Printable Cheat Sheet
The Underwriter's Checklist:
50 Controls That Actually Affect Pricing
The controls underwriters actually evaluate — ranked by impact on your premium. Print it. Pin it to your wall. Use it at every renewal.
🔴
Deal-breaker — Missing = declined or heavy surcharge
🟡
Pricing factor — Affects premium 5-15%
🟢
Differentiator — Improves terms/conditions
8 Control Categories, 50 Controls
Every control is marked with its impact tier and includes a one-line description of what "good" looks like for underwriters.
Identity & Access
8 controls
- MFA on all external access
- Phishing-resistant MFA for admin
- PAM solution deployed
Endpoint Security
6 controls
- EDR on all endpoints
- Critical patches within 14 days
- Vulnerability scanning
Network Security
6 controls
- Network segmentation
- 24/7 monitoring (SOC/MDR)
- DNS filtering
Email Security
5 controls
- Advanced email filtering
- DMARC enforcement
- Anti-spoofing policies
Data Protection
5 controls
- Encryption at rest
- Encryption in transit
- DLP tools for sensitive data
Backup & Recovery
7 controls
- 3-2-1 backup rule
- Immutable/air-gapped backups
- Tested restoration
Incident Response
6 controls
- Documented IR plan
- Tabletop exercises
- Pre-negotiated IR retainer
Governance & Third-Party
7 controls
- Security awareness training
- Phishing simulations
- Dedicated CISO
Why This Checklist Matters
Know Your Deal-Breakers
If you're missing any 🔴 controls, fix those before your renewal. They're the difference between getting quoted and getting declined.
Prioritize Premium Impact
🟡 controls directly affect your pricing. Each one you implement can reduce your premium by 5-15%. Stack them strategically.
Stand Out from the Stack
🟢 controls show you're serious about security. They improve your terms, reduce deductibles, and make you the account underwriters want to write.
What's on Page 2: How to Use This Checklist
1
Scoring Guide
Count your controls by impact tier — see where you stand
2
Coverage Mapping
Which controls affect which coverage sections
3
Premium Impact Ranges
Typical premium impact by control category
4
Quick Reference
At-a-glance summary for broker conversations
5
QR Code Links
Access Resiliently's interactive tools (Readiness Check, Risk Calculator)
💡 Designed for landscape printing — looks great pinned to your wall or desk
Ready to Master Your Renewals?
Download the checklist now. Print it. Pin it. Use it at every renewal to negotiate better terms and pricing.
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