API Quoting vs E mail-Primarily based Consumption – When to Automate, When to Route

This text is a part of a sponsored sequence by Knowledgeable Insured.

In 2025, MGAs and carriers aren’t debating whether or not to automate – they’re debating the place. Ought to submissions be routed by way of e mail and OCR triage? Or pushed by way of a full-blown API quoting expertise?

This weblog breaks down when to make use of email-based consumption (backed by AI + human ops), when to lean on API quoting, and how one can mix each relying in your provider connectivity, information hygiene, and scale.

The Case for API Quoting

Finest For: Carriers with clear API entry, program managers with recognized guidelines, low-friction LOBs

Professionals:

• Prompt charge response, usually <2s
• No human assessment if information is clear
• Can combine with CRMs or front-end portals
• Trackable – quote logs, success/fail data

Cons:

• Solely works with taking part carriers
• Can fail silently if information is malformed
• Requires structured consumption (types, required fields)

The Case for E mail-Primarily based Consumption + AI OCR

Finest For: Dealer submissions, multi-LOB applications, carriers with out APIs

Professionals:

• Accepts real-world consumption – binders, insurance coverage app types, spreadsheets
• GPT + OCR classify and extract for quoting
• Extra versatile for mid-market applications
• Simpler to onboard: works on day one with inbox + entry

Cons:

• Requires QA fallbacks
• Barely slower: 2-4 hour quoting SLA vs real-time API
• Information inconsistency can enhance triage effort

Selectsys Blends Each: Hybrid Quoting Layer

Check Case

Consumer: Mid-sized MGA with 12 applications, 4 API-enabled, 8 email-only

Earlier than:

• Quoting was 100% guide
• 3 underwriters dealt with consumption → quote prep → bind requests

After Selectsys:

• API submissions routed instantly by way of RQB
• Non-API emails labeled by GPT, triaged by Selectsys ops
• Quote quantity doubled with no enhance in underwriter workload
• Bind turnaround dropped from 2 days → below 8 hours

FAQs

Can I take advantage of RQB with each API and guide submissions?
Sure. RQB helps hybrid workflows – utilizing APIs when accessible and fallback workflows (e mail, doc consumption) when not.

What occurs if the API fails or provider doesn’t reply?
The quote is flagged, and a Selectsys underwriter or BPO staff member follows up by way of guide quoting.

How do you deal with totally different LOBs in the identical submission?
RQB chains quotes by line – triggering API if supported, fallback to guide in any other case.

Do we have to format emails or attachments a sure approach?
No. Our GPT classifier reads unstructured emails and attachments.

Can producers submit by way of portal as a substitute of e mail?
Sure. We are able to embed RQB into portals or CRMs to set off quotes routinely.

Automate The place You Can. Route Intelligently The place You Can’t.
Let Selectsys deal with quoting with the right combination of API pace and human oversight.

Begin a Pilot →