API Quoting vs Email-Based Intake – When to Automate, When to Route
In 2025, MGAs and carriers aren’t debating whether to automate – they’re debating where. Should submissions be routed through email and OCR triage? Or pushed through a full-blown API quoting experience?
This blog breaks down when to use email-based intake (backed by AI + human ops), when to lean on API quoting, and how to blend both depending on your carrier connectivity, data hygiene, and scale.
The Case for API Quoting
Best For: Carriers with clean API access, program managers with known rules, low-friction LOBs
Pros:
- Instant rate response, often <2s
- No human review if data is clean
- Can integrate with CRMs or front-end portals
- Trackable – quote logs, success/fail records
Cons:
- Only works with participating carriers
- Can fail silently if data is malformed
- Requires structured intake (forms, required fields)
The Case for Email-Based Intake + AI OCR
Best For: Broker submissions, multi-LOB programs, carriers without APIs
Pros:
- Accepts real-world intake – binders, insurance app forms, spreadsheets
- GPT + OCR classify and extract for quoting
- More flexible for mid-market programs
- Easier to onboard: works on day one with inbox + access
Cons:
- Requires QA fallbacks
- Slightly slower: 2-4 hour quoting SLA vs real-time API
- Data inconsistency can increase triage effort
Selectsys Blends Both: Hybrid Quoting Layer
| Scenario | What Selectsys Uses |
|---|---|
| Retail broker sends email | GPT classifier → RQB prep → BPO QA |
| API-ready submission via portal | Direct RQB API call → return quote |
| PDF + intake form submission | OCR → field extraction → quote trigger |
| Missing carrier appetite info | Route to underwriter for decision |
Test Case
Client: Mid-sized MGA with 12 programs, 4 API-enabled, 8 email-only
Before:
- Quoting was 100% manual
- 3 underwriters handled intake → quote prep → bind requests
After Selectsys:
- API submissions routed directly through RQB
- Non-API emails classified by GPT, triaged by Selectsys ops
- Quote volume doubled with no increase in underwriter workload
- Bind turnaround dropped from 2 days → under 8 hours
FAQs
Can I use RQB with both API and manual submissions?
Yes. RQB supports hybrid workflows – using APIs when available and fallback workflows (email, doc intake) when not.
What happens if the API fails or carrier doesn’t respond?
The quote is flagged, and a Selectsys underwriter or BPO team member follows up via manual quoting.
How do you handle different LOBs in the same submission?
RQB chains quotes by line – triggering API if supported, fallback to manual otherwise.
Do we need to format emails or attachments a certain way?
No. Our GPT classifier reads unstructured emails and attachments.
Can producers submit via portal instead of email?
Yes. We can embed RQB into portals or CRMs to trigger quotes automatically.
Automate Where You Can. Route Intelligently Where You Can’t.
Let Selectsys handle quoting with the right mix of API speed and human oversight.
