
Sonant vs Smith.ai: Insurance-Specific AI vs Multi-Industry Answering Service
Comparing purpose-built insurance AI phone automation to hybrid human + AI answering services? Find the right solution for your agency.
Compare voice solutions for insurance operations. Sonant specializes in P&C agency phone automation with native AMS integrations (EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft). Smith.ai offers hybrid human + AI answering services across multiple industries including law, home services, medical, and insurance. Find the right solution for your insurance business.
Not all phone solutions serve the same market. Sonant is built exclusively for P&C insurance agencies and brokers needing AI phone automation with native Agency Management System integrations. Smith.ai serves businesses across multiple industries with a combination of AI and 500+ human receptionists. This comparison helps you choose the platform designed for your specific needs.
Why agencies prefer Sonant?
Voice Solution:
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.
Smith.ai is a hybrid human + AI answering service serving multiple industries including law firms, home services, medical practices, IT services, and insurance. Founded by Aaron Lee (ex-Google, ex-Home Depot CTO), Smith.ai combines AI receptionists with 500+ North American human agents for 24/7 call handling.
Choose Sonant if you are a P&C retail agency or broker needing AI phone automation with deep AMS integrations and insurance-specific workflows.
Choose Smith.ai if you need a multi-industry answering service with human backup, prefer hybrid AI + human approach, or operate across multiple business verticals.
AI Receptionist Capabilities Beyond Basic Call Answering

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.

Side-by-side Feature Comparison between Sonant and Smith.ai
Sonant is a Better Scalable Smith.ai Alternative?
Sonant is an AI-only receptionist built exclusively for P&C insurance. It scales instantly without staffing limits—handling 10 calls or 1,000 with consistent quality. Every conversation is informed by insurance-specific training on policy terminology, coverage types, and claims processes.
Sonant integrates natively with EZLynx, Applied Epic, Hawksoft, and Momentum—agency management systems, not general CRMs. Every interaction syncs automatically with your existing workflows.
Key Sonant Capabilities:
- AI-only model that scales without staffing constraints
- Native AMS integrations (8+ insurance platforms)
- P&C insurance terminology and workflow training
- Quote intake with coverage-specific intelligence
- Consistent quality at any call volume
- Enterprise security (SOC2 Type 2, GDPR certified)
Best For: Agencies wanting AI that scales instantly and integrates with their AMS.
Smith.ai is a hybrid answering service combining AI technology with 500+ North American human receptionists. Founded by Aaron Lee (ex-Google, ex-Home Depot CTO), the company serves 5,000+ businesses across multiple industries including law firms, home services, medical practices, and insurance.
Smith.ai offers two products: an AI Receptionist ($95-$800/month) that handles routine calls and escalates to humans when needed, and Human Receptionists ($300-$2,100/month) for full human coverage. The platform integrates with 7,000+ applications via Zapier but lacks native insurance AMS connections.
Key Smith.ai Features:
- Hybrid AI + human receptionists (500+ agents)
- Multi-industry coverage (law, medical, home services, insurance)
- 7,000+ integrations via Zapier
- AI Receptionist from $95/month
- Human Receptionists from $300/month
- Web chat and SMS support
- Bilingual support (English/Spanish)
- 20M+ calls handled
Best For: Multi-industry businesses, law firms, home services, companies wanting human backup for AI calls
Sonant AI vs Smith.ai: Which Solution to choose?
✅ Are an insurance agency or broker (not a multi-industry business)
✅ Offer P&C insurance products (auto, home, commercial lines)
✅ Need AI phone automation without human middlemen
✅ 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
✅ Operate across multiple industries (not insurance-only)
✅ Want human backup for complex or sensitive calls
✅ Prefer hybrid AI + human approach over pure AI
✅ Need web chat and SMS in addition to phone
✅ Use generic CRM systems (HubSpot, Salesforce) without AMS
✅ Want lower entry pricing ($95/month for AI)
✅ Require bilingual support (English/Spanish)
✅ Prefer established service with 20M+ calls handled
- Best for multi-industry businesses
- Hybrid AI + human, Multi-industry coverage, Zapier integrations, Transparent pricing
Smith.ai: Best for Multi-Industry Businesses
The Bottom Line
Voice Solution Recommendation: Insurance-Specific vs Multi-Industry
Sonant is the best voice AI platform for P&C insurance agencies and brokers who need phone automation with deep AMS integration and insurance-specific workflows. Smith.ai is the best answering service for multi-industry businesses wanting hybrid human + AI coverage across law, medical, home services, and general insurance.
If you are a retail agency or broker using EZLynx, Applied Epic, or Hawksoft, Sonant insurance-specific training, native AMS integrations, and proven 43% productivity increase make it the clear choice. If you operate across multiple industries, want human backup for complex calls, or prefer established hybrid services, Smith.ai 5,000+ client base and 20M+ calls handled serve that market.
The key difference: Sonant is purpose-built AI for insurance agencies with native AMS integrations. Smith.ai is a multi-industry answering service combining AI with human receptionists.
Disclaimer: This comparison was created using publicly available information from Smith's website and public sources. We encourage you to visit smith.ai for the most current information.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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