Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriter at Penn National Mutual Casualty Insurance in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

The Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriter analyzes and reviews information, developments and trends on new and renewal accounts with premiums exceeding $25,000, to determine the risks associated with insuring the accounts while ensuring compliance with established underwriting strategies and regulatory requirements.  Incumbent needs to actively build relationships with agents to ensure a strong pipeline of submissions.  Incumbent exercises their authority to decide whether to offer, continue, modify, or reject insurance; and the position is also responsible for finalizing the amounts and types of coverage, and determining the appropriate premium. 

Competencies and Essential Duties of the Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriter

Business Acumen:

Reviews new business, renewals, endorsements, and quote requests to determine acceptability using established underwriting authority and company guidelines

Communicates underwriting decisions, techniques, and interpretation of policy forms and coverages with agents and company personnel regarding risk acceptability, incomplete information, etc.

Provides feedback to the Underwriting Manager and designated Territory Manager on quality of submissions and interactions with agency personnel

Communicates underwriting and marketing philosophy or practices, to agents and assists with education/training issues within agency

Documents the underwriting files where required, including the actions taken, reasons for decisions, and any follow-up diary needed

Provides input to the Branch Management team about individual agency underwriting performance; (i.e., Agency Review meeting, Quarterly Results Management meeting, etc.)

Negotiation:

Visits agencies with/without the designated Territory Manager to discuss underwriting matters, assist in the development of new business and to strengthen agency relations

Responds to Insurance Department complaints and attend periodic hearings

Results Oriented:

Drives profitable new business growth

Provides input to the Branch Management team about individual agency underwriting performance; (i.e.,Agency Review meeting, Quarterly Results Management meeting, etc.)

Provides input to RVPO and/or TM/SR TM on agency performance based on production results, loss ratio (profitability) results, declination ratio, and other measures

Time & Priority Management:

When requested by the Underwriting Manager, may assist in the training of Small Business Commercial Underwriter position

Supports special underwriting projects and initiatives.  These may include, but not limited to, loss prevention, targeted re-underwriting programs and book rollovers

Decision Making:

Establishes appropriate account pricing in accordance with established underwriting authority and company guidelines

Orders and/or analyzes loss control reports, financial reports, MVR’s and other underwriting reports

Evaluates the need for and secure appropriate facultative reinsurance in accordance with established company guidelines

Contributes to the development of company underwriting policy, procedures and guidelines to assure they reflect current market conditions and contribute to the attainment of Division goals

Performs various projects requested or assigned by the Underwriting Manager 

Corporate Core Competencies of the Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriter

Effectively Communicates and Connects:

Communicates and negotiates effectively with peers regarding work outcomes

Influences by making a strong case, bringing other people on the team to understand the presented viewpoint

Provides feedback and is clear when disagreeing with an approach; offers suggestions for improvement

Attentively listens and asks clarifying questions and paraphrases to enhance understanding

Builds and nurtures positive relationships within the workplace

Customer Focused:

Identifies explicit and implied customer needs

Asks probing questions to fully understand business requirements

Develops positive relationships with customers by meeting their needs as well as incorporating their feedback

Responds quickly and takes action with high quality solutions that address needs and improve overall customer experience

Owns resolution of customer experience outcome

Talent Development Mindset:

Discusses technical and professional development with peers to gain suggestions for further development

Actively seeks and acts on opportunities to recognize peers for high performance

Stays alert to identify learning opportunities for self

Demonstrates Adaptability:

Contributes to progressive thinking within the team by posing questions that challenge traditional methods or processes

Proposes ideas and suggests new approaches to tackling own work tasks and issues in a better way to drive organization success

Participates in and actively supports change initiatives, and provide ideas to promote their success

Recognizes and manages an ambiguous work environment

Demonstrates flexibility in generating alternative solutions and recommendations

Demonstrates Accountability:

Applies judgment in making decisions about own work, and takes responsibility for actions

Demonstrates reliability by producing steady work results and delivering on commitments to team members on time

Takes responsibility for regularly seeking and applying feedback and actively learning from errors and setbacks

Understands the mission of the organization

Special Relationships of the Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriter

This position reports to the Underwriting Manager

Direct contact with various levels of underwriting, loss control, premium audit and claims personnel

Direct contact with agents and insureds

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Why Penn National Insurance

A career with Penn National Insurance offers a total rewards package that makes us a regional employer of choice.  When you are part of the Penn National Insurance family, we want you to feel secure in:

     Your Career: We offer a comprehensive benefit and compensation package including a generous 401k match, graded profit sharing, recognition programs, and incentive compensation.  Additionally, Penn National Insurance company policy provides for remote access, flex-scheduling, and a dress-for-your-day dress code. 

     Your Employer: Penn National Insurance celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019.  With the $1 billion direct written premium threshold in sight, the company is utilizing innovation solutions and analytic insights to grow its share of the small commercial and middle market business, as well as personal lines.  Our proud tradition of adhering to a relationship-driven business model, and our ability to adapt to changes over time reinforce our reliability and strength.

     Your Community: The Company and our employees donate more than $500,000 annually to fund enrichment programing throughout the communities we serve.  Our United Way campaign raised an additional $350,000 last year.  We are also taking real steps to decrease our environmental impact.  We have added bicycle accommodations, enhanced energy efficiency, introduced water conservation measures, and implemented cool-roof technology.

     Your Future: We create a rewarding career path and enable long-term retention by offering enhanced benefits around continuing education and professional development.  The average employee tenure at Penn National Insurance is 14 years!

Qualifications of the Middle Market Commercial Lines Underwriter

Education/Credentials:

4 - year degree or equivalent work experience or continuing education in specialized insurance courses such as CPCU, IIA, IIA, or CIC preferred

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years of Commercial Lines underwriting experience required

Technical/Professional Knowledge:

Thorough working knowledge of underwriting and pricing risks

Thorough working knowledge of company underwriting standards and philosophy

Thorough working knowledge of all commercial lines insurance coverage, forms, pricing strategies, and the use of modeling and valuation tools

Good math aptitude

Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Good PC skills, with an emphasis on Microsoft Office Suite; along with demonstrated proficiency in all supplied desktop tools, including the automated underwriting and email systems

Proven ability to handle multiple and complex tasks

Must have the ability to function with autonomy and independence

Job Requirements (as required by ADA):

This position is primarily a sedentary position that requires occasional standing and walking throughout the office environment.

Must be able to see and effectively use a computer monitor.

Must be able to operate a computer, keyboard and applicable printers and other general office equipment.

Must be able to access and enter information accurately using automated systems.

Must be able to hear and communicate via the telephone and/or monitoring devices to both internal and external clients.

Must be able to present information to individuals and groups.

Must be able to interpret and apply concepts that may or may not be based upon established guidelines.

Must be able to maintain acceptable attendance and adhere to scheduled work hours.

Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.

Must be able to travel, with overnight stays required.

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