VS
3CX

Compare Sonant to 3CX to understand AI phone agents vs. self-hosted PBX systems.

Sonant is an AI receptionist that answers calls for insurance agencies. 3CX is self-hosted PBX software providing phone infrastructure. These serve different purposes and can be used together.

Why users prefer Sonant

43%
Productivity increased
From 70 tasks per day to 100 by cutting 25-30% of the workload that typically takes 8-12 minutes.
100%
Coverage
Never miss a call - 24/7 availability including after hours and weekends.
8+
Integrations
Native AMS connections including EZLynx, Applied Epic, and Hawksoft.
0
Missed Calls
Eliminate voicemail and ensure every customer reaches someone immediately.

AI Phone Agent vs Self-Hosted PBX:

Quick Comparison

Sonant is an AI receptionist built exclusively for P&C insurance agencies with native AMS integrations (Momentum, Hawksoft, EZLynx, Applied Epic), insurance-specific training, and enterprise-grade security (SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified). Used by 100+ independent agencies and enterprise brokers for phone automation.

3CX is enterprise IP PBX software you can self-host on-premise, in your cloud, or in 3CX cloud. Pricing starts from $350/year based on simultaneous calls (not users). Includes AI receptionist and transcription features, but requires technical setup and management.

Choose Sonant if you need AI to answer calls, handle quote intake, and manage insurance workflows - without IT complexity or phone system management.

Choose 3CX if you need self-hosted PBX software with full control over your phone infrastructure and have IT resources to manage it.

Michelle O'ConnorMichelle O'Connor
We were getting disrupted constantly (...) My team couldn't focus on insurance consultations because they were always picking up the phone just to transfer calls to someone else.
Michelle O'Connor
President at O'Connor Insurance and Associates

AI Receptionist Capabilities Beyond Basic Call Answering

24/7 AI Receptionist Coverage

Round-the-clock phone answering ensuring insurance agencies never miss calls during nights, weekends, or holidays.

White-Glove setup

Implementation in under 30 days with dedicated developers and insurance AI specialists.

Insurance specific

Pre-trained on P&C insurance terminology, policy types, and agency workflows. No custom training required.

Native AMS integrations

Direct sync with Momentum, Hawksoft, EZLynx, Applied Epic, and 8+ major AMS and BMS.

VS
3CX

Side-by-side Feature Comparison between Sonant and 3CX

Features
Why It Matters
3CX
Industry Focus
Specialized training and workflows

P&C Insurance Agencies Only
Horizontal PBX (all industries)
AMS Integrations
Native connections to insurance agency platforms
Leading AMS platforms: EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum, QQCatalyst, AgencyZoom, Zywave, and more
None (generic CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, Zoho)
Communication Channels
How customers reach you
Inbound and Outbound Phone Calls and Texting
Voice, Video, SMS, Chat
Primary Use Case
Best suited for
P&C agency phone automation
Self-hosted PBX phone infrastructure
Insurance Terminology
Understanding industry language
Pre-trained on P&C retail agency terms, policy types, workflows
None
Implementation
Getting started, time to results
White-glove onboarding with insurance specialists (<30 days)
Self-managed, requires IT resources
Conversation Quality
Natural interaction quality
Optimized for natural insurance phone conversations
IVR, auto-attendant, optional AI receptionist
Security Certifications
Enterprise compliance
SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified
Depends on your hosting setup
Pricing Structure
Cost model
Custom pricing based on agency size
From $350/year per system (simultaneous calls)
Customer Base
Who uses it
100+ P&C agencies and brokers across US & Canada
Businesses wanting self-hosted control
24/7 Availability
Round-the-clock coverage
Yes
Depends on your infrastructure
Multilingual Support
Multiple languages
Yes, 10+ languages
Via configuration
Call Transfer
Route to human agents
Yes, Intelligent routing to licensed agents
Yes (PBX routing)
Appointment Scheduling
Calendar integration
Yes, Syncs with agency calendars
Manual or integrations
Quote Intake
Capture quote information
Yes, Automatically updates AMS
Manual (human-answered)
Book a Demo

Sonant is a Better Scalable 3CX alternative?

What Is Sonant? AI Phone Automation for P&C Insurance Agencies

Sonant is an AI receptionist built exclusively for P&C insurance agencies and brokers. The platform handles incoming phone calls 24/7, managing quote requests, policy inquiries, appointment scheduling, and claims routing with insurance-specific training and native AMS integrations.

Sonant serves independent insurance agencies, regional brokerages, and enterprise P&C operations who need phone automation without replacing their existing agency management systems. The platform integrates with EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum, QQCatalyst, AMS360, AgencyZoom, and Zywave.

Key Sonant Features:

  • AI receptionist for phone automation
  • Native AMS integrations (8+ platforms)
  • Insurance-specific training (P&C terminology)
  • 24/7 phone coverage
  • White-glove implementation (under 30 days)
  • Enterprise security (SOC2 Type 2, GDPR)
  • Proven 8X ROI within 30 days
  • Appointment Scheduling, Quote Intake, and more

Best For: Independent P&C agencies, retail insurance brokers, regional brokerages, enterprise P&C operations

3CX
What Is 3CX? Self-Hosted PBX Phone System Software

3CX is enterprise IP PBX software that can be self-hosted on-premise, in your own cloud, or in 3CX hosted infrastructure. Pricing is based on simultaneous calls rather than users, starting from $350/year for the system.

3CX serves businesses wanting full control over their phone system infrastructure. Includes AI receptionist and transcription features in higher tiers, but requires IT resources for setup, management, SIP trunk configuration, and ongoing maintenance.

Key 3CX Features:

  • Self-hosted PBX software
  • From $350/year (per system, not per user)
  • PRO and Enterprise editions
  • Video conferencing up to 100 participants
  • Microsoft 365, CRM integrations
  • Optional AI receptionist add-on
  • Windows, Linux, cloud hosting options
  • Requires IT management

Best For: Organizations wanting self-hosted control, businesses with IT resources, companies needing customizable PBX infrastructure

Sonant AI vs 3CX: Which Solution to choose?

✅ Are an insurance agency or broker (not a carrier)

✅ Offer P&C insurance products (auto, home, commercial lines)

✅ Need phone automation and more capacity

✅ Use an AMS like EZLynx, Applied Epic, or Hawksoft

✅ Have 10+ staff members or handle 100+ calls weekly

✅ Want turnkey implementation with insurance specialists

✅ Need proven ROI within 30 days

✅ Require SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR security certifications

  • Favorite among independent agencies and retail brokers
  • Phone-first automation, Native AMS integrations, P&C-specific training, Proven ROI

Sonant: Best for P&C Insurance Agencies

✅ Want full control over phone infrastructure

✅ Have IT resources for setup and management

✅ Prefer per-system vs per-user pricing

✅ Need video conferencing capabilities

✅ Want self-hosted or on-premise option

✅ Have staff to answer calls

✅ Can manage SIP trunks and configuration

  • Good for IT-managed phone infrastructure
  • Self-hosted, Full control, Per-system pricing

3CX: Best for Self-Managed PBX Infrastructure

The Bottom Line

Sonant is the best solution for P&C insurance agencies who need AI to answer calls and handle insurance workflows without IT complexity. 3CX is ideal for organizations wanting self-hosted PBX software with full control over infrastructure.

These solutions can work together: 3CX provides your phone infrastructure and routing, while Sonant AI can be connected to answer and handle incoming calls automatically.

The key difference: Sonant is managed AI that answers your calls. 3CX is self-managed phone infrastructure that requires IT resources and staff to answer calls (unless you add their AI receptionist separately).

Disclaimer: This comparison was created using publicly available information from 3CX's website and public sources. We encourage you to visit 3cx.com for the most current information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does it take to implement AI for an insurance agency?

Sonant deploys in under 30 days with white-glove onboarding including workflow analysis, AMS integration setup, custom configuration, and staff training. Generic voice AI platforms require 2-6 months of development work. Traditional answering services need 1-2 weeks for operator training but lack automation capabilities.

Do I need technical expertise to use insurance AI software?

Sonant requires no technical expertise. The platform includes guided setup, pre-built insurance workflows, and dedicated support. DIY platforms like Retell require developer resources to build and maintain your voice AI system. Sonant handles all technical complexity while you focus on your agency operations.

What if I switch AMS platforms in the future?

Sonant's multi-platform support means you can switch AMS systems without losing AI functionality. The platform supports migrations and includes integration setup as part of standard service. Agencies locked into custom-built solutions face costly redevelopment when changing systems.

Can AI integrate with multiple insurance software systems?

Sonant supports 8+ AMS and BMS platforms simultaneously, making it ideal for agencies using multiple systems or considering a platform switch. The integrations include bi-directional data sync, automatic call logging, and real-time updates. Generic platforms typically require custom integration work for each system.

Which AI platforms integrate with EZLynx and Applied Epic?

Sonant offers native integrations with EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum, QQCatalyst, AMS360, AgencyZoom, and Zywave. Most voice AI platforms don't provide pre-built insurance software integrations, requiring expensive custom development. Sonant automatically syncs call data, quote requests, and client information to your AMS in real-time.

Do AI receptionists understand insurance terminology?

Sonant is trained on thousands of P&C insurance conversations and understands complex terms like "additional insured," "named insured exclusion," "scheduled equipment," and "loss runs." The system recognizes policy types across auto, home, and commercial lines. Generic AI platforms misinterpret insurance-specific language without extensive custom training.

Can AI handle multilingual insurance calls?

Sonant supports 10+ languages including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Mandarin with seamless language switching during conversations. This capability is essential for agencies serving diverse communities. Most voice AI platforms support only English or charge premium fees for additional languages.

How do AI receptionists route calls to human agents?

Sonant uses intelligent routing logic to determine when calls need human expertise versus AI handling. The system recognizes complex scenarios like detailed claims discussions, specific agent requests, or unusual policy questions and transfers seamlessly. Routing rules are customizable based on your agency's workflows and improve through machine learning.

What happens if the AI doesn't understand a customer?

Sonant asks natural clarifying questions and escalates to human agents for ambiguous situations. The platform maintains over 90% call handling accuracy for routine insurance inquiries. All conversations are transcribed and analyzed to continuously improve understanding and responses.

How much does AI software cost for insurance agencies?

Pricing varies by provider and features. Full-time receptionists cost $35,000-50,000 annually. Traditional answering services run $2,500-4,000 monthly. Enterprise-grade AI platforms like Sonant deliver 8X ROI through eliminated missed calls, staff time savings, and after-hours coverage. Contact Sonant for pricing tailored to your agency size and call volume.

What ROI can insurance agencies expect from AI automation?

P&C agencies using Sonant report 8X return on investment within 30 days. Quantified benefits include 50-58 hours saved monthly on administrative calls, zero missed after-hours opportunities, reduced staff burnout, and improved client satisfaction. O'Connor Insurance achieved 8X ROI with over 90% call handling accuracy in their first month.

Are there hidden costs with insurance AI platforms?

Sonant's pricing includes setup, AMS integrations, training, ongoing support, and platform updates with no surprise charges. Some platforms charge separately for integrations, per-call fees, language support, or premium features. Always review complete pricing including implementation, monthly fees, and additional services.

How does AI pricing compare to hiring insurance staff?

A full-time receptionist costs $35,000-50,000 annually plus benefits, vacation coverage, and training. AI platforms like Sonant work 24/7 without breaks, handle unlimited concurrent calls, and cost a fraction of human staff while delivering consistent performance. Most agencies recover their investment within the first month.

Can AI platforms comply with insurance regulations?

Sonant is designed for US and Canadian insurance compliance requirements. The system maintains proper call recordings, ensures data handling meets state regulatory standards, and doesn't provide unauthorized insurance advice. The platform is built for P&C insurance agency operations and continuously updated for regulatory compliance.

How is customer data protected with AI receptionists?

Sonant uses encrypted data transmission, SOC2-certified infrastructure, secure AMS integrations, and regular security audits. All client information is handled according to insurance industry best practices. The platform provides audit trails, access controls, and meets enterprise security requirements for agencies of all sizes.

Are AI platforms suitable for enterprise insurance brokers?

Yes, Sonant serves both independent agencies and enterprise brokers with SOC2 Type 2 certification, GDPR compliance, and enterprise-grade security. The platform scales to handle high call volumes, supports multiple office locations, and provides centralized management. Enterprise features include advanced reporting, custom integrations, and dedicated support.

Is AI software secure for insurance client data?

Sonant is SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR certified with enterprise-grade security specifically designed for sensitive insurance information. The platform uses encrypted data storage, secure API connections to AMS systems, and follows insurance industry compliance standards. Always verify that any AI platform meets proper security certifications before handling client data.