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Ruby

Sonant vs Ruby: AI Receptionist vs Human Answering Service

Sonant and Ruby both handle business calls, but use fundamentally different approaches. Sonant is an AI-powered receptionist built for P&C insurance agencies with native AMS integration. Ruby uses trained human receptionists (not AI) to answer calls 24/7. Compare AI automation with insurance expertise vs. human-powered answering service.

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.

Receptionist Service:

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.

Ruby is a human-powered virtual receptionist service that uses trained live receptionists (not AI) to answer business calls 24/7. Founded in 2003 in Portland, Oregon, Ruby serves 15,000+ small businesses and captures 1.6M+ leads annually. Pricing starts at $235/month for 50 minutes with bilingual English/Spanish support included.

Choose Sonant if you're a P&C insurance agency that needs AI-powered automation with native AMS integration and insurance-specific training.

Choose Ruby if you prefer human receptionists and don't require insurance-specific AMS integration.

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

Receptionist Capabilities AI vs. Human Approach

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.

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Ruby

Side-by-side Feature Comparison between Sonant and Ruby

Features
Why It Matters
Ruby
Industry Focus
Specialized training and workflows

P&C Insurance Agencies Only
Multi-Industry (Legal, Healthcare, Home Services)
AMS Integrations
Native connections to insurance agency platforms
Leading AMS platforms: EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum, QQCatalyst, AgencyZoom, Zywave, and more
Clio, Salesforce, HubSpot (no native AMS)
Communication Channels
How customers reach you
Inbound and Outbound Phone Calls and Texting
Phone, Live Chat
Primary Use Case
Best suited for
P&C agency phone automation
Human virtual receptionist service
Insurance Terminology
Understanding industry language
Pre-trained on P&C retail agency terms, policy types, workflows
General training (not insurance-specific)
Implementation
Getting started, time to results
White-glove onboarding with insurance specialists (<30 days)
Self-service setup
Conversation Quality
Natural interaction quality
Optimized for natural insurance phone conversations
Human receptionists (not AI)
Security Certifications
Enterprise compliance
SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified
HIPAA compliant
Pricing Structure
Cost model
Custom pricing based on agency size
From $235/month for 50 minutes
Customer Base
Who uses it
100+ P&C agencies and brokers across US & Canada
15,000+ small businesses
24/7 Availability
Round-the-clock coverage
Yes
Yes (human receptionists)
Multilingual Support
Multiple languages
Yes, 10+ languages
Yes (English + Spanish)
Call Transfer
Route to human agents
Yes, Intelligent routing to licensed agents
Yes
Appointment Scheduling
Calendar integration
Yes, Syncs with agency calendars
Yes
Quote Intake
Capture quote information
Yes, Automatically updates AMS
Yes (general)
Book a Demo

Sonant vs Ruby: AI Automation vs. Human Touch

Sonant: AI Phone Automation for P&C Insurance

Sonant is an AI receptionist built exclusively for P&C insurance, with native connections to the agency management systems agencies actually use. Sonant understands coverage types, policy details, and claims workflows—trained specifically for insurance conversations.

Sonant integrates directly with EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, Momentum, QQCatalyst, and AMS360. Quote details, policy inquiries, and appointments flow into your AMS automatically—no manual data transfer between systems.

Key Sonant Capabilities:

  • Purpose-built for P&C insurance agencies
  • Native AMS integrations (8+ platforms)
  • AI understands coverage types, limits, and policy details
  • Claims triage and carrier-specific routing
  • Flat-rate pricing without per-minute costs
  • Enterprise security (SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified)

Best For: P&C agencies wanting insurance-dedicated call handling with AMS integration.

Ruby
Ruby: Human Virtual Receptionists

Ruby is a human-powered virtual receptionist service using trained live receptionists who complete 120 hours of training before handling calls. Founded in 2003, Ruby explicitly positions itself as a human-first alternative to AI solutions.

Ruby serves 15,000+ small businesses across legal, healthcare, home services, and insurance. All plans include 24/7 coverage with bilingual English/Spanish support at no extra cost.

Key Ruby Features:

  • Live human receptionists (not AI)
  • 24/7/365 coverage included
  • Bilingual support (English + Spanish)
  • 120 hours receptionist training
  • Live chat + phone answering
  • CRM integrations (Clio, Salesforce, HubSpot)
  • HIPAA compliant
  • 14-day risk-free trial

Best For: Small businesses preferring human touch, legal and healthcare firms, companies without insurance-specific AMS needs

Sonant vs Ruby: Which Receptionist 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

✅ Prefer human receptionists over AI

✅ Need bilingual English/Spanish support

✅ Want live chat + phone answering combined

✅ Require HIPAA compliance for healthcare

✅ Don't need insurance-specific AMS integration

✅ Value 20+ years of receptionist experience

✅ Prefer minute-based pricing ($235/50 min)

  • 15,000+ small businesses served
  • Human receptionists with 120 hours training

Ruby: Best for Human Touch

The Bottom Line

Sonant is the best AI receptionist for P&C insurance agencies and brokers who need automated phone handling with native AMS integration and insurance-specific training for maximum efficiency.

Ruby is the best choice for businesses that prefer human receptionists and don't require insurance-specific AMS integration or AI-powered automation.

The key difference: Sonant offers AI-powered automation with insurance expertise and AMS integration. Ruby provides human receptionists with a personal touch but higher per-minute costs at scale.

Disclaimer: This comparison was created using publicly available information from Ruby's website and public sources. We encourage you to visit ruby.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.