williamjones

Building an independent insurance agency requires not just tenacity and carrier contacts, but the mindset that you’re steadfastly committed to the journey.

In this Q&A series, Independent Agent magazine and the Big “I” Agents Council for Technology spotlights women in InsurTech.

Here are five specific applications of AI-powered data analytics that can improve agency operations.

Who really owns that data once it’s stored in a vendor’s system? What happens if an agency decides to switch platforms? And can agents freely connect their data across tools to build the client experience they want, or are they locked into whatever their vendor dictates?

Implementing AI isn’t as simple as plug and play. It takes time to determine what AI can and should do for the agency—and which tools are the right ones for the job.

Vertical AI marries the power of AI with deep insurance expertise and insurance-specific data.

It’s not just about workflow speed—it’s about perception. A quick response signals professionalism, urgency and care.

Marianne Policastro-Wik is leading her agency, a 2025 Best Practices Agency, through thoughtful “modernization,” paying careful attention to embracing technology without losing the human touch.

The leaders who excel in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) will be those who lean harder into the human touch when it matters most.

Trying to use AI on top of disorganized, outdated or unreliable data doesn’t create efficiencies, it creates more work. However, AI isn’t the problem. The problem is that you skipped a step.