Associate Underwriter

Willamette Dental; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with 5% match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Willamette Dental is looking for an Associate Underwriter in Seattle, WA. This full-time position involves evaluating insurance risks, preparing proposals, and ensuring compliance with underwriting guidelines. A Bachelor's degree and two years of preferred experience are necessary. The role offers a salary between $57,000 and $68,000 based on experience, along with comprehensive benefits, including medical and dental insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid time off. Strong analytical and customer service skills are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required and a minimum of two years of underwriting experience preferred.
• Demonstrate customer service skills and confidentiality.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate insurance risk.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate small to moderate risks for insurance.
• Prepare and underwrite new group proposals for dental business.
• Establish relationships with sales and marketing personnel.

Skills

Customer service skills

Data analysis

Judgment and discretion

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

SERFF insurance system

Job description

Location: Hillsboro Administrative Office

Position Type: Full-Time

Schedule: 40 hours

Position Summary

The Associate Underwriter evaluates small to moderate risks, rating renewals for existing clients and small group new opportunities. The rates are developed and set in accordance with appropriate pricing strategies and approved rating formulas and methodologies to ensure corporate goals of growth and profitability. Associate Underwriters should demonstrate a high degree of customer service skills, and an ethical manner of conduct to keep sensitive information confidential.

Essential Position Functions

• Data collection and analysis.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Typically receives general instructions on routine work, and may require instructions on new projects.
• Implement underwriting guidelines, practices and procedures for dental business through sound creative underwriting and business judgment in the timely analysis and evaluation of group insurance risk.
• Evaluate and accept risk. Suggest, approve or deny changes to contracts for moderate to complex group accounts. Analyze and evaluate plan changes, extensions of coverage and benefit changes.
• Establish effective working relationships with Marketing/Sales personnel, Insurance, Legal, Contracts, and other departments through professional negotiation, responsive communication and problem resolution while meeting customer expectations.
• Prepare utilization reports and determine the degree of risk involved for the insurance company and set the premium.
• Prepare and underwrite new group proposals for small size group dental business.
• Prepare and underwrite renewals for small and medium size group dental business.
• Prepare and distribute monthly canned Washington and Idaho Small Group renewals.
• Review and approve small group sold cases.
• Accurate and timely data entry into proposal and renewal logs.
• Initial preparation of rate renewal and statement of experience.
• Initial preparation of periodic analyses and financial forecast.
• Prepare initial incurred Schedule A and claim reports and benefit modifications in response to requests from groups, brokers or consultants.
• Reviews new and renewal business submissions for presentation to Underwriter.
• Prepare and audit quarterly marketing and sales reports.
• Compile and execute documents within SERFF insurance system to file rates in Washington.
• Track work and turnaround times in various systems.
• Mentors Underwriting Assistants when appropriate.

Education & Experience

Bachelor Degree required and a minimum of two years of underwriting experience preferred OR equivalent combination of education and experience which will provide the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Expected Salary

Expected hourly hiring range for this position depending on experience: $57,000 USD - $68,000 USD

Compensation

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to education, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity.

This position is also eligible for incentive pay in accordance with the terms of the Company’s plan.

Company Benefits

Willamette Dental offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) retirement plan with 5% match, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, life insurance, voluntary disability insurance, commuter benefits, two complimentary pairs of Figure scrubs (clinical roles), and employee assistance program.

Paid Time Off (PTO): Eligible employees will accrue a minimum of 120 PTO hours per employment year in addition to seven paid holidays annually. The Company’s PTO program combines vacation and sick leave, which is more generous than Washington State’s Sick Leave Law. Employees in part-time roles working less than 40 hours per week will accrue PTO on a pro‑rated basis.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily performed while sitting and/or standing, but will require occasional walking, bending, stooping and carrying light items such as papers, books, or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and other standard office equipment to complete tasks.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Willamette Dental is an equal opportunity employer.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to an individual’s race (including physical characteristics historically associated with race), religion, color, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, disability, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy‑related condition, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

General Information

This job description is not meant to be an all‑inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position’s scope and function in the company.

This position may be exposed to PHI in the course of his/her duties, and will handle protected information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).