Underwriting Assistant – W.C. Specialty Risk, Inc.
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Position: Underwriting Assistant
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Department: Brokerage / Underwriting
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Employment Type: Full-Time
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Location: 707 SW Washington St. Suite 1501, Portland, OR 97205
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About the company:
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W+C Specialty is a wholesale broker of commercial excess and surplus lines property and casualty insurance products, as well as a managing general agent with in-house delegated underwriting authority in the western United States. We specialize in underwriting and brokering customized commercial insurance products that provide risk transfer solutions for businesses with unique risk challenges. Additional information can be found on our company website at www.wcspecialty.com.
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Position Summary
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We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Underwriting Assistant to support our Property & Casualty Excess & Surplus (E&S) Lines brokerage team.
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The Underwriting Assistant plays an important role in the day-to-day management of new business, renewals, endorsements, and account servicing. This position works closely with brokers, underwriters, retail insurance agents, and insurance carriers to gather underwriting information, prepare submissions, obtain and organize quotes, process bind requests, and maintain accurate account documentation.
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The position is well suited for an individual who is organized, responsive, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and interested in developing a long-term career in commercial insurance.
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Prior insurance experience is preferred but not required. We are willing to train a candidate who demonstrates strong attention to detail, professionalism, initiative, and an aptitude for learning.
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Essential Duties & Responsibilities
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New Business & Submission Management
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- Receive, review, and organize new business submissions from retail insurance agents.
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- Review applications, loss runs, property schedules, statements of values, supplemental applications, and other underwriting information for completeness.
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- Identify missing or incomplete information and coordinate with retail agents to obtain necessary documentation.
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- Enter and maintain accurate account information within the agency or brokerage management system.
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- Assist brokers with preparing complete and professional submissions for presentation to E&S and specialty insurance carriers.
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- Track submissions and follow up with carriers and underwriters regarding outstanding quotes and information requests.
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- Maintain accurate records of carrier declinations, indications, quotes, and correspondence.
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Underwriting & Brokerage Support
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- Assist brokers and underwriters in evaluating property and casualty risks.
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- Review basic risk characteristics and exposure information to help identify appropriate insurance markets.
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- Research carrier appetite and underwriting guidelines.
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- Assist with preliminary risk analysis, including review of loss history, occupancy, construction, protection, geographic exposures, and other relevant underwriting characteristics.
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- Obtain additional underwriting information requested by insurance markets.
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- Develop familiarity with commercial property, general liability, excess/umbrella, and other specialty P&C insurance products.
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Quoting, Binding & Policy Issuance
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- Assist with the preparation and processing of bind requests.
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- Confirm that required subjectivities and binding requirements have been satisfied.
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- Review binders and carrier documentation for accuracy.
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- Coordinate delivery of binders and other coverage documentation to retail agents.
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- Track outstanding policies and follow up with carriers regarding policy issuance.
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- Review policies against quoted and bound terms to identify potential discrepancies.
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- Process endorsements, cancellations, reinstatements, and other policy transactions.
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- Maintain accurate documentation throughout the placement and servicing process.
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Retail Agent & Carrier Communication
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- Provide timely and professional service to retail insurance agency partners.
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- Communicate with carrier underwriters regarding submissions, outstanding information, quotes, binders, policies, and endorsements.
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- Respond to routine account inquiries and documentation requests.
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- Maintain professional relationships with retail agents, carrier representatives, and internal team members.
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- Escalate complex coverage, underwriting, or account issues to the appropriate broker or underwriter.
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Qualifications
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Required
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- Four-year college degree.
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- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
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- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
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- Ability to manage multiple accounts, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
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- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
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- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
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- Ability to learn new insurance systems and technology.
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- Professional communication skills when working with agents, carriers, and colleagues.
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- Strong work ethic and willingness to learn.
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Preferred
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- Bachelor's degree in business, finance, insurance, risk management, economics, or a related field.
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- Previous experience in commercial insurance, an insurance agency, wholesale brokerage, underwriting, or financial services.
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- Familiarity with commercial Property & Casualty insurance.
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- Experience working with agency or brokerage management systems.
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- Property & Casualty insurance license or willingness to obtain applicable licensing.
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Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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The successful candidate will demonstrate:
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- Attention to Detail: Ability to accurately review applications, quotes, policies, schedules, and other insurance documents.
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- Organization: Ability to manage numerous accounts and deadlines while maintaining accurate records.
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- Responsiveness: Commitment to providing prompt service to retail agents, carriers, and internal team members.
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- Communication: Professional and concise written and verbal communication.
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- Analytical Ability: Ability to review exposure information and identify inconsistencies or missing information.
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- Problem Solving: Willingness to investigate issues and proactively work toward solutions.
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- Technology: Ability to efficiently utilize brokerage management systems, carrier portals, Microsoft Office, and other technology.
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- Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with brokers, underwriters, assistants, and other team members.
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- Initiative: Willingness to take ownership of assigned responsibilities and anticipate next steps.
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- Adaptability: Ability to work effectively in the rapidly changing E&S insurance marketplace.
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Performance Expectations
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Success in this position will be measured by:
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- Accuracy and completeness of account documentation.
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- Timeliness of submission, quote, binding, and policy processing.
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- Responsiveness to retail agents, carrier underwriters, and internal team members.
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- Effective management of deadlines and account follow-up.
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- Quality and professionalism of written communications.
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- Ability to identify missing information and potential account discrepancies.
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- Development of technical insurance knowledge.
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- Increasing ability to independently manage routine account responsibilities.
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- Contribution to an efficient and service-oriented brokerage team.
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Career Development
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The Underwriting Assistant position is intended to provide a strong foundation in the specialty insurance industry. The successful candidate will receive practical exposure to the complete lifecycle of an E&S insurance placement while developing technical underwriting, brokerage, and relationship-management skills.
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As knowledge and experience develop, potential career paths may include:
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Underwriting Assistant → Senior Underwriting Assistant → Associate Broker/Underwriter → Broker/Underwriter → Senior Broker/Underwriter
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Work Environment
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This position requires frequent computer and telephone use and regular communication with insurance agents, carrier underwriters, and internal team members. The successful candidate must be comfortable managing competing priorities while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and professionalism.
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Equal Opportunity Employment
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We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, and local law.
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