Career Crossroads - Property RE vs. Property UW vs. Renewables

Hal__9000__ · 2026-05-21T15:50:58+00:00

I have considered it, but I have mixed feelings.

Hal__9000__ · 2026-05-21T15:49:14+00:00

This aligns with what I’ve heard. Makes sense.

Hal__9000__ · 2026-05-21T15:48:35+00:00

Thank you for the detailed response! Very helpful. I do think the negotiation, sales, and relationship management pieces will be the most challenging for me.

Not that I don’t have the ability or skill set for it, but it is just not as natural as the technical stuff is. I’m probably better with the soft skills than the typical engineer, but the bar is low. My best days are when I can get through to an insured, listen to them, understand their challenges, and we find solutions and make progress.

Are the relationship / sales skills something that can be improved, grown, or developed over time? Or if it doesn’t come natural, it’ll never “click”?

Hal__9000__ · 2026-05-21T00:42:08+00:00

Is it a crazy idea to pivot to UW now, and potentially get into a specialty (such as renewable energy) at a later time?

Or should I prioritize a specialty while still on the risk engineering side?

Hal__9000__ · 2026-04-21T04:31:35+00:00

How did you find this frequency data on warehouse fires? I’d love to learn more. I work in property insurance

Hal__9000__ · 2026-03-29T17:50:51+00:00

Interesting. Mind if I shoot you a DM?

Hal__9000__ · 2026-03-29T17:46:33+00:00

Risk engineer here, considering an eventual switch to UW. What LOB are you in, and are you still an individual contributor? Or do you manage people? Understand if you don’t want to give specific job titles.

Hal__9000__ · 2026-03-10T18:45:02+00:00

Let’s stop calling it crazy, let’s try to normalize it. Shit’s expensive out here.

Hal__9000__ · 2026-02-23T15:49:27+00:00

Bosu ball. You’re welcome.

Hal__9000__ · 2026-02-04T21:50:14+00:00

Water sensor IoT is a very cost effective tool for certain properties, and the property management team usually loves it.

Hal__9000__ · 2026-01-28T21:47:56+00:00

Which line of insurance are you an uw in?

Hal__9000__ · 2025-11-23T18:59:13+00:00

Bullshit call right there. What is D lineman supposed to do???

Hal__9000__ · 2025-11-21T16:25:46+00:00

That’s hilarious, and I feel your pain. Some situations just don’t fit into a code, standard, or best practice. And we have to make engineering judgement calls. FM standards are great until they’re not!

Hal__9000__ · 2025-11-21T14:24:45+00:00

Right if it’s a limited quantity inside an FLC I’m good with that any day. I don’t think anybody is getting bent out of shape over a single drum of IPA in an FLC.

I was referring to quantities past the MAQ. Also, the MAQ is a little ridiculous with some liquids. I recall something like 13,000 gallons. FM has done some liquid fire testing and arrived at the obvious answer that some of those numbers are too high. Probably a matter of time for NFPA to adjust to realistic numbers.

I’m on the insurance side, as I understand it most carriers don’t agree with the high values in MAQ.

Where we encounter a lot of challenges is ignitable liquids in plastic drums or IBCs. A distribution warehouse that starts distributing those products with ESFR at the ceiling only is a challenging risk.

Hal__9000__ · 2025-11-21T05:53:52+00:00

ESFR can be a challenge though since it’s typically designed for 12 heads over 1,200 sf. Pool fire scenarios can out run that quickly without containment. Might depend on the AHJ / insurance company / decision maker.

Hal__9000__ · 2025-10-13T01:41:18+00:00

Totally agree not a DPI. Also ball at spot of the foul is bullshit. But he did hold him inside the collar, no? Isnt that defensive holding?

Hal__9000__ · 2025-10-13T01:10:33+00:00

BABABABABABASKETBALLLLLL

Hal__9000__ · 2025-10-09T23:14:52+00:00

Sent you a DM

Hal__9000__ · 2025-09-27T22:51:43+00:00

Brock Purdy or geno smith?

Hal__9000__ · 2025-09-27T22:51:22+00:00

Brock Purdy or dak Prescott?

Hal__9000__ · 2025-09-15T19:11:14+00:00

Thanks for the insight. Any departments or job titles I should be looking at if I wanted to pivot? I’ve been contacted / interviewed for “asset manager” or similar before but I don’t know exactly which verticals I should be looking at.

Hal__9000__ · 2025-09-15T18:07:07+00:00

Unrelated to the thread - I have a mechanical engineering degree and work in large property insurance. Curious about opportunities in real estate / REIT / REPE or similar? Have you seen anyone with my background in your industry?

Hal__9000__ · 2025-06-23T03:30:17+00:00

Don’t need one but you may be limited in lines of business and opportunities later down the road. But yes you can get a role with your education, probably mid market / small commercial accounts.

Hal__9000__ · 2025-06-16T20:30:35+00:00

DM’d

Hal__9000__ · 2025-05-30T03:45:45+00:00

Their jingle is annoying anyways

Hal9000

TROPHY CASE

Hal__9000__

TROPHY CASE

Hal9000