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Agency

Sonant vs Agency VA: AI Automation vs Insurance Virtual Assistants

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Comparing AI phone automation with insurance-focused virtual assistants? One offers 24/7 AI coverage, the other provides trained human staff for insurance operations.

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Compare automation approaches for insurance agencies. Sonant specializes in AI phone automation with native AMS integrations (EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum) and 24/7 coverage. Agency VA provides human virtual assistants specifically trained for insurance operations with SOC2 certification.

Sonant focuses on AI-powered phone automation for P&C insurance agencies. Agency VA offers insurance-specific human virtual assistants with personal and commercial lines training. This comparison helps you choose between AI automation and human staff augmentation for insurance workflows.

Why agencies 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.

Insurance Staff Solutions:

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.

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Agency VA is an insurance-focused virtual assistant company claiming SOC2 certification. They provide human VAs with personal and commercial lines training, AMS familiarity, and proprietary AVA management software for tracking productivity. Onboarding in under 72 hours with coverage across 10+ countries.

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Choose Sonant if you need 24/7 AI phone automation with native AMS integration, insurance-specific training, and predictable automation for call handling.

Choose Agency VA if you need human staff for insurance administrative tasks, want SOC2-certified operations, and prefer trained VAs for quoting, billing, and CSR activities.

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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

Insurance Staff Solutions AI vs Human Virtual Assistants

24/7 AI Receptionist Coverage

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

White-GloveΒ 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 AMSΒ and BMS.

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Agency

Side-by-side Feature Comparison between Sonant and Agency VA

Features
Why It Matters
Agency
Industry Focus
Specialized training and workflows

P&C Insurance Agencies Only
Insurance agencies and carriers only (not multi-industry)
AMS Integrations
Native connections to insurance agency platforms
Leading AMS platforms: EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum, QQCatalyst, AgencyZoom, Zywave, and more
AMS familiarity through training; no native integrations
Communication Channels
How customers reach you
Inbound and Outbound Phone Calls and Texting
Human staff handling calls, email, administrative tasks
Primary Use Case
Best suited for
P&C agency phone automation
Quoting, billing, CSR activities, policy management, claims processing
Insurance Terminology
Understanding industry language
Pre-trained on P&C retail agency terms, policy types, workflows
Personal lines and commercial lines training for VAs
Implementation
Getting started, time to results
White-glove onboarding with insurance specialists (<30 days)
Under 72 hours onboarding; global recruitment across 10+ countries
Conversation Quality
Natural interaction quality
Optimized for natural insurance phone conversations
Human virtual assistants with insurance training; not AI-powered
Security Certifications
Enterprise compliance
SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified
SOC2 certified (claims only SOC2-certified VA provider in industry)
Pricing Structure
Cost model
Custom pricing based on agency size
Contact-based pricing; custom quotes required
Customer Base
Who uses it
100+ P&C agencies and brokers across USΒ &Β Canada
Insurance agencies and carriers; veterans in insurance world
24/7 Availability
Round-the-clock coverage
Yes
Varies by VA arrangement; not guaranteed 24/7
Multilingual Support
Multiple languages
Yes, 10+ languages
Global talent pool from 10+ countries
Call Transfer
Route to human agents
Yes, Intelligent routing to licensed agents
Not applicable - human staff handle calls directly
Appointment Scheduling
Calendar integration
Yes, Syncs with agency calendars
Yes - human VAs handle scheduling manually
Quote Intake
Capture quote information
Yes, Automatically updates AMS
Yes - VAs trained on quoting workflows (may include licensed agents)
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Sonant vs Agency VA: AI Automation vs Human Staff

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 43% productivity increase
  • Quote intake, policy servicing, claims routing

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

Agency
What Is Agency VA? Insurance-Focused Virtual Assistants

Agency VA is an insurance-focused virtual assistant company that describes themselves as veterans in the insurance world who have built, scaled, and sold agencies. They claim to be the only SOC2-certified VA provider in the insurance industry.

Agency VA offers three service tiers: Virtual Assistants (DIY), Trained Service Teams (managed quoting, billing, CSR teams), and AVA EOR (international payroll). Their proprietary AVA software provides productivity tracking with automated screenshots, keystroke monitoring, and end-of-day reports.

Key Agency VA Features:

  • Human virtual assistants (not AI)
  • Insurance-specific focus (personal and commercial lines)
  • SOC2 certification (claim only certified provider)
  • AVA management software for tracking
  • Under 72 hours onboarding
  • Global recruitment (10+ countries)
  • Licensed and unlicensed agent options
  • Trained service teams for quoting, billing, CSR

Best For: Agencies needing insurance-trained human staff for administrative tasks, quoting support, and policy management

Sonant vs Agency VA: Which solution to choose?

βœ… Are an insurance agency or broker (not a carrier)

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

βœ… Need 24/7 phone automation that never sleeps

βœ… Use an AMS like EZLynx, Applied Epic, or Hawksoft

βœ… Have 10+ staff members or handle 100+ calls weekly

βœ… Want turnkey implementation with insurance specialists

βœ… Need proven ROI within 30 days

βœ… Require SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR security certifications

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

Sonant: Best for P&C Insurance Agencies

βœ… Need human staff specifically trained in insurance

βœ… Want managed service teams for quoting and billing

βœ… Require SOC2-certified operations

βœ… Prefer dedicated VAs who learn your specific workflows

βœ… Need licensed agents for certain tasks

βœ… Want productivity tracking through management software

βœ… Have global staffing needs (EOR services)

βœ… Can work with contact-based pricing

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  • Insurance-specific staffing
  • Human touch, SOC2 certified, Managed teams, Licensed agents available

Agency VA: Best for Insurance-Specific Human Staff

The Bottom Line

Staffing Recommendation: AI Automation vs Insurance VAs

Sonant is the best choice for P&C insurance agencies who need 24/7 AI phone automation with native AMS integrations and proven productivity gains. Agency VA is the best choice for agencies needing insurance-trained human virtual assistants with SOC2-certified operations and managed service teams.

If your primary need is phone automation specifically for insurance calls and you use a major AMS, Sonant AI-first approach delivers faster implementation and guaranteed 24/7 coverage. If you need human staff for diverse insurance tasks like quoting, billing, policy management, and want dedicated VAs who understand insurance workflows, Agency VA provides that insurance-specific expertise.

Key difference: Sonant is AI that specializes in insurance phones. Agency VA is human staff that specializes in insurance operations.

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.

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