Underwriter Farm

Position is responsible for risk selection, pricing and negotiation with agency personnel within assigned authority levels. The Underwriter and Territorial Manager – Marketing work together with the underwriting team to meet loss ratio, written premium, and service objectives.
Salary Grade (10)  58,321 - 72,900 - 87,481

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Examines documents such as applications, inspection reports, claim history reports, credit reports, and cost estimators to evaluate risk selections.  Determines whether to accept, modify, or decline new business risks within assigned authority levels.

Reviews renewal business for acceptability and prices the renewals based on risk characteristics and market conditions within assigned authority levels.

Review claims to determine future underwriting actions.

Travels to agencies to strengthen company/agency relationships, to discuss underwriting issues, and for on and off site training.

Communicates with Territorial Managers – Marketing and other departmental and company personnel regarding underwriting issues.

Communicate via telephone, fax, electronic and written communication with agency personnel on underwriting issues.

Responsible for demonstrating positive team skills.

Assists co-workers and agents in developing their Farm Coverage knowledge and skills.

Recommends changes in rates and products to meet company, departmental and individual objectives.

Works closely with Territorial Managers – Marketing and underwriting team on an ongoing basis to develop action plans to achieve objectives for assigned territory.

Provides instructions for rating, classification, pricing and endorsements to CSR staff.

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

2 years Farm Underwriting Experience

4 year College Degree

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Knowledge of Farm Coverage

PC skills

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent oral and written communication skills.  The individual must be able to effectively and clearly communicate with agency, team, departmental and company personnel via telephone, fax, e-mail, and one on one dialogue in a highly professional manner.

REASONING ABILITY

The position requires the individual to apply common sense, understanding, reasoning and sound educated judgement coupled with sound farm insurance training and experience to properly evaluate and analyze all business for recommended action within assigned authority levels.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

INS or CPCU are encouraged

Additional Insurance course work and seminars are recommended.

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.

Employees are required to sit at a work station to perform various PC functions.  Additionally, the employee is required to devote substantial time to telephone communication.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

Employees may be required to travel from time to time.  This may require extended periods of time sitting in a vehicle.

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.

Each Underwriter is responsible for servicing all agents within assigned territories.  The Underwriter will be assigned a specific work cubicle station.  The work station will be located adjacent to other similar work stations.  The work station has the necessary equipment to perform the position duties including personal computer, telephone, file space, and needed work table space.

The environment is reasonably quiet with needed interaction between other unit employees, immediate supervisor, and other company staff.  Moderate noise level from telephone calls is expected.