The Secret to E&S Success: Self-Service Tools for Faster Placements

The secret’s out: the Excess & Surplus (E&S) market is booming. In 2024, premiums hit $81 billion—a 12% year-over-year increase (WSIA, 2025). As the industry faces hard markets and the growing impact of climate change, more agents are turning to E&S to place challenging risks. But while the market evolves, many wholesalers are still stuck in the past, relying on outdated technology that feels more 2005 than 2025.

At Pathpoint, we believe it's time for an E&S transformation. Our self-service tools are designed to help you quote faster, bind more efficiently, and win more business—without the hassle of hearing hold music.

Here are ten reasons agents are leaving behind traditional methods and choosing Pathpoint to manage their small to medium-sized commercial accounts.

Quote on Your Schedule

Most E&S platforms are stuck in banker's hours. But Pathpoint lets you quote new business anytime, even on nights and weekends. Whether you're burning the midnight oil or catching up on a Sunday afternoon, you can get quotes instantly—no underwriter required.

Smarter Search, Fewer Headaches

Ever feel like selecting the wrong class code sends your submission into a black hole? With our Coverage Finder and the Search Tool, which utilizes Artificial Intelligence and analytics, you can select the correct code upfront. This minimizes confusion and helps you get quotes faster—less guessing and more quoting.

Bind Without the Back-and-Forth

Say goodbye to printing, faxing, or emailing back and forth to finalize a policy. With Pathpoint, you can submit subjectivities, collect e-signatures, and process payments all in one workflow—no underwriter intervention necessary. Just submit your bind request and move on.

Avoid Submissions Getting Stuck

80% of E&S submissions get rejected, often due to missing information or appetite mismatches. Pathpoint's Advisory Tool identifies potential issues before you submit, allowing you to address them on the spot and avoid the dreaded decline.

Payments That Don't Cause Delays

Still waiting on checks in the mail? Not here. With PathPay and Ascend, your clients can pay instantly online—no chasing payments or awkward follow-ups needed. Simply forward a link, and you'll receive real-time updates while your clients enjoy coverage without delays.

Renewals, Reimagined

E&S renewals don't have to be a tedious process. Our system automates renewals, dropping quotes 45 days before expiration using expiring info, with pre-filled subjectivities and binding just a few clicks away. It feels as easy as the admitted market but with greater control.

Built for Teams (and PTO)

Going out of the office? With Agency Collaboration, teammates can step in on any in-progress submission, ensuring the work continues smoothly. No duplicates or lost progress. This makes it easier to take time off without falling behind.

Real Help, Real Fast

Need guidance while quoting? Our Help Center offers appetite information, FAQs, video tutorials, and customizable sales materials. If you still need assistance, your dedicated Account Manager is just a call away, ready to help.

Add Hours Back in Your Week

A hard-to-place E&S quote can take over 30 days to bind. With Pathpoint, you can quote and bind in minutes rather than weeks. This means less time spent on paperwork and more time focusing on what matters—whether it's growing your book or finally taking that Friday off.

Clock Out and Close Deals

It's 4 PM on a Friday, and you're ready to unwind, but that binding confirmation is still pending. With Pathpoint, you can quote, edit, bind, and process payments in real time. Close deals before you clock out to enjoy your weekend without worry.

E&S doesn't need to be so difficult; it needs better infrastructure. Pathpoint's self-service tools enable thousands of agents to move faster, quote smarter, and win more. Bind your everyday contractors to your coastal properties in minutes using our self-service tools. Try them at www.pathpoint.com and let us know which is your favorite.



WSIA (2025, February 5). Surplus lines continue upward trend through 2024 according to new report. Retrieved April 1, 2025, from website