Hippo’s First Connect Partners With Root Insurance on Quote and Bind Process

First Connect Insurance Services and Root Insurance said they are partnering to offer API-powered quote and bind capabilities to independent agents.

First Connect, a subsidiary of insurtech Hippo, is a digital platform designed to provide independent agents access to some of the nation’s top carriers and managing general agents in home, auto, cyber, small business, life, and specialty lines. The partnership with insurtech Root will streamline access to Root’s standard and preferred auto insurance in California, the companies said, with plans to expand to 25 more states by the end of October.

After an agent enters basic customer details, the new streamlined process pulls data on drivers and vehicles and, after considering state minimums and previous customer coverages, offers a policy type and deductible. Once logged on to First Connect, agents can work across all their devices without being required to enter additional carrier credentials, First Connect said.

“Adding a leading insurtech like Root, renowned for delivering a simple insurance purchasing process, is a natural fit for our platform and a win for the agents we support,” said First Connect President Aviad Pinkovezky, in a statement.

Root’s Jason Shapiro, senior vice president of business development, said the independent agent channel is an opportunity to reach more drivers.

The announcement comes about a week after Root and Goosehead Insurance said they’d link technologies to speed up Goosehead agents’ access to Root’s products.