Sonant vs Virtual Intelligence: AI Automation vs Human Virtual Employees
Sonant and Virtual Intelligence both help insurance agencies scale operations but through fundamentally different approaches. Sonant is an AI-powered receptionist with native AMS integration. Virtual Intelligence provides dedicated human virtual employees (VEs) from the Philippines and Colombia. Compare AI automation vs. outsourced human staff.
Why agencies prefer Sonant
Insurance Operations:
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.
Virtual Intelligence is a virtual employee (VE) provider founded in 2021 in Centralia, IL by agency owner Jason Cass. The company provides dedicated human virtual employees from the Philippines (back-office) and Colombia (bilingual client-facing) with minimum 2 years of U.S. insurance experience. Virtual Intelligence acquired On Hands VA in 2024 and now has 100+ employees.
Choose Sonant if you want AI-powered automation that operates 24/7 without human staffing overhead or management.
Choose Virtual Intelligence if you prefer dedicated human staff and are comfortable managing outsourced employees.
Operations 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.
Side-by-side Feature Comparison between Sonant and Virtual Intelligence
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Sonant vs Virtual Intelligence: AI Automation vs. Human Staff
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
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Virtual Intelligence is a virtual employee provider founded in 2021 by Jason Cass, an agency owner in Southern Illinois. The company expanded in 2024 by acquiring On Hands VA, adding bilingual Spanish/English capabilities from their Colombia team.
Virtual Intelligence provides dedicated human virtual employees (not temporary VAs) who work full-time within your agency's schedule. VEs have college education and minimum 2 years of U.S. insurance client experience.
Key Virtual Intelligence Features:
- Dedicated full-time virtual employees
- Back-office VEs from Philippines
- Bilingual client-facing VEs from Colombia
- Minimum 2 years U.S. insurance experience
- Renewal processing and policy management
- Phone call management (inbound/outbound)
- Quote information gathering
- AMS/CRM data entry and updates
Best For: Agencies wanting human outsourced staff with insurance experience
Sonant vs Virtual Intelligence: Which Solution 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 employees over AI automation
✅ Need dedicated full-time staff (not hourly VAs)
✅ Want bilingual Spanish/English support
✅ Need back-office processing help
✅ Comfortable managing offshore employees
✅ Want staff with U.S. insurance experience
✅ Prefer human judgment for complex situations
- Founded by agency owner Jason Cass
- 100+ employees, Philippines + Colombia teams
Virtual Intelligence: Best for Human Virtual Employees
The Bottom Line
Sonant is the best AI receptionist for P&C insurance agencies and brokers who want automated phone handling that operates 24/7 without human management overhead.
Virtual Intelligence is a solid choice for agencies that prefer dedicated human staff with insurance experience and are comfortable managing outsourced employees.
The key difference: Sonant provides AI automation that scales without adding headcount. Virtual Intelligence provides human staff that requires onboarding, management, and scheduling coordination.
Disclaimer: This comparison was created using publicly available information from Virtual Intelligence's website and public sources. Virtual Intelligence offers human virtual employees while Sonant offers AI automation—different approaches to agency operations. We encourage you to visit virtualintell.com 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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