Underwriter Farm

Position is responsible for risk selection, pricing and negotiation with agency personnel within assigned authority levels. The Underwriter and Territorial Manager work together with the underwriting team to meet loss ratio, written premium, and service objectives.
Salary Grade(9) 47,556 - 59,444 - 71,334
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Collaborate with Farm Underwriter Assistant, Sr. Farm Underwriter, Farm Manager and Territorial Managers and other departmental and company personnel regarding underwriting issues.
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.
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 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
Agriculture background preferred
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
AFIS, 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 workstation 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 workstation will be located adjacent to other similar workstations. The workstation has the necessary equipment to perform the position duties including personal computer, telephone, file space, and needed worktable 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.