Underwriting Trainee

Company Details:

Berkley Luxury Group has been a mainstay in the commercial real estate and hospitality business since 1986. We specialize in luxury condominiums, cooperatives, and apartments in the habitational space, Class A Office buildings and fine dining restaurants in the hospitality space. BLG maintains a standard of prompt and fair settlement of claims, and endeavors to treat insureds and brokers in a partnership-like manner.

BLG has developed a strategic plan to grow their success by expanding their footprint geographically and adding complementary products. At BLG there is a shared vision to be the best option for its customers. We aim to provide comprehensive insurance solutions, use enhanced data and technology to make more informed decisions and rely on a field-based underwriting, claims and loss control model to be closer to our customers and brokers. Our goal is to provide superior services and products to these unique businesses.

At Berkley Luxury Group, our employees are our most important asset.  We recognize that if we properly support and develop our employees, they will become our primary sustainable competitive advantage and the key to achieving success. As such, we have created a high performing culture incorporating our values into work practices, policies, and processes to foster, reinforce and sustain an environment where employees share a strong sense of purpose, commitment, and motivation to meet and exceed their goals.

As a Berkley company, we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions.  W. R. Berkley Corporation, and all member insurance companies, are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A+ (Strong).

The company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

This Commercial Property/Casualty Underwriting Trainee is an entry level position that allows recent college graduates or individuals with limited professional experience to participate in a property/casualty specific training program. Under the supervision of the VP of Underwriting, training will consist of a combination of reading assignments, on-the-job training and off-site meetings as part of the WRB Corporate Trainee Program.

The first stage of training will provide a general overview of P&C as well as basic financial analysis. The next stage will focus on learning how to underwrite (analyze and assess) the projected profitability of commercial real estate, luxury condominiums and apartments in addition to fine dining restaurants and hospitality risks.

By the end of the program, the individual will be able to make preliminary recommendations on existing portfolio risks as well as new account submissions. Following successful completion of the program the trainee will be transitioned into a full-time underwriting position. 

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Complete reading and study assignments on P&C Insurance 
• Perform basic analysis of property and liability risk Review analysis with direct manager.
• Assist in maintenance of underwriting files according to company guidelines.
• Conduct initial evaluation of new account submissions in an effort to assess risk.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to direct manager in a thoughtful and logical manner.
• Develop the ability to communicate effectively on technical topics in both written and oral format, establish a working rapport with external broker partners, Field and Home Office personnel, exhibit good listening skills and the capacity to gain knowledge and expertise with additional experience and further training.

• Must be able to participate in person during the training program offered 
• Demonstrates strong analytical ability and intellectual curiosity 
• Effective oral and written communication skills so that others will clearly understand the content and the intent of the discussion/correspondence.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Self-motivation and an out-going orientation to work with customers and associates
• Minimum 4-year degree or 1+ years of work experience