What is the difference between Download, eDocs and Messages?
- Traditional “Download”
For decades many carriers have offered daily data download that will update specific data fields within the agency’s management system. It can include policy, claim or commission information.
- eDocs
This is a relatively new capability (formerly known as Activity or Alerts Notifications) that allows a carrier to send a document image as part of the daily download that does NOT update specific data fields within the agency’s management system. A common example of this would be a carrier sending a PDF image of policy declaration pages as an attachment in the daily download.
- A Message
like eDocs does NOT update the agency management system and is simply new information from the carrier, not an actual document. A common example would be a carrier sending a message informing the agency that their client is pending cancellation for non-payment of premium. They could send an actual copy of the intent to cancel (as an eDoc) or simply send a message without an attachment informing the agency.
Similar to data download, eDocs &/or Messages can be sent for all types of reasons including policy, billing, commissions, claims or even underwriting memos. Both eDocs &/or Messages are delivered to your system. Some Agency Management systems processing the eDocs &/or Messages will automatically attach the information to client records or even in some cases systematically add to the agency’s client portal, for example, policy documents.
How do eDocs &/or Messages differ from daily emails I receive from carriers?
- eDocs &/or Messages are intended to provide account-specific transactional information directly to your agency management system.
- Carrier emails that are transactional in nature usually require you to log in to their website to retrieve specific account information.
- EDocs &/or messages allow you to get the same information but remain in your agency management system so you can work more efficiently.
Do eDocs &/or Messages overwrite my data?
No, eDocs &/or Messages will not overwrite your data.