VS
Bold Penguin

Sonant vs Bold Penguin: AI Voice Receptionist vs Commercial Quote Platform

Sonant and Bold Penguin serve different but complementary roles in insurance agency operations. Sonant is an AI receptionist handling inbound calls 24/7 with native AMS integrations. Bold Penguin is a commercial insurance quoting platform that streamlines the quote-to-bind process across 40+ carriers. Together, they can create a complete lead-to-policy workflow for agencies.

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 Technology:

Quick Comparison

Sonant is an AI receptionist built exclusively for P&C insurance agencies with native AMS integrations (EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum), insurance-specific terminology training, and enterprise-grade security (SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified). The platform handles incoming phone calls 24/7, managing quote requests, policy inquiries, appointment scheduling, and claims routing.

Bold Penguin is a commercial insurance digital platform and exchange that simplifies the quoting, binding, and distribution of small business insurance. With 40+ carrier integrations and their Terminal platform, agencies can quote multiple carriers with a single data entry. Bold Penguin has processed 8+ million quote applications since 2016 and was acquired by American Family Insurance in 2021.

Choose Sonant if you need AI-powered phone automation to handle incoming calls, capture leads, and route inquiries to your team with native AMS integration.

Choose Bold Penguin if you need to streamline commercial lines quoting across multiple carriers and reduce time spent on manual quote submissions.

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 Different Solutions for Different Needs

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
Bold Penguin

Side-by-side Comparison: Voice AI vs Quote Automation

Features
Why It Matters
Bold Penguin
Industry Focus
Specialized training and workflows

P&C Insurance Agencies Only
Commercial Insurance (Small Business)
AMS Integrations
Native connections to insurance agency platforms
Leading AMS platforms: EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum, QQCatalyst, AgencyZoom, Zywave, and more
Veruna, HawkSoft, NowCerts, Salesforce
Communication Channels
How customers reach you
Inbound and Outbound Phone Calls and Texting
Web Platform (not voice-based)
Primary Use Case
Best suited for
P&C agency phone automation
Commercial lines quoting and binding
Insurance Terminology
Understanding industry language
Pre-trained on P&C retail agency terms, policy types, workflows
Commercial lines focused
Implementation
Getting started, time to results
White-glove onboarding with insurance specialists (<30 days)
Self-service with dedicated CSM
Conversation Quality
Natural interaction quality
Optimized for natural insurance phone conversations
Quote workflow automation
Security Certifications
Enterprise compliance
SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified
Trust Center available (specifics not public)
Pricing Structure
Cost model
Custom pricing based on agency size
Custom/quote-based pricing
Customer Base
Who uses it
100+ P&C agencies and brokers across US & Canada
Independent agents, carriers, MGAs
24/7 Availability
Round-the-clock coverage
Yes
N/A - Not a Voice Platform
Multilingual Support
Multiple languages
Yes, 10+ languages
Not specified
Call Transfer
Route to human agents
Yes, Intelligent routing to licensed agents
N/A - Not a Voice Platform
Appointment Scheduling
Calendar integration
Yes, Syncs with agency calendars
N/A - Not a Voice Platform
Quote Intake
Capture quote information
Yes, Automatically updates AMS
Yes - Core functionality
Book a Demo

Sonant and Bold Penguin: Complementary Solutions

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

Bold Penguin
Bold Penguin: Commercial Insurance Quote Platform

Bold Penguin is a commercial insurance digital platform that simplifies the quoting, binding, and distribution of small business insurance. The company's Terminal platform enables independent agents to quote and bind multiple products from multiple carriers in minutes, reducing quoting time by up to 84%.

Bold Penguin serves independent insurance agents, carriers, MGAs, and small business owners seeking efficient commercial insurance solutions. The platform connects to 40+ carriers including Liberty Mutual, Chubb, Hiscox, and Nationwide.

Key Bold Penguin Features:

  • Commercial lines comparative quoting
  • 40+ carrier integrations
  • Terminal platform for single-entry quoting
  • 19,000+ NAICS code support
  • SubmissionLink for data extraction
  • Exchange marketplace for lead distribution
  • Dedicated Customer Success Managers
  • API solutions for custom integrations

Best For: Independent agencies focusing on commercial lines, wholesalers, MGAs, and agencies looking to expand their carrier appetite

Sonant vs Bold Penguin: Which Solution Do You Need?

✅ 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

✅ Need to streamline commercial lines quoting

✅ Want access to 40+ commercial carriers

✅ Process high volumes of small business insurance

✅ Need to reduce quote turnaround time

✅ Want a single data entry for multiple carriers

✅ Are expanding into commercial lines

✅ Need carrier appetite matching tools

  • Leading commercial insurance quote platform
  • 8+ million applications processed, 40+ carrier integrations

Bold Penguin: Best for Commercial Quote Automation

The Bottom Line

Sonant is the best AI phone automation platform for P&C insurance agencies and brokers who need 24/7 call handling with native AMS integration and insurance-specific training.

Bold Penguin is the best commercial insurance quoting platform for agencies that need to streamline their commercial lines workflow and access multiple carriers through a single platform.

These solutions are complementary, not competitive. Many agencies could benefit from both: Sonant captures and qualifies incoming leads via phone, while Bold Penguin helps agents quickly quote those commercial opportunities across multiple carriers.

Disclaimer: This comparison was created using publicly available information from Bold Penguin's website and public sources. Bold Penguin is not a direct competitor to Sonant—they offer complementary solutions for insurance agencies. We encourage you to visit boldpenguin.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.