Underwriter

Be Here. Be Great. Working for a leader in the insurance industry means opportunity for you. Great American Insurance Group’s member companies are subsidiaries of American Financial Group, a Fortune 500 company. We combine a "small company" culture where your ideas will be heard with "big company" expertise to help you succeed. With over 30 specialty property and casualty operations and a variety of financial services, there are always opportunities here to learn and grow.

The Specialty Human Services Division (SHS) partners with independent retail agents and brokers to address the coverage needs and loss exposures of more than 11,000 human and social service organizations across the country. SHS has earned the nationwide reputation as a premier carrier in this sector.

The SHS Division is searching for an Underwriter seeking to elevate their skills and knowledge.  The right candidate will be a utility team player who will be responsible for developing and maintaining a profitable book of business.  The individual will be expected to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to determine/prioritize submissions to be underwritten, evaluate risk, set terms & conditions and contribute to the territory’s success.  This position will be located in our regional Chicago, IL office location.

• Has responsibility for risk selection / rejection, pricing, retention, growth and profitability per divisional objectives.
• Uses independent judgment and initiative to support business goals.
• Maintains a high level of customer service.
• Analyzes coverage and limit requests and decides what terms to offer.
• Prices business in accordance with company guidelines.
• Assesses risk quality and compliance within company guidelines and initiates appropriate loss prevention actions.
• Orders and screens miscellaneous reports needed in the rating and underwriting processes, such as Motor Vehicle reports, loss history reports, credit checks, outside inspections, loss control, etc.
• Develops and maintains effective business relationships with internal and external customers / coworkers in order to attract and retain profitable business. Including travel to their assigned territory a few times a year.
• Interprets, explains and markets products and services.
• Develops relationships with agents & brokers through telephone interactions.
• Applies underwriting rules and guidelines, rating manual rules and insurance laws and regulations 

• Must have an Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 2 years of experience in the insurance industry.
• Experience in small and middle market commercial accounts.
• Fundamental knowledge of P&C coverages, forms and terminology
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong grasp of work flow and procedures
• Ability to make good decisions