Small Business Underwriting Specialist

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

Underwrites and markets new small business accounts within the highest levels of authority and production for assigned territory and assists Agency Management Specialists with their efforts to fully capitalize on small business account production opportunities. Partner effectively with field underwriting staff and agencies to seek out and develop these opportunities.�Provide responsive support and guidance to agents. Serve as a mentor to team members and a corporate resource for workflow changes & technology enhancements. All job duties and responsibilities must be carried out in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for new small business production in assigned territory. Gather, analyze and evaluate risk exposure through appropriate risk documentation. Adopt proactive actions and/or make proactive recommendations to improve risk profitability.
• Work within specific letter of authority to quote, accept, decline and modify risks within the largest territorial assignment in accordance with accepted underwriting guidelines. Refer all outside of authority to Supervisor or Agency Management Specialist.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of coverage forms, rating plans and guidelines in the selection and pricing of individual risks. Ensure adequate pricing of individual risks through proper classification, accuracy of information and adherence to company underwriting standards and philosophy.
• Answer incoming calls from agents on coverage, billing questions, and making adjustments to policy information based upon prescribed authority for new small business submissions on Commercial Property and Casualty lines of business. Effectively communicate underwriting decisions and appetite to agents.
• Work in unison with Agents, Regional Underwriters and AMS's and other departments within the Selective community to grow a profitable book of "small business" based on agency/territory/team assignments. Actively markets small business product to agents and travels within assigned territory as necessary.
• Reinforce the ease of doing business with Selective by meeting or exceeding agent expectations and service quality on a consistent basis. Communicate openly and in a timely fashion. Drive agent adoption of our technology through our training efforts in CLAS.
• Monitor premium growth for each "small business" segment, within assigned territory, with the use of electronic reporting tools. Continually conduct profit and growth analysis by territory and agency as assigned.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with manager, peers and agents. Communicate openly and in a timely fashion to team members on individual progress and shares relevant information. Trains newer Small Business Underwriters as necessary.
• Keeps abreast of industry information, new ideas, products, changes in competitor practice, and customer preferences. Advances our CxP efforts.
• Responsible for automobile travel within territory traveling to agent offices. Car travel represents approximately 10-20% of employee’s time.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Requirements

• Demonstrate proficiency in usage of all supplied desktop tools, including the automated underwriting and email systems.
• Ability and desire to develop and execute pro-active marketing strategies.
• Ability to effectively communicate with agents while applying the appropriate sense of urgency.
• Must be able to build effective relationships with agents, regional underwriting, management and peers.
• Position requires ability to travel and a valid state-issued driver’s license in good standing.

Education and Experience

• College degree preferred
• 3-5 years of underwriting and/or marketing experience is required
• Designation of AU, CIC, CPCU 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 20 days of paid time off. Additional details about our total rewards package can be found by visiting our benefits page.

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 $79,000.00 - USD $103,000.00 /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.

For Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.