Meet Matt Sbordone, Construction Underwriting Specialist
At Central, our construction underwriting team are experts at what they do. With a commercial lines book stacked with construction business and a staggering 112% vertical growth over the past five years, our team has honed a unique approach to construction underwriting.
One of the keys to Central’s success in this area is Matt Sbordone, our new construction underwriting specialist. With nearly two decades of commercial insurance experience—ten at Central—Sbordone brings a wealth of knowledge to Central’s construction vertical.
Sbordone provides front-facing support to our agents in the Southeast, teaming up with Territory Sales Managers in an integrated, specialized approach. In this role, he’ll be spending time in the field, visiting job sites and agencies, helping agents with presentations, and identifying new opportunities for Central to add value to our policyholder relationships.
The latter is the core of his—and Central’s—philosophy. “Underwriting has always appealed to me because it combines technical expertise with a critical relationship-building piece,” Sbordone says. “I took this position because it’s an opportunity to build something new that Central has never had before. Dedicated teams devoted exclusively to the construction industry allow us to bring the knowledge, skills, and resources our agents and policyholders expect from us.”
In this article, we’ll dive further into Sbordone’s underwriting philosophy, uncover his vision for the future of the construction vertical, and explore some of the ways our agent partners can benefit from specialization in the long term.
Expertise and Relationships: The Core of Construction Underwriting
According to Sbordone, “specialized expertise and experience are everything when building trust and credibility.”
While this is true across multiple lines of business, the higher potential for construction accidents makes the relationship between policyholder and carrier critical.
“Construction is an inherently risky industry with job sites being some of the most dangerous environments that exist,” he says. “Being able to navigate the complexities of the industry [with your carrier] is very important. Our construction team understands the exposures contractors face today, and our expertise positions us to provide the proper support and solutions.”
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While some carriers lean on advanced technology and systems to attract policyholders, Central strives to do business with companies that view us as a partner in their success.
“Technology is great, but without solid relationships, you’re just one in a sea of carriers sitting behind a computer screen releasing quotes,” he says. “It still holds true that people do business with people they like and trust, and it speaks volumes about our value as a partner when agents choose to place business with us, even if we aren’t always the cheapest option.”
Meeting Challenges, Succeeding Together
In addition to policyholder support, a dedicated construction underwriting specialist has the expertise and experience to forecast industry trends, challenges, and opportunities. In doing so, they can better prepare both underwriters and policyholders for what’s ahead.
Sbordone explains the construction industry will need to hire over half a million workers this year to meet construction demands. “This is especially relevant in the Southeast, where we see significant commercial and residential growth,” he says.
Armed with data, Sbordone and his team prepare construction policyholders to adapt, emphasizing loss control tactics like proper employee training, equipment maintenance documentation, and other industry-specific requirements that impact new employees.
As he works to prepare policyholders for the future, Sbordone recognizes partnership and alignment as key components for success on both sides.
“Our goal is to be a partner in helping the industry benefit from these opportunities, which is why Central is so focused on growing construction. Agents want to write more construction business with us. We’re ready to handle their large accounts and write new accounts—and we’re doing it with integrity and excellence.”
4 Ways a Construction Underwriting Specialist Benefits Agents and Policyholders
By leveraging the expertise and resources of a dedicated construction underwriting specialist, agents and policyholders can confidently navigate the complexities of the construction industry. The benefits of this partnership include:
#1: Specialized Knowledge of Construction Risks
A construction underwriting specialist possesses expertise in the unique risks associated with construction projects, such as property damage, contractor liability, and project delays. Their specialized understanding allows them to assess risks accurately and tailor policies to address the specific needs of construction businesses and projects.
#2: Tailored Coverage Solutions
Construction projects come with their own sets of risks and requirements. A construction underwriting specialist works closely with agents and policyholders to craft customized insurance solutions that provide comprehensive coverage while optimizing cost-effectiveness.
#3: Risk Management Resources
A construction underwriting specialist can connect policyholders with risk management resources, services, and tools to prevent losses. These resources include safety training programs, loss control assessments, contract review services, and disaster preparedness planning. This partnership proactively reduces risks before they escalate into costly claims.
#4: Industry Insights and Trends
As a frontline contact for construction accounts, a construction underwriting specialist stays informed about developments within the construction industry, including regulatory changes, technological advancements, and emerging risks. By sharing industry insights and trends with agents and policyholders, underwriters help policyholders stay ahead of the curve and adapt their insurance strategies accordingly. This proactive approach ensures that policyholders remain well-protected against evolving risks and challenges.
The Central Difference
Construction remains a major focus for Central as our fastest-growing vertical.
“You have to bring something unique to the table to differentiate yourself from the competition and overcome the pricing game,” says Sbordone.
At Central, we differentiate through broad product offerings and strong relationships. Our vertical team is focused on construction and dedicated to adding value to our partnerships. In addition to an underwriting specialist, we’ve added a loss control construction specialist, and we’ll continue growing our vertical expertise to deliver new products, prevent losses, enhance the customer experience, and drive mutual growth.
