The Hartford said that it has added some new bells and whistles to its online business quoting system for agents and brokers. Esurance is getting into the rideshare insurance business in California, with an eye on further expansion down the line.

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The Hartford said it has enhanced its online small business quoting system for agents and brokers.

According to the insurer, its ICON online quoting system now offers easier access and broader protection for small businesses. Also, agents and brokers now get access to quote employee benefits plus excess and surplus lines coverage for their small business customers.

As well, employee benefits are now integrated within the workers compensation quoting experience in ICON. When an agent or broker generates a workers compensation quote for a small business, they will see an option to receive a bindable proposal for group benefits coverage in real time, and no additional information is needed.

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Allstate’s Esurance rolled out rideshare coverage for drivers in California.

The coverage, targeted to drivers for rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft, offers protection whether the driver is waiting for a ride request, on the way to pick up a passenger or driving a passenger.

Typically, a rideshare company’s insurance covers drivers while they’re picking up a passenger or driving them to their destination. What it doesn’t fully cover is the time period when the rideshare app is turned on and the driver is waiting for a ride request. Esurance’s rideshare product, called ShareSmart, bridges the coverage gap for the period of time when drivers are waiting for a ride request and accepting a ride.

Esurance is evaluating rolling out rideshare coverage to additional states in 2018.

Esurance, a member company of Allstate, provides auto, homeowners, motorcycle and renters insurance direct to consumers online and over the phone.

Sources: The Hartford, Allstate’s Esurance