Surety Underwriting Trainee

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CNA seeks to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees that helps them - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals.

For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, check out our Candidate Guide.

CNA Surety based in Sioux Falls, SD provides a full range of surety and fidelity bonds in all 50 states. CNA Surety has the experience and dedication to serve a full range of bonding needs, from the smallest commercial bonds to multi-million dollar contract bonds.

CNA Surety is known for its expert underwriting, solid financial strength, market leadership and creative solutions to all bonding requirements. With a highly diverse product line, one of the broadest underwriting capabilities in the industry, and an unparalleled distribution system, the CNA Surety group ranks as one of the largest writers of surety bonds in the United States.

Surety Trainees under close supervision, learns underwriting practices by participating in formal or on-the-job training for a specified period of time.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• THE START DATE FOR THIS ROLE WILL BE JUNE 2026*

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:

• Reviews insurance applications and documentation to determine if the applicant is an acceptable risk in accordance with company guidelines and standards.

• Recommends appropriate pricing and coverage modifications or enhancements for risks after complete analysis and consideration of applicant documentation, business factors and competitive situations.

• Prepares written communications on adverse underwriting decisions, rate appeals, underwriting requirements, status and declinations. Verbally notifies agents of decisions where appropriate in order to ensure clear understanding of decisions

• Uses available underwriting systems and modeling tools; updates the underwriting systems by documenting pertinent information relative to the underwriting requirements, status and final decision.

• Prepares quotes and answers questions from agencies and internal or external customers, escalating issues to management as necessary. Negotiates with agents to reach positive and profitable outcomes.

• Carries out responsibilities consistently, dependably and accurately.

• Makes field visits to Agent and Broker offices to build relationship and better understand territory and market nuances; accompanies Risk Control on visits to insureds or prospective insureds to better understand risk control assessments relating to risk exposure and control.

• Interacts with Claim personnel on issues relating to specific claims, and other internal customers such as legal and actuarial concerning the insurability of prospective risks and continued insurability.

• Develops a working knowledge of product language across all CNA business units, underwriting practices, policies and guidelines.

• Develops a full, working knowledge of all relevant CNA system

May perform additional duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationship

Supervisor or Manager

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

1. Strong desire to develop knowledge and understanding of underwriting.

2. Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to develop positive business relationships.

3. Strong ability to identify, analyze and solve problems as well as the ability to learn rapidly and adapt quickly to change.

4. Ability to work independently.

5. Developing decision-making skills.

6. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite as well as other business-related software.

7. Demonstrated leadership skills.

Education & Experience

1. Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience.

2. Strong preference that candidates have a degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business Administration.

3. Based on product line, successful completion of required exams or work towards certification may be required.

4. Completion of at least one accounting course is preferred for this role.

CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact leaveadministration@cna.com.