Episode
The “hold my beer” of insurance !
- Podcast
- Insurance Town
- Published
- Feb 12, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2992
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://insurancetownpodcast.com/319
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Summary
This week in Insurance town the Mayor sits down with Sarah Koolhof, a dynamic insurance professional whose journey spans theater, rugby, and underwriting. Discover how embracing discomfort and versatility has shaped her career and passion for relationship-driven insurance work. She has been with Commonwealth Undewriters for a dozen years and not going anywhere any time soon, She loves her team and her clients. I loved this conversation and I think you will too. In this episode: Sarah's unexpected transition from theater major to insurance underwriter How rugby taught her resilience and the value of teamwork The importance of building trust in E&S and surplus lines markets Navigating industry changes over 12 years, especially in ENS Strategies for agency and carrier partnerships rooted in responsiveness Insights on managing industry burnout and maintaining mental health Practical tips for agents choosing E&S brokers and understanding underwriting authority The culture of collaboration and relationship building at Commonwealth Underwriters Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and episode overview 00:30 - Sarah's background: from theater to insurance 02:00 - The role of rugby in building resilience and confidence 04:30 - How her diverse experiences shape her industry perspective 08:00 - Navigating industry changes and the evolution of E&S markets 12:00 - Building trust in surplus lines and the importance of partnerships 16:00 - Commonwealth Underwriters: location, services, and company culture 20:00 - Response times, setting expectations, and fostering client relationships 24:00 - Managing industry burnout and mental health awareness 28:00 - Tips for agents on selecting E&S brokers and understanding underwriting terms 33:00 - Partnering in the insurance ecosystem a…