VS
8x8

Compare Sonant to 8x8 to find the right communications solution for your insurance agency.

Sonant is a turnkey AI receptionist built for P&C insurance. 8x8 is an enterprise communications platform (UCaaS + CCaaS) serving 3 million+ business users. Compare purpose-built insurance AI vs. enterprise phone and contact center infrastructure.

Why agencies prefer Sonant over 8x8?

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.

Insurance AI Receptionist vs Enterprise Communications:

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.

8x8 is an enterprise XCaaS platform (NASDAQ: EGHT) with ~$728 million in annual revenue, serving 3 million+ business users globally. Combines UCaaS, CCaaS, and CPaaS with AI features including Intelligent Customer Assistant (ICA) for self-service. Plans require custom quotes; contact center licensing starts at approximately $60-$85/agent/month. Contracts typically run 12-36 months.

Choose Sonant if you are a P&C insurance agency wanting turnkey AI phone automation with native AMS integrations and no enterprise complexity.

Choose 8x8 if you are a large organization needing a full enterprise communications platform with contact center, workforce management, and omnichannel capabilities across multiple departments.

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

Platform Capabilities AI Receptionist vs Enterprise Communications

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.

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.

VS
8x8

Side-by-side Feature Comparison between Sonant and 8x8

Features
Why It Matters
8x8
Industry Focus
Specialized training and workflows

P&C Insurance Agencies Only
Enterprise (all industries: airlines, automotive, retail, finance, insurance carriers)
AMS Integrations
Native connections to insurance agency platforms
Leading AMS platforms: EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum, QQCatalyst, AgencyZoom, Zywave, and more
None (integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, ServiceNow—no insurance AMS)
Communication Channels
How customers reach you
Inbound and Outbound Phone Calls and Texting
Voice, video, chat, SMS, social media, WhatsApp, email (omnichannel)
Primary Use Case
Best suited for
P&C agency phone automation
Enterprise unified communications and contact center
Insurance Terminology
Understanding industry language
Pre-trained on P&C retail agency terms, policy types, workflows
None built-in (general-purpose; requires custom configuration)
Implementation
Getting started, time to results
White-glove onboarding with insurance specialists (<30 days)
Enterprise deployment: weeks to months with dedicated project manager
Conversation Quality
Natural interaction quality
Optimized for natural insurance phone conversations
Multi-level auto-attendant + Intelligent Customer Assistant (ICA) for AI self-service
Security Certifications
Enterprise compliance
SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified
SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, 99.999% uptime SLA
Pricing Structure
Cost model
Custom pricing based on agency size
Custom quotes only; UC starts ~$24/user/month, Contact Center ~$60-$85/agent/month (12-36 month contracts)
Customer Base
Who uses it
100+ P&C agencies and brokers across US & Canada
3 million+ business users globally (50% mid-market, 21% enterprise)
24/7 Availability
Round-the-clock coverage
Yes
Platform available 24/7 with 99.999% uptime SLA
Multilingual Support
Multiple languages
Yes, 10+ languages
100+ countries for phone numbers
Call Transfer
Route to human agents
Yes, Intelligent routing to licensed agents
Advanced routing, ACD, skills-based routing, queue management
Appointment Scheduling
Calendar integration
Yes, Syncs with agency calendars
N/A (contact center routing, not appointment booking)
Quote Intake
Capture quote information
Yes, Automatically updates AMS
N/A (requires custom ICA configuration)
Book a Demo

Sonant is a Better Scalable 8x8 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

8x8
What Is 8x8? Enterprise Communications Platform

8x8 is a publicly traded enterprise communications company (NASDAQ: EGHT) with approximately $728 million in annual revenue. The XCaaS platform combines unified communications (UCaaS), contact center (CCaaS), and communication APIs (CPaaS) into a single platform serving 3 million+ business users across 55+ countries.

8x8 offers AI features including the Intelligent Customer Assistant (ICA) for automated self-service and Smart Assist for real-time agent guidance. The platform holds a 99.999% uptime SLA and integrates with 35+ business applications including Salesforce and Microsoft Teams. However, it does not natively integrate with insurance agency management systems.

Key 8x8 Features:

  • Enterprise UCaaS + CCaaS + CPaaS platform
  • Intelligent Customer Assistant (ICA) for AI self-service
  • Omnichannel support (voice, chat, email, social, WhatsApp)
  • Workforce management (WFM) built-in
  • 99.999% uptime SLA (financially backed)
  • 35+ data center regions globally
  • SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS
  • 35+ native business integrations

Best For: Mid-market and enterprise organizations needing full unified communications and contact center capabilities across multiple departments and geographies

Sonant AI vs 8x8: Which Communications Solution to choose?

✅ Are an insurance agency or broker needing phone automation

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

✅ Need AI that handles insurance calls with P&C terminology

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

✅ Want turnkey implementation in under 30 days

✅ Require native AMS integrations that sync call data automatically

✅ Require SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR security certifications

Sonant: Best for P&C Insurance Agencies

✅ Need a full enterprise communications platform (UCaaS + CCaaS)

✅ Have 50+ employees across multiple departments

✅ Require omnichannel support (voice, chat, email, social)

✅ Need workforce management and quality analytics

✅ Can commit to 12-36 month enterprise contracts

✅ Have IT resources for enterprise deployment

8x8: Best for Enterprise Communications

The Bottom Line

Sonant is the best solution for P&C insurance agencies wanting turnkey AI phone automation with native AMS integrations, insurance-specific training, and fast implementation. 8x8 is an enterprise communications platform for larger organizations needing unified communications, contact center infrastructure, and omnichannel support at scale.

For an independent insurance agency, 8x8 is enterprise-grade infrastructure that requires significant configuration, long-term contracts, and custom pricing—without native insurance AMS integration. Sonant delivers purpose-built insurance AI that works with your existing AMS from day one.

Disclaimer: This comparison was created using publicly available information from 8x8's website, press releases, and public sources. 8x8 removed public pricing in late 2023; pricing estimates are based on third-party analysis. We encourage you to visit 8x8.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.