The Bold Penguin Placement Desk will be available to all Bold Penguin Terminal users around the end of August 2025.
What is the Bold Penguin Placement Desk?
The Placement Desk is a risk placement service available for Terminal users looking to grow their book or solve for hard-to-place risks. It acts as a wholesale access point, helping agents place business with carriers they’re not appointed with. The Placement Desk allows agents to quote faster with more carriers, without needing direct or market access appointments.
What carriers and products are available in the Bold Penguin Placement Desk?
The Placement Desk works with the following major national carriers:
AmTrust (BOP, Cyber, Workers' compensation).
biBerk (Commercial auto).
Chubb (BOP, Cyber, General liability, Umbrella, Workers' compensation).
Markel (GL, Workers' compensation).
Pie (Commercial auto, Workers' compensation).
Travelers (Commercial auto, BOP, Property, General liability, Umbrella).
Additional carriers will be added as the Placement Desk service expands its reach.
How do I sign up to take advantage of the Bold Penguin Placement Desk?
Navigate to Terminal’s Appointments page and make sure the Bold Penguin Placement Desk carriers are active: https://terminal.boldpenguin.com/settings/carrier-appointments.
How do I submit a risk to the Placement Desk?
It’s easy! Simply complete an application in the Terminal. If a Placement Desk option is available, it will be listed on the Quote Presentation page. Agents may also email the Placement Desk directly as opposed to completing a Terminal application. (Email: placement.desk@boldpenguin.com)
Watch a guided walkthrough: Placement Desk Tutorial.
Is a carrier appointment required to receive a quote from the Bold Penguin Placement Desk?
No direct or market access appointment is required. The Bold Penguin Placement Specialist will submit the application to the carrier(s).
Will I have access to the carrier’s portal for a quote submitted through the Placement Desk?
No, you will not have access to the carrier’s portal.
How quickly can I use the Placement Desk once I sign up for the Bold Penguin Terminal?
You don’t have to wait for appointments or integrations. You can start writing business immediately. However, if you bind a policy through the Placement Desk, you must complete the compliance process in order to receive commission.
Is the Bold Penguin Penguin Placement Desk an MGA?
No. The Placement Desk is not an MGA. It does not hold underwriting authority or issue policies on behalf of carriers. All quoting, binding, and policy issuance are handled directly through the carrier.
Does the Bold Penguin Placement Desk have binding authority?
No, the Placement Desk does not have binding authority. All binding decisions are made by the carrier. The Placement Desk facilitates submissions and supports the placement process but does not issue policies or bind coverage directly.
What is the difference between the Bold Penguin Placement Desk and a traditional MGA or wholesaler?
Unlike a traditional MGA, we’re more than just a wholesaler. We're a technology platform that offers you multiple paths to better serve your customers through broader access, integrated tools, and efficiency—helping you quote faster and grow your book your way.
Are there any differences in compliance approval for market access appointments vs. the Placement Desk?
No. Agents seeking access to the Placement Desk must complete the same compliance review as those applying for market access appointments. This includes verification of a valid W-9, E&O coverage, and active agency and principal licenses.
What are the requirements to utilize the Bold Penguin Placement Desk?
You must have an active Terminal subscription, and you must also agree to the terms and attestations for each quote you request through the Bold Penguin Placement Desk.
If I don't have a license in a state, can I bind a policy in that state through the Placement Desk?
No. Similar to the market access appointment process, the Placement Desk cannot be used to bind business in states where you are not licensed. Agents must have an active license in the policy state to bind coverage and receive commission.
What if I already have a direct or a market access appointment with a carrier available via the Bold Penguin Placement Desk?
You would want to submit a quote to those carriers first because they provide you with the ability to service policies on your own and provide you with higher commission. If you lose a direct or market access appointment (for example, due to lack of volume), you can still work with the Bold Penguin Placement Desk to find the best coverage for your customer.
Can captive agents use the Placement Desk?
Yes! One of the key benefits of the Placement Desk is that it allows captive agents to access carriers and markets they typically wouldn’t be able to.
Can I apply for a market access appointment or a direct appointment with a carrier after using the Placement Desk?
Yes. You must first complete the carrier’s market access appointment or direct appointment approval process. Once approved, the appointment can be activated in the Terminal using your producer credentials.
Can I bind through the Placement Desk without a Terminal subscription?
No. An active Terminal subscription is required to access the Placement Desk and bind policies.
How can I contact the Placement Desk to follow up on a quote?
You can reach the Placement Desk by phone at (614) 368-7400 or email at placement.desk@boldpenguin.com. The Bold Penguin Placement Desk is available Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm ET.
How do Placement Desk quotes appear within the Terminal Quote Presentation page?
Quotes available through the Placement Desk will display the Bold Penguin logo in the top corner of the carrier’s logo tile, along with the label “Bold Penguin Placement Desk” beneath the quoted line of business. The tile button will also display “Request Placement.”
How will I know my commission for quotes submitted via the Placement Desk?
Business written via the Placement Desk will be paid out at a 50/50 commission split.
When you choose “Request Placement” on the Placement Desk quote, an additional prompt will appear. You must check the box in the prompt to agree to the terms and conditions shown before you can submit the request.
Agent commissions will appear in their monthly commission statement, alongside any commissions earned from market access appointed business. Please review the commission table within the Bold Penguin Terminal for commission rates.
How will I know that a submission was successful?
A green success banner will appear, and the Placement Desk quote tile will have a grayed out “Request Placement” button. A Placement Specialist will be in touch within 1-2 business days with next steps.
How and when will I receive quotes and policies from the Placement Desk?
You will receive quote proposals and policy documents via email within one to two business days.
Will I receive a proposal to send to my customer?
Yes. Proposals will be emailed to the requesting agent.
How do I bind a policy, and how does my insured pay?
The policy will be bound by the Placement Specialist. The Placement Specialist will then email you payment instructions. Please note that most carriers offer only Direct Bill.
How will I be able to differentiate my commissions earned via the Placement Desk from those earned via market access appointments in my monthly commission details?
The commission statement will include a source column indicating whether the listed policy was bound via Placement Desk or via market access appointment (if applicable).
What is the commission payout schedule for the Placement Desk?
Commissions earned through Placement Desk policies, as well as market access policies, will be paid out monthly.
What information does the Placement Specialist need in order to quote?
If the application was completed in the Terminal and the quote was submitted to the Placement Desk, no additional information is needed upfront. The Placement Specialist will receive the full application automatically. If anything is missing or additional details are required, we’ll contact you directly within one to two business days.
Who is the Broker of Record for polices placed through the Placement Desk?
All policies placed through the Placement Desk are written under Bold Penguin’s direct appointments with the carriers. Bold Penguin Company, LLC serves as the Broker of Record for these policies. Bold Penguin Company, LLC will also appear on the Declarations page.
How are the policies serviced?
Policies will be serviced by the carrier’s service center. Agents should, therefore, contact the carrier service centers directly for any servicing needs (e.g., billing questions, endorsements, etc.).
Are any premium financing options available through the Placement Desk?
No, not at this time. However, agents can utilize a premium finance company of their choosing, if needed.
Will I have access to all of my completed Placement Desk quotes?
Applications completed within the Terminal can be retrieved by navigating to the Terminal’s home screen at any time. Quotes received from the Placement Desk will always be sent via email.
How/where can I pull a report of active policies that I have bound through the Placement Desk?
Please reach out to placement.desk@boldpenguin.com.
What happens to my policies placed through the Placement Desk if I cancel my Terminal subscription with Bold Penguin?
As with market access appointments, policies placed through the Placement Desk will remain active unless canceled by the carrier, the insured, or for non-payment. Bold Penguin will continue to pay commission for the life of the policy.
Can I transfer a policy once I receive a direct or market access appointment?
Policies placed through the Placement Desk can be transferred to the agency’s sub-appointment or direct appointment, following the carrier’s BOR guidelines.