Associate Underwriter

Berkley•Urbandale, IA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Continental Western Group is a regional property casualty insurance company offering commercial products and services through independent agents in the Midwest. As a Berkley company, they are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A+ (Strong). This role is ideally based in one of their three offices (Urbandale, IA; Lincoln, NE; Luverne, MN) and offers a hybrid work schedule with four days in the office and one day remote. The company fosters a culture of innovation, teamwork, and provides opportunities for internal mobility and visibility to senior leaders.

Requirements

Associate's degree preferred; or two years related work experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Commercial rating experience desired.
Basic knowledge of underwriting principles and policy forms.
Verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts with an ability to articulate clearly and concisely.
Ability to demonstrate strong business acumen and critical thinking skills.
Ability to evaluate and recommend solutions to work-related problems.
Customer service and teamwork-oriented.
Strong desk management skills, ability to multitask, independently organize work, and prioritize competing demands and requests to complete tasks within required time constraints.
Adept to fast-paced and changing environments.
Strong collaboration skills and teamwork minded.
Regularly and consistently demonstrate a commitment to company values and guiding principles.
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and company business systems.
Ability to travel occasionally in assigned territory.

Responsibilities

Accept, retain, and price standard to moderate commercial property and casualty insurance risks in accordance with established underwriting guidelines and within delegated authority level.
Partner with lead underwriters within an assigned territory to achieve profitable growth objectives by properly classifying and pricing risks, and building strong internal and external business relationships.
Review and evaluate small new business commercial property/casualty non-complex risks, within authority level, by examining business operations, classifications, contract forms, account information, claims experience, loss control surveys, financial reports, and risk acceptability. Consult with assigned agency force for additional information when necessary.
Review renewal commercial property/casualty risks, within authority level, by examining business operations, classifications, contract forms, account information, claims experience, loss control surveys, financial reports, and risk acceptability. Consult with assigned agency force for additional information when necessary.
Evaluate endorsements, within authority level, by examining business operations, classifications, contract forms, account information, claims experience, loss control surveys, financial reports, and risk acceptability. Consult with assigned agency force for additional information when necessary.
Determine price for new and renewal business in accordance with established underwriting guidelines and within delegated authority level. Within authority, determine if an account will be written, renewed, or canceled.
Develop and maintain professional, productive working relationships with the assigned agency force to encourage profitable growth, proper pricing and risk selection, and support agents with questions regarding risk information and billing.
Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Benefits

Competitive compensation
Paid time off
Comprehensive wellness benefits and programs
Employer funded health savings account
Profit sharing
401k
Paid parental leave
Employee stock purchase plan
Tuition assistance
Professional continuing education
Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Wellness, Paid Time Off, 401(k) and Profit-Sharing plans