Talking all things underwriting with Gabi Varnier from PPS Mutual

Talking all things underwriting with Gabi Varnier from PPS Mutual

From My Risk Adviser by Phil Thompson

January 2, 2026 · 26 min · Season 5 · Episode 3

About this episode

Phil Thompson and Trent Bacon discuss underwriting with Gabi Varnier from PPS Mutual, focusing on decision-making processes and the importance of adviser relationships.

In this episode of My Risk Adviser, Phil Thompson and Trent Bacon sit down with Gabi Varnier, National Underwriting Manager at PPS Mutual, to lift the lid on how underwriting decisions are really made. They explore why underwriting is not about saying no, but about finding a way to offer cover, and how experience, judgement and data all come together behind the scenes when complex cases are assessed. The conversation goes deep on pre assessments, mental health disclosures, lifestyle risks and the importance of trust between advisers and underwriters. Gabi explains why better fact finding upfront leads to better outcomes, how strong adviser relationships lead to smoother assessments, and why underwriting is becoming more individualised rather than more restrictive. It is an honest look at the part of the advice process most clients never see, but that matters more than almost anything else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Phil Thompson, Trent Bacon

Guest: Gabi Varnier

Topics covered

  • underwriting
  • insurance
  • adviser relationships
  • mental health
  • risk assessment

Keywords

  • underwriting
  • insurance
  • PPS Mutual
  • risk assessment
  • adviser relationships
  • mental health
  • data

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PPS Mutual

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