To get a job in reinsurance broking in Singapore, start as an analyst or broking assistant through a graduate programme or a technical role at an insurer, build your knowledge with the Singapore College of Insurance Certificate in Reinsurance or CII study, and show strong numbers, writing and relationship skills. Experienced underwriters and actuaries can also move across.
What reinsurance brokers actually do
A reinsurance broker acts for an insurance company (the cedant) that wants to pass part of its risk to reinsurers. The broker designs the programme, models the exposure, takes it to the market, negotiates terms and then services the contract through claims and renewals. In Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore registers insurance brokers under the Insurance Act, and distinguishes:
- General reinsurance brokers, who broke the reinsurance of liabilities under general insurance policies
- Life reinsurance brokers, who broke the reinsurance of liabilities under life policies
- Approved reinsurance brokers, licensed or authorised in a designated country, who can operate as approved general or life reinsurance brokers
Registration sits with the broking firm. As an individual, you are hired mainly for your skills and judgement, but ask your prospective employer whether your role carries any individual checks, such as fit and proper screening.
The main roles in a reinsurance broking team
| Role | What you do | Typical background |
|---|---|---|
| Broking analyst or assistant | Prepares submissions, collects data, supports placements and renewals | Graduate, or junior insurance or finance experience |
| Treaty broker | Structures and places proportional and non-proportional treaty programmes | Several years in broking or treaty underwriting |
| Facultative broker | Places individual large or complex risks | Direct or facultative underwriting, or broking |
| Catastrophe or actuarial analyst | Runs cat models and pricing analysis that support the placement | Maths, statistics, actuarial or data science |
| Client or account executive | Owns the cedant relationship and the overall programme strategy | Senior broker or underwriter |
Route 1: Graduate and analyst programmes
The global reinsurance brokers run structured early-career programmes. For example, Gallagher Re’s REACH programme is a two-year, full-time development programme for analyst roles including Actuarial Analyst, Catastrophe Risk Analyst, Reinsurance Broking Analyst and Rating Agency Advisory Analyst, with structured learning, client-facing work and mentoring. Other large reinsurance brokers run their own early-career intakes too. Check each firm’s careers page for current Singapore openings, intake dates and eligibility.
To compete for these places:
- Study a quantitative or business degree, and show you can work with data (Excel, plus SQL or Python if you have it)
- Get an internship at an insurer, reinsurer or broker
- Learn the basics: proportional versus non-proportional treaties, quota share, surplus, excess of loss and catastrophe covers
- Follow the market. Know the renewal calendar and recent pricing trends in Asia Pacific
Route 2: Move across from an insurer or reinsurer
Many brokers are hired from the other side of the table. Treaty and facultative underwriters, reinsurance accountants, claims specialists and pricing actuaries already understand how reinsurance decisions are made. If that is you:
- Frame your experience around placement outcomes: programmes you priced, structures you helped design, losses you managed.
- Show you can sell. Broking is a client role, so evidence of building relationships with cedants, reinsurers or internal stakeholders matters.
- Expect questions on how you would advise a cedant whose interests differ from those of the reinsurer you used to work for.
If you are currently an underwriter weighing your options, our guide to underwriter salaries in Singapore helps you compare packages before you move.
Route 3: Join from analytics or catastrophe modelling
Modelling and analytics roles are a growing entry point. Brokers need people who can run catastrophe models, analyse loss data and explain capital impact to clients. If you have a strong data or actuarial background, an analytics seat inside a broker can lead into broking over time. See our guide on the tech skills insurers in Singapore are hiring for.
Qualifications that help
No single qualification is mandatory to start, but structured study shows commitment and fills technical gaps.
SCI Certificate in Reinsurance (CRI)
The Singapore College of Insurance offers the Certificate in Reinsurance, aimed at staff in reinsurance companies, reinsurance broking firms and reinsurance departments of direct insurers. Key points from SCI:
- You must first pass the Basic Insurance Concepts and Principles (BCP) examination.
- Candidates should ideally have at least six months of relevant work experience.
- The syllabus covers the reinsurance market, forms of reinsurance, proportional and non-proportional treaties, accounting, contract wordings and life reassurance.
- The exam is 100 multiple-choice questions in two hours, including 20 calculation questions.
CII Diploma in Insurance
The Chartered Insurance Institute’s Diploma in Insurance requires at least 120 CII credits, with at least 90 at Diploma level or above. Its optional units include M97 Reinsurance (30 credits), and the Diploma leads on towards the Advanced Diploma and Chartered status. Many brokers support staff through CII study.
Skills hiring managers look for
- Technical understanding of treaty structures, pricing and wordings.
- Numeracy and modelling, from reading a loss triangle to interpreting cat model output.
- Clear writing. Submissions and placement slips must be precise.
- Relationship skills with cedants, reinsurers and colleagues across the region.
- Composure under deadline. Renewal seasons are intense, and terms often move late.
Practical steps for the next three months
- Decide which route fits you: graduate programme, move across from an insurer, or analytics.
- Register for BCP and the SCI Certificate in Reinsurance, or a CII unit, so your CV shows active study.
- Rewrite your CV around reinsurance outcomes, not job duties.
- Track open roles on the careers pages of the major reinsurance brokers.
- Talk to a specialist recruiter who works the reinsurance market. Read our guide on whether a recruiter is worth using for an insurance job in Singapore.
How LUNOS can help
Underwriting, broking and claims is one of the seven desks at LUNOS, covering technical specialists across P and C, specialty and reinsurance. Our team includes Qash Shiraj, Principal Consultant, (Re)Insurance Asia, and our client testimonials include a CEO, APAC, at a global reinsurance brokerage firm. If you are an underwriter, analyst or broker thinking about a move in Singapore, Malaysia or Hong Kong, you can talk to a consultant in confidence. Contact LUNOS.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to work for a reinsurance broker in Singapore?
MAS registers the broking firm under the Insurance Act as a general or life reinsurance broker. Individuals are hired mainly on skills, but ask your employer whether your role carries any individual checks such as fit and proper screening.
What is the best entry-level qualification for reinsurance broking?
In Singapore, the SCI Certificate in Reinsurance is a practical start, after passing the BCP exam. The CII Diploma in Insurance, with the M97 Reinsurance unit, is a broader next step.
Can an underwriter move into reinsurance broking?
Yes. Treaty and facultative underwriters are a common source of brokers, because they already understand how reinsurers assess and price risk.
Do I need a maths degree?
Not for every role. Analyst and catastrophe modelling roles favour quantitative degrees, while broking roles also value commercial and communication skills.