Associate Underwriter - Specialty

West Bend Insurance Company; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Prescription Insurance

Health Savings Account

401(k) Plan with Company Match

Bonus eligible

Job summary

West Bend Insurance Company in Madison, WI is seeking an Associate Underwriter to join the Commercial Lines Underwriting team. This developmental role builds foundational insurance knowledge through structured training and hands-on experience while supporting the underwriting staff with submissions, renewals, and policy changes.

The position offers a hybrid schedule after training, with collaboration days and in-person events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Insurance or related field required.
• Strong analytical and communication skills and ability to work independently and in a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with underwriting information gathering.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite new business submissions and routine renewals under supervision.
• Evaluate exposures and determine insurability based on established guidelines.
• Process policy change requests and ensure accurate documentation.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and external agency partners.
• Support the attainment of written premium goals through timely and accurate underwriting decisions.
• Maintain compliance with underwriting best practices, rate plans, and the Letter of Authority.
• Document underwriting files with sufficient detail and clarity.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Oral & written communication

Independent & collaborative

Microsoft Office

System navigation & workflow tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Insurance or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Workflow management tools

Job description

Company Overview

Recognized as a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplace for 14 consecutive years, including three years of being honored as number one! Join us at West Bend, where we believe that our associates are our greatest asset. We hire talented individuals who are conscientious, dedicated, customer focused, and able to build lasting relationships. We create and maintain an environment where you feel a sense of belonging and appreciation. Your diversity of thought, experience, and knowledge are valued. We’re committed to fostering a welcoming culture, offering you opportunities for meaningful work and professional growth. More than a workplace, we celebrate our successes and take pride in serving our communities.

Job Summary

We are growing at West Bend! Our Commercial Lines Underwriting team plays a critical role in our journey towards profitable growth. Our Underwriters are relationship focused with strong communication skills, motivated, and work in a fast-paced team environment. West Bend is an industry leading carrier that works solely through the independent agency system. We are looking for the right individual to join our team!

Work Location

This position offers a hybrid work schedule in our Madison, WI office after your training is complete. Candidates will work a hybrid schedule for collaboration days, team meetings or other in-person events.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Summary of Responsibilities

The Associate Underwriter is a developmental underwriting role designed to build foundational knowledge of the insurance industry through structured training and hands‑on experience. This position supports the underwriting team by evaluating new business submissions, processing renewals, and handling policy change requests. The Associate Underwriter plays a key role in achieving profitability and production goals while delivering exceptional service to agency partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Underwrite new business submissions and routine renewals under supervision.
• Evaluate exposures and determine insurability based on established guidelines.
• Process policy change requests and ensure accurate documentation.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and external agency partners.
• Support the attainment of written premium goals through timely and accurate underwriting decisions.
• Maintain compliance with underwriting best practices, rate plans, and the Letter of Authority.
• Document underwriting files with sufficient detail and clarity.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Organizational and analytical skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Fluent in system navigation and workflow management tools.
• Ability to gather and analyze underwriting information.

Preferred Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Insurance or related field

Salary Statement

The salary range for this position is $53,459-$66,824.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job‑related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal equity. Compensation decisions are made by West Bend and are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

Benefits

West Bend offers a comprehensive benefit plan including but not limited to:

• Medical & Prescription Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life and Accidental Death & Disability
• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Pet InsurancePaid Time Off. Standard first year PTO is 17 days, pro‑rated based on month of hire. Enhanced PTO may be available for experienced candidates
• Bonus eligible based on performance
• West Bend will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for Colorado employees, in accordance with its plans and policies.

EEO

West Bend provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, and promotion.