Creating a New Program in Ascend

Jack Brown
23 steps
2 minutes

Useascend

Navigate to [https://dashboard.useascend.com/programs](https://dashboard.useascend.com/programs)

Click "New program"

If using one of our AMS integrations (Hawksoft, AMS 360, or Epic) you should first click the "Import from" button with the logo of your AMS on it, then search for the name of the insured you want to bill. This will pre-fill much on the information below.

Click "Import document" and upload the quote, binder, or invoice you want to use to create the invoice & finance agreement

This step should complete most of the information on the policy needed for billing, but always make sure to verify for accuracy

Click the Email Address field and enter the customer's email address.

If this is an existing customer in Ascend, you'll be able to autofill the rest of their details

Enter the customer's first and last name

Click the "Business name*" field and type the customer's business name

Click the address line and begin typing the customer's address.

Select the correct address from the autofill dropdown.

If there isn't a **quote** number yet, you can type in any set of numbers you want to use as a reference point (even just 12345) to search for it down the road. You can always go back and adjust it before sending to the insured.

Unless you have a real policy number, leave that blank.

Click the Carrier / Writing Company search bar and begin typing the name of the carrier.

Select the correct carrier.

Click the Wholesaler / MGA search box and begin typing the name of the wholesaler / MGA (billing company) - you can also search by their address

If the carrier you already entered is the billing company (ie your agency is directly appointed with the carrier), click the "Not Applicable" checkbox above the Wholesaler box

Select the correct wholesaler / MGA. Frequently used wholesalers will show up at the top of the list.

If the correct wholesaler doesn't show up, they will need to be added to the system (so we can pay them). You can see instructions for that here: [https://scribehow.com/shared/Creating_a_New_Program_and_Adding_a_Test_Carrier__lDT0RnBfTdGts4oD_uhc7A](https://scribehow.com/shared/Creating_a_New_Program_and_Adding_a_Test_Carrier__lDT0RnBfTdGts4oD_uhc7A)

Note that Ascend defaults payment to the MGA. Ensure the correct address is shown.

Click the coverage type search box and begin typing the name of the coverage type.

Select the correct coverage type from the dropdown.

If the exact coverage type isn't showing up, you can always select commercial or other.

Click the "Agency commission" field and type in your agency commission.

Ascend assumes a 1 year effective period but you can adjust the expiration date using that field. Ascend can finance policies as short as 6 months and as long as 18 months.

Ascend defaults to 10 minimum days to cancel but you can adjust the amount using that field.

Click the "Agency commission" field and type in your agency commission.

Click the "Minimum earned rate" field and type the minimum earned rate, if applicable.

While Ascend's default premium financing terms are 20% down and 10 pay, we will set the downpayment equal to the minimum earned rate if the minimum earned rate is greater than 20%

Click the "Premium\*" field and type in the "pure" or base premium, not including any taxes or fees

Add any agency, policy, or broker/wholesaler fees, taxes, or other fees as applicable.

If your agency charges an agency fee, use the separate "Agency Fee" box at the bottom of the page to ensure those funds are sent to the agency and not the broker/wholesaler

Ascend doesn't manually review the quote docs but if an issue does arise, having the quote doc in the system makes it easier to resolve on our end.

Click "Save program"

Now you've created the program! If you'd like to continue to send the checkout link to your customer, see below.

Click "Send email...". For more information on the emails sent to your customer, see here: [https://intercom.help/ascend-ed9024b8b0f8/en/articles/6319700-insured-experience-checkout-email-notifications](https://intercom.help/ascend-ed9024b8b0f8/en/articles/6319700-insured-experience-checkout-email-notifications)

Click "Email link"

If you want to make a payment on behalf of your insured, you can visit the checkout link yourself to enter the payment details, more information here: <https://scribehow.com/shared/How_to_Make_Payment_on_Behalf_of_Your_Insured__jB8sn_SNSr6k16WWrdLyFA>

And that's it!

Creating a New Program in Ascend

Jack Brown
23 steps
2 minutes