As an independent agent, you're no stranger to the whirlwind of responsibilities that come with the job. Between managing multiple accounts, staying on top of policy details, handling client communications, and dealing with endless administrative tasks, it often feels like there aren't enough hours in the day. The pressure to scale your business while managing growing client expectations only adds to the challenge. With limited resources and increasing client demands, many independent agents are looking for ways to save time and make their day-to-day operations easier.
Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI)—a game-changing tool that can help your agency not only survive but thrive. AI is transforming the way independent agents operate, offering intuitive tools for everything from marketing and sales to policy and retention management, to personal and commercial lines quoting and submissions, to online client self-servicing.
By harnessing the power of AI, agents can move from one stage of the policy lifecycle to the next by automating repetitive tasks—freeing up valuable time to focus on what truly matters: building relationships with clients and growing their business. Whether it's summarizing accounts, generating client communications, or offering step-by-step technical guidance, here are the latest ways AI can help your agency save time.
1. Streamlined Account Updates
Keeping up with client accounts can be tough to manage. Thankfully, there are AI tools on the market that can automatically summarize client account activity and internal agency notes, providing you with concise and actionable insights.
Imagine being able to quickly pull up a detailed summary of a client's recent interactions, payments, and requests without scrolling through endless emails and invoices. Whether it's a simple overview of the last few days or a more in-depth analysis of an account's history, AI-powered summary tools gather client information and bring it right to your fingertips.
This not only minimizes the chance of errors when searching for the right information but also enhances the overall client experience. With AI gathering and summarizing information for you, client wait times shrink and the need for customers to repeat key details is reduced. According to a survey conducted by Morning Consult and Zoom, poor support can cost your agency. 59% of customers would switch to a competitor after just one or two negative experiences, and 54% of respondents cited inaccurate support resolutions as a major frustration. AI ensures your support is fast and accurate helping to build lasting trust with your clients.
2. Effortless Client Communication
Client communication is one of the biggest time drains for independent agents. A McKinsey analysis reveals that the average professional spends 28% of their workday managing emails. When you add that up over six months or a year, it's clear that agents are spending valuable time on tasks that could be optimized. AI-powered content assistants can help. Whether reaching out to a list of personal auto leads, welcoming new clients, or sending a holiday greeting, these tools generate polished, professional emails tailored to your needs with just a few keywords or prompts. No matter how busy you get, AI ensures your communications remain clear and timely.
Investing in AI-powered tools might seem counterintuitive when your primary focus is client relationships. However, embracing this technology actually frees up more time for in-person interactions. Instead of spending hours tied to your inbox, you can focus on meeting clients face-to-face and delivering great service.
3. Instant Product and System Assistance
Management tools that incorporate AI are incredibly powerful, but like any new technology, they can come with a learning curve. The best agency solutions are designed with this in mind, offering built-in support and features like AI chatbots that act as your personal IT assistant – always ready to help.
AI product assistance tools allow you to type in technical questions and receive instant, step-by-step instructions, whether you're adding a plugin to Outlook or learning how to navigate an automated renewals workflow. Features like this can be especially valuable when your juggling multiple client needs, helping you stay on track during a busy day.
AI product and system assistance tools not only save you valuable time troubleshooting, but they also deepen your understanding of the systems you've invested in and ensure you and your agency fully leverage their capabilities.
With AI streamlining your daily operations, you'll enjoy a more efficient workflow and have more time to focus on your customers, build your reputation in the market, and grow your business to take your agency to the next level.
Brenna Johnson, is VP of Product Management at ACT Supporting Partner EZLynx, an all-in-one agency management system that combines a comparative rater, policy management, lead tracking, automated workflows, reporting, and more to help agencies run smoothly and efficiently.