Underwriter Jobs in Chicago, IL

Crum & Forster (C&F), with a proud history dating to 1822, provides specialty and standard commercial lines insurance products through our admitted and surplus lines insurance companies. C&F enjoys a financial strength rating of "A+"(Superior) by AM Best and is proud of our superior customer service platform. Our claims and risk engineering services are recognized as among the best in the industry.

Our most valuable asset is our people: more than 2000 employees in locations throughout the United States. The company is increasingly winning recognition as a great place to work, earning several workplace and wellness awards, including the 2024 Great Place to Work® Award for our employee-first focus and our steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and Inclusion.

C&F is part of Fairfax Financial Holdings, a global, billion dollar organization. For more information about Crum & Forster, please visit our website: www.cfins.com.

Senior Underwriter - Commercial Surety Midwest (remote position and candidates should be located in Upper Midwest - Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio)

A Senior Underwriter is accountable for Commercial Surety product underwriting that contributes to the achievement of the Commercial Surety business plan including new business, renewal retention, pricing and profitability. This role reports directly to the Regional Underwriting Manager of Commercial Surety and will work closely with the Regional Underwriting Manger to foster agency/broker relationships and develop a profitable book of business.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Responsible for risk selection/rejection, pricing, retention, growth, and profitability within scope of authority and per divisional objectives.
• Receives and analyzes submissions, assesses risk quality and determines terms in accordance with company guidelines.
• Applies underwriting rules and guidelines, rating manual rules, and insurance laws and regulations.
• Makes recommendations on risks over authority.
• Enters, maintains and monitors accounts using underwriting, analysis, and desktop systems
• Uses independent judgment and initiative to support business goals.
• Prepares effective internal and external communications on underwriting issues.
• Develops a book of commercial surety business with select brokers/agents and maintains effective business relationships with external customers in order to attract and retain profitable business.
• Visits producers and principals in order to retain existing accounts, survey exposures, build and maintain business relationships, and develop new opportunities in support of divisional objectives.

Job Requirements

• 6+ years of commercial experience is required.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required, preferably in Business, Finance, Accounting or a related field.
• Must have strong communication skills to build and leverage excellent customer relationships and to successfully market products.
• Sales mindset for creating and following through on pipeline opportunities that contribute to new business goals and budget objectives.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• An ability to think analytically about business problems, make recommendations and propose solutions.
• A high energy, self-starter, who is resilient and has an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Demonstrates solid time, organizational, and desk management skills.
• Goal-oriented mind set, delivers on goals and objectives.
• Microsoft Office experience and the ability to learn new applications are a must.
• Travel and a valid driver's license required.

Crum & Forster is committed to ensuring a workplace free from discriminatory pay disparities and complying with applicable pay equity laws. Salary ranges are available for all positions at this location, taking into account roles with a comparable level of responsibility and impact in the relevant labor market and these salary ranges are regularly reviewed and adjusted in accordance with prevailing market conditions. The annualized base pay for the advertised position, located in the specified area, ranges from a minimum of $74,900 to a maximum of $140,700. The actual compensation is determined by various factors, including but not limited to the market pay for the jobs at each level, the responsibilities and skills required for each job, and the employee’s contribution (performance) in that role. To be considered within market range, a salary is at or above the minimum of the range. You may also have the opportunity to participate in discretionary equity (stock) based compensation and/or performance-based variable pay programs.

• Flexible work arrangements.
• Competitive compensation package.
• Generous 401K employer match.
• Employee Stock Purchase plan with employer matching.
• Generous Paid Time Off.
• Excellent benefits that go beyond health, dental & vision. Our Wellness programs focus on your family’s complete wellness, including your physical and mental wellbeing
• A core C&F principle is that you manage your career. To support your development, we have a wealth of ways for you to keep learning, including tuition reimbursement, industry related certifications and professional training available to you.
• A dynamic, ambitious, fun and exciting work environment.
• A spirit of social responsibility, matching donation program, volunteer opportunities, and an employee driven corporate giving.