Underwriter

Brooks Insurance Agency is the wholesale brokerage arm of Venbrook Group, LLC, a holding company with subsidiaries in retail broking, wholesale broking, programs, and claims services. As an independent, multi-line wholesaler in the property and casualty marketplace, Brooks provides coverage on both an excess and surplus (E&S) and admitted basis. Specializing in distressed and complex lines of business, Brooks leverages strong premium volume to reinforce carrier relationships, ensuring priority submission review and exceptional service.

At Venbrook, we envision a world where clients confidently pursue bold ambitions. Our team of experts leverages agility, innovation, and creative problem-solving to guide clients through an evolving risk environment. We pride ourselves on delivering insurance services that enable businesses to make bold decisions with confidence, knowing their risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated. Our culture values agility, versatility, innovation, and creative problem-solving, with people at the core of everything we do.

About the role

The Excess Liability Insurance Underwriter evaluates, selects, and prices excess and surplus (E&S) casualty risks within delegated underwriting authority. This technical carrier underwriting role focuses on sound risk selection, disciplined pricing, portfolio profitability, and documentation quality across target classes including contracting/wrap-up/project-specific risks, product liability, service classes, real estate, and institutional exposures. The underwriter works within carrier guidelines to make binding decisions on new business, renewals, and endorsements.

Responsibilities

• Risk Assessment & Underwriting Authority
  • 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
• Portfolio & Profitability Management
  • 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
• Broker Engagement
  • 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
• Documentation & Compliance
  • 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

• Competitive compensation
• 401k with 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