Underwriting Trainee

About Us

At Selective, we don't just insure uniquely, we employ uniqueness.

Selective is a midsized U.S. domestic property and casualty insurance company with a history of strong, consistent financial performance for nearly 100 years. Selective's unique position as both a leading insurance group and an employer of choice is recognized in a wide variety of awards and honors, including listing in Forbes Best Midsize Employers in 2025 and certification as a Great Place to Work® in 2025 for the sixth consecutive year.

Employees are empowered and encouraged to Be Uniquely You by being their true, unique selves and contributing their diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives to our shared success. Together, we are a high-performing team working to serve our customers responsibly by helping to mitigate loss, keep them safe, and restore their lives and businesses after an insured loss occurs.

Overview

The Momentum Trainee program for professionals is a robust 9-month program that builds a foundation of insurance expertise through classroom learning, business rotations, and on-the-job training. Momentum has launched over 250 successful and rewarding careers at Selective and that number is still growing – upon completion of the program, trainees transition to full-time roles in Underwriting, including Excess & Surplus lines, Risk Management, Accounting and more. The training kicks off in July 2027 for 8 weeks at our corporate headquarters in Branchville, NJ before trainees return to their regional offices.  

Selective Insurance is hiring Underwriting Trainees for our New Jersey Region based out of our Hamilton, NJ office. In this role, you will learn to underwrite renewal business by the successful completion of our training. You will also learn to administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, rating manual rules, insurance laws and regulations. In addition, you will review an agent’s book of business and understand techniques for providing service and guidance to agents, all while learning the business and supporting more experienced underwriters.

Responsibilities

• Develop proficiency in insurance theories and practices. Prepare detailed account review for presentation to Corporate Line of Business Specialist and SBU staff.
• Develop expertise in analyzing customer needs including but not limited to coverage and Safety Management Services.
• Learn how to negotiate price, coverage, and terms for renewals. Deliver and present renewal proposals to agency personnel along with assigned underwriters and/or AMS.
• Build relationships with agents through agency visitation, phone conversations and written correspondence.
• Collaborate with underwriters, claims, and marketing in an effort to learn business and processes.
• Demonstrate an aptitude for analyzing and interpreting underwriting information. Support AMS and renewal underwriters by analyzing data to determine coverage and line of business upsells.
• May be required to travel to agent’s office, attend Safety Management surveys, Premium Audit and Claim reviews.
• Participate with Corporate Group project as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Requirements

• Demonstrated self-starter. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers/peers. Must show sound, balanced and timely decision making skills. Must have valid state-issued driver’s license in good standing. Achieve AINS and AU insurance designation within 18 months of accepting position.

Education and Experience

• College degree preferred

Total Rewards

Selective Insurance offers a total rewards package that includes a competitive base salary, incentive plan eligibility at all levels, and a wide array of benefits designed to help you and your family stay healthy, achieve your financial goals, and balance the demands of your work and personal life. These benefits include comprehensive health care plans, retirement savings plan with company match, discounted Employee Stock Purchase Program, tuition assistance and reimbursement programs, and paid time off plans. Additional details about our total rewards package will be provided during the recruiting process.

The actual base salary is based on geographic location, and the range is representative of salaries for this role throughout Selective's footprint. Additional considerations include relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and business needs.

Pay Range

USD $70,000.00 - USD $70,000.00 /Yr.
Additional Information

Selective is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. That means we respect and value every individual’s unique opinions, beliefs, abilities, and perspectives. We are committed to promoting a welcoming culture that celebrates diverse talent, individual identity, different points of view and experiences – and empowers employees to contribute new ideas that support our continued and growing success. Building a highly engaged team is one of our core strategic imperatives, which we believe is enhanced by diversity, equity, and inclusion. We expect and encourage all employees and all of our business partners to embrace, practice, and monitor the attitudes, values, and goals of acceptance; address biases; and foster diversity of viewpoints and opinions.