'Underwriting profit' is a term used in the
insurance industry. It consists of the
earned premium remaining after losses have been paid and administrative expenses have been deducted. It does not include any investment income earned on held premiums.
It has also been very elusive to most insurance companies (like the unicorn or Loch Ness Monster). Many companies will eschew Underwriting profit in order to gain a greater market share.
For example and auto insurer collects money every mornth from its customers in the form of premium. Should a customer have a covered auto accident, the company pays out a claim. In the time between the receipt of each premium payment and the paying of the claim, the money received by the insurer can be invested. Returns from investments are the primary source of profits for an insurance company. If the amount of premiums taken in is greater than the claims paid out even before taking into account investment returns the excess additional profit is call "underwriting profit". These do not have all companies.