SeaPass Solutions, Inc., a provider of Web-based insurancedistribution solutions to the property and casualty (P&C)insurance industry, introduces a pair of insurance portals—theSeaPass E&S Carrier Portal and the DistributionPortal.

Much like SeaPass's Insurance Portal 3.0 for distributionofstandard lines, the E&S Carrier Portal leverages the sametechnology, but is designed and targeted specifically for theE&S market. All stakeholders in the E&S valuechain—agents, underwriters, consumers, wholesalers, or MGAs—areable to collaborate in real-time for the distribution of E&Slines of business.

The Distribution Portal provides a solution that enableswholesalers, MGAs, and brokers to connect, communicate, and managebusiness with carriers and agents. It combines SeaPass's solutionsfor carrier automation and agency quoting into a single onlineportal that supports both admitted and excess and surplus (E&S)lines.

The SeaPass Insurance Distribution Portal provides aninfrastructure:

• to enable wholesalers' and MGAs' appointed agents, and/orcustomer service representatives and underwriters to connect,communicate, and manage the business online;
• to submit applications and receive quotes online for admittedand non-admitted carriers utilizing internal rating systems ordirect from carriers, and returning single carrier or multi-carrierquotes in real time; and
• to support underwriter collaboration for referrals, and providefull integration with the wholesaler or MGA's internal managementsystems.

SeaPass makes the E&S Carrier portal available in anenterprise, hosted, or in a software as a service (SaaS) model. Theportal leverages a carrier's investment in its existing coresystems infrastructure to present an integrated experience to thecarrier's entire set of distribution partners.

SeaPass also enables carriers to leverage systems currently inuse, oftentimes avoiding the expense of complete systemreplacement. The new solution also supports the latest in Webtechnology, such as social media, co-browse, chat, iCRMfunctionality, AMS, and call center integration, as well as Webanalytics to offer improved quote to issue and conversion ratiosfor new E&S business.

“Successfully automating the E&S process was one of ourstrategic focuses for 2012, and we believe, a first in theindustry,” says Tim Attia, senior vice president, sales andmarketing for SeaPass. “Offering an automated approach tobothstandard and E&S markets gives carriers a lot of optionsand makes it so much easier to do business with their distributionchannels. Wherever a carrier, an agent, a wholesaler, aninsured, or an MGA may be in the insurance value chain, everybodyin the E&S process benefits when things are simplified,automated, quick, and more cost effective.”

As for the Distribution Portal, Attia says, “We are excited tooffer wholesalers, MGA's, and brokers a fast, efficient, low-riskentry to provide their businesses an automated way to accessmarkets, while also making it easy for their agents. The muchfaster response time and higher level of customer service forprospects and clients will result in more referrals, translating tomore premium revenue.”

SeaPass has been automating the insurance industry for 12 yearsand with its Insurance Distribution Portal, Attia believes thecompany is able to take automation another step forward by bringingtogether the various industry constituents required to offer anefficient marketplace for all to transact.

“With automation no longer limited to quotes fromstandardmarkets, agents will be able to obtain quotes for more complexcommercial lines from multiple carriers through a single onlinesubmission—drastically increasing their ability to effectively andefficiently meet their clients' risk management needs,” hesays. “We see this new offering as strengthening our positionas the leading online marketplace for commercial insurance intheU.S., in both number of agents and premium volume.”