VS
Nextiva

Compare Sonant to Nextiva to find the right phone solution for your insurance agency.

Sonant is an AI receptionist that handles insurance calls with native AMS integration. Nextiva is a unified communications platform (UCaaS) serving 150,000+ businesses. Compare purpose-built insurance AI vs. general-purpose business phone and UCaaS.

Why agencies prefer Sonant over Nextiva?

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 Unified 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.

Nextiva is a unified communications platform founded in 2006, valued at $2.7 billion, serving 150,000+ businesses and 1 million+ users. VoIP plans start at $30/user/month (annual). Nextiva's auto-attendant is menu-based (press 1, press 2); conversational AI and the XBert AI Receptionist are separate add-on products. No native insurance AMS integrations.

Choose Sonant if you are a P&C insurance agency wanting AI that handles calls, understands insurance, and integrates with your AMS natively.

Choose Nextiva if you need a full unified communications platform with phone, video, chat, and social media management for a multi-department organization.

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 Unified 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
Nextiva

Side-by-side Feature Comparison between Sonant and Nextiva

Features
Why It Matters
Nextiva
Industry Focus
Specialized training and workflows

P&C Insurance Agencies Only
General business (all industries, 150,000+ businesses)
AMS Integrations
Native connections to insurance agency platforms
Leading AMS platforms: EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum, QQCatalyst, AgencyZoom, Zywave, and more
None (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, Microsoft Dynamics—no insurance AMS)
Communication Channels
How customers reach you
Inbound and Outbound Phone Calls and Texting
Voice, video, SMS, chat, social media, email (omnichannel)
Primary Use Case
Best suited for
P&C agency phone automation
Unified business communications (phone, video, chat, social)
Insurance Terminology
Understanding industry language
Pre-trained on P&C retail agency terms, policy types, workflows
None (general-purpose platform)
Implementation
Getting started, time to results
White-glove onboarding with insurance specialists (<30 days)
Basic setup in 15 minutes; complex configurations take longer
Conversation Quality
Natural interaction quality
Optimized for natural insurance phone conversations
Menu-based auto-attendant; Conversational AI and XBert AI Receptionist are separate add-ons
Security Certifications
Enterprise compliance
SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified
ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA compliant, 99.999% uptime
Pricing Structure
Cost model
Custom pricing based on agency size
$30-$75/user/month (VoIP); Enterprise Contact Center: $129-$199/agent/month; XBert AI: $99/month + $0.99/call
Customer Base
Who uses it
100+ P&C agencies and brokers across US & Canada
150,000+ businesses; 1 million+ users; valued at $2.7 billion
24/7 Availability
Round-the-clock coverage
Yes
Platform available 24/7; XBert AI Receptionist handles calls 24/7 (separate product)
Multilingual Support
Multiple languages
Yes, 10+ languages
N/A on standard plans
Call Transfer
Route to human agents
Yes, Intelligent routing to licensed agents
Call forwarding, routing, ring groups, call queues, ACD
Appointment Scheduling
Calendar integration
Yes, Syncs with agency calendars
Via XBert AI Receptionist (separate product, $99/month + $0.99/call)
Quote Intake
Capture quote information
Yes, Automatically updates AMS
N/A (no insurance-specific workflows)
Book a Demo

Sonant is a Better Scalable Nextiva 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

Nextiva
What Is Nextiva? Unified Communications Platform

Nextiva is a unified communications platform founded in 2006, backed by $200 million from Goldman Sachs and valued at $2.7 billion. The platform serves 150,000+ businesses and powers over 1 million users with voice, video, chat, social media, and email communications.

VoIP plans start at $30/user/month (annual) with a menu-based auto-attendant. Conversational AI (powered by Google Dialogflow and IBM Watson) is a separate add-on. The XBert AI Receptionist is a standalone product at $99/month plus $0.99 per conversation. Note: taxes and fees add approximately 30% on top of base prices. Nextiva has a dedicated insurance industry page but no native insurance AMS integrations.

Key Nextiva Features:

  • Unified communications ($30-$75/user/month)
  • Phone, video, SMS, chat, social media in one platform
  • XBert AI Receptionist add-on ($99/month + $0.99/call)
  • CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk)
  • Enterprise Contact Center ($129-$199/agent/month)
  • ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA compliant
  • 99.999% uptime across 8 points of presence
  • 250+ feature call management system

Best For: Mid-size businesses and enterprises needing a full unified communications platform with phone, video, and omnichannel capabilities

Sonant AI vs Nextiva: Which Phone 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 with insurance AI specialists

✅ Require native AMS integrations that sync call data

✅ Require SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR security certifications

Sonant: Best for P&C Insurance Agencies

✅ Need a full unified communications platform (phone + video + chat + social)

✅ Have multiple departments needing different communication tools

✅ Want social media and reputation management built in

✅ Need CRM integration with Salesforce or HubSpot

✅ Have budget for per-user licensing plus AI add-ons

✅ Want enterprise contact center capabilities ($129+/agent/month)

Nextiva: Best for Unified Business Communications

The Bottom Line

Sonant is the best solution for P&C insurance agencies that need AI phone automation with native AMS integrations and insurance-specific call handling. Nextiva is a unified communications platform for businesses needing phone, video, chat, and social media management across departments.

For insurance agencies, Nextiva's standard auto-attendant is menu-based (press 1, press 2). To get AI call handling, you'd need the XBert AI Receptionist ($99/month + $0.99/call) on top of your per-user VoIP plan—and it still won't integrate with your AMS or understand insurance terminology. Sonant delivers purpose-built insurance AI with native AMS integration from day one.

Disclaimer: This comparison was created using publicly available information from Nextiva's website, support documentation, and public sources. Note that Nextiva's advertised prices do not include taxes and regulatory fees, which can add approximately 30% to base costs. We encourage you to visit nextiva.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.