Berkley

Agribusiness Commercial Underwriting Specialist

Location Name IA, Urbandale - 11201 Douglas Avenue
ID
2025-11662
Date Posted
2 days ago(1/16/2025 10:49 AM)
Company
Continental Western Group
Primary Location
US-IA-Urbandale
Category
Underwriting

Company Details

Continental_Western_Logo

 

Rated Best Places to Work 2020, 2022, and 2024 by Business Insurance, Continental Western Group is a regional property casualty insurance company offering commercial products and services through independent agents in the Midwest. CWG provides unique value through the service provided by our experienced group of employees and independent agents. Since 1886 - Strong, Local and Trusted.

 

As a Berkley company, we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions.  W. R. Berkley Corporation, and all member insurance companies, are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A+ (Strong).

 

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. 

Responsibilities

 

As an Agribusiness Commercial Underwriting Specialist, you will function as a top-level underwriting professional within a regional underwriting business unit. 

 

You'll accept, retain, and price commercial insurance risks of significant size or technical complexity in accordance with established underwriting guidelines and within delegated authority level.  We'll trust you to manage a book of business to achieve profitable growth objectives by properly classifying and pricing risks; building strong internal and external business relationships; analyzing competitive marketing data, and developing, implementing, and monitoring action plans as appropriate. You'll also be the point of contact for assigned agencies and is responsible for the agency relationship.  We'll also look to you as a technical underwriting resource to staff by providing knowledge and insight to underwriters. 

 

What you can expect:

  • Culture of innovation, teamwork, supportive colleagues and leaders willing to invest in talent
  • Internal mobility opportunities 
  • Visibility to senior leaders and partnership with cross functional teams
  • Opportunity to impact change
  • Benefits – competitive compensation, paid time off, comprehensive wellness benefits and programs, employer funded health savings account, profit sharing, 401k, paid parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, tuition assistance and professional continuing education 

We'll count on you to:

  • Assess new commercial insurance risks and determines accurate classification of business, policy contract forms and pricing of risk.  Work within broad limits and authority on commercial underwriting accounts of significant size or high technical complexity.  Interpret and analyzes more complex or unusual coverage forms.  Evaluate property (COPE) information, liability exposures, fleet and safety programs, loss history, financial reports, risk control reports, etc.  Accept and price risk in accordance with established underwriting guidelines and within delegated authority level. 
  • Review renewal accounts by examining business operations, classification, contract forms and loss activity.   Determine if account is an acceptable risk or if it will be non-renewed.  Determine price in accordance with established underwriting guidelines and within delegated authority level.  Review accounts and endorsement requests exceeding Senior Underwriter, Underwriter or Underwriting Assistant’s authority level and takes appropriate procedural action. 
  • Develop, expand and/or enhance agency relationships to promote profitability and growth of new business and the retention of existing business.  Travel and meet with agents and customers to enhance business relationships.  Educate agency staff on pricing, product set and risk selection philosophy.  Participate in the agency management process.  Assess the strengths and weaknesses of agencies and assists them in achieving the mutual goal of sustained profitable growth.  
  • Identify new business opportunities from the agency force to assess, quote, inspect and accept.  Collaborates with Underwriting, Business Development, Risk Services, Claims, and Management to create strong agency partnerships and build a profitable book of business.  Effectively manage a book of business to achieve established profitability, growth, and retention goals. 
  • Serve as a technical underwriting resource to underwriting staff and agents regarding products, coverages and rating procedures.  Provide professional development knowledge and guidance to Senior Underwriters, Underwriters, Underwriting Assistants, and other functional areas. 
  • Identify and handle accounts that require placement of facultative reinsurance and facilitates placement through W.R. Berkley Corporation-approved markets. 
  • Assist Underwriting Managers with peer file quality reviews.  Collaborate with Underwriting Managers to identify and communicate trends.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

What you need to have:

  • Bachelor's degree; or ten years commercial underwriting experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of commercial underwriting guidelines, insurance forms and coverages and a proven ability to exercise good judgment and creativity when assessing and accepting large and/or technically complex commercial risks.  
  • Advanced and comprehensive knowledge of underwriting principles, policy forms and coverage
  • Must be action oriented and have strong drive for results.
  • Account relationship management skills can easily build new relationships.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts with an ability to articulate clearly and concisely.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook 
  • A valid driver’s license for travel. 

What makes you stand out:

  • Completion of or working toward AU, CIC, CPCU or similar designation.
  • Demonstrate strong business acumen, critical thinking, problem analysis, and problem resolution skills.
  • Demonstrates ability to lead people and influence others to achieve results.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment that continuously adapts based on customer need.
  • Strong organizational and desk management skills
  • Strong collaboration skills and teamwork minded.
  • Regularly and consistently demonstrates commitment to company values and guiding principles. 

Additional Company Details

We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies or firms.

The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees.

The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

Sponsorship Details

Sponsorship not Offered for this Role

Options

Sorry the Share function is not working properly at this moment. Please refresh the page and try again later.
Share on your newsfeed

Connect With Us!

Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration.