For insurance agents
Desktop notifications
A new quote request, a client message, an accepted quote, or a binder request can pop up on your computer the moment it happens, even when PolicyVera is not the active tab. This guide covers how to turn them on, how to check that they reach your screen, and what to change on a Mac or a Windows PC when they do not.
The menu paths below are from macOS 13 and later and from Windows 10 and 11, last read in August 2026. Operating systems rename settings from time to time; if a path looks different on your computer, search its settings app for "notifications".
How to turn them on
Open Settings, find the Notifications card, and choose Turn on for this device. Your browser asks once whether PolicyVera may show notifications. As soon as you allow it, PolicyVera sends a test alert to that computer and asks whether it appeared. Each computer and each browser is turned on separately, so repeat this on your second machine or in a second browser.
Once a device is on, the Desktop column in the same card has a switch for each alert type, and the card keeps a Send a test alert link so you can check any time.
How an alert reaches your screen
Three things have to agree before a popup appears. PolicyVera can see only the first one, which is why the settings card sends a real test alert and asks you what happened.
- This website's permission in your browser. The one you grant when you turn the device on. The settings card shows whether it is allowed, blocked, or not yet asked.
- Your computer's permission for the browser. macOS and Windows each keep their own list of apps allowed to show notifications, and your browser must be on it. A page cannot read this list.
- Focus modes and screen sharing. Focus and Do Not Disturb on a Mac, Do not disturb or Focus assist on Windows, and screen mirroring on a Mac all hold alerts back while they are active.
If the test alert did not appear
When the card says the alert was sent and your browser allows notifications, the block is almost always in your computer's own settings. Work through the list for your computer, then send another test alert from the card.
Mac
macOS decides whether a browser may show alerts, separately from the permission you gave this website.
1.Allow your browser in System Settings
Apple menu > System Settings > Notifications. Find your browser in the list and allow notifications. If the list also shows an entry ending in "Helper (Alerts)" for your browser, allow that one too: both entries need to be on.
2.Safari lists each website on its own
If you use Safari, allow policyvera.com in that same Notifications list. Safari is the one browser that delivers alerts even while it is closed.
3.Turn off Focus
Open Control Center and turn off Focus or Do Not Disturb, or add your browser to the Focus's allowed apps.
4.Second screen or screen sharing
In System Settings > Notifications, allow notifications when mirroring or sharing the display. macOS hides alerts during mirroring unless that is on.
5.Keep your browser open
Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, and Firefox deliver alerts only while they are open. Quitting the browser pauses alerts until you open it again; Safari is the exception.
Windows
Windows decides whether a browser may show alerts, separately from the permission you gave this website.
1.Allow your browser in Settings
Settings > System > Notifications (Windows 10 calls it Notifications & actions). Turn notifications on, then make sure your browser is switched on in the list of apps.
2.Turn off Do not disturb
Windows 11: turn off Do not disturb in Settings > System > Notifications. Windows 10: turn off Focus assist, or add your browser to its priority list.
3.Alerts move to the notification center
Windows keeps an alert on screen for 5 seconds by default, then files it in the notification center (the bell at the end of the taskbar). To keep alerts on screen longer: Windows 11, Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects > Dismiss notifications after; Windows 10, Settings > Ease of Access > Display > Show notifications for.
4.Keep your browser running
Alerts arrive only while your browser is running. Chrome and Edge can keep delivering after the last window closes when their option to keep running background apps is on; Firefox stops when its last window closes.
If your browser says notifications are blocked
A block at the browser level can only be undone by you, in the browser's own site controls. The settings card shows this state as "blocked in this browser".
Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc
Click the icon at the left of the address bar (a lock or a tune icon), set Notifications to Allow, then reload this page.
Firefox
Click the icon at the left of the address bar, and under Permissions clear the Blocked entry for notifications, then reload this page.
Safari
Safari menu > Settings > Websites > Notifications. Set policyvera.com to Allow, then reload this page.
Which browsers work
They work in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and in Safari on macOS 13 or later. Brave works once its "Use Google services for push messaging" setting is on. Phones and tablets are not supported for desktop notifications; text alerts cover them.
Common questions
What do the popups contain?
Do I get alerts when my browser is closed?
Do alerts stay on screen until I close them?
Can I choose which events pop up?
Alerts worked for weeks and then stopped. Why?
Do desktop notifications work on my phone?
Still nothing after the checklist? Send a message from the Support page with the browser and operating system you use, and we will look at the device record with you.
Hear it the moment it happens
Two clicks in Settings, one test alert, and every new request reaches your screen.