Small CL Field Underwriter (Northeast)

Hanover Insurance Group•Syracuse, NY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our Small Commercial Underwriting department is currently seeking a Field Underwriter to join our new business team in the Northeast. This is a full time, exempt role. This role is eligible for a hybrid or fully remote arrangement. POSITION OVERVIEW: Field Underwriters are responsible for driving the growth of Small CL business by underwriting new business across all lines and sizes of POS and Non-POS accounts, within Small CL definition, and building and maintaining strong agency relationships, partnering with Agency staff and SCSMs. The Field UW should work closely with and direct the activities of their UT partner(s), following established workflows, to ensure all policies are underwritten in the most efficient and effective manner while meeting service standards and performance goals, up through first renewal.

Requirements

Strong underwriting skill and coverage knowledge; ability to make underwriting decisions on POS and CPP accounts up to $50,000 premium size
Underwriting systems knowledge to document and underwrite accounts within workflow expectations
Ability to manage workload to meet goals and service standards, while following workflow standards
Thorough understanding of Agent partners, including agency personnel, agency business plan and results with The Hanover across the Franchise, Hanover’s position with the agency, etc.
Sales orientation; able to solicit, qualify, negotiate and close accounts in a manner that promotes deeper partnership with Agents.
Demonstrated commitment to service and partners; high level of responsiveness- Able to build and maintain close working relationships with Agents, UTs, SCSMs, and renewal UWs, demonstrating strong relationship building, teamwork and collaboration skills
Able to understand and execute to strategic priorities (Ex. mix targets, CAT strategy, pricing strategy, agent strategy, etc.)
Knowledge of competition and current marketplace; apply to all aspects of performing the role
Excellent time management skills, responsiveness and willingness to bring appropriate level of underwriting to each opportunity, ranging from exception only underwriting on the small BOP to more thorough review on the larger or more complex accounts
Above average verbal and written communications skills
Achievement orientation – must understand Small CL goals and strategies (often changing) and execute on them effectively and have a positive track record of achievement

Responsibilities

Lead the daily triage of new business with UT, including POS business.
Assess submissions, categorize, and direct UT on next steps to be taken based on assessment and categorization.
Provide direction and guidance to UT to properly prepare a new business account including Quick Declines and how to communicate with Agent (ex. Declination letter or phone call)
Collect additional information needed for underwriting analysis.
Interact with the agency to gather needed information in an organized manner.
Order and analyze necessary reports to perform underwriting analysis.
Provide accurate instructions to rating.
Prepare and deliver quote proposals to agents.
Also, follow up with agents on open quotes.
Document underwriting decisions within standards and expectations in Underwriting systems, including ARF and CAAMS.
Ensure all submissions are effectively managed to reach decline or quoting status.
Determine the pricing, coverages, including coverage advantages to highlight in the quoting process, account rounding opportunity, and identify cross-sell opportunity for Specialty businesses on accounts being quoted.
Refer accounts as appropriate if additional authority is required.
Own all aspects of the New Business underwriting process including acceptability and documentation at inception as well as subsequent validation through other sources including Loss Control.
Underwriter is responsible for reviewing and responding to back-end underwriting reviews and new business audits.
After these steps, the account responsibility falls to the Portfolio underwriter, although consultation between Field and Portfolio Underwriter is expected as required.
Clearly communicate appetite, declination reasons and coverage advantages to Agents to improve hit ratio.
Leverage relationships with Agents and SCSMS to identify opportunities to help write business.
Communicate proactively with agents to convey a sense of ownership and service during all interactions; instill confidence with agents in their decision to place new business with The Hanover.
Engage in agency travel as needed to build and maintain strong relationships.
Partner with internal colleagues, mainly SCSMs, UTs and Renewal UW colleagues, to most effectively communicate difficult messages with agent partners and on overall agency management.