Underwriter

Within the Broker Specialty Underwriting Department, effectively analyze insurance submissions, recognize exposures, provide coverage alternatives, offer risk management suggestions, and adequately price insurance coverage on risks of a complex technical nature within the company underwriting guidelines. Achieve production and loss ratio goals within assigned territory by reviewing and analyzing claims and loss history and taking appropriate action on individual accounts and/or program or territory. Develop appropriate processing systems and operating procedures for the Broker/Specialty Markets division accounts. Understand insurance issues, products, trends in the market, religions, and rating/pricing principles. Responsible for determining appropriate reinsurance placement, if any, on individual accounts. Foster positive business relationships and be a resource for sales staff, brokers, and agents.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Effectively analyze insurance submissions, recognize exposures, provide coverage alternatives, offer risk management suggestions, and adequately price insurance coverage within assigned binding authority. Work with the sales staff, including agents and brokers, to write and retain as much quality business as possible, at a profit, while meeting company objectives and customers' coverage and service needs.
• Risk Selection and Pricing - Review and evaluate various sources to determine appropriate risk selection, how to insure, and pricing, with appropriate recommendations for risk management and commitment to service.
• Reinsurance - Thoroughly understands the reinsurance function and calculations and administer per company guidelines.
• Understand, adhere to, and provide input into company underwriting guidelines, products, philosophies, and general directives.
• Be knowledgeable of company processing systems and workflows and recommend new ideas or changes for improvements. Develop appropriate processing systems and operating procedures for special accounts.
• Maintain and continue to develop expertise on insurance issues, products, trends in the market, religions, and rating/pricing principles. Maintain a program of self-development to strengthen underwriting knowledge and personal skills.
• Foster a positive business relationship and be a resource for sales staff, brokers, and agents. Answer questions within abilities and authority; research, gather, and disseminate information to help service customers, brokers, and agents; and offer suggestions on options and alternative approaches to coverage, pricing, and risk management.
• Keep staff, brokers, and agents updated on current changes, issues, and trends; provide feedback on workflow, processing, or binding issues; and provide support in interpreting bulletins, guidelines, rules, and procedures. Maintain a positive, team-oriented working relationship with staff, brokers, and agents.
• Support and assist the efforts of the risk management staff.
• Provide leadership and be a resource for others as well as assist in the development and direction of personnel, products, and support systems.
• As necessary, may assist with the following:
  • Train new personnel.
  • Travel to broker and agent offices, customer/prospect meetings, conferences, seminars, etc.
  • Participate in assigned projects.
• Report to immediate supervisor at least monthly:
  • Current trends and development in assigned area.
  • Status of workload, special assignments, and any specific concerns with brokers, agents, etc.
  • Personal time off requests.
  • Work performance or work relationship issues with staff.
  • Any other areas, suggestions, situations, or events that should be passed on to management.

Experience Requirements

• Four-year college degree with major in business, insurance, risk management, or related fields is preferred.
• Consideration will be given for a two-year associate degree in insurance and industry recognized education courses, such as INS, Associate in Underwriting (AU), and CPCU.
• High school education is required.
• Successful commercial property and casualty underwriting experience, with multiline accounts involving premiums in excess of $100,000, of at least five years is required.  Prior experience in a related insurance area will be considered.
• Minimum of three years' experience working with brokers and agents.