Personal Lines Underwriter

Penn National Insurance•Harrisburg, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Personal Lines Underwriter to assess the acceptability of insurance risks using underwriting and risk-selection techniques and to assist in managing assigned agents. This is a hybrid role reporting to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania office. The underwriter works independently within established standards, applies company underwriting practices and authority, and supports agency performance and company goals through risk evaluation, agent communication, training, and analysis. The role involves regular contact with agents, periodic visits to agencies, and ongoing coordination with the Territory Manager, Underwriting Manager, Branch Management, Home Office Management, internal and external customers, and insurance-related entities. Travel is required, including overnight stays. The position is primarily sedentary, with occasional standing and walking in an office environment, and requires use of computers and office equipment, effective communication and presentation, accurate use of automated systems, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Requirements

Completion of the Underwriter Trainee curriculum, or at least 1 year of experience in a property/casualty underwriting position such as Personal Lines Assistant Underwriter.
Good working knowledge of underwriting and pricing risks.
Good working knowledge of company underwriting standards and philosophy.
Good working knowledge of insurance coverages.
Good math aptitude.
Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Good PC skills, especially Microsoft Office Suite, and demonstrated proficiency with supplied desktop tools, including automated underwriting and email systems.
Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to travel, including overnight stays.
Ability to perform computer-based tasks, access digital information, use office equipment and automated systems, and enter information accurately.
Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external clients by telephone, electronically, or through other communication systems, and to present information to individuals and groups.
Ability to interpret and apply concepts that may not be based on established guidelines.
Ability to maintain acceptable attendance and adhere to scheduled work hours.

Nice To Haves

Four-year degree.
Continuing education in specialized insurance courses, such as IIA and AU.

Responsibilities

Communicate underwriting decisions, techniques, and interpretations of policy forms and coverages to agents.
Document referred risks, actions taken, reasons for exceptions, and required follow-up in underwriting files.
Report underwriting quality or integrity concerns about individual agents to the Underwriting Manager and Territory Manager.
Provide input to Branch Management about individual agency underwriting performance.
Explain underwriting and marketing practices to agents, assist with agency training, and make periodic physical visits.
Maintain documentation on risk exceptions and large losses using agency- or policy-specific information.
Identify product risks and recommend solutions to mitigate them.
Advise the Underwriting Manager on recommended risk-reduction actions and solutions.
Exercise underwriting flexibility within assigned authority, making appropriate exceptions based on agency relationships, results, and company strategies.
Use exceptions to pursue additional business opportunities from agencies.
Apply underwriting and risk-selection techniques to evaluate new and renewal insurance risk referrals.
Conduct re-underwriting programs for selected agencies to improve book profitability, including special programs with Branch or Home Office Management.
Complete claim referrals.
Support prospective book transfers by gathering policy, product, and underwriting information.
Ensure appropriate risk placement or classification for referrals to obtain adequate premium for the exposure.
Visit agents independently or jointly with other Personal Lines staff as needed.
Apply data to solve common business problems and compile, manipulate, and analyze data of varying complexity.
Use appropriate data-analysis tools.
Contribute to training and mentoring the Underwriter Trainee.
Contribute to developing company underwriting policies, procedures, and guidelines that reflect market conditions and support Division goals.
Respond to Insurance Department complaints and attend periodic hearings.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with agents and maintain strong communication with the Territory Manager about agency interactions.
Contribute to unit and agency plans, enforce objectives, and monitor results to support goals and current market conditions.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Personal Lines Underwriting Manager.