Technology Report – E&S/Agent Workgroup Making Progress on Data Transmission

Progress on finding ways to improve the ability of firms to transmit data electronically between retailers and MGA/wholesalers is being achieved by a technology working group, and NAPSLO and its members are playing an important role.

The Retail Agent E&S Workgroup will meet at the upcoming ACORD-LOMA Annual Convention in Orlando. Data transmission was also the subject of the NAPSLO keynote address at the AAMGA Automation Conference in March.

Since the workgroup was formed approximately a year ago, the group has met several times, three subgroups were organized, and more than 100 people representing MGA/wholesalers, carriers, retail agents and vendors have volunteered to assist in the efforts.  Additional volunteers are still being sought, with emphasis on carrier involvement. To participate, people should contact Mike Ardis at NAPSLO at mike@napslo.org.

The three subgroups were formed to examine different areas of the insurance transaction, and they have had several face-to-face meetings and nearly 30 conference. The subgroups are: Retail Agent Interface, General Agent Interface, and General Agent Website.

The Retail Agent Interface Subgroup is reviewing E&S company applications and supplemental forms to determine which data requirements are already included in current ACORD standards and forms and don't need to repeated in the supplemental applications. To date the group has identified several top programs and is reviewing those applications.

The General Agent Interface subgroup is concentrating on data transmission streams from retail agents to general agents, as well as within general agents, in order to automate the flow of this data as much as possible. The subgroup has worked with a number of vendors regarding current options. Several vendors described their future plans during a Vendor Panel at the recent Automation Conference.

The General Agent Website subgroup’s goal is to develop a roadmap of recommendations for MGA website capabilities. Among the recommendations are to develop “third generation” websites which would provide capability for bindable quotes, online underwriting and referrals, quote proposals, subjectivity management, bind, bill and policy issuance/endorse/renew capabilities. This would lead to fourth generation sites, which would provide Real-Time, Straight-Through-Processing from the retail agency management systems.