Underwriter - Excess & Surplus

Pay Philosophy 

The typical starting salary for this position is determined by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, acquired skills, experience, education, and certifications/designations. This position may be eligible for annual merit increases and participation in our bonus program.

What are we looking for?

Join our team as an Underwriter - Excess & Surplus. In this position, you will build, maintain, and manage Ozark Specialty’s growing footprint within an assigned territory

Who we are and what we do?

At Columbia Insurance, we believe our people are the heart of our success and our greatest strength. With robust benefits, a fun, family like atmosphere, and a culture that thrives on real connections, Columbia truly is the place to be. Our vision is to lead the industry in people first partnerships. The best way to achieve that is by bringing together a team of skilled, passionate, and talented individuals.

Why us?

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

• 401(k) and company match

• Generous paid time off (PTO), paid company holidays, paid maternity/paternity leave, and supplemental sick leave

• Family like culture

• Year round wellness initiatives

• Company sponsored events

• Opportunities for professional development with conferences, events, and continued education

Company History

Our legacy has roots back to 1889 when we first became part of the mutual insurance movement in the Midwest. Today, our extensive heritage resonates nationwide, as we proudly serve customers in 14 states across the country.

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

The “Underwriter – Excess & Surplus” role is responsible for building, maintaining, and managing Ozark Specialty’s growing footprint within an assigned territory. This is achieved through forming meaningful agency relationships to solicit, underwrite, and price Excess & Surplus lines of business for our agency partners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• With administrative support from the assigned Assistant Underwriter and managerial support, cultivate agency relationships to grow Columbia’s Excess & Surplus book of business through selecting/pricing new business and maintaining a profitable renewal book of business.  

• Assess the risk acceptability and price adequacy of each unique submission that falls outside of Columbia’s traditional, admitted, insurance appetite by consulting relevant resources, coordinating with agency partners, and exercising informed judgment to balance risk and profitability. 

• Set custom pricing and coverage terms for each submission opportunity and communicate complex underwriting decisions and rationale clearly to agencies. 

•  Identify and secure both property and liability facultative reinsurance, when necessary.

• Stay apprised of emerging compliance, compliance, regulatory, judicial, and legislative issues that may impact your book, state, or territory and build/execute underwriting strategies to address them.

• Keep appraised of competitive intelligence within the assigned territory and position Columbia’s strategic advantages and value proposition to consistently win in the market.  

• Lead the development of interpersonal relationships within your assigned agency plant to showcase the advantages of partnering with Ozark Specialty, facilitate partnerships and consistently promote agency/partner accountability for results.  

• Work collaboratively with colleagues from multiple departments to consistently and efficiently cross-market and support agency partners, serving as a knowledgeable resource to educate others on Ozark’s operational model and processes. 

• Enhance knowledge of insurance and underwriting through continued educational opportunities, professional designations, and internal learning opportunities.

• Act as a resource for others when needed and participate in or lead special projects, and administrative tasks.

• Other duties as assigned.