Commercial Lines Underwriter

Company Details:

Berkley Southwest offers commercial property and casualty products and services through independent agents in Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. We maintain a strong local presence in each of our markets, keeping underwriting and support close to the customer.

Now more than ever, financial strength is critical to a successful, long term insurance relationship. Union Standard is a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, whose insurance company subsidiaries are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best.

This position can based in one of our four offices which offer a hybrid work schedule with 4 days in the office; and 1 day remote where it makes sense to do so. #LI-AV1  #LI-Remote   

• Irving, TX
• San Antonio, TX
• Scottsdale, AZ
• Little Rock, AR

We're also open to a fully remote colleague if they are not within commutable distance to the office but they must live within the BSW territory:  TX, OK, AR, AZ or NM state.

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. 

As a Commercial Lines Underwriter, you'll be responsible for the management and growth of assigned book of business and acquisition of new business. You'll evaluate acceptability of individual risks and determines terms, conditions and pricing to achieve company profit objectives. We'll trust you to work with agents/brokers to develop productive and profitable relationships and to ensure compliance with company underwriting guidelines. You'll also serve in a informal leadership role in the branch by providing guidance to less experienced underwriters.

What you can expect:

• Culture of innovation, teamwork, supportive colleagues and leaders willing to invest in talent
• Internal mobility opportunities 
• Visibility to senior leaders and partnership with cross functional teams
• Opportunity to impact change
• 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 and professional continuing education

We'll count on you to:

• Underwrite new business by reviewing the application for acceptability, requesting additional information, if necessary, and accepting or rejecting risks in conformance with company guidelines.
• Underwrite within authority set forth by Commercial Lines Vice President and within confines of company's reinsurance treaties and corresponds with agency to collect additional information.
• Underwrite renewal business by reviewing insured's file, producing agency's experience, nature and frequency of losses, loss control surveys, motor vehicle reports, and prior carrier loss experience.
• Assist Commercial Lines Vice President in development of new products, pricing, or coverage’s needed.
• Develop productive and profitable relationships with agents/brokers.
• Maintain an established loss ratio.
• Meet established production goals and delivers timely service.
• Serve as the staff liaison for the assigned line in disseminating line updates and developing staff.
• Travel within the assigned territory to facilitate customer development and relationship through agency visitation and prospect calls.
• Pursue a program of continuing education by participating in industry sponsored and company sponsored educational courses.
• Assist in training of other personnel as directed.

What you need to have:

• Bachelor's degree in insurance or related field and/or 3-5 years minimum commercial lines underwriting experience or equivalent industry experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a profitable commercial lines book of business.
• Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, employees, agents, and vendors.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to project a warm and friendly manner in all business contacts and maintain a professional relationship with fellow workers, agency contacts, and the general public.