OPT Underwriting Specialist Jobs
Underwriting Specialist roles qualify as specialty occupations under OPT, typically requiring a degree in finance, business, or risk management. Most positions involve analyzing risk data and working with actuarial models, making STEM OPT extension eligibility possible for quantitative tracks. Your 12-month OPT clock starts on your authorized start date.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.
CNA seeks to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees that helps them — and their family members — achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals.
For a detailed look at CNA’s benefits, check out our Candidate Guide.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Under technical direction, responsible for underwriting risks in a book of business. Works within specific limits of authority on assignments requiring significant technical complexity and coordination. Utilizes underwriting policies and guidelines, rating manual rules and insurance laws and regulations.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:
- Reviews applications and financial requirements for risks requiring complex underwriting skills. Determines acceptability of risk in accordance with company guidelines and standards. Also, determines the need for additional evidence of insurability and appropriate strategy.
- Determines appropriate pricing based on financial and competitive analysis in line with compliance requirements.
- Prepares quotes and answers questions from agencies, policyholders or other external contacts and escalates issues to management along with proposed solutions as necessary. Negotiates with agents to reach positive and profitable outcomes.
- Notifies agencies of adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations.
- Analyzes quality, quantity, and profitability of risks underwritten and prepares reports for management review.
- Markets products and services through agencies or through the brokerage community and makes field visits. Develops and maintains agency and/or broker relationships.
- May provide guidance and assistance to other underwriters and to other functional areas, particularly when related to cross-sell opportunities.
- Keeps current on state/territory issues and regulations, industry activity and trends and freely shares information with others.
- Utilizes advanced functionality in relevant CNA systems to perform day-to-day activities.
- Works with more senior underwriters or management on risks exceeding authority level or requiring special handling.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
1. Advanced knowledge of underwriting and insurance industry theories and practices.
2. Demonstrated high level of technical expertise and product specific knowledge.
3. Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. Ability to effectively interact with all levels of CNA's internal and external business partners.
4. Ability to work independently.
5. Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
6. Ability to exercise independent judgment and to make critical business decisions effectively.
7. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite as well as other business-related software.
8. Demonstrated leadership skills.
Education & Experience
1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Professional designations preferred.
2. Typically a minimum three to five years underwriting experience.
CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact leaveadministration@cna.com.
INTRODUCTION
You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.
CNA seeks to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees that helps them — and their family members — achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals.
For a detailed look at CNA’s benefits, check out our Candidate Guide.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Under technical direction, responsible for underwriting risks in a book of business. Works within specific limits of authority on assignments requiring significant technical complexity and coordination. Utilizes underwriting policies and guidelines, rating manual rules and insurance laws and regulations.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:
- Reviews applications and financial requirements for risks requiring complex underwriting skills. Determines acceptability of risk in accordance with company guidelines and standards. Also, determines the need for additional evidence of insurability and appropriate strategy.
- Determines appropriate pricing based on financial and competitive analysis in line with compliance requirements.
- Prepares quotes and answers questions from agencies, policyholders or other external contacts and escalates issues to management along with proposed solutions as necessary. Negotiates with agents to reach positive and profitable outcomes.
- Notifies agencies of adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations.
- Analyzes quality, quantity, and profitability of risks underwritten and prepares reports for management review.
- Markets products and services through agencies or through the brokerage community and makes field visits. Develops and maintains agency and/or broker relationships.
- May provide guidance and assistance to other underwriters and to other functional areas, particularly when related to cross-sell opportunities.
- Keeps current on state/territory issues and regulations, industry activity and trends and freely shares information with others.
- Utilizes advanced functionality in relevant CNA systems to perform day-to-day activities.
- Works with more senior underwriters or management on risks exceeding authority level or requiring special handling.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
1. Advanced knowledge of underwriting and insurance industry theories and practices.
2. Demonstrated high level of technical expertise and product specific knowledge.
3. Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. Ability to effectively interact with all levels of CNA's internal and external business partners.
4. Ability to work independently.
5. Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
6. Ability to exercise independent judgment and to make critical business decisions effectively.
7. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite as well as other business-related software.
8. Demonstrated leadership skills.
Education & Experience
1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Professional designations preferred.
2. Typically a minimum three to five years underwriting experience.
CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact leaveadministration@cna.com.
See all OPT Underwriting Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Underwriting Specialist
Target employers with active OPT hiring history
Insurance carriers, reinsurance firms, and financial institutions regularly hire OPT students for underwriting roles. Focus on mid-to-large companies with dedicated early-career programs, as they're more familiar with OPT work authorization requirements and have HR processes already in place.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility early
If your degree is in actuarial science, statistics, or a STEM-designated field, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before interviews so you can accurately communicate your total authorized work period to employers.
Lead with your technical underwriting skills
Employers care most about risk modeling, data analysis, and proficiency with underwriting software. Highlighting these skills upfront shifts attention from your visa status to your value. Quantify results where possible, such as loss ratio improvements or portfolio growth you contributed to during internships.
Address the H-1B timeline proactively
Underwriting is a well-established specialty occupation, which strengthens H-1B visa petition approvals. Bring up the H-1B lottery timeline naturally when an offer is imminent, not at the first interview. Most underwriting employers in insurance and finance are familiar with the April filing window.
Get your EAD card before your start date
USCIS processing for OPT EAD cards can take 90 days or longer. Apply through your DSO as early as allowed, typically 90 days before graduation. You cannot legally begin working as an Underwriting Specialist until your EAD card arrives and your authorized start date passes.
Document the degree-to-job connection clearly
Underwriting Specialist roles require demonstrating that your degree relates directly to the position. Prepare a brief explanation linking your coursework in finance, mathematics, or business to core underwriting tasks. This documentation supports both your OPT authorization and any future H-1B specialty occupation claim.
Underwriting Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Underwriting Specialist role qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Underwriting Specialist positions qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require at least a bachelor's degree in finance, business, economics, or a related field. Your OPT work must be directly related to your degree, so a finance or business degree supporting an underwriting role is a strong fit. Keep documentation of this connection in case your DSO or employer asks.
Can I get a STEM OPT extension as an Underwriting Specialist?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If you graduated with a degree in actuarial science, statistics, mathematics, or another STEM-designated field, your role may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Check your degree's official CIP code with your DSO and confirm the employer meets the E-Verify requirement, which is mandatory for STEM OPT.
How do I find Underwriting Specialist employers who are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for international students and OPT candidates, so you're not wading through postings from employers who won't sponsor. Large insurance carriers, commercial banks, and reinsurance firms tend to have structured hiring programs that accommodate OPT timelines. Searching within those industries on Migrate Mate gives you a practical starting point.
What happens to my OPT if I switch from one underwriting employer to another?
You can change employers on OPT, but your new job must still be directly related to your degree and in a qualifying role. You're required to report the employer change to your DSO within 10 days. There's no need to reapply for a new EAD, but if you're on STEM OPT, your new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and you'll need to update your STEM OPT reporting accordingly.
Is Underwriting Specialist a strong occupation for H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Underwriting Specialist is a well-established specialty occupation with a consistent record of H-1B approvals, particularly at insurance companies, commercial banks, and financial services firms. Employers in this industry are generally familiar with the H-1B process. The role's degree requirement in a specific field strengthens the specialty occupation argument, which is the foundation of every H-1B petition.