Small Business Insurance Placement Specialist

Position Summary
The Small Business Insurance Placement Specialist is responsible for placing new small commercial business at Rue Insurance as well as providing support as needed for other team members. As the first point of contact for inbound small-business opportunities, this role evaluates each opportunity against Rue Insurance's eligibility and placement criteria, gathers the information needed to obtain carrier quotes, and delivers timely follow-up and quote turnaround. The Specialist partners with producers, account teams, marketing and placement colleagues, and insurance carriers to gather and organize underwriting information, prepare submissions, obtain and review quotations, and facilitate the placement and binding of new business. Quality of work must exemplify the best-in-class service standards established by Rue Insurance at all times.

Key Responsibilities

Small Business New Business Placement

• Handle inbound small business calls and referrals in a professional and responsive manner and gather all information needed to quote the opportunity

• Conduct initial eligibility reviews based on account size, operations, coverage needs, carrier appetite, underwriting requirements, and agency guidelines

• Provide customer quotations within established service expectations

• Prepare accurate, market ready submissions, including ACORD and supplemental applications, schedules, and exposure and loss information

• Evaluate carrier options and select appropriate markets

• Submit opportunities to carriers and proactively follow up to ensure timely quotations

• Review quotations for accuracy and consistency with the submission, and identify and resolve any discrepancies

• Work with carriers to obtain coverage improvements, alternative options, and competitive terms when appropriate

• Prepare proposals and quote comparisons that clearly communicate coverages, premiums, options, and recommendations as directed

• Provide binding instructions to carriers once authorization is received, confirm all binding requirements are complete, and prepare or coordinate binders, certificates, auto ID cards, evidence of property insurance, and other inception documents

• Perform underwriting and rating functions for businesses eligible for agency underwriting authority

• Advise prospects or referrers when an opportunity does not meet placement criteria and document the reason per agency procedures.

Carrier and Marketplace Knowledge

• Develop and maintain strong knowledge of Rue Insurance's small commercial carrier partners and available markets

• Maintain current knowledge of carrier appetite, underwriting guidelines, minimum premiums, coverage capabilities, rating platforms, and submission requirements

• Develop and maintain positive, professional working relationships with carrier underwriting and marketing personnel

• Develop and maintain knowledge of commercial insurance products, coverages, endorsements, exclusions, and underwriting considerations relevant to small commercial risks

• Utilize carrier portals, comparative raters, and other available technology efficiently and accurately

• Proactively identify potential carrier options and placement solutions for new business opportunities

Commercial Lines Marketing and Placement Support

• Support Marketing and Placement Team members with new business submissions and placement activity as assigned based on department workload and priorities

Accountabilities

• Perform work in accordance with Rue Insurance processes and procedures and carrier requirements

• Ensure work is accurate and completed in a timely manner and in accordance with deadlines

• Maintain accurate documentation in Applied Epic

• Communicate professionally and effectively with customers, carriers and colleagues

• Attend and actively participate in department and company meetings as requested

• Participate in educational opportunities designed to expand commercial insurance, underwriting, carrier, and placement knowledge

• Perform all other duties or projects as assigned by management  

Reports to: Director of Placement & Carrier Relations

Department: Marketing 

Work Schedule & Classification: Full-time, salaried (non-exempt) position 

Salary: $55,000 - $80,000 plus bonus opportunity based on company and individual performance

Physical Requirements: Must be capable of sitting for a long period of time, working on a computer, standing, and walking.  

Required Qualifications

• Current Property & Casualty insurance license

• Knowledge of commercial lines coverages, including Commercial General Liability, Commercial Property, Businessowners Policy, Commercial Auto, Workers Compensation, and Commercial Umbrella/Excess Liability

• Ability to review underwriting information and identify missing information or inconsistencies before submission

• Ability to understand and compare commercial insurance quotations, including limits, deductibles, endorsements, exclusions, conditions, and premiums

• Ability to communicate confidently with inbound prospects, ask effective underwriting questions, assess preliminary eligibility, and clearly explain next steps and information requirements

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to manage multiple submissions, quotations, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with producers, account teams, Marketing & Placement team members, and insurance company personnel.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize workload, and accept accountability for assigned responsibilities

• Strong computer aptitude, including proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel and the ability to efficiently learn and use carrier rating and underwriting platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Commercial lines insurance experience at an independent insurance agency or insurance carrier

• Experience with small commercial insurance underwriting, rating, placement, processing, or account support

• Applied Epic experience

• Experience using carrier rating and underwriting platforms

• Professional insurance designation(s)

Benefits: 

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 401(k) with Employer Match

• Profit Sharing Plan

• Flexible work and In Office/Remote Hybrid Work Schedules (after 90 days)

• Insurance options for: Medical, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life, Accident, Critical Illness, Accident Death & Dismemberment and Identity Theft

About Rue Insurance 
Rue Insurance is one of the largest independent insurance brokerages in the state of NJ, having been established in 1917. We offer insurance solutions throughout NJ and PA with a focus on Mercer, Bucks, Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Somerset counties and licenses in most states across the US. We consistently win “Best Places to Work NJ” and recently “Best Places to Work Insurance”, a national designation. We have an exceptional and diverse company culture that has led to our average employee remining with us for over a decade. Our employees give 5 star customer service to our clients which in turn has fostered our sterling reputation. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
Rue Insurance provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.