Small Business Commercial Lines Underwriter (Finance)

Come see why people love working at Penn National Insurance! We have an excellent opportunity for a Small Business Commercial Lines Underwriter to join our Nashville team! This is a hybrid position reporting to our Nashville office 2-3x per week.

 

The Small Business Commercial Lines Underwriter analyzes information, developments, and trends on new and renewal accounts with premiums up to $25,000 to determine the risks associated with insuring the accounts.  Within this segment of business, automated underwriting edits enable the routine/low risk accounts to be processed without underwriter involvement – leaving only the accounts with conditions requiring extra scrutiny for the Commercial Small Business Unit Underwriter to review and determine risk acceptability while ensuring compliance with established underwriting strategies and regulatory requirements. The Small Business Commercial Lines Underwriter exercises their authority to decide whether to offer, continue, modify, or reject insurance; finalizing the amounts and types of coverage; and determining the appropriate premiums.  This position builds relationships with assigned agents to generate quoting activity.

 

COMPETENCIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMERCIAL LINES UNDERWRITER

 

Business Acumen

• Reviews new business, renewals, endorsements, and quote requests to determine acceptability using established underwriting authority and company guidelines.
• Communicates underwriting decisions, techniques, and interpretation of policy forms and coverages with agents and company personnel regarding risk acceptability, incomplete information, etc.
• Provides feedback to the Underwriting Manager and designated Territory Manager on quality of submissions and interactions with agency personnel.
• Communicates underwriting and marketing philosophy or practices to agents and assists with education/training issues within agency.
• Documents the underwriting files where required, including the actions taken, reasons for decisions, and any follow-up diary needed.
• Provides input to the Branch Management team about individual agency underwriting performance (i.e., Agency Review meeting, Quarterly Results Management meeting, etc.).

 

Embraces Data Analytics

• Applies data to solve common business problems.
• Compiles, manipulates, and analyzes data of varying complexity.
• Knowledgeable and proficient about what tools are available for data analysis and when they are appropriate to use.

 

Negotiation

• Visits agencies with the designated Territory Manager to discuss underwriting matters, assist in the development of new business, and to strengthen agency relations.
• Responds to Insurance Department complaints and attend periodic hearings.

 

Results Oriented

• For more complex risks that fall outside of Straight Through Processing, provides additional scrutiny with regard to exposure and coverage analysis in order to determine acceptability.
• Travels independently to visit agencies as necessary
• Drives profitable new business growth.

 

Time & Priority Management

• Provides ongoing support to Sr. TM and/or middle market underwriter on non-risk selection and pricing decisions.
• Supports special underwriting projects and initiatives. These may include, but not limited to, loss prevention, targeted re-underwriting programs, and book rollovers.

 

Decision Making

• Establishes appropriate account pricing in accordance with established underwriting authority and company guidelines.
• Orders and/or analyzes loss control reports, financial reports, MVRs, and other underwriting reports.
• Evaluates the need for and secure appropriate facultative reinsurance in accordance with established company guidelines.
• Contributes to the development of company underwriting policy, procedures, and guidelines to assure they reflect current market conditions and contribute to the attainment of division goals.

 

Performs various projects requested or assigned by the Underwriting Manager

 

CORPORATE CORE COMPETENCIES OF THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMERCIAL LINES UNDERWRITER

 

Effectively Communicates and Connects

• Communicates and negotiates effectively with peers regarding work outcomes.
• Influences by making a strong case, bringing other people on the team to understand the presented viewpoint.
• Provides feedback and is clear when disagreeing with an approach; offers suggestions for improvement.
• Attentively listens and asks clarifying questions and paraphrases to enhance understanding.
• Builds and nurtures positive relationships within the workplace.

 

Customer Focused

• Identifies explicit and implied customer needs.
• Asks probing questions to fully understand business requirements.
• Develops positive relationships with customers by meeting their needs as well as incorporating their feedback.
• Responds quickly and takes action with high quality solutions that address needs and improve overall customer experience.
• Owns resolution of customer experience outcome.

 

Talent Development Mindset

• Discusses technical and professional development with peers to gain suggestions for further development.
• Actively seeks and acts on opportunities to recognize peers for high performance.
• Stays alert to identify learning opportunities for self.

 

Demonstrates Adaptability

• Contributes to progressive thinking within the team by posing questions that challenge traditional methods or processes.
• Proposes ideas and suggests new approaches to tackling own work tasks and issues in a better way to drive organization success.
• Participates in and actively support change initiatives and provides ideas to promote their success.
• Recognizes and manages an ambiguous work environment.
• Demonstrates flexibility in generating alternative solutions and recommendations.

 

Demonstrates Accountability

• Applies judgment in making decisions about own work and takes responsibility for actions.
• Demonstrates reliability by producing steady work results and delivering on commitments to team members on time.
• Takes responsibility for regularly seeking and applying feedback and actively learning from errors and setbacks.
• Understands the mission of the organization.

 

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMERCIAL LINES UNDERWRITER

 

• This position reports to the Underwriting Manager
• Direct contact with various levels of underwriting, loss control, premium audit, and claims personnel
• Direct contact with agents and insureds

 

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMERCIAL LINES UNDERWRITER

 

Education/Credentials

• 4 - year degree or equivalent work experience or continuing education in specialized insurance courses such as IIA & AU preferred

 

Experience

• Successful completion of Commercial Lines Underwriter Trainee curriculum; or 1 to 3 years in a relevant property/casualty underwriting position such as an Commercial Lines Assistant Underwriter, etc., preferred

 

Technical/Professional Knowledge

• Good working knowledge of underwriting and pricing risks
• Good working knowledge of company underwriting standards and philosophy
• Good working knowledge of all insurance coverages
• Good math aptitude
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good PC skills, with an emphasis on Microsoft Office Suite; along with demonstrated proficiency in all supplied desktop tools including the automated underwriting and email systems

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS (as required by ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act)

• This position is primarily a sedentary position that requires occasional standing and walking throughout the office environment.
• Must be able to see and effectively use a computer monitor.
• Must be able to operate a computer, keyboard and applicable printers and other general office equipment.
• Must be able to access and enter information accurately using automated systems.
• Must be able to hear and communicate via the telephone and/or monitoring devices to both internal and external clients.
• Must be able to present information to individuals and groups.
• Must be able to interpret and apply concepts that may or may not be based upon established guidelines.
• Must be able to maintain acceptable attendance and adhere to scheduled work hours.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to travel with overnight stays as required.

 

Only candidates from the following states will be considered: Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin.