John E. Daniel
Midlothian,VA
Summary
Commercial underwriting leader with a strong record of profitable portfolio management across Commercial Property and Inland Marine portfolios. Skilled in disciplined risk selection, exposure analysis, and pricing, with experience underwriting complex schedules, layered/shared programs, and high‑value accounts while maintaining consistently low loss ratios. Trusted referral underwriter known for technical accuracy, sound judgment, and mentoring newer underwriters. Collaborates closely with actuarial, claims, and CAT modeling teams to strengthen pricing and portfolio performance. Builds strong broker relationships through clear communication, practical solutions, and a balanced approach to growth and profitability.
Overview
1
1
Certification
Work History
Underwriting Specialist - Commercial Property
Markel Insurance Company
2008 - 2026
- Provide strategic oversight of a $30M+ regional commercial brokerage portfolio, guiding underwriting direction and broker engagement across 40+ partners and 10–12 key strategic offices.
- Deliver sustained profitability, generating $73M+ in written premium since 2010 while maintaining a long‑term loss ratio below 15% through disciplined risk selection and portfolio management.
- Lead underwriting for a broad spectrum of property risks, from single‑location assets under $10M TIV to complex schedules of $10M–$100M TIV, with additional experience structuring and quoting $1B+ layered/shared programs.
- Serve as a senior referral underwriter, shaping underwriting standards, mentoring junior talent, and supporting authority decisions on complex, technical, or borderline submissions.
- Partner cross‑functionally with actuarial, claims, and catastrophe modeling teams to refine pricing adequacy, enhance risk segmentation, and drive long‑term portfolio optimization.
- Strengthen market positioning by cultivating high‑value broker relationships, providing actionable insights, and delivering solution‑oriented underwriting aligned with growth and profitability goals.
Underwriter - Inland Marine / Property
Colony Insurance Company
2006 - 2008
- Underwrote a $2.5M annual Inland Marine portfolio with 80% new business, applying exposure analysis, coverage evaluation, and pricing discipline across accounts above a $2,500 minimum premium.
- Supported the Commercial Brokerage Property unit by preparing technically accurate quotes, binders, and endorsements, ensuring alignment with underwriting guidelines, rating models, and coverage forms.
- Coordinated submission workflow between brokers and the underwriting team to improve data quality, reduce rework, and ensure timely, accurate policy issuance consistent with underwriting and compliance standards.
Senior Commercial Lines Account Service Representative
Travelers Insurance Company
2001 - 2006
- Managed accounts receivable for 100+ agencies across NC, SC, and TX, reconciling monthly billing statements, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring financial accuracy across diverse commercial lines portfolios.
- Played a key role during the Travelers–St. Paul merger, supporting the integration of the St. Paul billing platform into the Travelers system by validating data integrity, troubleshooting system variances, and ensuring uninterrupted billing operations for agency partners.
- Strengthened underwriting operations by improving billing accuracy, documentation quality, and cross‑department coordination, enabling smoother policy issuance and reducing downstream service issues for underwriters and brokers.
Education
Bachelors of Science - Economics - Concentration in Mathematics
Hampden Sydney College
Skills
- Property Underwriting (Commercial, Brokerage, Middle Market)
- Inland Marine Underwriting
- Risk Evaluation & Exposure Analysis
- Pricing Adequacy & Rate/Rule Application
- Layered & Shared Program Structuring
- COPE, CAT, and Secondary Modifier Assessment
- Coverage Analysis & Form Interpretation
- Referral & Authority Support
Certification
- Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) American Institute of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, September 2008
- Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI) American Institute of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, September 2017
Timeline
Underwriting Specialist - Commercial Property
Markel Insurance Company
2008 - 2026
Underwriter - Inland Marine / Property
Colony Insurance Company
2006 - 2008
Senior Commercial Lines Account Service Representative
Travelers Insurance Company
2001 - 2006
Bachelors of Science - Economics - Concentration in Mathematics
Hampden Sydney College