Underwriter (P/C) jobs in Portsmouth, NH

MMG INSURANCE COMPANY

Job Description

Job Title:               Underwriter - Lead

Department:       Commercial Lines Underwriting

Reports To:          Commercial Lines Manager or Regional Manager

FLSA Status:        Exempt

SUMMARY

Accepts, rejects, and modifies Commercial Lines routine to complex/high-valued risks through Commercial Lines new business, renewal, and endorsement within Company underwriting guidelines and philosophy by performing the following duties. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accepts, rejects, and modifies a broad spectrum of Commercial Lines new business risks within Company Commercial Lines underwriting philosophy and guidelines.
• Provides Commercial Lines underwriting guidance and expertise to Commercial Lines Intermediate Underwriters on more complex renewal transactions.
• Applying Commercial Lines above-average product knowledge, provides Commercial Lines underwriting review and approval for a broad spectrum of endorsements including coverage reinstatements.
• Performs the above-described job duties by examining such Commercial Lines documents as application forms, inspection reports, insurance maps, claims' files, and medical reports to determine degree of risk from such factors as applicant financial standing, age, occupation, accident experience, and value and condition of property. Recommends risk improvements, as necessary.
• Applies Commercial Lines above average product knowledge including, but not limited to, Company Commercial Lines underwriting guidelines and policy forms, Insurance Services Office's manuals and forms as well as knowledge of and familiarity with rating processes for all Company Commercial Lines product offerings.
• Submits Commercial Lines complex or unusual risks exceeding underwriter authority to Commercial Lines Senior Underwriter or Underwriting Management for approval.
• Responds and makes recommendations on high exposure Commercial Lines Claims Reports to Underwriting (CRU) actions.
• Reviews Company records to determine amount of insurance in force on Commercial Lines single risk or group of closely related risks and evaluates possibility of losses due to catastrophe or excessive insurance.
• Responsible for monitoring Commercial Lines marketplace actions with occasional reporting through Underwriting Management.
• Involved in occasional Commercial Lines project work as assigned by manager including but not limited to new agent development, re-underwrite projects, and book transfers.
• Reviews and researches Commercial Lines coverage issues.
• Communicates with marketing representatives, agency personnel, other insurance or inspection companies, or other entities, as may be necessary, to obtain further information, quote rates, or explain company Commercial Lines underwriting policies, using available resources including, but not limited to, the PC network/Company computer system, the telephone, the facsimile machine, and e-mail.
• Keyboards Commercial Lines data into the Company's computer system, and documents via the Imaging System.
• Develops and maintains positive Company/Agency relations which may include agency travel and visitation, and attendance at various conventions/meetings.  (May include overnight stays.)
• Trains Commercial Lines Intermediate Underwriters on-the-job as assigned.
• Travels as required to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the employee's position and to fulfill educational requirements.  (May include overnight stays.)
• Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 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 and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree and 4-6 years of related experience and or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.  Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Able to read and to interpret written information.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.  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

Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

COMPUTER SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Office Productivity software such as Spreadsheet, Word Processing, Communications software, and Underwriting-related software.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

The Company may expect the employee to acquire, within a reasonable period of time as established by the Company, the Chartered Property/Casualty Underwriter designation, sponsored by the American Institute for Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters; or the Certificate in General Insurance (INS Series); and/or the Associate in Underwriting (AU) designation; and/or the Associate in Personal Insurance (API), sponsored by the Insurance Institute of America. 

The Company may expect the employee to take other courses it deems appropriate to the employee's duties and responsibilities.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates leadership by exhibiting confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Possesses above-average telephone skills.
• Possesses above-average interpersonal and relationship skills.
• Demonstrates good negotiating skills.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Demonstrates the ability to consistently maintain a positive attitude.
• Works cooperatively and productively with employees.
• Is self-motivated with strong organizational skills.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Possesses a valid driver's license.

Able to travel 20-25% of the time.

Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit.

Demonstrates an aptitude consistent with securing information, analyzing it, and making above-average decisions affecting the position's area of responsibility as well as the overall operation of the department.

Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.