Nationwide

Underwriter, Contract Underwriting - E&S/Specialty

Arizona Full time
If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them, as well as innovating and simplifying processes and operations to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

Position based in Phoenix, Arizona with work from home possible in that area.

Ideal candidate will possess:

  • Strong analytical skills to support underwriting decisions
  • Foundational knowledge of the E&S market
  • Proven problem-solving abilities
  • Ability to perform under high-pressure conditions
  • Adaptability to collaborate across diverse working styles

#LI-AS1

Job Description Summary

Are you a critical thinker who can analyze complex risk and find insurance solutions that balance customer needs with business goals? If you can take initiative, use both your analytical and creative abilities to make sound decisions and have a desire to help people solve real challenges, we want to hear from you!

Our Excess & Surplus/Specialty (E&S/S) lines allow us to provide insurance that other carriers may not offer. It’s a fast-paced environment in a collaborative, team-oriented culture, working in an always-changing, growing industry.

As an Underwriter in Contract you determine individual risk acceptability, pricing, coverage, terms and conditions by developing, analyzing and evaluating information and exposures on risks of basic technical complexity. In addition, you achieve production and loss ratio goals by reviewing and analyzing claims, loss history and taking appropriate action on individual accounts. It’s important to know about reinsurance placement requirements, if any, on individual accounts. We count on you to foster positive business relationships with agents and reinsurers. As you gain experience, you will receive underwriting authority

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Reviews individual risks or programs with or without assigned territory, from agents, brokers or program managers and either declines or accepts business based upon information necessary to make the decision.   Analyze exposures to loss, develop an adequate premium charge for the exposure, determines appropriate endorsements and exclusions to address loss exposures for the insurance contract.

  • Achieves individual production and loss ratio goals with or without assigned territory through sound territory management and marketing.  Continually analyze premium and loss results in their territory by agency, state, major class of business and by program.  Audit individual policies for compliance with company guidelines.  Development and implementation of specific action plans may be required.

  • Handles policy maintenance items and other mid-term requests.  Reviews endorsement requests and processes necessary changes to the policy.  Reviews loss control reports and makes recommendations to the agent and/or changes to the policy.  Follows up on outstanding information as required. Reviews claim activity and takes appropriate action.

  • Fosters positive business relationships with agents and brokers, through daily contact with assigned agents by developing and maintaining good rapport and resolving agency conflicts.   Travels to agency offices as required for audits, training or marketing visits.  Entertains agents visiting the Company as required. Assists with development of marketing ideas and strategies for underwriting seminars and other marketing campaigns.

Performs other duties as assigned

Reporting Relationships:  Reports to Manager or Director.

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

Education:  Undergraduate studies and completion of general insurance courses such as IIA 21, 22, 23, CPCU, CIC, AU, ARM, CPIW, CWIS, or ASLI is preferred. 

Experience:  Four years related experience or prior experience as an underwriting assistant or rater preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:  Knowledge of business concepts. Ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing, interpersonally with individuals and groups via telephone, fax, e-mail and in person.  Ability to work with the wholesale/general agency distribution system.  Ability to analyze insurance risks to determine acceptability including policy language various commercial rating plans and methodologies, reinsurance. Ability to use/learn job related computer software.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and HR Business Partner.

Values:  Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values and Guiding Behaviors.

Job Conditions: 

Overtime Eligibility: Eligible (Non-Exempt)

Working Conditions:  Normal office environment.  Limited travel out of state may be required.  In-town entertaining required as necessary after 5:00 P.M.

ADA:  The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job.  Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties. 

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.


NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:

We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.