The Insura-Preneur Podcast

The AI Coverage Gap Most Agencies Haven't Seen Coming

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future issue.
It's now an insurance issue.
In this episode, Michael Jans reveals a little-known development that could have major implications for commercial insurance agencies and their clients: new AI-related endorsements and exclusions that are quietly appearing in the marketplace.
You'll discover:
What changed on January 1, 2026
The AI endorsements most agencies haven't reviewed
Why commercial clients may have coverage gaps they don't know about
Potential E&O implications for agencies
How forward-thinking agencies can become trusted advisors on this rapidly emerging risk
Michael also introduces a free resource designed to help agencies stay ahead of AI-related developments and avoid being the last to know.
If you write commercial insurance, this is an episode you cannot afford to ignore.
Free resource: AIBriefingRoom.com

AI Is No Longer Optional for Independent Agencies

In this episode of AI for IA, Michael Jans breaks down what may become the defining strategic divide in the independent insurance industry:
the difference between agencies that casually “experiment” with AI…
and agencies that systematically build growth, efficiency, governance, and valuation advantage around it.
Michael shares:
Why AI adoption in the industry is still shockingly immature
The hidden risks of “shadow AI” inside agencies
What carriers and regulators are increasingly watching
The 5-level AI Maturity Model for independent agencies
Why the biggest AI opportunity is NOT in the back office
How AI-driven agencies may achieve higher margins, faster growth, and stronger valuation
The emerging concept of the “Self-Operating, Self-Growing Agency”
He also introduces a new AI Readiness Diagnostic designed specifically for independent agency principals who want clarity, confidence, and a practical roadmap for responsible AI implementation. readiness-check.aigrowthacademy.insure
If you’re an agency owner wondering:
“Where do we actually stand with AI?”
…this episode is for you.

The Hidden Crisis Inside Insurance Renewals — And How AI May Change the Economics of the Independent Agency

Most agencies think growth problems start with lead generation.
But what if the real bottleneck is hidden inside renewal servicing?
In this episode, Michael Jans sits down with Colby Tunick of Refocus AI to explore how AI is beginning to compress renewal workflows from 90 minutes to 15 — and why that shift could fundamentally change staffing, margins, retention, and valuation inside the independent agency channel.
A conversation about AI, operational leverage, and the future economics of the independent insurance agency.
📞 Contact Information
📱 https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-tunick/
🌐 Website: https://www.refocusai.com/

How AI Is Saving Agencies 4+ Hours a Day (Without Hiring)

Most agencies are using AI the wrong way.
Not as execution… but as assistance.
In this episode, Michael speaks with Isaiah Hall, co-founder of Circle, about a new approach:
AI that can complete insurance workflows end-to-end.
From a single client request, it can:
Access your AMS
Navigate carrier portals
Retrieve documents
Draft the response
All with human review at the final step.
The real question isn’t the tool.
It’s this:
👉 What happens when one employee can do the work of three?
If you’re thinking about growth, staffing, or valuation…
This is a conversation you need to hear.
🔗 Links
https://www.usecircle.com/

AI Just Put $15B of Insurance Commissions at Risk — Here’s What Agency Owners Must Do Now

This quarter changed everything.
In this solo episode, Michael Jans breaks down the most important AI developments from Q1 2026—and what they mean for independent insurance agencies right now.
This is not theory. This is signal.
A recent report from Bank of America Global Research identified $15 billion in commissions at risk, with AI capable of performing a meaningful portion of work currently handled by 20,000–30,000 agencies.
At the same time:
67% of agencies say they plan to use AI
Only 8% have actually implemented it
Agencies using voice AI are reporting up to 8x ROI in 30 days
The gap is opening.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Where AI is already replacing agency work (and where it won’t)
Why commoditized policies are the most vulnerable
The real opportunity window for agencies that act now
The three forces reshaping the industry: carriers, regulation, and insurtech funding
Why most agencies are exposed from a governance and E&O standpoint
And most importantly…
What you should do next.
🔗 Resources & Links
📊 Q1 2026 AI Intelligence Briefing (full report)
📘 AI Buyer’s Guide (8-step vendor evaluation framework)
🛡️ AI Governance Framework 
📞 Want Clarity?
If you're serious about growth, margins, and protecting your agency’s valuation:
👉 Book a free 15-minute AI Clarity Session with Michael

The Great Divide in Insurance: Cut Your Workload in Half—or Fall Behind

AI is no longer a tool in the insurance industry—it’s becoming the operating system.
In this episode, Michael sits down with Samuel Belanger-Lamoureux, Co-Founder of Cemiar, one of Canada’s fastest-growing insurtech firms, to explore what’s really happening beneath the surface of “AI adoption.”
What emerges is not a conversation about tools—but about a fundamental restructuring of how agencies operate.
Cemiar is one of Canada’s leading insurtech firms, built and led by top engineering talent focused on transforming operational efficiency for insurance agencies.
In this conversation, we explore what happens when automation moves beyond tasks—and begins to take over entire workflows.
One standout example:
👉 Cemiar’s Commercial Lines automation module can reduce the need for human intervention by more than 50% in key workflows—while improving accuracy and reducing operational risk.
But the bigger story is this:
Most agencies still can’t access their own data
Integration—not AI—is the real bottleneck
The winners won’t be tool users… they’ll be system builders
We also discuss Cemiar’s expansion into the U.S. market and their upcoming vendor session at Applied Net this October.
📞 Contact Information
Samuel Belanger-Lamoureux
Co-Founder, Cemiar
📧 sbelanger@cemiar.com
📱 514-575-9457
🌐 Website: https://cemiar.com/

From 15 Minutes to 30 Seconds: How AI Is Rewiring Insurance Agency Operations Right Now

In this episode, Michael Jans sits down with Mehdi Lhadj, CEO of Floapi, to explore what AI is actually doing inside insurance agencies today—not theory, not hype, but real operational impact.
We break down how agencies are:
Turning 15-minute workflows into 30-second automations
Reducing operational costs by up to 75%
Automating commercial billing, renewal shopping, and client communications
Increasing compliance while reducing manual errors
This isn’t about experimenting with AI tools.
This is about rewiring how the agency runs.
If you’re an agency principal or operator, this episode will give you a clear look at what’s already possible—and what’s coming next.
Guest Contact Information
Website: https://www.floapi.ca/
Email: mehdi.lhadj@floapi.ca

The AI Mistake Almost Every Agency Is Making Right Now

AI is flooding the insurance industry.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Most agencies are using it wrong.
In this episode, Michael Jans speaks with Daniel Yoo, CEO of FinMate AI, about one of the most important strategic decisions facing agency leaders today:
👉 Should you buy AI tools… or build AI into your agency?
You’ll discover:
Why off-the-shelf AI is easy—but limited
When customization becomes a competitive advantage
How leading agencies are beginning to use AI to guide daily decisions
What it actually takes to move beyond experimentation
If you’re serious about growth, efficiency, and long-term valuation, this conversation will help you see AI differently.
🤝 Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/smyoo/
🌐 Learn more about FinMate AI:
www.finmate.ai
✉️ Reach Daniel directly:
daniel@finmate.ai

The AI Line You Can’t Cross (Without Risking Your Agency)

AI is no longer optional in the insurance agency world.
But neither is risk.
In this solo episode, Michael Jans steps away from vendor interviews to deliver a critical message every agency principal needs to hear—right now.
Because while one side of the industry is shouting “Do it or die,” another is warning “Don’t touch it.”
And the truth?
They’re both right.
They’re just talking about completely different things.
In this episode, Michael introduces a clear, practical framework to guide every AI decision inside your agency:
The 3 Zones of AI Use (and where most agencies get into trouble)
Why E&O carriers are beginning to pay attention—and what that means for your next renewal
The difference between safe, scalable AI and high-risk automation
Why “AI did it” is not a defense—it’s a liability
The simple rule: AI prepares. You decide. You own the outcome.
You’ll also walk away with specific next steps to protect your agency while still moving forward with confidence.
This is not a hype episode.
And it’s not a fear-based warning.
It’s a line in the sand.
👉 Book a 15-Minute AI Clarity Session with Michael: https://bit.ly/4rHNZiu

67% Say InsurTech ROI Is Overstated — Here’s What’s Really Going On

Most insurance agencies don’t have a technology problem.
They have a trust problem.
In this episode, Michael sits down with Steve Pieroway, author of the 2026 InsurTech Trust Index, to unpack one of the most important (and overlooked) dynamics in the industry today:
👉 Agents trust the technology…
👉 But they don’t trust the vendors selling it
And that gap is costing agencies time, money, and momentum.
Inside this conversation, you’ll discover:
Why 67% of agents believe InsurTech ROI is overstated
The hidden divide between buyers vs. users (and why it changes everything)
Why the traditional SaaS marketing playbook is breaking down
The real reason onboarding fails (the “Rolex in 143 pieces” problem)
How AI is about to make buying decisions harder—not easier
What agency owners must do now to avoid falling behind
If you’re evaluating AI, InsurTech, or simply trying to make smarter decisions in a rapidly changing landscape…
This episode will change how you think about technology—permanently.
🔗 Connect with Steve & Access the Report
Want to go deeper or explore the data behind this conversation?
📊 Download the full InsurTech Trust Index (Broker Edition):
https://benevolentmarketing.com/2026-broker-insurtech-trust-index/
🤝 Connect with Steve on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepieroway/
🌐 Learn more about Benevolent Marketing:
https://benevolentmarketing.com/
✉️ Reach Steve directly:
steve@benevolentmarketing.com
⚡ A Quick Note
If you’re currently evaluating AI or being approached by multiple vendors…
This conversation may save you months of frustration—and costly mistakes.