Underwriting Specialist(Commercial Construction P&C)

01460 Continental Casualty Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

CNA is seeking a skilled underwriter to assess risks, determine pricing, and prepare quotes within established guidelines and regulatory requirements. You will work with agencies, policyholders, and internal teams to ensure profitable, compliant outcomes.

The role requires strong analytical abilities, leadership potential, and the ability to work independently in a dynamic insurance environment, with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Typically a minimum three to five years underwriting experience.

Responsibilities

• Review applications and financial requirements for risks requiring complex underwriting skills.
• Determine acceptability of risk in accordance with company guidelines and standards.
• Determine pricing based on financial and competitive analysis in line with compliance.
• Prepare quotes and respond to inquiries from agencies and policyholders.
• Negotiate with agents to achieve profitable outcomes.
• Maintain agency/broker relationships and provide guidance to others as needed.

Skills

Underwriting knowledge

Communication

Negotiation

Leadership

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Professional designations preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential. Under technical direction, responsible for underwriting risks in a book of business. Works within specific limits of authority on assignments requiring significant technical complexity and coordination. Utilizes underwriting policies and guidelines, rating manual rules and insurance laws and regulations.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:

• Reviews applications and financial requirements for risks requiring complex underwriting skills.
• Determines acceptability of risk in accordance with company guidelines and standards.
• Also, determines the need for additional evidence of insurability and appropriate strategy.
• Determines appropriate pricing based on financial and competitive analysis in line with compliance requirements.
• Prepares quotes and answers questions from agencies, policyholders or other external contacts and escalates issues to management along with proposed solutions as necessary.
• Negotiates with agents to reach positive and profitable outcomes.
• Notifies agencies of adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations.
• Analyzes quality, quantity, and profitability of risks underwritten and prepares reports for management review.
• Markets products and services through agencies or through the brokerage community and makes field visits.
• Develops and maintains agency and/or broker relationships.
• May provide guidance and assistance to other underwriters and to other functional areas, particularly when related to cross-sell opportunities.
• Keeps current on state/territory issues and regulations, industry activity and trends and freely shares information with others.
• Utilizes advanced functionality in relevant CNA systems to perform day-to-day activities.
• Works with more senior underwriters or management on risks exceeding authority level or requiring special handling.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• 1. Advanced knowledge of underwriting and insurance industry theories and practices.
• 2. Demonstrated high level of technical expertise and product specific knowledge.
• 3. Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. Ability to effectively interact with all levels of CNA's internal and external business partners.
• 4. Ability to work independently.
• 5. Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• 6. Ability to exercise independent judgment and to make critical business decisions effectively.
• 7. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite as well as other business-related software.
• 8. Demonstrated leadership skills.

Education & Experience

• 1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Professional designations preferred.
• 2. Typically a minimum three to five years underwriting experience.

In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $54,000 to $103,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location.

CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees – and their family members – achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA’s benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.

CNA utilizes AI-enabled technology during the recruiting process. For more information, please visit our careers page.

CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [e-mail]

At CNA, we are focused on success, individually and collectively. We pride ourselves on promoting a culture that challenges and engages people. We strive to connect people, departments and business areas, to function as a team, and to serve our customers and communities with professionalism and respect.

Our dedication to employee engagement, continuous learning and the open exchange of ideas is the cornerstone of our business. These ideals, combined with our focus on the customer, enable us to explore new market opportunities and build on our success. Our values, culture and financial strength are what differentiates us from other employers and make CNA the place you want to work.

At CNA, we are committed to advancing a culture of inclusion – one that attracts talent from all walks of life, fosters respect and collaboration, and enables all of our colleagues to do their best work. At CNA, we have a long standing commitment to the diverse communities in which we live and work. We actively make a difference for the greater good through partnerships, sustainability, initiatives, and working together for a better tomorrow.

Corporate Social Responsibility is not one person, or one department, it's the entire enterprise coming together to make the world a better place.