How to hire a marine underwriter

How to hire a marine underwriter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step marine underwriter hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a marine underwriter job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new marine underwriter
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The marine underwriter hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect marine underwriter also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of marine underwriters.

   Type of Marine Underwriter	Description	Hourly rate
   Marine Underwriter	Insurance underwriters decide whether to provide insurance and under what terms. They evaluate insurance applications and determine coverage amounts and premiums.	$25-54
   Insurance Analyst	An insurance analyst provides analytical services to maintain an efficient workflow at insurance companies. They are typically in charge of evaluating insurance policies to identify possible risks for the policyholder and the company, validating client information, and reviewing insurance applications to ensure their accuracy... Show more	$16-42
   Underwriting Consultant	An underwriting consultant is a professional who provides underwriting guidelines to underwriters as well as coordinates revision of the underwriting manual. Underwriting consultants are required to handle complex cases and situations by using their strong knowledge of company services, product standards, and underwriting policies... Show more	$23-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Profitable Business
   • Risk Analysis
   • Loss Ratio
   • Business Development
   • Underwriting Authority
   • Profitable Book
   • Property Business
   • Business Plan
   • Loss Analysis
   • Commercial Property
   • Business Policies
   • General Liability
   • Policy Terms
   • Loss Runs

   Responsibilities:

   • Review individual mortgage origination/post origination documentation and perform database research.
   • Review individual mortgage origination/post origination documentation and perform database research.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your marine underwriter job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A marine underwriter can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, marine underwriters' average salary in hawaii is 44% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level marine underwriters 53% less than senior-level marine underwriters.
   • Certifications. A marine underwriter with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a marine underwriter's salary.

   Average marine underwriter salary

   $77,871yearly

   $37.44 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level marine underwriter salary

   $53,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a marine underwriter job description

   A marine underwriter job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a marine underwriter job description:

   Marine underwriter job description example

   Zurich is currently seeking a Senior Ocean Marine Underwriter for our office in New York. We also have the option to hire this Underwriter in Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
   
   This role will be filled at either the Senior Underwrite (III) or AVP, Senior Underwrite (IV) level. The hiring manager will determine the appropriate level based upon the selected applicant's experience and skill set relative to the qualifications listed for this position
   
   As a Senior Ocean Marine Underwriter you will have the chance to use your market facing and analytical skills to analyze and underwrite new and renewal ocean cargo, commercial hull or marine liability business, under limited direction, utilizing The Zurich Way of Underwriting Framework within delegated authority levels on assignments of moderate technical complexity ensuring a high level service to customers.
   Some of the key accountabilities of this role include: Administer and monitor underwriting rules and guidelines, rating manual rules, and insurance laws and regulations. Develop, maintain & collaborate with Line of Business representatives and other business related needs, as appropriate. Develop and maintain relationships with distributors (agents & brokers) in support of business retention and acquisition and works with customers and distributors (agents & brokers) to determine their insurance related needs and provide solutions. Support the organization's sales culture by being a Help Point for agents, brokers and customers. Proactively seek renewal and new account opportunities. Complete detailed opportunity assessment with key distributors to identify growth opportunities. Qualify accounts to meet with the organization's appetite, balanced with sound business opportunity. Make broker/customer and on-sight calls with a planned and well-prepared purpose. Cross-Sell other lines of business to increase the organization's product density with the account. Senior Underwriter Level (III) Basic Qualifications: High School Diploma or Equivalent and 5 or more years of experience in Underwriting or Market Facing area or Brokerage
   OR High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
   OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 3 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
   OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
   AND Knowledge of Microsoft Office Experience working on time restraints for quotes on new and renewal business Experience working in a team environment AVP, Senior Underwriter (IV) Basic Qualifications: High School Diploma or Equivalent and 7 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Brokerage or Market Facing area or Brokerage
   OR High School Diploma or Equivalent and 14 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area
   OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 5 or more years of experience in the Underwriting or Market Facing area
   OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 12 or more years of experience in the Claims or Underwriting Support area Preferred Qualifications Level III & IV: Bachelor's Degree Knowledge of Ocean Cargo underwriting Strong negotiation skills Strong verbal and written communication skills Strong relationship building, active listening, needs analysis, and win-win negotiating skills Demonstrates presentation skills and a solutions and service orientation Knowledge of underwriting philosophy, techniques, national/local filing regulations and guidelines As a condition of employment at Zurich, employees must adhere to our COVID-related health and safety protocols ( ), including, without limitation, a requirement that employees attest as to their vaccination status with a YES/NO, and upload proof of vaccination status, or negative COVID test results when allowable, to a third-party vendor. These are continuously re-evaluated and the requirements may change at any time.
   
   A future with Zurich. What can go right when you apply at Zurich?
   
   Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 150 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. Today, Zurich North America is a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. We serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology, and we insure 90% of the Fortune 500 . Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, we strive to provide ongoing career development opportunities, and we foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our colleagues, our customers and the communities we serve. Zurich maintains a comprehensive employee benefits package for employees as well as eligible dependents and competitive compensation. Please click here to learn more.
   
   As a global company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of our workforce as an asset. We recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives that are truly welcome here. Taken together, diversity and inclusion bring us closer to our common goal: exceeding our customers' expectations. Zurich does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status. EOE disability/vet
   
   Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of Zurich American Insurance. If you are a preferred vendor, please use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission.
   
   Location(s): AM - New York, AM - Philadelphia, AM - Boston, AM - New Jersey Virtual Office, AM - Connecticut Virtual Office
   Remote Working: Yes
   Schedule: Full Time
   
   Linkedin Recruiter Tag:

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find marine underwriters for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your marine underwriter job on Zippia to find and recruit marine underwriter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with marine underwriter candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new marine underwriter

   Once you've decided on a perfect marine underwriter candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new marine underwriter first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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