Insurance Underwriter
About BriteCoBriteCo specializes in innovative and comprehensive insurance solutions for jewelry, watches, weddings, and special events, delivering convenient, fast, and affordable coverage. Backed by an AM Best A+ rated carrier, we ensure peace of mind by offering up to 125% of appraised value with $0 deductibles, protecting precious items against loss, theft, damage, and more anywhere in the world. Our wedding and event insurance safeguards your big day from unforeseen events, such as cancellations or disruptions, so you can celebrate confidently. At BriteCo, we prioritize seamless, white-glove customer support and modern protection for life's most meaningful moments. Based in Evanston, IL, we bring a unique blend of innovation and dedication to our customers.About the RoleWe're looking for a seasoned Underwriter to join our Underwriting team and help protect the jewelry and watches our customers treasure most. This is a senior individual contributor role for someone who thrives on making thoughtful risk decisions and can hit the ground running after a focused onboarding to our systems and approach. You'll own a full book of work, evaluating everything from appraisals and photos to applicant profiles, ensuring we're providing the right coverage at the right value. Based in Evanston, IL with a hybrid schedule, you'll work closely with our underwriting assistants, collaborate with teammates on process improvements, and communicate directly with customers who have questions about their policies.ResponsibilitiesReview referred quotes and applications, evaluate risk, and make sound underwriting decisions with detailed documentation of thought process and rationaleReview photo and appraisal documentation submitted in support of new and in-force policies, applying judgment to acceptability and authenticityDetermine appropriate insured values by evaluating appraisals, requested limits, and internal pricing tools, and initiate price checks when warrantedConduct full-profile risk reviews, including decline, cancel, and loss history checks on primary and additional insuredsIdentify and respond to red flags across the applicant profile, the item being insured, and the supporting documentationMake and execute underwriting decisions: issue, request additional information, adjust limits, recommend cancellation, or escalateDocument reasoning clearly for audit, peer review, and future referenceEscalate complex or out-of-authority situations to management with full context and a recommended course of actionCommunicate directly with customers via phone, email, and chat to resolve documentation issues and answer coverage, eligibility, billing, and policy questionsPartner with underwriting assistants who pre-process files, verifying their work and providing feedback through appropriate channelsContribute to team discussions on product, risk appetite, and process improvementRequired Qualifications5+ years of underwriting experience in personal lines property insuranceDemonstrated experience independently making issue, decline, and cancel decisions on underwriting filesTrack record of identifying risk indicators across full applicant profilesDirect customer communication experience across phone, email, and chatStrong written communication skills, including the ability to document reasoning clearlyComfort working in a proprietary tech stack and learning new internal tools quicklySound judgment in fast-paced, high-volume environmentsBachelor's degree, or equivalent professional underwriting experiencePreferred Qualifications Experience underwriting jewelry, watches, fine art, or other valuablesFamiliarity with appraisal evaluation, including recognition of credentialed appraisers and common appraisal pitfallsPrior exposure to InsurTech or digitally-native insurance workflowsProperty & Casualty producer licenseSales or customer service backgroundKey AttributesStrong attention to detail and organizational skillsCalibrated confidence; decisive on clear files, willing to escalate when warrantedComfortable with ambiguity and able to draw on multiple tools and sources to reach a defensible decisionCoachable and open to learning our systems, tools, and risk appetite during the ramp periodTeam-first approachBenefitsComprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, unlimited PTO policy, hybrid work schedule, company-sponsored team events and retreats, parental leave, life and disability insurance. Casual dress code and fun, dynamic work environment. BriteCo is always committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.