About This Role
This Excess Liability Insurance Underwriter role involves evaluating, selecting, and pricing excess and surplus (E&S) casualty risks within delegated underwriting authority. It is a technical carrier underwriting position focused on sound risk selection, disciplined pricing, portfolio profitability, and documentation quality across various target classes. The underwriter will make binding decisions on new business, renewals, and endorsements within the carrier’s underwriting guidelines and appetite.
Responsibilities
- Analyze complex excess casualty risk submissions, including underlying primary programs, loss history, and exposure data
- Evaluate risks across target classes including contracting/wrap-up/project-specific, product liability, service classes, real estate, and institutional exposures
- Underwrite excess and surplus (E&S) lines submissions that fall outside standard market appetite
- Make binding decisions on new business, renewals, and endorsements within delegated underwriting authority
- Determine appropriate coverage structures, attachment points, limits, terms, conditions, and endorsements in accordance with underwriting guidelines
- Refer risks outside delegated authority to senior underwriting leadership with a clear, documented recommendation
- Apply surplus lines regulatory knowledge in structuring and transacting placements appropriately
- Maintain a profitable book of business through disciplined risk selection and consistent application of underwriting guidelines
- Monitor loss trends, emerging risks, and E&S market conditions to adjust underwriting strategies
- Collaborate with carrier actuarial teams to refine pricing models and ensure rate adequacy
- Identify and escalate portfolio-level concerns, deteriorating segments, or appetite shifts to leadership
- Participate in audits and internal reviews to ensure compliance with underwriting standards
- Maintain effective working relationships with wholesale brokers within the carrier’s distribution model
- Communicate underwriting decisions clearly and professionally, including rationale for pricing, structure, or coverage changes
- Provide guidance to brokers on risk characteristics, carrier appetite, and submission requirements
- Represent the carrier at industry events, broker meetings, and training sessions as appropriate
- Prepare clear, accurate underwriting files that document the basis for each binding decision
- Ensure all transactions adhere to surplus lines regulatory requirements, internal policies, and delegated authority limits
- Maintain thorough knowledge of underwriting guidelines, carrier appetite, and state-specific insurance laws
- Stay current on legal developments and emerging excess casualty liability trends
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in excess casualty or surplus lines underwriting
- Experience making binding underwriting decisions within a delegated authority framework
- Strong technical knowledge of E&S casualty coverage structures, attachment points, and pricing methodology
- Ability to analyze complex risk submissions, loss data, and exposure information to reach sound underwriting conclusions
- Solid understanding of surplus lines regulations and E&S market placement
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly document and defend underwriting decisions
- Proficiency with underwriting platforms, rating tools, and productivity software
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, risk management, or a related field
Nice to have:
- Professional designations such as CPCU, ARM, or AU
- Experience underwriting across multiple casualty classes including contracting, product liability, real estate, and institutional risks
- Familiarity with actuarial pricing models and loss development concepts
Benefits
- 401k + employee match
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental leave
- Paid Sick leave
- Professional development programs
- Work-life quality and flexibility
About the Company
Brooks Insurance Agency is the wholesale brokerage of Venbrook Group, LLC, a holding company with subsidiaries engaged in retail broking, wholesale broking, programs, and claims services. It provides coverage on both an excess and surplus (E&S) and admitted basis, working across standard markets and specializing in distressed and complex lines of business. Venbrook aims for clients to confidently pursue their ambitions, leveraging agility, innovation, and creative problem-solving to guide them through an ever-changing risk environment.
