Branch Underwriter

Pekin Insurance; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Branch Underwriter to join their dynamic team in Chicago. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact by managing underwriting processes and building strong relationships with agents. You will be part of a supportive environment that values collaboration and innovation, ensuring that your contributions are recognized. With a focus on professional growth and a commitment to community service, this position is perfect for someone looking to thrive in a meaningful career. If you are ready to take on new challenges and be part of a team that truly makes a difference, this opportunity awaits you.

Benefits

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Generous 401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule

Paid Volunteer Program

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industry experience preferred.
• CPCU designation progress is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Underwrites and prices complex accounts to achieve profitability.
• Provides advanced consultation to agents and company personnel.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business-related field

Job description

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Position Overview

The Branch Underwriter is responsible for working in a Commercial Lines team environment to meet established company profit and growth goals within a designated geographical territory. This position underwrites quote and new business transactions and completes other transactions on a referral basis. The Branch Underwriter position requires regular travel to assigned agencies and the incumbent must reside in or near the assigned geographic territory in order to meet the needs of our agency partners.

Essential Job Functions

• Approves, declines, modifies, negotiates, and prices larger and more complex accounts to achieve profitability and written premium goals within a territory and to minimize financial peril to the company
• Achieves expanded underwriting authorities for new business and quotations based on experience and education
• Manages an assigned territory for new business and quotations in compliance with the enterprise’s underwriting philosophy and in accordance with departmental and company guidelines and standards to meet growth and profit objectives
• Provides advanced consultation to agents, sales, underwriting, and other company personnel on coverage forms, rates, endorsements, and enhancements to promote company products and resolve applicant and insured’s insurance needs
• Reviews, evaluates, and consults on insured and third party contract language to determine compliance within the company guidelines along with offering appropriate endorsements or coverages
• Utilizes underwriting knowledge and experience to educate and train agents on our underwriting guidelines, commercial lines products, coverages, and computer systems
• Oversees the education and mentoring of other commercial lines team members on our underwriting guidelines, commercial lines products, coverages, and computer systems
• Uses independent judgement and creative thinking to provide alternative options to agents and insureds
• Uses critical thinking to propose recommendations or deviations to department leadership from established underwriting guidelines
• Participates on departmental and enterprise committees to consult on various topics related to Commercial Lines underwriting and operations
• Reviews and processes on a referral basis, renewal business, reinstatements, cancellations, endorsements, diaries, certificates of insurance, audits, and other miscellaneous transactions
• Underwrites, prices, secures, and logs Facultative Reinsurance
• Underwrites quote and new business submissions by acquiring, evaluating, and analyzing internal and external information in order to make selection and pricing decisions
• Acts as a trusted advisor to effectively communicate underwriting decisions via written and verbal correspondence
• Develops agency relationships and presents and promotes company products, services, and initiatives
• Leads department projects and committees, as directed
• Works in a cross-functional team with Personal Lines Underwriting, Life Underwriting, Sales, and other departments to achieve company profit and growth goals
• Performs other duties as assigned
  
  

Required

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business-related field or equivalent experience
• Typically requires 5+ years of industry experience
  
  

Preferred Or Specialized

• Prior experience with commercial insurance rating, customer service, or underwriting
  
  

Certifications & Licenses

• Possession of or demonstrated progress toward earning a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Demonstrated ability to:

• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form
• Analyze, organize and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines
• Adapt to changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment
• Work comfortably in a fast-paced work environment
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
  
  

Demonstrated Skill In

• Customer service
  
  

Salary Range

• $70,000 – $92,000 per year
• This range is based on the expected level of experience and skills for this position. Final compensation will depend on individual qualifications.
  

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) with Paid Holidays
• Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule
• Paid Volunteer Program
  
  

For more information about the benefits we offer, please visit our Careers Page.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance and Sales

• Industries

  Insurance

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