How it works
How it works: our 5-step insurance placement process
Every request we take on goes through the same five steps: intake, personal review, quote, quote review, and binding. Each step has clear requirements and a defined next action, so you always know where your file stands, what we need from you, and what happens next.
The five steps
- 1
Step 1
Intake
You answer guided questions about your business, property or project, and upload your current declarations pages and any prior insurance documents. This gives us the foundation every application needs (the same core information carriers ask for on a standard commercial application) plus the details specific to the coverage you want.
What you do
Answer the questions and upload what you have. Missing a document? Submit anyway; we’ll flag it.
Step complete when
Your core information is captured and any gaps are clearly identified.
- 2
Step 2
Personal intake review
Kevin personally reviews your file: whether it fits what we do, which markets fit your risk, how complete the information is, and what it will take to place. Anything still needed is requested once, in a single checklist or one focused call, instead of piecemeal follow-ups.
What you do
Send the items on the checklist, or take a short call if one is needed.
Step complete when
We’ve accepted the file and it’s ready to submit to markets. If it isn’t a fit, we tell you plainly.
- 3
Step 3
Quote
We either quote directly or send a complete submission package to the markets selected for your risk, including E&S and specialty markets when standard carriers won’t write it. Every response, underwriter requirement and material change is tracked in one record, so nothing gets lost between markets.
What you do
Answer any underwriter questions we bring back to you.
Step complete when
You have an actionable quote, or a clear decision to pause or redirect, with the reason.
- 4
Step 4
Quote review
You receive the quote with a plain-language coverage summary, the full cost (premium, taxes and fees) and any outstanding conditions or subjectivities. Kevin explains the terms, including exclusions and anything that differs from what you had before, consolidates any changes you want, and gets your decision.
What you do
Review the options, ask questions, and choose your final terms.
Step complete when
Your final terms are selected and everything still needed to bind is identified.
- 5
Step 5
Binding + welcome
We complete the remaining requirements, such as signed applications and forms and payment arrangements, and obtain written binding confirmation from the insurer. Then you receive your documents, instructions for certificates, changes and claims, and a clear picture of what happens next.
What you do
Sign what’s needed and complete payment arrangements.
Step complete when
Coverage is confirmed and you know exactly what happens next.
Five steps, not five interactions
We only contact you when an underwriting or coverage question genuinely needs your answer. Every open file has a current step, an owner for the next action, the requirement we're waiting on, and a review date, so nothing sits without someone moving it forward.
Built for hard-to-place risks
The same process works when a standard carrier has said no. At step 3 we take your file to E&S and specialty markets, and at step 4 we explain any exclusions or conditions in writing before you bind.
Frequently asked questions
Does five steps mean five meetings or calls?
No. Five steps don’t mean five interactions. Many files move from intake to quote with no call at all; we only reach out when an underwriting or coverage question genuinely needs your answer.
What should I have ready for step 1?
Your current declarations pages and any prior insurance documents you have. For businesses, loss runs and details about your operations, revenue, payroll and vehicles help; for property, the address, construction and updates. If you don’t have something, submit anyway and we’ll tell you what’s missing.
How long does the process take?
It depends on the risk and how complete the file is. Standard risks with complete information can move quickly; hard-to-place and E&S risks take longer because underwriters review them individually. A complete file at step 2 is the single biggest factor in speed.
What happens if you can’t place my risk?
You get a clear answer instead of silence. At step 2 or step 3 we either accept the file, pause it until something changes, or tell you plainly that it isn’t a fit, and why.
Do I work with a call center?
No. Kevin Brown, a licensed New Jersey producer (License #3003694894), personally reviews every file. We work online and by phone, email and text, which keeps the process fast across all of New Jersey.
Start at step 1
Tell us what you need covered and upload your current declarations pages. Kevin takes it from there.
Kevin Brown Insurance Agency · Licensed NJ Resident Producer #3003694894
Turned down somewhere else?
Hard-to-place risks, large commercial projects and business-owner life insurance. Kevin reviews every file personally. No call center.