Job: Underwriter

SUMMARY
Reviews all risks (new business and renewals) submitted to the company and makes required premium adjustments. Also reviews referrals from other company departments. Works closely with assistant underwriters, producers and insureds to determine what risks are acceptable or unacceptable based on each program’s guidelines. When a risk is submitted for consideration, this person will make the decision to accept or reject the business, and/or determine if additional information is needed to ensure company security.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•Accepts telephone calls from producers and insureds regarding all aspects of underwriting and billing of premium.
•Answers underwriting questions and researches underwriting guidelines for other personnel.
•Reviews all new business applications, concluding whether the application should be accepted or rejected (cancelled) through careful understanding and knowledge of underwriting guidelines. Requests any additional information needed to complete underwriting file. Make corrections on application, including those changes that may generate a change in premium quoted.
•Reviews all information for acceptability that is submitted by producers and insureds in response to underwriting request letters.
•Reviews all policy renewals for ongoing acceptability. Rejects policies with risks that have become unacceptable during the policy period. Requests additional information for changes that have occurred during the policy period. Makes any additional premium corrections.
•Reviews all risks submitted non-bound via fax machine for acceptability. Requests additional information if needed to make risk acceptable.
•Processes endorsements on-line.
•Processes reinstatements.
•Maintains satisfactory underwriting standards and provides daily and weekly statistics on work completed.
•Other duties as assigned, including taking customer service phone calls when call volumes are high.

User-Defined 1
Acts as primary contact to insurance producers and policyholders alike. As such is closely responsible for maintaining the reputation of the general agency.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. They must have the ability to multi task and also must have excellent time management skills. They must have the ability to make sound underwriting decisions based on information available. Must be able to work with minimal supervision The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education or Experience
High School Diploma or GED
3 years work experience in insurance related field performing at satisfactory level or Bachelor’s Degree
Currently pursuing insurance education (INS, CPCU, CA Licensing courses, etc…) and/or college degree
OR, combination of work experience and continuing education subject to hiring supervisor discretion
Score of 80% or higher on Company’s Underwriter Exam
Must have previously underwritten Auto Insurance policies and have knowledge of the following states insurance regulations and laws CA, AZ, TX, OR and WA

Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports business correspondences and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients , customers, and the public.

Mathematical Skills
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
While none are essential, courses such as INS and CPCU are helpful in better understanding the job function

Other Qualifications 1
Experience in insurance office environment preferred. Familiarity with computers and various software packages.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.