Underwriter, Commercial Lines (Small Commercial)

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.

Compensation Grade: D3 Payband

Job Description Summary

Success on our team requires a blend of customer service skill and analytical prowess. There’s no shying away from challenges here. Each account we work on is complex and interesting. Satisfaction comes from finding solutions that provide the best coverage and give our partner agents a way to differentiate themselves from the competition. If you are adaptable, responsive, love customers and really want to make a difference, we want to hear from you!

As an Underwriter, you'll accept, retain and prices low to moderate exposure new, renewal and endorsement commercial business policies based on granted authority. We'll count on you to provides other underwriting technical support as requested and proactively partner with agencies and field sales to consult on and develop business opportunities.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Captures information from multiple sources according to company guidelines to perform underwriting analysis. May require gathering verbal information or data through reports or other electronic means.

• Reviews individual risks for acceptability, and handles those within authority, based on company underwriting guidelines and standards. Underwriting analysis may include review of total relationship using all available information relevant to the book of business.

• Manages workflow and intricacies of underwriting complex accounts utilizing company tools and systems. Ensures file handling quality and workflow efficiency.

• Underwrites new business, renewals and endorsements. May negotiate price and coverage as appropriate to book business.

• Plans completion of assignments to meet agreed upon timelines and service level agreements.

• Consults with agents and internal partners. Understands capabilities and opportunities and drives maximum value of relationships. Identifies and consults on business development opportunities.

• Communicates with agents and other internal and external business partners by requesting and providing requested information.

• Strengthens agency relationships through quality contact on underwriting matters, promoting profit and new business growth, renewal retention and service capabilities. Participates in the management of business performance.

• Responds to requests from agents and underwriting staff with resolution within established time and service standards to facilitate and expedite service needs. Routes calls and higher level issues to appropriate individuals. May handle advanced customer service issues.

• Educates internal and external partners on underwriting process, practice and tools. May help train less experienced underwriting staff. 

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Supervisor or Manager; no direct reports.

Typical Skills and Experiences: 

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Completion of INS, AU or similar designations is preferred.

Experience: Typically, one year of underwriting or equivalent experience preferred. Will consider undergraduate degree in lieu of experience.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Basic commercial underwriting policy, practices and procedures. Rating plans and plan concepts. State and federal insurance laws and regulations. Commercial insurance processing systems. Solid understanding of company operations and products. Verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts. Ability to evaluate and recommend solutions to work-related problems. Ability to analyze insurance risks to determine the degree of acceptability and pricing