Outmarket’s new AI tool promises to shrink proposal work for commercial brokers — but questions remain

Outmarket says its AI will speed up the slowest part of commercial insurance sales

Outmarket announced a new product called Proposal Builder that it says will dramatically reduce the time brokers spend turning quotes and client details into polished commercial insurance proposals. The company frames the move as a practical step toward using generative AI to solve a real, repetitive workflow for brokers — not just a flashy demo.

According to the release, brokers can expect a faster path from initial quote to client-ready proposal. Outmarket positions itself as an AI-forward provider in the insurtech space, pitching the tool as a way to free up brokers’ time for client work and strategy, instead of formatting documents.

How the AI Proposal Builder stitches data, text and formatting into a finished package

Proposal Builder is built as a single workflow that pulls together a broker’s data, insurer quotes and template language. The company describes three obvious steps: ingest, draft and finalize.

Ingest: the system accepts quotes and policy data from common broker systems and spreadsheets. Outmarket says it can map fields automatically so users don’t need to re-key details.

Draft: the AI generates narrative sections — coverage summaries, exclusions to watch, and client-facing explanations — using templates and the specific numbers from the quotes. The output aims to sound like a broker wrote it, with plain-English descriptions of risk and suggested next steps.

Finalize: the tool applies firm branding, formatting and pagination, and produces files that brokers can export, email, or send for e-signature. The company stresses a simple editor so brokers can tweak language before sending.

Outmarket claims the workflow reduces the manual time that most brokers spend on proposals. The release frames the time savings in practical terms — fewer hours spent on layout, copy-editing and data entry — rather than technical metrics. The product also promises integrations with common broker platforms and CRMs, which is central to the pitch: the faster the data flows in, the less manual clean-up is required.

Early reactions: some brokers call it a “watershed moment,” while rivals watch closely

Industry response has been mixed but spirited. Several brokers quoted in the announcement called the tool a “watershed moment” for day-to-day work, saying that anything which shortens the path from quote to placement matters at scale.

Why brokers might adopt the tool is straightforward. Faster proposals mean faster client conversations, which can increase the likelihood of closing business. For mid-size brokerages juggling many small to medium accounts, shaving hours off each deal adds up. The UX promise — automated templates and editable narrative — appeals because it preserves the broker’s voice while cutting repetitive work.

On the competitive front, Outmarket is running into a crowded market where established insurtech startups, point solutions and some carrier platforms are also exploring AI. What could set Proposal Builder apart is the end-to-end focus on proposal creation, rather than niche tasks like pricing or document search. But the real test will be whether brokers find the tool reliable across varied lines of business and complex accounts.

Where the tool may hit limits: data, accuracy and regulatory headaches

Many of the concerns around AI in insurance show up here. The quality of the proposals depends on the quality of the data that goes in. If quotes arrive with inconsistent fields or incomplete details, the AI can only do so much. That means brokers may still need to check the output carefully, especially on larger or complex accounts.

Accuracy and liability are immediate questions. Who is responsible if an AI-written proposal leaves out a material exclusion or misstates coverage? Brokers, carriers, and Outmarket will need clear contracts and audit trails so responsibility is not fuzzy.

Privacy and data handling matter, too. Commercial proposals can include sensitive client information. Buyers will want to know how Outmarket stores or processes that data, whether it stays on-premise or goes to third-party cloud models, and what controls exist for deletion or access.

Finally, regulatory scrutiny could follow. Insurance is a regulated business, and regulators in some markets may ask to review how AI tools affect disclosures, suitability, and record-keeping. Carriers and compliance teams might push back if they feel the AI-generated language increases underwriting or legal risk.

What to watch next: pilots, partners and performance signals

Practical signs that Proposal Builder is gaining traction will be straightforward. Watch for named pilot customers or brokerages that put metrics on the table — hours saved per proposal, faster turnaround on quotes, or improved close rates. Partnership announcements with major broker platforms or carrier networks would also validate the integration story.

Pricing matters. If Outmarket goes subscription and charges per user, adoption will hinge on clear ROI for broker firms. If it prefers per-proposal fees or revenue-sharing, that will shape which customers try it first.

For now, Proposal Builder looks like a sensible application of AI to a mundane but time-consuming part of insurance sales. It could lift productivity for many brokers, but real-world value will depend on accuracy, data plumbing and how the industry handles the thorny legal and privacy questions that come with automating client-facing documents.

Sources

• prnewswire.com