The on-ramp / critical path
The concrete, ordered sequence from “Joe has no license” to “Glacis is underwriting Tech E&O for healthcare AI.” This is the project plan the whole academy supports.
The strategy has evolved. The path below is the Volume 1 framing, where Glacis itself operates the MGA and holds the pen (steps 7–8). Volume 2 moves Glacis off the paper: a syndicate writes and holds the book, and Glacis stays the neutral evidence layer that prices it — because the moment Glacis holds risk, its attestations read as a competitor’s format and the standard collapses. Read steps 7–8 as “an MGA/syndicate binds, on Glacis evidence.” See the independence thesis.
The critical path
Section titled “The critical path”Each step is a prerequisite for the next — see the delegated-authority stack for the layered view, and the flywheel for what step 7→8 produces.
The dependency rules that govern the path
Section titled “The dependency rules that govern the path”- Resident first. Joe must be licensed in his resident state before expanding. GROUNDED · Westmont
- DRLP gates the entity. The entity can only be licensed where Joe (the DRLP) is licensed. GROUNDED · Westmont
- License + appointment before binding. No risk can be bound until both exist and authority is granted. STABLE
- Casualty line throughout. Tech E&O is casualty, so every license (Joe’s and the entity’s) must include Casualty. STABLE
- Surplus lines likely. A novel AI risk probably writes non-admitted — add a surplus-lines broker license and budget roughly double. GROUNDED · Westmont
Cost & timing (Westmont estimates — subject to change)
Section titled “Cost & timing (Westmont estimates — subject to change)”Westmont’s figures for a one-person + one-entity countrywide build-out, inclusive of Westmont fees + state application fees (and explicitly labeled estimates, subject to change without notice): GROUNDED · Westmont
| Scope | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Producer (one person + one entity, countrywide) | ~$40,000 – $50,000 | Westmont fees ≈ 40% of total |
| With Surplus Lines added | ~$80,000 – $90,000 | “roughly double” |
| Typical timeline | ~4 months on average | “all licensing efforts are unique” |
These figures exclude the cost of a registered agent and other licenses. They are a vendor estimate, not a quote — get a current written quote scoped to the actual states/lines, and cross-check live state fees via NIPR. GROUNDED · Westmont
Build vs buy
Section titled “Build vs buy”- Do it yourself via NIPR/Sircon — cheaper, more hands-on, slower for multi-state.
- Engage a consultancy (Westmont-type) — faster countrywide, ~40% premium for the service. GROUNDED · Westmont
The cross-cutting Glacis insight
Section titled “The cross-cutting Glacis insight”Glacis is itself a “third party” under the NAIC’s emerging vendor-oversight definition (see 01 third-party WG). So the same documentation discipline that powers the MGA’s underwriting also positions Glacis ahead of its own future regulation — the on-ramp and the moat are the same road. GROUNDED · Law360 GROUNDED · Glacis
Where to go next
Section titled “Where to go next”- Keep the 16 VERIFY hub open as your action list.
- Drill the whole arc in the app:
../../app/run.sh --mode quizand--mode puzzle(scenario puzzles like “you want to sell healthcare Tech E&O in CA — which licenses/steps?”).
→ 16 VERIFY hub: the checklist
Drill this page →4 bank questions stand behind what you just read. Check it while it’s warm.