Personal Lines Underwriter (Finance)

This position is responsible for making decisions on the acceptability of insurance risks through the application of various underwriting and risk selection techniques.  This position also assists in the management of assigned agents. 

COMPETENCIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Business Acumen

• Communicate underwriting decisions, techniques, and interpretation of policy forms and coverages with agents.
• Document the underwriting file for all referred risks, including the actions taken, reasons for exception made, and any follow-up diary needed.
• Communicate to the Underwriting Manager and Territory Manager any underwriting quality or integrity concerns with individual agents.
• Provide input to the Branch Management team about individual agency underwriting performance. (i.e., Agency Review meeting, Quarterly Results Management meeting, etc.).
• Provides underwriting and marketing philosophy or practices, to agents and assist with training issues within agency, making periodic physical visits.
• Maintains documentation on risk exceptions and large losses based on certain agency-specific or policy specific information.

Embraces Data Analytics

• Applies data to solve common business problems.
• Compiles, manipulates and analyses data of varying complexity.
• Knowledgeable and proficient about what tools are available for data analysis and when they are appropriate to use.

Negotiation

• Identify product risks and recommend solutions to mitigate those risks. Advise Underwriting Manager on recommended risk reduction actions and solutions.
• Exercise underwriting flexibility within the scope of authority in making appropriate exceptions, as warranted, based on agency relationships, results and Company strategies.
• Leverage exceptions to achieve additional business opportunities from agencies.

Results Oriented

• Apply underwriting and risk selection techniques to determine the acceptability of new and renewal insurance risk referrals.
• Contribute to the training/mentoring of the Underwriter Trainee.
• Contribute to the development of company underwriting policy, procedures and guidelines to assure they reflect current market conditions and contribute to the attainment of Division goals.

Time & Priority Management

• Conduct re-underwriting programs for selected agencies to improve the profitability of their books of business.
• Complete Claim referrals.
• Communicate underwriting and marketing philosophy or practices, to agents and assist with training issues within agency, making periodic physical visits.
• Work independently within established standards.
• Conduct special re-underwriting programs in conjunction with Branch and/or Home Office Management team[s] for selected agencies to improve the profitability of their books of business.
• Provide support for prospective book transfers, including the gathering of policy, product, and underwriting information about a book transfer opportunity.

Decision Making

• Ensure the proper risk placement and/or classification for referrals, to obtain adequate premium for the exposure.
• Respond to Insurance Department complaints and attend periodic hearings.

Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Personal Lines Underwriting Manager

CORPORATE CORE COMPETENCIES

Effectively Communicates and Connects

Customer Focused

Talent Development Mindset

Demonstrates Adaptability

Demonstrates Accountability

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Daily contact with agents and periodic physical visits to agency.  Develop and maintain ongoing strong positive relationships with agents.
• Maintain a strong communication with Territory Manager to keep them abreast of agency interactions. Contributes to the development of unit and agency plans, enforcement of the objectives and monitoring of results to assure they reflect attainment of goals and current market conditions.
• Interacts with internal customers, external customers and insurance related entities, ie., Department of Insurance.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Credentials

• 4 - year degree or equivalent work experience.
• Continuing education in specialized insurance courses such as IIA & AU preferred

Experience

• Completion of Underwriter Trainee curriculum; or a minimum of 1 year experience in a property/casualty underwriting position such as a Personal Lines Assistant Underwriter.

Technical/ Professional Knowledge

• Good working knowledge of underwriting and pricing risks
• Good working knowledge of company underwriting standards and philosophy
• Good working knowledge of all insurance coverages
• Good math aptitude
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good PC skills, with an emphasis on Microsoft Office Suite; along with demonstrated proficiency in all supplied desktop tools, including the automated underwriting and email systems

JOB REQUIREMENTS (as required by ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act)

• This position is primarily a sedentary position that requires occasional standing and walking throughout the office environment.
• Must be able to see and effectively use a computer monitor.
• Must be able to operate a computer, keyboard and applicable printers and other general office equipment.
• Must be able to access and enter information accurately using automated systems.
• Must be able to hear and communicate via the telephone and/or monitoring devices to both internal and external clients.
• Must be able to present information to individuals and groups.
• Must be able to interpret and apply concepts that may or may not be based upon established guidelines.
• Must be able to maintain acceptable attendance and adhere to scheduled work hours.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to travel, with overnight stays required.

Only candidates from the following states will be considered for opportunities with Penn National Insurance/Inservco Insurance Solutions: Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin.