Vertafore Insurance Podcast

Could your next growth move be partnering with an MGA? Episode 414

Ever wonder how MGAs are writing billions in premiums and reshaping the insurance game? The world of MGAs is transforming at lightning speed, and it’s not slowing down. With the rise of delegated underwriting authority enterprises (DUAEs), and premium volume soaring past $100 billion, the MGA market is no longer a niche, it’s a powerhouse. In this episode of the Vertafore Insurance Podcast, I’m joined by Dawn Walker, Senior Business Intelligence Analyst at AM Best, to unpack the state of the MGA ecosystem. 

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why carriers are leaning into MGAs for diversification—and how they’re assessing risk.
• The five key factors AM Best evaluates in DUAEs and why they matter.
• How the MGA model is becoming a preferred growth strategy over starting new business lines.
• What’s next for underwriting in emerging sectors like cyber and AI.
• Why underwriters are leaving traditional carriers for MGAs—and what that says about the future of talent in insurance.

Can Technology Truly Benefit the Agent/Carrier Relationship Ep 413

The insurance industry is navigating challenges around agent-carrier connectivity and streamlining processes to meet evolving expectations. That’s why we sat down with Chris Gilespie, Director of Carrier marketing at Vertafore, to discuss practical insights from their recent Agent Experience Report and how carriers can better support agents.

Join us and hear Chris Gilespie bring us so much value around:

-Insights from Vertafore’s Agent Experience Report, from 1,300 agents
-The balance of training new underwriters while maintaining fast responses.
-The need for agents to utilize carrier tools for better collaboration. 
-How tools like Surefyre and MGA Systems enhance speed and engagement.
-Carriers must automate tasks to maintain strong personal connections with agents.

Tune in to gain actionable insights and strategies to improve your agency’s carrier partnerships!

Could it really be that simple to be a successful producer in this marketplace Episode 412

Being a producer in this current marketplace comes with its own challenges. Micah Salas, an outstanding producer with the Christensen Group joins us to shares his approach to success, emphasizing organization, discipline, and the use of technology to enhance client experience.

We invite you to eaves drop on this conversation to hear more about:
Using a CRM system to stay organized and disciplined in daily prospecting efforts.
Educating clients, building trust, and providing value over just selling.
Leveraging your tech stack for email campaigns, and data scrubbing helps improve efficiency.
How to be a chameleon in client interactions to help meet diverse client needs.
Be sure to listen for more insights on building long-term success in insurance, and how you can apply these strategies to your own practice.

Seamless Data Flow, Faster MGA Quoting- Episode 411

he E&S market is hot. MGAs and wholesale brokers must quickly turn quotes around while managing complex submissions and carrier relationships. Mike Roy, Founder of Dark Matter InsurTech, shares how Dark Matter is helping MGAs, carriers, and agencies streamline operations, reduce errors, and speed up quoting and underwriting. 

We invite you to check this one out and hear more about:

• How this integration approach eliminates headaches and simplifies tech stacks.
• Normalized data means cleaner submissions and accurate quotes, quicker. 
• Streamlined data flow improves carrier-agency interactions.
• Automation drives speed, consistency, and fewer manual touchpoints.
• Dark Matter doubling down on innovation through tighter integration.

Get your pen and paper ready; you'll want to take notes on this one.

Leading your team through the hard market. Episode 410

In today’s fast-changing insurance landscape, strong leadership isn’t just about numbers , it’s about people. Managing your team with empathy, leveraging technology for efficiency, and navigating the hard market are critical skills for modern agencies.

On this episode with Tinsley English, we explore:

• Leading your team with empathy to boost morale and performance.
• Why technology is more than a tool, it’s vital for agency success.
• What inspired Tinsley to write her book and the lessons she’s learned.
• The power of treating every employee as a leader from day one.
• The impact of the hard market and how to adapt to its challenges.

This episode is packed with actionable insights so you can become a more effective leader.

Is this hard market, now just the new norm? Episode 409

The insurance industry is navigating one of the longest and toughest hard markets we’ve seen. Rising premiums, tighter underwriting, and reduced capacity are forcing carriers and agencies alike to rethink their strategies. In this episode of the VIP Podcast, we sit down with Maheu, VP of Partnerships and Industry Relations at Vertafore, to dive deep into how insurers and agents can adapt and thrive in these challenging times.

Kelly shares expert insights on:

• The real impact of prolonged hard market conditions and why they may be the “new norm”
• How carriers are leveraging AI and predictive analytics to price risk smarter
• The growing role of surplus lines and MGAs in providing flexible coverage solutions
• Why data-sharing between carriers and agents is a must for staying competitive
• How technology is streamlining underwriting and helping agencies win more business

Don’t let the hard market slow you down. Get the insights you need to stay ahead.

Can this app change the game for your agency? Episode 408

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s crucial for clients to be able to self-serve and get the information they need quickly, saving time for both clients and agents. In this episode, we sit down with Matt and Kiki from the Insurance Agent App to discuss the evolution of their app, designed to improve the efficiencies for insurance agents, and enhance their customer's journey. 

We invite you to eavesdrop on this candid conversation and learn more about:

• How you can have an app for your agency and "it's so easy!"
• How your client data can be integrated from carriers into one place.
• How self-service for clients and better efficiency for your agency is possible.
• How the customer-first approach helps agencies save time and money.

Get your pen and paper ready; you'll want to take notes on this one.

The foundation of an integrity-driven agency. Episode 407

Caden Braly

How to use SEO to build a multi-million dollar niche. Episode 406

Landon Bentham, an experienced marketer, breaks down how agencies can leverage SEO, video marketing, and reputation-building strategies to elevate their client's experience. He emphasizes that while the digital landscape constantly evolves, agencies must prioritize quality content, long-term commitment, and simple but effective tactics to ensure they remain visible and accessible to clients. From reviews to video marketing, Landon shares actionable tips that can help agencies stand out and build lasting relationships with their audience. Listen is as we explore the critical roles of : Google Reviews: for improving local SEO and driving engagement Video Content: short, authentic videos that build trust and visibility Solid reputation & long-term brand-building over immediate sales SEO basics with optimized content and a verified profile on Google. Get your pen and paper ready; this is one you're going to want to take notes on.

Can Old School Sales beat AI? Episode 405

Effective prospecting and streamlined sales processes are crucial to staying ahead in today's fast-paced, competitive insurance market. In this episode, we welcome Scott Angell, Senior Vice President at LeO, to discuss the future of sales, how to stand out in a noisy world, and how AI is transforming the insurance industry. With the ability to differentiate themselves and leverage data-driven recommendations, agents using LeO can drastically improve their efficiency and success rates, making the sales process faster, more innovative, and more effective.

Check out this episode to learn more about:

LeO’s AI technology prospect recommendations
Old-school sales tactics that make a difference
Deep dive into LeO’s data usage
Balancing human touch with AI for effective sales
Using data-driven sales tactics to set personalized goals

Tune in for a fresh perspective on balancing technology in a rapidly changing industry and get ready for some solid advice on staying ahead in your sales game!