From Spreadsheets to APIs: Building a Solid Rating Platform for Non-Admitted Programs
Why Spreadsheets Can’t Keep Up with Non-Admitted Business
Every MGA knows the pain: thousands of rows of rating factors, premium tables, and modifiers living in spreadsheets.
They started as a quick way to price a new program. They turned into the biggest bottleneck in scaling it.
Non-admitted business is fast-moving. Rules change weekly, surcharges shift, and new coverages appear overnight. Updating those spreadsheets and emailing new versions to the team leads to version drift, inconsistent quotes, and compliance risk.
RQB solves that problem by turning your spreadsheets into APIs.
You provide the rating logic, and RQB converts it into a live, modular rating engine that feeds any MGA, wholesaler, or carrier instantly.
The Problem with Spreadsheet-Based Rating
Spreadsheets were never meant to be rating systems. They:
- Depend on manual data entry and are prone to errors.
- Can’t log audit trails or changes.
- Don’t integrate with quoting systems or carriers.
- Make every change a manual copy-paste job.
When rating lives in Excel, every quote is a risk. When it lives in an API, every quote is consistent, logged, and scalable.
Turning Your Rating Logic into APIs
RQB provides a repeatable, structured path to transform spreadsheets into real-time APIs.
1. Upload and Parse
Upload your spreadsheet or existing rate table.
RQB reads each column, factor, and variable, then maps them into the platform’s rule structure.
2. Define Logic
Use rule templates to define how variables interact.
Example: Base rate × class factor × deductible modifier × experience mod.
3. Test and Validate
RQB’s sandbox lets you run test quotes instantly. You can confirm rating outputs line-by-line against your existing file before publishing.
4. Publish as Secure API
Once validated, the engine is published as a REST endpoint.
It can now be used by RQB quoting, by your own portal, or by partner MGAs and carriers.
No code rebuilds. No dependency on IT teams.
Expose or Consume, Your Choice
With RQB, you can both consume external rating APIs and expose your own.
This means you can:
- Offer your proprietary non-admitted program as an API to trading partners.
- Control access with keys and user permissions.
- Track usage, performance, and error metrics.
- Add or retire factors without affecting integrations.
The result: your program becomes part of the digital distribution ecosystem rather than trapped in a spreadsheet.
Version Control and Audit History
Every rating API version is stored and timestamped. You can roll back, compare changes, and export full version histories.
This is critical for compliance, especially for surplus lines filings or carrier audits. It also means underwriters and actuaries can collaborate safely, no overwritten formulas, no lost cells.
Integration Across the RQB Ecosystem
Once a spreadsheet becomes an API, it plugs directly into:
- Real-Time Rating for quoting and bind workflows.
- Multi-Line Quoting for combined programs.
- Analytics for monitoring rating consistency and conversion.
- API Connectivity for exposure to external systems.
That’s how RQB unifies admitted and non-admitted rating under one framework.
Explore the ISO counterpart in ISO Rating Integration: Working with Engines like NetRate.
Security and Governance
Each custom rating API includes:
- Secure access tokens for partner integrations.
- Role-based permissions for internal users.
- Request and response logging for auditability.
- Data encryption in transit and at rest.
Your proprietary rating logic stays protected while still being accessible to approved systems.
Implementation Timeline
| Step | Duration | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Rating logic review | 1 week | Mapping and gap analysis |
| Conversion & rule setup | 1 week | Configured engine |
| Testing & validation | 1 week | Matched results |
| API publication | 1 week | Live endpoint with documentation |
You move from Excel to API in about 30 days, faster than one update cycle of your old spreadsheet.
Business Outcomes
RQB rating APIs deliver tangible operational benefits:
- Reduce manual rating errors by 90 %.
- Cut quote preparation time by 60 %.
- Add new coverages or factors in hours, not weeks.
- Open new distribution channels by exposing APIs to partners.
The payoff: consistent pricing, faster quotes, stronger relationships, and complete audit readiness.
Get Started
Whether you’re managing a niche non-admitted product or running multiple proprietary programs, RQB lets you build and distribute rating APIs without code.
Request a Demo or Start a Pilot to see how your spreadsheet rating can become a live API in under 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of programs can be converted?
Any program that uses formulas, tables, or modifiers, property, GL, auto, marine, professional, or specialty.
Do I need developers to maintain it?
No. Operations and actuarial teams can update factors directly.
Can I keep some parts private?
Yes. APIs can expose only selected variables or tiers.
How are changes tracked?
Each change creates a version record with date, user, and comparison.
Can multiple MGAs use the same API?
Yes. You can issue secure keys and control partner access.
