Vertafore Insurance Podcast

Are you set up to win this renewal season? Episode430

The benefits renewal season doesn’t have to be chaos, it can be your biggest growth opportunity. In this episode, Weston Lunsford, CEO of Plansight, joins the VIP Podcast to show how brokers are transforming the RFP process from manual madness into a modern, strategic advantage. With automation, clean data, and smart integrations, brokers are doubling client count, increasing revenue per client, and delivering high-touch service without the burnout. If you’re still managing renewals in spreadsheets and inboxes, this is your wake-up call to level up.

Click play on this one and you will discover how to :

Deliver faster, cleaner RFPs that convert, and impress the employer. 
Automate low-value tasks to free you up for more value add tasks.
Double your client volume, without hiring new staff.
Push plan data directly into BenefitPoint, with no re-entry required.
Win by blending automation with high-touch, relationship-driven service.
Get your pen and paper ready; you'll want to take notes on this one.

What happens when data drives strategy? - Episode 429

Modernizing insurance isn’t about disruption for disruption’s sake; it’s about identifying deep-rooted problems and creating connected solutions that serve the entire insurance value chain. In this episode, Robin Livesay, Head of Product Strategy at ePayPolicy, joins us to talk about transforming legacy workflows, aligning product ecosystems, and using real customer data to drive innovation. Her outside-in perspective is helping redefine how agencies, MGAs, and carriers manage payments and data.

Listen to this podcast, and hear us talk about:

• Solving real problems, not chasing flashy technology,
• Integrating products to create exponential user value.
• Using customer data to shape product and experience design.
• Connecting payment, policy, and commission data.
• Workflow flexibility that is essential for modern agencies.

This podcast is one you don't want to miss.

What's the secret to a high close rate on online leads? Episode 428

In a world where agents juggle leads but lack follow-through strategy, Todd Wurth, District Manager at Farmers Insurance, shares how he’s built a scalable, high-conversion process using AgencyZoom. From LA’s metro grind to Wyoming’s one-agent towns, Todd unpacks how consistent marketing, deep community engagement, and automated follow-up drive real growth—no matter the zip code.

Turned “low” close rate into repeatable, high-conversion follow-up strategy

Built 27+ automated pipelines tailored to product and prospect type

Combines email, text, and mail for multi-channel lead nurturing

Triggers life insurance campaigns using birthday data

Tracks ROI by campaign, activity, and individual producer performance

Are You Losing Business Before the Quote Even Lands? Episode427

Getting a quote shouldn’t feel like a marathon, and yet for many independent agents, that’s exactly what it is. In this episode, we sat down with Gordon Kendall , VP of Product at Vertafore, who brings nearly 20 years of carrier experience and a serious passion for agency workflow. From rating commercial auto from the ground up to building products like PL Rating & Commercial Submissions. Gordon breaks down how quoting became the real moment of truth, and why time, not money, is the new metric of agency success.

When you listen to this episode you will hear how:

• Quoting sets the tone, before claims ever come into play.
• PL Rating and Commercial Submissions simplify the quoting journey.
• Bind bridges the data gap between agents and carriers.
• Fewer clicks means much healthier margins for agencies.
• Carriers must meet agents where quoting actually happens.

 

You looking for your moment of truth? You could find it in this episode.

Missed an episode this season? Start here. Episode 426 (Bonus Episode)

The insurance industry is evolving at lightning speed, and keeping up with new ideas, tech innovations, and leadership insights can feel like a full-time job. That’s why we hit pause this week to bring you something special, a remix episode highlighting the best of Season 4 (so far). From high-impact insights to unexpected laughs, this recap is packed with our favorite moments, standout quotes, and other gems you won’t want to miss.

 

In this episode you will hear:

• Insights into agency management, customer experience and more.
• Real talk on the hard market and how our guests are surviving.
• Incredible soundbites from some of this season's guests thus far.
• A montage of both deeply inspiring moments as well as the comical ones too.

 

Whether you are a first-time listener or a return VIP, this is our gift to you! Thank you for listening!

Is your tech stack actually working for your agency? Episode 425 (Re-release)

Even after two seasons, this conversation with Drew Kinney still stands out as a must-listen. Drew, Co-Owner of Kinney Insurance Agency, delivers an authentic, agency-first breakdown of building a tech stack that works. Whether you're revamping your operations or just getting started with automation, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world advice that hasn’t aged a day.

Key takeaways from the episode:

• The dynamics of working with family in an agency setting.
• The “why” and the "How" behind their AgencyZoom configuration.
• Practical advice on process optimization using the right tech tools.
• What’s working in their workflows and what could be improved.
• Aligning marketing, business intelligence, and internal operations for scalable growth.

 

If you're serious about building a modern, efficient, and scalable agency, this one belongs on your playlist (again).

How can you thrive in a hard market? Episode 424 - (Re-release)

We're re-releasing this insightful episode with  Troy Korsgaden,  a recognized expert in the insurance industry, in case you missed it. Troy, a published author, speaker, consultant, and founder of Korsgaden International, shares his wisdom on navigating the current insurance market and its evolving future. In this episode, he dives deep into the powerful role of technology in driving efficiency and enhancing client service, while stressing the importance of a proactive, intentional approach. 

This episode is caulked with so much value including :

• Key strategies for success in a transitional insurance market.
• How technology enables, not replaces, client relationships.
• The value of being proactive in client management.
• Aligning agency goals with efficiency and client focus.
• Overlooked growth opportunities for carriers and agencies.

Whether you're tuning in for the first time or the second or third, this episode is packed with timeless insights that will help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving insurance landscape.

Are you building rapport or just collecting VINs? Episode 423

Data intake remains one of the biggest friction points for insurance agencies trying to scale their operations and deliver stellar client experiences. In this episode, we sit down with Nick Berry, Demand Generation Leader at Canopy Connect, to dive into how long-term success comes from thinking beyond the quote, and meeting prospects where they are. Nick shares how agencies are using technology to turn clunky intake processes into profit centers. 

Check out this episode and you will learn that:

• Only 7% of your market is ready to buy now, build for those who aren’t.
• Rapport starts with building relationships, not asking for VIN numbers. 
• Coverage-based segmentation turns data into high conversion rates.
• Follow-up wins. Consistent and automated communication is key. 

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

Efficiency starts with better Navigation. Episode 422

The future of Insurtech isn’t just about adding features; it’s about delivering an experience that makes agents faster, smarter, and more efficient. This week, we sat down in-studio with Kelly Byrom, VP of Platform and Experience Design at Vertafore, to talk about the long game of building AgencyOne and what it takes to design smarter, faster, and more human-centered insurance software. Kelly shared what it means to centralize workflows, connect products, and build a user experience (UX) that solves problems instead of just looking good.

Tune in to hear more about how:

• User feedback shaped global navigation across AgencyOne.
• Design is about problem solving, not just aesthetics.
• Iterative updates deliver consistency and efficiency for users.
• Smart UX changes save agencies minutes per task. 
• AgencyOne connects our products for faster, smarter workflows across roles.

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

What If you could cut 20 minutes from every payment process? Episode 421

Agencies struggle with slow, manual payment processes that delay cash flow and limit growth. When speed and efficiency in insurance payments can make or break an agency’s growth, ePayPolicy stands out by solving for both, fast. On this episode, I sat down with Zac Franz, Strategic Partnerships Manager at ePayPolicy, to talk about how they’re streamlining the entire cash flow, improving receivables, and helping agencies write more business, faster.

When you download this one, you will hear more about how:
Automation reduces errors and frees up staff for high-value client work.
ePay's integration reduces payment workflows by up to 20 minutes.
Agencies scale faster with streamlined receivables and automation.
To standardize payments during mergers and acquisitions.
Ciick subscribe for more incredible content for the remainder of this season.