Job Description
Hiscox USA is searching for a dynamic and passionate Underwriting Counsel to work with the team to draft all policy wordings and endorsements (and related documents) for all lines of business written by Hiscox USA, which includes Professional Liability, General Liability, Management Liability, and Property, among others. The Underwriting Counsel team has primary responsibility for responding to day-to-day manuscript endorsement requests, which originate from underwriters located in all of Hiscox USA’s regional offices and across all lines of business, as well as work with the Principal Underwriting Counsel on more long-term wordings projects. This is an exciting opportunity for a self-starter with the ability to work independently. This is an exciting time to join Hiscox USA as the Underwriting Counsel team plays a significant role as we head toward our ambitious growth targets with a renewed focus on product innovation.
Principal Duties
• Work with underwriters to better understand their intent as to policy wordings and endorsements, in order to prepare clear and accurate forms and endorsements
• Assist underwriters by offering coverage and wording alternatives where warranted, in order to permit the underwriters to gauge the risks and benefits of each approach
• Working both independently and with the Principal Underwriting Counsel, draft all new insurance policy wordings, forms, endorsements, notices, and related documents
• Advise underwriters and Underwriting Leaders with respect to impact of wordings and other general insurance-related legal advice
• Present periodically to underwriters and other pertinent US staff personnel, as warranted, concerning current and emerging underwriting, risk, and coverage trends
• Work with stakeholders to embrace "Plain English" wordings that are easy for customers and brokers to understand, without detracting from their legal meaning or significance
• Liaise with State Filings team to incorporate filings’ impacts on policy wordings, but also to stay abreast of competitor filings from a product innovation standpoint
What we offer:
• Entrepreneurial, Open and Collaborative work environment
• Competitive Salary and Bonus (based on personal and company goals)
• Health Insurance (including HSA with 100% of deductible covered), Vision, Dental and FSA
• 24 PTO Days
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with competitive company matching
• Stockshare program for all employees (100% risk free / refundable)
Person Specification
• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• Bar admission in good standing
• 2 to 4 years of relevant work experience, including direct interaction with clients
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including substantial legal drafting experience
• Entrepreneurial and commercially-minded; thinks like a businessperson, not just a lawyer
• Confident, proactive, and energetic professional who is also courageous, creative, and flexible
• Strong ability to establish rapport and build relationships with internal clients (predominantly underwriters)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced yet collegial environment
Preferred:
• Background in the US commercial casualty and specialty markets
• Insurance policy drafting experience
• Knowledge of admitted and surplus lines commercial products, including commercial, professional liability, and specialty insurance
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Word