Underwriting Specialist, Equipment Breakdown

CNA Insurance; Melville (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

CNA Insurance is seeking an Underwriting Specialist in New York with a strong background in equipment breakdown and property underwriting. You will assess and price highly complex risks, collaborate with brokers, and drive growth through strategic market engagement.

The role emphasizes technical expertise, decisive pricing, and cross-functional teamwork with CNA’s branches and Home Office, offering opportunities for leadership and professional development.

Qualifications

• Advanced technical underwriting knowledge and risk assessment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for internal and client interactions.
• Strong analytical skills for pricing, forecasting and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite complex equipment breakdown risks within authority.
• Price complex risks based on financial and competitive analysis.
• Recommend policy and pricing strategy; present to management.
• Develop and maintain broker relationships to drive new business.
• Mentor less experienced underwriters and support training.

Skills

Advanced underwriting expertise

Strong communication

Analytical/problem-solving

Leadership

Creativity

MS Office

Ability to handle ambiguity

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Professional designations preferred

Job description

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.

Joining the National Accounts Property Equipment Breakdown unit as an Underwriting Specialist, you will be responsible for underwriting risks in a book of business, working within specific limits of authority on assignments requiring significant technical complexity and coordination. You will utilize underwriting policies and guidelines, rating manual rules and insurance laws and regulations.

This position will have a heavy emphasis on new business production for highly complex monoline Equipment breakdown accounts. Recognized as a technical expert in an underwriting specialty, you will drive business results through strong sales, face-to-face marketing and relationship building skills with external Brokers, Agents and Producers along with cross-selling opportunities through internal business partners (local Branch and Home Office teams).

Please note the compensation listed below is not indicative of the Northeast market

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Works on highly complex underwriting risks employing diagnostic and systematic analysis to assess acceptability.
• Determines appropriate pricing of complex risks for assigned book of business based on financial and competitive analysis in line with compliance requirements and with little oversight needed from superiors.
• Makes recommendations on underwriting policy and pricing strategy.
• Analyzes quality, quantity, and profitability of highly complex risks underwritten; prepares and presents reports to management.
• Markets products and services through agencies or through the brokerage community and make field visits.
• Develops and maintains agency and/or broker relationships with large producers within the assigned territory to reach positive and profitable outcomes on complex, high-risk business.
• Keeps current on state/territory issues and regulations, industry activity and trends. May participate in industry trade groups.
• Mentors and guides less experienced underwriters and assist in the development of underwriting training.
• Utilizes advanced functionality in relevant CNA systems to perform day-to-day activities.
• Responsible for special underwriting projects and presentations.

Reporting Relationship

Manager or above

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

• Advanced technical expertise, underwriting skill and high level of knowledge of insurance and underwriting principles, practices and procedures.
• Strong communication, negotiation and presentation skills. Ability to effectively interact with all levels of CNA's internal and external business partners.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects.
• Ability to deal with ambiguous situations and issues.
• Creativity in resolving unique and challenging business problems.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other business-related software.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Professional designations preferred.
• Typically, a minimum of 3+ years underwriting experience in equipment breakdown, preferred, or property.
• As determined by CNA and depending on the applicant’s experience and/or qualifications, candidates may be hired into one of two Underwriter positions: Underwriter or Underwriting Specialist. Typically, 2+ years of related 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]