Commercial Underwriter

Our client is on the lookout for a dedicated Underwriter to join their growing team. With a presence across 11 branch offices in 10 states, our client offers top-notch insurance solutions to specialized industries including construction, forest products, and oil & gas. This role allows for a hybrid work schedule, with necessary business travel to office locations and customer sites.

Position Summary: The Underwriter will assess commercial insurance applications within the Construction and Forest Products industries, aiming to underwrite new and renewal business from an assigned group of agencies efficiently and accurately.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Make decisions on accepting, declining, or modifying insurance applications, and manage changes during the policy period, understanding the company’s target programs and coverage.

• Quote and negotiate prices on new and renewal business, understanding statutory requirements, ISO, company and NCCI coverage forms, and endorsements along with commercial line reference manuals, including Best’s Underwriting Guide.

• Manage and develop agency relationships, including prospecting new agencies, agency appointments, growth, and development, and maximizing agency profit sharing opportunities.

• Conduct necessary travel for sales and marketing activities, territory maintenance, meetings, or as required by the position.

• Engage in new business solicitation and renewal retention through effective presentations to agencies and customers.

• Develop business in an assigned territory, achieving profitable underwriting results, sales development, and customer service.

• Formulate sales budgets and objectives to support business planning for assigned accounts and territory, including setting premium and loss ratio goals, agency and prospecting calls, and business forecasting.

• Work within stated levels of authority and company guidelines, seeking exceptions as needed with appropriate data support.

• Identify and act on changes in customer operations or financial conditions.

• Maintain and promote profitable business relationships, coordinating claims, risk control, and premium audit service plans.

• Stay updated on corporate, regulatory, and competitive changes in the lines of business written.

• Undertake additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Insurance, Risk Management, or a related Business field is preferred; or equivalent experience.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in:

  • Field Underwriting – particularly in Construction, Forest Products, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas.

  • Underwriting New & Renewal Business – determining pricing and understanding policy forms and coverages.

  • Analyzing & Managing Exposures – developing action plans for risk management.

  • Agency Management – including growth and development, prospecting, appointment, and maximizing opportunities.

• Experience in external sales, cultivating new business while retaining current customers through effective presentations.

• Eligibility to work in the United States.

• Valid Driver’s License with an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays annually.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Company-paid life insurance – 2x annual earnings.

• 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.

• Opportunities for education and training; financial assistance for insurance designations.

• Flexible daily start and end times for a 7.5-hour workday.

• Employee Fitness Program.