For brokers and carriers, going digital and streamlining workflows isn’t a simple matter of flipping a switch. Every carrier platform works differently, varying workflows cause layers of complexity, and customers still need speed and accuracy.
We hear about these challenges often from brokers, and we know they’re not just “growing pains” of modernization. They can be roadblocks to efficiency and profitability.
To dig deeper into what can make digital adoption challenging — and where opportunities for improvement lie — we spoke with Mitchell Wein, Executive Principal of Datos Insights. From outdated infrastructure to compliance concerns, he outlined the leading digitization pain points and how both brokers and carriers can tackle them.
Inadequate Digital Infrastructure
The Problem
Surety brokers can improve workflows by investing in a modern, cloud-based Surety system. However, even when they do, they can only issue bonds as efficiently as a carrier’s system allows.
“Many Surety carriers’ digital infrastructure isn’t as comprehensive or efficient as brokers need,” says Wein. “That leads to inefficiencies, errors, and wasted hours — sometimes even delays in issuing complex construction bonds. Depending on the carrier, a broker might have to fill out forms online, send an email, and speak to someone directly. If a bond gets called, they could be dealing with three different carrier departments. These inefficiencies frustrate brokers and often drive them to leave carriers with such requirements. Today, everyone expects fast, seamless digital experiences.”
The Solution
For brokers, the simplest solution is to issue Surety bonds with carriers whose digital systems are fast and effective. Enough carriers are competing in the Surety space that brokers have choices, and a broker with a modern Surety platform like Tinubu can easily compare carrier options with the click of a mouse.
For carriers to remain attractive to brokers, “they need to invest in modern, cloud-based platforms that integrate seamlessly with broker systems, offering APIs for real-time data exchange and automation,” says Wein. “They should also provide brokers with user-friendly portals that centralize bond issuance, tracking, and reporting, reducing reliance on legacy systems.”
Compliance and Regulatory Hurdles
The Problem
Digitization makes bond issuance easier and more efficient, but it also introduces stricter compliance scrutiny. Surety brokers must navigate stringent regulatory requirements, such as USDOT and FMCSA compliance, and “regulators are less forgiving of automated errors than manual ones,” says Wein.
The Solution
Manually handling compliance tasks is slow and prone to mistakes, and once a broker has gone digital, there’s no desire to return to that process. The answer is a Surety platform with built-in compliance and a bond form library that ensures every bond is issued using the most current version. Tinubu delivers both.
Tinubu’s broker system won’t let bonds go out with missing fields or incomplete information. It also automatically stays current with regulatory changes. In other words, compliance is built in. We also offer the Surety industry’s largest bond form library, with over 30,000 digitized forms continually updated. Brokers can quickly find the right form and be confident they’re using the most up-to-date version, making compliance faster and easier.
Lack of Integration with Broker Systems
The Problem
“Brokers already have their ways of working, sometimes using multiple systems, such as CRM, TMS, or accounting software. New digital platforms don’t always integrate with a broker’s existing tools,” says Wein. “This leads to data silos, duplicate entries, and inefficiencies. This lack of interoperability hinders a digital transition. Brokers don’t want to re-enter data across various systems. They need APIs that plug into their existing tech stack.”
The Solution
When evaluating Surety systems, brokers benefit from platforms built with integration in mind—offering APIs and connectors to sync with CRMs, TMS, accounting, and other core tools. This approach ensures data flows seamlessly between systems, reducing duplicate entry and minimizing errors.
For carriers, adopting a platform with strong interoperability features not only supports broker efficiency but also strengthens the overall digital ecosystem. By enabling smooth data exchange across applications, carriers help create the frictionless workflows brokers expect in a modern Surety environment.
Insufficient Training and Support
The Problem
When someone starts using a new Surety platform—even one with an intuitive, well-designed interface—some training will always be needed, yet “brokers are often left to figure out new digital tools on their own,” says Wein. “This leads to low adoption and underutilization.” The problem isn’t just that brokers don’t always receive adequate training on the systems they purchase themselves: “Carriers don’t always onboard brokers onto their platforms properly,” says Wein, which compounds the challenge of digital adoption for brokers.
The Solution
Carriers also need to assess the level of training available to them when they choose a Surety system. But beyond that, “they might want to make some training available to its brokers so they know how to use the new system,” says Wein. “That training and support can include webinars, tutorials, and hands-on workshops to educate brokers on digital platform features and ensure smooth adoption. User-friendly documentation and self-service resources, such as FAQs and video guides, also empower brokers to troubleshoot independently.”
Driving a Connected, Digital Future in Surety
The advantages of digitization are well established—streamlined processes, reduced manual effort, and the capacity to grow business while protecting margins. When brokers can work seamlessly in a digital environment, the entire Surety ecosystem benefits. Removing the barriers to adoption isn’t just good for brokers—it’s a step toward a faster, more connected, and more competitive industry.
