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Policy Lifecycle

Once a submission is quoted, you can bind it through the API to create an active policy. This guide covers the binding process and what happens after.

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Binding a Quote

To bind a quoted submission, submit a PUT request to /bind/{displayId} with coverage selections, binding method, and shipping details.

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Prerequisites

  • The submission must be in Quoted status
  • You must select which coverage lines to include
  • An effective date must be provided

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Bind Request

curl -X PUT https://app.coverwhale.com/api/v1/bind/2261310 \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json" \
  -H "AccessToken: YOUR_TOKEN" \
  -d '{
    "coverage": {
      "includeAL": "Y",
      "includeAPD": "Y",
      "includeMTC": "Y",
      "includeTGL": "Y",
      "includeNTL": "Y",
      "brokerFeeAL": 10,
      "brokerFeeAPD": 10,
      "brokerFeeMTC": 10,
      "brokerFeeTGL": 10,
      "brokerFeeNTL": 10,
      "optInCWFinancing": "Y",
      "electTRIA": "N",
      "effectiveDate": "03/01/2026"
    },
    "bindingMethod": {
      "signFirst": "N",
      "retailAgentEmail": "agent@example.com",
      "insuredEmail": "insured@example.com",
      "insuredFullName": "John Doe",
      "electronicSignature": "Y"
    },
    "shippingAddress": {
      "dashcam_shipping_address": "insured",
      "street": "4310 W Jefferson Blvd",
      "city": "Los Angeles",
      "state": "CA",
      "zip": "90016",
      "county": "Los Angeles"
    }
  }'
A successful bind request returns: 
{
  "status": "success"
}
The submission status then moves to Request to Bind while underwriting finalizes the policy.

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Coverage Selection

At bind time, you choose which coverage lines to include. Set each to "Y" to include or omit to exclude:
FieldCoverage
includeALAuto Liability
includeAPDAuto Physical Damage
includeMTCMotor Truck Cargo
includeTGLTruckers General Liability
includeNTLNon-Trucking Liability

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Broker Fees

Each coverage line accepts a broker service fee (numeric value):
  • brokerFeeAL, brokerFeeAPD, brokerFeeMTC, brokerFeeTGL, brokerFeeNTL

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Financing

Set optInCWFinancing to "Y" to use Cover Whale’s premium financing option. When opted in, the payment type is automatically set to Cover Whale financing.

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TRIA Coverage

Set electTRIA to "Y" to elect Terrorism Risk Insurance Act coverage, or "N" to decline.

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Electronic Signature

The bindingMethod object controls how the policy documents are signed:
FieldDescription
signFirst"Y" if the insured must sign before the policy is bound
electronicSignature"Y" to use electronic signature (instant bind method)
insuredEmailEmail address for the insured to receive signature requests
insuredFullNameFull name of the insured for signature
retailAgentEmailEmail of the retail agent

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Dashcam Shipping

Cover Whale may ship dashcams as part of the policy. The shippingAddress object specifies where to send them:
  • Set dashcam_shipping_address to "insured" to ship to the insured’s address on file
  • Provide street, city, state, zip, and county for a custom shipping address

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What Happens After Binding

Once a bind request is successfully submitted:
  1. The submission status changes to Request to Bind
  2. Cover Whale’s underwriting team reviews and approves the bind
  3. Policy numbers are assigned for each coverage line
  4. Policy documents are generated
  5. The submission status changes to Bound
  6. The agent and insured receive confirmation emails

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Error Handling

The bind endpoint returns 404 if:
  • The submission is not in Quoted status
  • Required fields are missing or invalid
  • The submission cannot be found
{
  "status": "failed",
  "error": "Submission status must be quoted"
}

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Post-Bind Operations

After a policy is bound, additional lifecycle operations are available:
OperationEndpointDescription
EndorsementPOST .../endorsementModify an active policy (full guide)
Cancel RequestPOST .../cancel-requestInitiate cancellation
Cancel ApprovePOST .../cancel-approveApprove pending cancellation
Cancel ExecutePOST .../cancelExecute the cancellation
ReinstatementPOST .../reinstatementReinstate a cancelled policy
Non-RenewalPOST .../non-renewalMark policy for non-renewal
DeclinePOST .../declineDecline a submission
See the Policy Lifecycle section in the API Reference for full endpoint documentation.