Excess Casualty Underwriter

Argo Group - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - Chicago, IL

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods

About the position

Argo Group is a leader in specialty insurance, fostering a vibrant culture built on respect, equality, wellness, and opportunity. We pride ourselves on being an innovative organization that is small enough to be agile yet large enough to make a significant impact in our industry. Our flexible workplace is continuously evolving to ensure that all employees feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work, confident that they will be treated with respect, recognized for their performance, and provided with equal opportunities to succeed. At Argo, skill meets opportunity, and if you're wired to raise your hand and ask, “Where can I help?”, you'll thrive with us. In this role, you will underwrite new Excess Casualty business and renewals according to your authority level and established guidelines. At Argo Group, we work collaboratively to serve specialty markets, focusing on the success of each of our customers by offering specialty coverage through our subsidiaries. Our comprehensive line of high-quality products and services is designed to meet the unique coverage and claim-handling needs of our clients. This position can be performed remotely or aligned to an Argo office, providing flexibility in your work environment. As an Excess Casualty underwriter, you will be responsible for reviewing and pricing policies to verify acceptability based on company underwriting guidelines and your granted underwriting authority, both primary and supported excess. You will utilize underwriting tools to determine accurate classifications, rates, and premium charges. Interaction with wholesale brokers will be essential, as you will need to obtain further risk-specific details, negotiate terms and pricing, and explain company positions. Additionally, you will manage your assigned underwriting territory, which includes managing agents and traveling to agent offices. You will oversee and approve endorsements as indicated and resolve premium audit disputes within your assigned territory. Understanding state laws, including cancellation and non-renewal, will be crucial to properly transact business within the state. You will also create, analyze, and interpret data from various reports, along with other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Review and price policies to verify acceptability based upon company underwriting guidelines and granted underwriting authority both primary and supported excess.
• Utilize underwriting tools to determine accurate classifications, rates, and premium charges.
• Interact in person, via email, and by phone with wholesale brokers to obtain further risk-specific details, negotiate terms and pricing, and explain company positions.
• Manage assigned underwriting territory, including management of agents and travel to agent offices.
• Oversee and approve endorsements as indicated.
• Resolve premium audit disputes within assigned territory.
• Review state laws, including cancellation and non-renewal, within assigned territory to properly transact business within the state.
• Create, analyze, and interpret data from various reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or two to five years related insurance experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One to three years underwriting experience with authority, preferably in excess and surplus lines.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Previous insurance educational work, IIA and CPCU desirable.
• Detail oriented with initiative and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Proficient in the use of computer programs, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Nice-to-haves

• Previous experience in excess and surplus lines underwriting.
• Familiarity with insurance educational programs such as IIA and CPCU.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and merit-driven profit sharing.
• Flexible workplace policies including compressed hours, flex-time, job-sharing, remote work, sabbatical leave, and holiday hours.
• Comprehensive health, wellness, and financial planning options.
• Dental, disability, life insurance, medical, and vision insurance.
• Matching 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Generous paid time off (21 days of PTO, 11 paid company holidays, 3 floating holidays, and a paid voluntary day).
• Paid caregiver and parental leave, paid bereavement, jury duty/court appearances, and military leave (up to 14 days).
• Employee assistance program (EAP) and an array of voluntary benefits.
• Continuous learning and professional development through Argo Academy.
• Career mobility and support for maintaining professional and industry designations.
• An inclusive culture that develops and sponsors diverse teams and encourages cross-functional engagement.
• Active community outreach and volunteer programs.
• Generous Employee Referral program.