Commercial Lines Underwriter

Commercial Lines Underwriter

Merchants Insurance Group is a leading Property and Casualty Insurer in the Northeast and is looking for a Commercial Lines Underwriter for our Commercial Lines Underwriting team located in Buffalo, New York.

The Commercial Lines Underwriter will become part of a dedicated underwriting team, collaborating with our agency partners to deliver professional service that achieves the most optimal outcomes for our policyholders, and profitable growth for Merchants and our Agency Partners.

Merchants Insurance Group, rated A- (Excellent) with a stable outlook by the A.M. Best Company, is proud to be one of Buffalo Business First's Best Places to Work in Western New York (2023-2025), a Fast Track company (2019-2025), and a Top Private Company (2019-2025). Merchants was also granted the Ward's 50 designation as a top-performing property-casualty insurance company for four consecutive years (2021-2024) and has been granted the Ivans Spark Award for innovation (2024-2025). In October 2024, Newsweek and Statista included Merchants Insurance Group on their first-ever America's Most Reliable Companies list, which highlights organizations that other companies can feel confident doing business with in 2025. Of 1,500 B2B companies evaluated, Merchants was one of only 300 companies to make the list.

Merchants offers its colleagues a Hybrid work schedule. The Hybrid work schedule requires 2 full days per week in the office, with the option to work the remaining days at home or in the office. This exciting Hybrid Work benefit offers colleagues a flexible work schedule with the ability to remain connected with their Merchants team and colleagues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Cultivating solid relationships with Agents and internal staff while working towards achieving the most optimal outcomes for Merchants and our policyholders.
• Works with the underwriting assistant to ensure adherence to corporate underwriting policy and service standards.
• Reviews accounts beyond individual authority with the Regional Underwriting Manager or Supervisor and recommends a course of action.
• Achieve commercial lines regional production goals and loss ratio objectives for assigned territory.

Qualifications & Skills:

• College degree or equivalent work experience.
• 1 - 3 years commercial lines underwriting experience.
• Some background in underwriting commercial lines accounts and building agency relationships.
• Previous Agency relationships within the local insurance industry are highly desirable.
• Microsoft Office knowledge as well as the ability to work with internal company systems (WINS, ImageRight etc.).
• Strong communication, organizational and computer skills.

Merchants Insurance Group offers a competitive pay scale. The estimated salary for this role ranges from $60,000 - $80,000 based on leveling and geography, along with an equity component and a comprehensive benefits package. This range is merely an estimate; actual compensation may deviate from this range based on skills, experience and qualifications.

Merchants Insurance Group Benefits:

• Welcoming and positive work environment
• Flexible work arrangements, including flex scheduling and summer hours
• Hybrid work schedule. The Hybrid work schedule will require 8 full days per month in the office, with the option to work the remaining days per month at home or in the office
• Competitive pay scale
• Generous paid time off package
• Full Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, 401(k) employer match amount is 100% up to 6% of your annual contributions. You are immediately 100% vested in the employer match dollars
• Outstanding company bonus programs
• Tuition Reimbursement

And many more exciting company benefits!

Merchants Insurance Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Merchants Insurance Group supports a safe workplace through pre-employment background screenings.