Insureon is an online-only “e-agency” targeting smallercommercial accounts that looks to combine the time-savingadvantages of buying online with the consultative role of anagent.

“If you're a two-person company, you can get an application doneonline and get back to doing what you're doing. You don't have twohours to sit down with an agent to get this [application process]done,” says Insureon CEO Ted Devine, adding that the averageapplication is completed in 10 minutes or less.

In addition to offering online quotes, Insureon replicates thetraditional in-office broker advisory services with online chat andcallback capabilities.

“One-hundred percent of our clients talk to a vertical expertwho can help make sure they get the insurance coverage they need,whether it's through chat or a phone call to our licensedprofessionals. Whatever helps them get through the applicationeffectively,” says Devine.

Insureon reports using InRule for management of its underwritingand workflow business rules, but would only say that its core Weband agency-management technology is proprietary.

Insureon is dependent on the ability of its partner carriers toreceive a data upload from its customer-facing online applicationsystem and return premium data. “We XML-stream data directly tocarriers' rating engines. Our model won't work with all carriers,”says Devine. Insureon's current carriers include CNA, Zurich, TheHartford, Hiscox, Philadelphia, Travelers, Ace and USLI.

Devine believes Insureon has staked out space in an area gearedfor massive growth: “There are 40 million companies in the U.S.with fewer than five employees. There's tremendous opportunity inletting them buy their insurance online.

“The Internet is not going away,” he adds. “And [users are] notjust the young, not just shoppers. [They are] everyday businessowners of all ages and all demographics who want to get theirinsurance as efficiently as possible. This is a channel that willcontinue to grow.”