This listing pays about $107,500 a year. Across 82 open senior underwriter listings that state pay, the middle half runs $110,000 to $147,000 and the median is $126,000. That is 15% below the median, below the middle half of those listings.

Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.

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How AI is used in this kind of work

AI use among insurance underwriters is little observed so far. Measured exposure for insurance underwriters: 6% (little observed).

Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.

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Pipeline management

About the job

Company Details

Preferred Employers Insurance, A Berkley Company specializes in providing workers’ compensation insurance to California business owners. The company serves three major client segments: Small Business Owners , Mid-Larger Businesses and Group Association Members ( Programs ). The company’s distribution partners (agents & brokers) number 400+ locations throughout the state. Preferred serves 10,000 policyholders and provides medical claims handling and claims management for policyholders as needed to care for injured workers. The company is rated A+ Superior by industry-rating organization, AM Best & Company.

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

Responsibilities

The Senior Underwriter is responsible for driving profitable growth through disciplined risk selection, portfolio management, and strong agency relationships. This role partners closely with agents and brokers to identify opportunities, evaluate risk, and deliver underwriting solutions that support business objectives while maintaining underwriting profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

Underwrite and manage new and renewal business within assigned authority levels.

Evaluate, select, price, and retain profitable risks in accordance with underwriting guidelines and company appetite.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with agency and broker partners.

Partner with Field Sales Managers to execute territory and agency growth strategies.

Drive production results through proactive business development, pipeline management, and follow-up on quoted accounts.

Monitor portfolio performance, including growth, profitability, retention, and agency results.

Review claims, loss control reports, and inspection findings to support underwriting decisions.

Provide agents with guidance on underwriting appetite, coverage, and pricing.

Collaborate across departments to resolve account and policy issues.

Mentor and support the development of junior underwriting staff.

Qualifications

BA/BS degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent

5+ years of experience in California workers’ compensation underwriting, or equivalent

Strong underwriting and risk assessment expertise.

Proven success building agency and broker relationships.

A balance of production focus and underwriting discipline.

Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

Sound judgment and a collaborative, team-oriented approach.

Ability to travel 10-15%.

Important Outside Agency Notice:

Only solicited resumes/candidate profiles that are submitted by a Berkley Preferred Agency Partner that have been requested by Berkley Internal Recruiting to engage in a particular search will be subject to the payment of Agency fees as defined in the formal agency agreement. Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles are not subject to payment of the agency fees.

Additional Company Details We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies or firms. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees which for this role include: • Base Salary Range: $80,000 - 135,000 annually • Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Wellness, Paid Time Off, 401(k) and Profit-Sharing plans. The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

Sponsorship Details Sponsorship not Offered for this Role