Guide · Insurance

E-signatures for insurance

Automate policy application signing, coverage agreements, claims authorization, and renewal documents. Every completed document is PKCS#7-sealed with a full audit trail — defensible evidence for claims disputes and regulatory review.

Insurance documents signed with GetSigned

Policy applications

New policy application packages — property, auto, life, commercial. Sequential routing ensures applicant signs before the broker countersigns.

Coverage agreements

Master policy documents, endorsements, and riders. Reusable templates send the same coverage agreement for each new policyholder without re-uploading.

Claims authorization forms

FNOL forms, repair authorization, and release of liability. Webhook completion triggers downstream claims workflow updates automatically.

Renewal and change requests

Annual policy renewal packages and mid-term change endorsements. Automated reminders keep signers on schedule before policy expiry.

Broker appointment agreements

Carrier-broker appointment and compensation agreements. Multi-signer routing handles all required signatories across both parties.

Cancellation and non-renewal notices

Signed acknowledgment of cancellation notices creates a defensible record that the policyholder received and acknowledged the notice.

Application-to-issuance workflow

1
Application phase

Generate the policy application PDF from your quoting system. POST to /v1/envelopes with the applicant's details and signature fields pre-placed at the standard signature lines.

2
Send to applicant

POST to /send. The applicant receives a link, verifies identity with OTP, and signs on any device. No printing, no scanning, no branch visit required.

3
Route to broker / underwriter

Use sequential routing_order to automatically send the countersignature link to the broker only after the applicant completes. No manual coordination.

4
React to completion

envelope.completed webhook fires when all parties sign. Download the PKCS#7-sealed document, update your policy management system, and trigger issuance — fully automated.

Frequently asked questions

Are e-signatures valid for insurance documents?

Yes, for most insurance documents. Policy applications, coverage agreements, claims authorization forms, broker appointments, and renewal documents are covered by the US ESIGN Act, UETA, and Canada's PIPEDA. Some jurisdictions have specific requirements for life insurance and variable product applications — check NAIC guidelines and state-specific regulations. Consult qualified legal counsel for your specific document types and jurisdictions.

How does the signed document hold up in a claims dispute?

GetSigned captures: explicit e-sign consent (logged with timestamp + IP); OTP identity verification proving the correct person signed; a hash-chained audit log of every event; SHA-256 hashes of the original and final document; and a PKCS#7 digital seal proving the document was not modified after signing. This evidence record is embedded as an audit certificate page in the sealed PDF — so the proof of signing travels with the document, available to adjusters, legal teams, and regulators.

Can we automate the full application-to-issuance workflow?

Yes. Generate the application PDF from your quoting or policy system, POST it to the GetSigned API with applicant and broker signer details, and call /send. Sequential routing handles applicant → broker automatically. The envelope.completed webhook fires when all parties sign — trigger document archival, policy issuance, and CRM updates from the webhook payload. No human coordination required between steps.

Can we use templates for recurring policy types?

Yes. For policy types you send repeatedly (auto, home, commercial), define a template once with pre-placed signature fields and roles. Each new policy instance populates the template with the specific policyholder details and sends — without re-uploading the base document. Templates significantly reduce per-envelope setup time for high-volume policy operations.

How long are signed insurance documents retained?

Retention is configurable per tenant. Many insurance regulations require 5–7 year retention for policy documents. You set the retention period per your regulatory requirements; GetSigned retains documents until that period expires, then purges the PDF blob while retaining the audit trail tombstone permanently. The audit trail (hashes + events) allows you to verify the document's authenticity even after the file is purged.

Can the signing page show our insurance brand, not GetSigned?

The signing page shows your brand name and logo by default. Full white-labelling — removing the Powered-by attribution and presenting only your carrier or brokerage brand — is available on the Enterprise plan. This matters in insurance where policyholders should associate the signing experience with your company, not a third-party vendor.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Consult qualified legal counsel for insurance-specific e-signature requirements in your jurisdiction.

Related: Compliance guide · E-signatures for finance · Template API · Multi-signer routing

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