> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.coverwhale.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Integration Checklist

> What you need before making your first API call

# Integration Checklist

Before you start building, here's what you'll need — both from Cover Whale and from the insured (the trucking company applying for insurance).

## From Cover Whale

<Steps>
  <Step title="API credentials">
    A username and password issued by Cover Whale. Contact [api-support@coverwhale.com](mailto:api-support@coverwhale.com) to request access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Base URL">
    Production and test environments have separate base URLs. See [Base URL](/base-url) for both endpoints and how to switch between them.
  </Step>

  <Step title="This documentation">
    You're here. The [Quickstart](/quickstart) walks through the full flow end-to-end.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## From the Insured

This is the data you'll need to collect from the trucking company to get a quote. The more you provide, the more accurate the pricing.

### Minimum for an Indication (preliminary pricing)

| Data                | Field                                        | Notes                                                                 |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| DOT number          | `insuredInformation.dotNumber`               | The USDOT number assigned by FMCSA. Every commercial carrier has one. |
| Legal business name | `insuredInformation.legalName`               | As registered with FMCSA                                              |
| Years in business   | `insuredInformation.yearsInBusiness`         | Under current ownership                                               |
| Garage state & zip  | `garageAddress.garageState`, `.garageZip`    | Where vehicles are primarily kept                                     |
| Mailing state & zip | `mailingAddress.mailingState`, `.mailingZip` | Business mailing address                                              |
| Number of trucks    | `limits.nbrOfTrucks`                         | Power units in the fleet                                              |
| Total truck value   | `limits.valueOfTrucks`                       | Combined value of all power units                                     |
| Effective date      | `coverage.effectiveDate`                     | When coverage should start (MM/DD/YYYY)                               |

### Additional for a Full Quote (binding-eligible pricing)

| Data                | Field                                 | Notes                                                             |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Full addresses      | `garageAddress.*`, `mailingAddress.*` | Street, city, state, zip, county for both                         |
| Vehicle details     | `vehicles[]`                          | Year, make, model, VIN, value, class for each truck               |
| Driver details      | `drivers[]`                           | Name, DOB, license state/number, years experience for each driver |
| Coverage selections | `coverage.requestAl`, etc.            | Which coverage lines to quote (AL, APD, MTC, TGL, NTL)            |
| Liability limit     | `limits.limitAutoLiability`           | Typically \$1,000,000                                             |

### For Binding (converting a quote to an active policy)

| Data                | Field                           | Notes                                |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Coverage selections | `coverage.includeAL`, etc.      | Which quoted lines to bind           |
| Broker fees         | `coverage.brokerFeeAL`, etc.    | Your service fee per coverage line   |
| Insured email       | `bindingMethod.insuredEmail`    | For e-signature and policy documents |
| Insured full name   | `bindingMethod.insuredFullName` | For signature                        |
| Shipping address    | `shippingAddress.*`             | For dashcam delivery (if applicable) |

## Key Concepts for Developers

If you're new to insurance integrations, here are the domain concepts you'll encounter:

| Term                           | What It Means                                                                                                                                                            |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **DOT number**                 | A unique identifier assigned to commercial carriers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Think of it as the "company ID" for trucking businesses. |
| **Indication**                 | A preliminary price estimate based on minimal data. Not bindable — used for screening.                                                                                   |
| **Quote**                      | A formal price offer with exact premiums. Can be bound into a policy.                                                                                                    |
| **Binding**                    | Converting a quote into an active insurance policy. Once bound, coverage is in effect.                                                                                   |
| **Submission**                 | The application record that tracks the entire lifecycle from quote request through active policy.                                                                        |
| **Display ID**                 | The submission's primary identifier. You'll use this in most API calls.                                                                                                  |
| **Transaction ID**             | Identifies a specific version of a submission. Endorsements and renewals create new transactions.                                                                        |
| **Endorsement**                | A modification to an active policy (e.g., adding a vehicle, changing coverage).                                                                                          |
| **AL / APD / MTC / TGL / NTL** | The five coverage lines. See the [coverage types table](/guides/quoting#coverage-types) for descriptions.                                                                |