COMMERCIAL UNDERWRITER

Reviews all levels of commercial lines policy applications and renewals ranging from simple to complex to evaluate degree of risk, classify and rate for insurance and either accept, modify, or decline risk following organization underwriting standards. Collects data, loss control surveys, and photographs to identify and evaluate risk exposures for eligibility. Acts as an expert resource for underwriters, producers, claims, rating, loss control, reinsurance, and marketing personnel related to underwriting.

This position qualifies for our flexible workplace options. Work at our Grinnell, Iowa, headquarters or from a home office in any of the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Please note that candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Grinnell Mutual sponsorship.

• Analyzes new account application and collects data related to the exposure to determine risk eligibility.

• Reviews prior loss run information and company acceptability guidelines to determine acceptance, modification through negotiation, or rejection of policy application.

• Classifies risk for rating, endorsing, pricing, and reinsurance placement by reviewing underwriting manual guidelines.

• Analyzes policy renewals by reviewing risk experience, loss ratio, and policy audit data and determines continued acceptability of risk. Performs re-underwriting of existing business as needed.

• Updates policy data by reviewing MVRs, financial reports, and loss control requests and takes appropriate measures. Monitors policies in assigned territory for policy activity, audits, changes, and claims.

• Communicates policy information and coverages to agents related to acceptance, modification, or denial of risk acceptance or general inquiries.

• Reviews Loss Review data and follows up based upon the information presented.

• Makes field visits and attends producer schools to familiarize agents with and promote Grinnell Mutual products while increasing business relationships.

• Designs product presentations and delivers presentations occasionally to varied small groups.

• Attends internal and external meetings and contributes by asking questions or presenting information verbally or in written form.

• Reviews agency performance records and contributes findings during the agency review process.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree (B.A) from a four-year accredited college or university; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Knowledge of insurance policy language and insurance policy forms is required.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze data presented in insurance policy applications or renewals and determine acceptance, modification, or denial of the risk. 

• Ability to use personal judgment, experience, known facts, and figures to make decisions and resolve problems.

• Relays policy information using multiple forms of communication and demonstrate effective writing skills to develop memos, requests for information, completion of forms, and other business correspondence obtained through conversations with agents, or from data and information gathered.

• Provides a high level of customer service internally and externally by delivering timely responses.

• Ability to convey information effectively, including using negotiation skills and defending of positions. 

• Manages multiple priorities and projects as required by business need.

• Ability to organize large amount of reference materials for easy retrieval and reference while underwriting policies.

• Works independently and in an environment with limited supervision.

• Ability to use general office equipment including PCs, telephones, fax, copier/scanner, and demonstrate basic knowledge of Microsoft Office suite products.

• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record in accordance with Grinnell Mutual’s fleet safety policy and travel from the home office Grinnell Mutual agent offices, or Grinnell Mutual insured locations.  Overnight travel is required, with a multi-state region, approximately 5 - 10% of time depending on territory size. 

• Ability to maintain regular and predictable schedule to meet the needs of our customers and provide adequate coverage during our core business hours.

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and proprietary information.

• Demonstrated ability to adhere to all Grinnell Mutual policies.

• Demonstrated ability to incorporate Grinnell Mutual core values in all areas of work.

The salary range for the position is $51,000 - $89,000. For a list of benefits, click here.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty and responsibility satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform job duties and responsibilities.

• The position is physically located in an agreed upon location per the Grinnell Mutual Work from Anywhere policy. All work arrangements must put the business needs of the organization first and ensure the coverage of all job duties.

• This position involves repetitive work with computer keyboard and phone, requires visual acuity and ability to sit stationary for long periods of time. The noise level in the work environment is usually modertate.

• Works under externally imposed deadlines with expected interruptions to the workflow making it difficult to anticipate the nature and volume of work to perform.

• Frequently communicates with internal and external customers through the telephone or email.

This job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned, but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of the business demands change, so too may the job duties and responsibilities.