How Insurance Agents Can Harness AI: Practical Insights from Industry Leaders

Embracing AI in Insurance: Insights from Industry Experts

In the fast-moving world of insurance, change is a given. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), agents face both exciting opportunities and new challenges. In a recent conversation with industry experts Ryan Deeds, Michael Lebor, and Adam Kiefer, valuable insights were shared on how insurance agents can adapt to the shifting AI landscape while boosting their efficiency.

The Evolving Role of AI in Insurance

Ryan Deeds, with over 25 years in the industry, emphasized that the real value of technology comes from how it’s used—not just its existence. With AI-assisted tools becoming more common, insurance professionals can use these innovations to streamline operations, improve customer service, and strengthen team collaboration. Still, the path to adopting AI comes with its share of challenges.

Start Your AI Strategy by Defining the Right Problems

One of the key takeaways from the conversation was the importance of defining clear problems before diving into AI solutions. As Deeds put it, “Focus on your business.” Successful agents usually have a good handle on their operational pain points. To get the most out of AI, the first step is identifying which problems you want to solve.

• What’s your biggest challenge right now? Is it better customer interaction, more efficient data handling, or smoother workflows?

• How can AI help solve those issues? Define what success would look like for your agency.

This kind of focused approach keeps agents from getting distracted by flashy tools that don’t address their real needs.

The Concept of "Vibe Coding"

Deeds introduced “vibe coding” as a fresh concept in software development. It allows people with limited technical background to bring their ideas to life by simply describing them to AI tools, which then generate the code. This kind of accessibility is especially helpful for agents who aren’t familiar with traditional coding.

How Insurance Agencies Are Using AI in Daily Operations

During the discussion, the experts explored numerous practical uses of AI in the insurance industry:

• Carrier Knowledge Management: AI can summarize carrier emails so agents can focus on what matters instead of sorting through dozens of messages.
• Lead Generation: Smart tools can help agencies find quality leads based on set criteria, making outreach more targeted and effective.
• Client Communication: AI can help agents create personalized messages that truly connect with clients—instead of sending generic replies.

In the end, the goal is to choose tools that boost productivity and align with your agency’s goals.

AI Adoption in Insurance: Managing Implementation and Change

Rolling out AI can come with resistance or unclear expectations. The panel stressed the need to set clear metrics for what success—and failure—looks like. Deeds encouraged agents to clearly communicate those expectations with their teams to build accountability and keep everyone aligned.

The Power of Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Deeds highlighted how valuable knowledge sharing can be within an agency. For example, creating internal platforms where producers can connect based on their expertise helps build collaboration and speeds up problem-solving.

This can include:

• Building knowledge repositories where the expertise of experienced professionals is documented and accessible by all agents.
• Utilizing technologies that promote the exchange of information, allowing agents to tap into collective intelligence across the organization.

The Future of AI in Insurance Agencies: What’s Next?

As we look to the future, it’s clear that AI is not merely a trend—it's a tool that can help reshape and redefine the insurance landscape. However, Deeds cautioned against simply chasing after the latest technological advancements. Instead, agencies should focus on their unique needs and the practical applications of AI that address those needs.

Key Takeaways for Insurance Agents Using AI

For independent agents, using AI can feel overwhelming at first. But with a clear understanding of the problems you’re trying to solve—and a thoughtful plan to implement solutions—the rewards can be significant. Embrace this powerful technology, but make sure it aligns with your agency’s core goals.

n the words of Ryan Deeds, “AI is a tool. It’s cool, it does a lot of neat stuff, but have a clear strategy and expectations when integrating it into your operations.” 

By following these insights, insurance agents can position themselves to leverage AI not just as a buzzword, but as an integral part of their strategy for growth and success.

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This blog post encapsulates the essence of the conversation and serves as a valuable resource for insurance agents looking to navigate their AI journey.