Rates and Rules Testing

DELIVERING ACCURATE RATES AND PRECISE RULES

At Ingenuity, we specialise in comprehensive rates and rules testing to ensure your insurance products perform flawlessly. By validating every rate table, rule and calculation, we help deliver accurate, compliant and reliable solutions tailored to your business needs.

What is rates and rules testing?

Rates and rules testing ensures that insurance products calculate premiums accurately and apply underwriting criteria as intended. It involves validating every rate table, rule and calculation to ensure compliance with regulations and alignment with business requirements.

By thoroughly testing these elements, Ingenuity helps identify discrepancies, reduce errors and deliver reliable, high-quality insurance products that clients can trust. This critical process safeguards the integrity of your pricing and underwriting, providing confidence in your product's performance.

Ingenuity's testing services play an integral role in the process by which we build, adapt and maintain our products

Benefits

How it works

Our Testing Approach

At Ingenuity, we follow a structured testing process tailored to meet each client's specific needs.

Defining the Testing Framework

We start by establishing a contract, including a tailored product list and test plan. This defines the scope of testing, the level of coverage required and the specific tests needed to validate each product or system, ensuring clear objectives from the outset.

Developing Detailed Test Plans

Our team creates comprehensive test plans by analysing each product's specifications. Test cases are carefully designed to check every rule and calculation, ensuring high-quality results through both manual and automated testing.

Executing Tests and Managing Reporting

Testing is executed in alignment with scheduled releases, using a combination of automated tools and manual processes. We maintain transparency through regular reporting, documenting issues and providing clients with detailed updates.

Continuous Improvement and Problem Resolution

As product specifications evolve, we update the test plans accordingly. Any issues are promptly logged, tracked and addressed, ensuring timely fixes and retesting to maintain the integrity of the product over time.

Performance

Case studies

FAQs

How do we access the systems?

We access the systems through a range of methods, from keeping fully fledged broker servers on site to using remote connections hosted by software providers. It all depends on what options are available and work best, but you can be sure Ingenuity always strive to have the best and most appropriate access for a given platform.

How do you charge for your services?

We have various ways of charging depending on the task in hand, whether it be a recurring fee for BAU tick over, taking a retainer to provide a certain number of days to be available as and when required, or one-off payments for specific projects. At any rate you can rely on us to be competitive for our services whilst maintaining the high standards we have become known for!

How much lead in time does Ingenuity need?

The simple answer is lead time very much depends on the job we are taking on – a simple testplan build and getting testing underway can be as little as a 4 week turnaround, whereas a full bespoke automation build will likely take longer – however we pride ourselves on being upfront on letting a client know what is feasible and in what timescales.

Do you keep test evidence?

Yes we do. The type of evidence varies depending on task. So for example, results from manual input are recorded digitally along with time stamped testplans. Automation results are kept in the output format from the automation, along with compare routines utilised in the analysis of the results. Quote prints and screen grabs when generated are all kept digitally. Any test evidence that happens to be paper format is kept for at least 5 years, however so much of our work is paperless these days, and digital results are never deleted.

How do you report issues?

All issues or queries identified are always reported to our client first, as it is essential that the product authority makes the decision on a potential issue. We have our own standardised Ingenuity problem logs where we record any issues or queries identified. These are sent to clients as pdfs along with any test evidence, such as quote prints or screen grabs. If a client has their own preferred problem management tool, we are also happy to utilise that facility. Once confirmed, we are happy to liaise with the software developer to raise the issue and manage the subsequent re-testing once fixed, before reporting back with evidence to our client.

Can you integrate with our in-house testing teams and tools?

Of course! We are always happy to work alongside in-house test teams, whether that be to provide support on the same project or to provide resource or expertise that the in-house team doesn't have. Over the many years of providing test services and solutions we have used many different systems and tools and are always quick studies when required to use a new tool.

How can automation improve the efficiency of testing?

Automation improves testing efficiency by executing tasks rapidly and consistently, reducing human error and enabling broad test coverage, including complex scenarios. It supports repetitive tasks like regression testing and generates detailed reports for informed decision-making. By handling large-scale, repetitive and data-intensive tasks, automation allows testers to focus on strategic activities, enhancing productivity and ensuring high-quality results with reduced long-term costs.

What types of processes can be automated with your services?

Types of Processes That Can Be Automated with Our Services: Rates and Rules Testing: Automate the execution of test scripts to validate pricing accuracy and underwriting rules across insurance products. Business Process Testing: Streamline testing of point-of-sale documentation, EDI processes and various policy lifecycle stages, including new business, renewals and mid-term adjustments. Data Migration Validation: Automate the comparison and verification of data before and after migration to ensure accuracy and completeness. Batch Testing: Perform large-scale testing of quotes and transactions across multiple systems to identify discrepancies quickly. Regression Testing: Automatically re-test existing functionality after updates or changes to ensure no unintended issues are introduced. System Comparisons: Validate consistency across different environments, platforms or software house systems by automating comparisons. Static Table Verification: Ensure that Polaris table values align with product specifications, speeding up rating changes and deployment. Custom Automation: Tailor automation to specific client needs, such as recurring checks for system readiness or automated test pack execution. Our automation solutions are designed to enhance efficiency, reduce manual effort and deliver accurate results across a wide range of insurance testing scenarios.

Do you provide customised automation solutions?

Yes, we specialise in delivering customised automation solutions tailored to your specific needs. Whether you require unique test packs, bespoke data migration tools or automation for complex business processes, our team works closely with you to design and implement solutions that align with your goals. With a deep understanding of insurance systems and processes, we ensure that our automation addresses your challenges effectively, enhancing efficiency, accuracy and reliability.

What is rates and rules testing, and who needs it?

Rates and rules testing ensures that insurance products calculate premiums correctly and apply underwriting criteria accurately. This involves validating rate tables, rating algorithms and underwriting rules to ensure they align with product specifications and comply with regulatory standards. This type of testing is essential for Insurers, MGAs and Brokers who develop or manage insurance products. It is particularly critical during product launches, updates or when migrating systems to ensure accuracy, compliance and a seamless customer experience. Rates and rules testing minimises errors, builds trust and protects the integrity of your insurance offerings.

How do you verify the accuracy of rates and rules in insurance products?

We verify the accuracy of rates and rules in insurance products through a combination of rigorous methodologies and advanced tools. Our process includes: Comprehensive Test Plans: We design detailed test cases to validate every aspect of the rating structure and underwriting rules, ensuring alignment with product specifications. Automated Testing: Using bespoke automation, we execute thousands of test cases quickly and consistently, identifying discrepancies across various scenarios. Manual Oversight: For complex scenarios, our expert testers manually verify results to ensure compliance with regulatory and business requirements. Comparative Analysis: We cross-check calculated outcomes against expected results, highlighting any inconsistencies for immediate resolution. This multi-layered approach ensures your insurance products are accurate, compliant and market-ready, giving you confidence in their performance.

Can your testing process handle frequent updates?

Yes, our testing process is designed to handle frequent updates with efficiency and accuracy. By leveraging automated test packs and customisable scripts, we can quickly validate changes to rates, rules and product configurations. This ensures that updates are implemented seamlessly without disrupting existing functionality. Additionally, our expertise in regression testing allows us to verify that new updates do not introduce unintended errors, providing confidence in your product's performance even with rapid or recurring changes.

How closely do you work with clients during testing projects?

At Ingenuity, collaboration is at the heart of our approach. We integrate with your teams, maintaining close communication throughout every stage of the testing project. From initial planning and scope definition to ongoing progress updates and defect resolution, we ensure transparency and alignment with your goals. Whether through regular calls, shared project management tools or on-site support, we work as an extension of your team to deliver accurate and timely results.

Do you offer post-project support or training for our teams?

Yes, we provide comprehensive post-project support and training to ensure a smooth transition and long-term success. Our team offers detailed documentation, hands-on guidance and customised training sessions tailored to your needs. Whether it's navigating new systems, maintaining test packs or optimising workflows, we equip your team with the knowledge and tools to confidently manage ongoing operations. Our goal is to empower your team while remaining available for additional support as needed.

Can you provide testing support for urgent or short-notice requirements?

Yes, Ingenuity is equipped to provide testing support for urgent or short-notice requirements. Our flexible team structure and expertise allow us to quickly mobilise resources to meet tight deadlines without compromising quality. Whether it's a last-minute update, critical issue or unexpected project demand, we adapt to your timelines and ensure reliable, efficient testing to keep your operations running smoothly.

Do you support specific software house systems?

Yes, Ingenuity specialises in supporting a range of software house systems commonly used in the insurance sector. With deep knowledge of these systems, we provide tailored testing, automation and support services to ensure seamless functionality and integration, helping you maximise their potential for your business needs.

What tools do you use for batch testing and automation?

At Ingenuity, we utilise a combination of proprietary and industry-standard tools to deliver efficient and reliable batch testing and automation. Our custom-built automation frameworks are tailored for large-scale testing, enabling the execution of thousands of test cases with speed and accuracy. These tools streamline the process, ensuring consistent results, rapid identification of issue and seamless integration into your workflows.

How do you manage issues discovered during testing?

At Ingenuity, we follow a structured process to efficiently manage issues uncovered during testing. Each issue is documented in detail, including its nature, impact and steps to reproduce it. We collaborate closely with your team to triage and prioritise these issues, ensuring critical problems are addressed first. Regular updates and progress reports keep all stakeholders informed, while our retesting process verifies that fixes are implemented correctly without introducing new errors. This transparent and systematic approach ensures a smooth resolution and minimises disruptions to your project timeline.