the market. Intact believes that insurance is about people, not things. We overcome these challenges by adapting to these changes and continuing to provide the second-to-none service we promise.”

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

“Everyone needs insurance — whether it’s when buying a home or a vehicle, or operating a business. There’s a high demand for insurance professionals — underwriters, brokers, claims adjusters, and more. Each of these jobs allows opportunities for people to learn and grow their careers in many different directions.”

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

“Keeping a good relationship with brokers. By taking the time to build strong relationships, we’re able to communicate well and provide solutions for our brokers. This will help address customer concerns and enable the broker to satisfy the customer’s needs.”

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

“AI is a helpful tool that will increasingly assist underwriters to underwrite the policy, provide correct premiums, and increase speed in our service. The key being it’s meant to assist us, but we’ll always need the human element.”

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.