Property Underwriter

TN United Kingdom; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job description

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Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 15,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

Our people are our biggest asset as well as our largest shareholder group and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth, all come from our people-first approach. There’s no such thing as individual success. We all need to play our part, contributing our skills and experience to make a true difference. That’s Howden.

Why work at Howden?

We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients. Always have, always will.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down disappointed head-hunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Job Purpose

• Negotiating with brokers, studying various insurance proposals by gathering and assessing background information in order to effectively underwrite the risk involved in line with company procedures and processes.
• Deal with new business enquiries within allocated authority level and in accordance with the company’s underwriting guide to enable objectives and targets to be achieved.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key brokers and clients and other relevant stakeholders.
• Magenta is a B2B chartered insurance underwriting agency specialising in writing residential non-standard or distressed risks; products include Home, MNW, Unoccupied, Renovation, Holiday Home and Let.

Key Results Area

• Demonstrate consistent professional and constructive communication at all times to help support a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Ensure contract certainty is achieved on all accounts at time of inception.
• Ensure accurate policy documentation issued to the broker or customer.
• Proactively support acquisition of new business.
• Positively represent Magenta and partners externally to the market.
• Work towards set targets each month including profitability, GWP, conversion, quotes per day, turnaround times, workflow management, and phone service.
• Follow underwriting and pricing guidance from the Senior Management Team to meet company performance commitments.
• Comply with applicable laws and regulations, including key regulatory, conduct, and risk management requirements.
• Utilise actuarial information, statistics, and underwriting experience for acceptance, terms, and premiums.
• Use available information and risk profiling for decision-making on acceptance, terms, and premiums.
• Make effective underwriting decisions, justify them, and maintain detailed records.
• Provide excellent customer service to build strong broker relationships.
• Act as the delegated Underwriter for approved Brokers, offering bespoke services as needed.
• Undertake necessary training to perform the role effectively.

Skills and Competencies

• Underwriting experience and knowledge.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, both verbal and written.
• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Computer literacy and understanding of the Trading Platform.
• Ability to think creatively and make commercial underwriting decisions.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Good market and competitor knowledge.
• Understanding of TCF principles.
• Understanding of CIDRA.

Qualifications

• Cert CII preferred.
• A-Level Standard Qualifications.

Technical Experience

• Understanding of Residential Property Insurance.
• Experience in Property Insurance Sales and/or Underwriting.
• Knowledge of Property Insurance Claims.
• Understanding of FCA GI Regulation.

Experience Required

• At least 3 years in Property Underwriting or
• At least 1 year in non-standard property underwriting.

Who we’re looking for

At Howden, we value diversity and seek individuals who share our core values: bravery in trying new things, mutual support, and a commitment to making a positive impact both at work and beyond.

What do we offer in return?

A career you define. Our success depends on our people making a difference in areas they care about, including personal development, volunteering, and creating innovative insurance solutions addressing societal challenges.

We support work/life balance and overall well-being to ensure our employees are fulfilled both professionally and personally.

Diversity and Inclusion

We treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and partners with equality, fairness, and respect, regardless of age, disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances.

Our sustainability promise

We are committed to becoming more sustainable, taking care of our people and the environment, and making a positive impact through responsible governance, policies, and initiatives. More about our sustainability efforts can be read here.

Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)