Underwriter I - Inland Marine

Job Description

Job Description

WHY IFG COMPANIES

At IFG, you're building more than a career. You're helping build a better future. Since 1985, we've succeeded in a challenging industry through disciplined underwriting, strong relationships and long-term thinking. As a privately held, mission-driven insurance company, we're focused on lasting success, not short-term investor returns. Here, your contributions matter, you have opportunities to learn and grow, and our success supports a greater purpose: expanding educational opportunities in rural communities and supporting military families. Build your future with us and help make a difference beyond insurance.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Underwriter I Inland Marine (“Underwriter I”) is responsible for developing, managing and maintaining a profitable book of Inland Marine business on behalf of IFG Companies. This Underwriter I is expected to develop strong relationships with wholesale producers (i.e., agents and brokers) that will result in favorable submission flows and profitable long-term underwriting results. The Underwriter I will evaluate submissions for new and renewal business, prioritize them and prepare quotes for those acceptable submissions while strictly adhering to IFG Companies' underwriting guidelines and operating within the bounds of the Underwriter I's Letter of Authority or otherwise referring business for higher levels of approval.

The Underwriter I should employ IFG Companies' advanced underwriting tools to support the underwriting and quoting process, including its rating matrices predictive analytics, crime and credit scores and other third-party data to facilitate risk selection, evaluation, quoting and binding process, using approved forms.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDING

New Business

• Meeting and working with producers in assigned territories to ensure high-quality submission opportunities are presenting to the Underwriter I for quoting.
• Identifying and selecting suitable submissions for quoting, with assistance from IFG Companies' submission prioritization tools that employ predictive analytics, loss history and third-party data to score each submission.
• Determining appropriate pricing, structure and coverage terms, with assistance from IFG Companies' rating tools and underwriting guidelines as well as appetite guidance as respects the class of business considered.
• Maintaining excellent communication with producers to keep them informed about IFG Companies' product line offerings.
• Promoting the IFG Companies' brand.
• Assisting IFG Companies' marketing efforts generally by providing feedback pertinent to the product line with respect to competitors, products and the overall marketplace.
• Providing or seeking referral counsel with other underwriters, the unit head and/or corporate underwriting, to discuss individual risk acceptance or declination, pricing and terms, when appropriate under the circumstances.
• Monitoring the performance of new business underwritten.
• Training new underwriting hires and mentoring as needed. 

Renewal Business  

• Monitoring the performance of the Underwriter I 's business in force to determine what underwriting actions are most appropriate with respect to renewal, pricing, non-renewal or changes in coverage terms.
• Preparing renewal quotes sufficiently in advance of renewal dates to satisfy producer and retailer needs.
• Maintaining excellent communication with producers so they know what to expect at renewal, are then less likely to take actions to move the business and are given due notification whenever possible, if non-renewal or changed terms are expected.
• Being generally familiar with regulatory and contractual considerations as regards contingent renewals or non-renewals to ensure compliance with the respective state regulations and consulting with IFG Companies' Compliance, as needed.
• Providing or seeking referral counsel with other underwriters, the unit head and/or Corporate Underwriting, to discuss individual renewals or non-renewals, pricing and terms, when required or appropriate.

General Underwriting Responsibilities  

• Exhibiting sound judgment and strong technical knowledge of underwriting principles, while applying IFG Companies' underwriting guidelines that apply to the risks being underwritten.
• Monitoring and meeting production, marketing and profitability goals for the Underwriter I's book.
• Keeping informed of industry, competitor and claim trends that may impact the relative and absolute attractiveness of risks being underwritten.
• Being or becoming a subject matter expert for certain classes of business that are within IFG Companies' underwriting appetite.
• Regularly traveling to meet with assigned producers to build and maintain strong relationships and ensure their awareness of IFG Companies' product offerings and appetite.
• Collaborating and assisting other team members on underwriting and marketing matters.
• Training, coaching and mentoring less experienced underwriters and support staff. 
• Other duties, as requested. 

  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES  

• Knowledge of all Inland Marine classes of business, classifications, pricing and coverage options with adherence to applicable statutory compliance requirements and corporate guidelines. 
• Ability to manage the Underwriter I's primary portfolio with appropriate overall limits, attachment points and diversification.
• General knowledge of the wholesale producer distribution system.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and make well informed, calculated risk decisions.
• Strong problem solving, reasoning and decision-making skills that aid in providing solutions for producers and insureds, while protecting IFG Companies' economic interests.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and manage multiple tasks while meeting deadlines.
• Proven team player, with an energetic personality and strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer skills and an ability to learn to work with proprietary systems.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Required: A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college/university, with a major or coursework in insurance, risk management, economics, actuarial science or related fields.
• Required: At least four (4) years of inland marine underwriting experience, preferably with a U.S. commercial insurer, combined with sound knowledge of inland marine underwriting coverages.
• A Plus: CPCU or other relevant insurance-related designation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position is hybrid and requires the ability and the willingness to work in an IFG Companies office at least three (3) days per week if residing within a one-hour commuting distance.
• Physical demands are considered those of a climate-controlled office environment with minimal physical exertion.
• Position requires prolonged sitting, extensive utilization of computers and interactions with others in person and via phone.
• Position requires the ability and the willingness to travel when required to meet business needs.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $150,000. Additionally, the position may be eligible to earn incentive compensation.

IFG Companies offers competitive compensation and benefits, currently including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, vacation and other paid time off.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

IFG Companies is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.