The Insura-Preneur Podcast

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/

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

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

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

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.

AI could drive 3X productivity gains in white-collar industries within 12–18 months. That includes insurance. Ben Horowitz — co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz — is signaling a structural shift, not incremental change. Here’s the real issue for independent agencies: If productivity triples… Will you convert that capacity into growth? Or will it eventually convert into pressure — on payroll, margins, and valuation? In this 10-minute episode, I break down: The 3X projection Why productivity ≠ growth The valuation implications The leadership fork in the road facing principals This isn’t AI hype. It’s a strategic moment. If you care about growth, competitive position, and long-term valuation, this episode is for you.

LinkedIn is no longer optional for commercial insurance agencies. But most agents are using it tactically — not strategically. In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Blatner to break down: Why LinkedIn is the dominant platform for commercial lines The right sequence: organic → direct messaging → paid ads Why text-only posts often outperform polished marketing graphics How LinkedIn newsletters quietly compound authority Why video is rising — and how to approach it intelligently But here’s the deeper issue: LinkedIn isn’t just about posting content. It’s about positioning. When used correctly, LinkedIn becomes: – A trust engine – A distribution channel – A thought leadership platform – And, ultimately, a valuation lever If you’re a commercial agency principal serious about growth, authority, and long-term enterprise value — this episode will clarify what actually matters.

What do a pair of socks, a red envelope, and artificial intelligence have in common? In this refreshingly candid episode, Michael Jans returns from vacation with bold clarity and delivers a straight-shooting message to independent agency leaders: AI is here. And if you don’t have a strategy, you’re already behind. From stories that date back to Agency Revolution’s early days to real-time warnings about cold outreach without credibility, Michael breaks down the 7 essential questions every insurance agency must answer before plugging AI into their business. If you want to scale smarter, sell better, and lead with intention in 2026, don’t miss this one.

Last week, something happened in insurance that many independent agencies will underestimate. Insurance quoting functionality appeared inside ChatGPT. Within one trading session, major publicly traded brokerages saw billions in market capitalization erased — not because earnings changed, but because the interface moved. This episode is not about AI writing emails or summarizing coverage forms. It is about distribution risk. In this briefing, Michael Jans breaks down: Why public brokerage stocks reacted immediately What it means when AI enters the discovery and quoting layer The rise of agentic AI and structural operational leverage The Applied vs. AI-native litigation as a signal of deeper platform tension And the strategic question every independent agency principal must confront When the front door moves, valuations reset. The agencies that win will be those who recognize the shift early and align strategy, culture, and technology accordingly. If you’re an independent insurance agency leader, this episode is required listening.

AI isn’t coming — it’s already transforming insurance brokerages from the inside out. In this episode, Michael Jans sits down with Canadian insurance veteran and IBAC advisor Tom Reid, who shares what he’s uncovered after mapping 45 core brokerage workflows... and discovering AI can revolutionize 44 of them. 🔍 You’ll hear: – How quoting time dropped from 30 minutes to just 5 – Why 80% of agency phone calls are non-revenue-generating – What Canadian brokerages are testing right now – How AI could soon replace SEO as the primary way clients find you This is the strategic reality check every independent agent and broker needs. 🎧 Listen now — and future-proof your agency.

Agency 2030: How AI Will Reshape Everything 🎙️ with Michael Jans & Chris Tamm (AI Strategist + Former Agency Principal) What happens when AI goes beyond blog posts and into the beating heart of your insurance agency? In this eye-opening episode, Michael sits down with Chris—a 7x founder, agency veteran, and global AI implementation strategist—to unpack what really lies ahead for independent agencies. 🔥 Inside this episode: The 3 levels of transformation: Individual, Team, Organization Why waiting until 2028 is a dangerous trap What Microsoft’s CEO just predicted about SaaS (and why it matters) Real-world agency use cases—beyond ChatGPT How to double revenue per employee without increasing headcount The cold, hard fate of agencies that don’t evolve This isn’t hype. This is your wake-up call. 👉 Whether you’re AI-curious or already automating, this conversation will change how you lead.

Homeowners insurance is no longer “inflation + a little.” In many states it’s become volatile, uneven, and emotionally exhausting for consumers—and operationally painful for agents trying to retain clients through renewal shocks. In this episode, Michael sits down with Dylan DiMarchi, CEO of Eventual (the company behind Premium Lock), to unpack a simple but potentially disruptive idea: multi-year premium predictability. “Insurance pricing actually was more volatile than any other period in human history.” In this conversation, we cover: The real-world problem: why homeowners are burned out on surprise renewals How Premium Lock works (a supplementary product that reimburses amounts above a pre-set threshold) Why agents are using it not just for retention—but as point-of-sale differentiation Market insight: what Dylan’s data suggests about where premium growth could trend next If you’re an independent agent—or an agency leader thinking strategically about differentiation and retention—this one will give you new angles (and a product category to watch).

How do you turn a tiny, rural, PC-10 agency into a multi-niche growth machine that closes six-figure accounts without traditional producers? In this episode, Michael Jans sits down with Cheri Martinen, Managing Partner of Bancorp Insurance, to unpack how her family’s small Oregon agency has grown 6–7x while being surrounded by national forest on three sides. You’ll hear how Cheri’s parents: Started by cross-selling their existing book Stumbled into their first contractor niche Then built out a portfolio of highly profitable specialties—from wildland firefighters to special water districts and Medicare Today, Bancorp operates in 20+ states, runs a marketing-driven model, and closes big commercial accounts from inbound demand—no door-knocking producers. Cheri also breaks down her modern marketing stack: Consistent blogging and SEO YouTube shorts and multi-platform social Hulu ads and geo-targeting around senior centers Email + voicemail + direct mail campaigns Automated renewal and cross-sell workflows supported by in-house staff and VAs And we wrap with Cheri’s angle on AI and visibility: “At this point, we’re getting leads from ChatGPT. So if you’re not getting leads from ChatGPT, you don’t have enough content out there yet.” In this episode, you’ll learn: How a rural “middle of nowhere” agency made geography irrelevant with smart niche strategy The contractor campaign that turned a hard-market disruption into a growth surge How Bancorp built and scaled niches in wildland firefighters and water districts What a marketing-driven growth model looks like when you close six-figure accounts without a traditional producer force Real examples of integrated campaigns (email, voicemail, streaming, geo-targeting) that keep the pipeline full How Cheri thinks about AI, content, and why agencies must “test the waters before it’s too late” If you’re an independent agency owner wondering how to grow faster, niche deeper, and use modern marketing (and AI) to win big accounts, this conversation is a practical blueprint.

In this episode, Michael pulls back the curtain on what AI actually did in 2025—far away from the hype, and deep in the real numbers. While most of the insurance world is still “thinking about AI,” other industries are already cashing in: A global fintech using AI to replace the work of ~700 people in 35 languages A major carrier cutting claim cycle times by weeks and slashing complaints by 65% A wealth management giant adding tens of billions in new assets with AI-assisted advisors Streaming, retail, and coffee brands using AI to quietly reduce churn and boost revenue This isn’t a thought experiment. It’s an alarm clock. Then Michael brings it home: what this means for independent agencies, why the “wait and see” crowd is already behind, and how to start using AI intelligently—without turning it into an expensive hobby. You’ll hear: Concrete examples of AI driving profit and efficiency in 2025 The hidden risk of treating AI as a “future project” How to think about AI in the context of your growth, margins, and valuation A first look at Michael’s suite of 12 custom GPTs designed specifically for independent insurance agencies If you’re serious about growth—and serious about not getting left behind—this is your wake-up call. 👉 Want details on the AI tools Michael mentions in the episode? Email him at michael@michaeljans.com with “AI” in the subject line.

Still retyping the same client data into five different carrier portals? In this episode of The AI for IA Podcast, Michael talks with Carl, founder of Gaya, the browser-based tool built specifically for insurance agencies. Gaya sits on top of the systems you already use and turns painful, repetitive data entry into a few clicks. Instead of spending 10–15 minutes keying information into each carrier portal, agencies using Gaya often get it down to 4–5 minutes per carrier — without a single API integration. With Gaya, agencies can: Extract data from PDFs, images, AMS systems, and carrier portals Paste that data directly into carrier portals, browser-based AMS platforms, or new forms Handle remarketing surges and multi-carrier quoting with the same headcount Carl and Michael also unpack the bigger picture of AI in insurance distribution: Why so many agencies fall into “shiny object syndrome” with AI tools What separates novelty from real operational impact Why today’s AI is about capacity and leverage, not job replacement How “process eats technology for breakfast” — and what to streamline before adopting AI If you want your team quoting faster, remarketing more, and spending less time on repetitive data entry, this conversation shows what’s possible right now — using the systems you already have. 👉 Learn more about Gaya here: www.gaya.ai

Most P&C agencies want stronger retention, deeper client loyalty, and higher revenue per client — but overlook the one conversation that delivers all three. In this episode, Michael Jans talks with Trae White, multi-acquisition P&C agency principal whose agency was recognized as Top 10 nationally in life insurance performance, to break down the simple culture and system behind his success. Trae reveals how he built a life-insurance pipeline inside a P&C agency, why he believes discussing life coverage is a moral obligation, and how these deeper conversations create durable, long-term relationships that strengthen the entire book. You’ll learn the culture cues that get teams comfortable, the scripts his staff uses daily, and why the 1:15 benchmark is the perfect starting point for agencies that want measurable gains without changing their business model. In this episode: • How deeper protection conversations drive retention • The pipeline Trae built for new & existing clients • Why clients with life stay longer, engage more, and refer more • How small policies create big loyalty • The culture shift behind Trae’s national recognition A powerful message for P&C principals ready to unlock the retention and revenue lift hiding in their own book.

Featuring Dale Steinke, Director at Agent for the Future Advisors, Liberty Mutual Insurance AI isn’t coming to independent agencies—it’s already inside them. In this fast, high-signal conversation, Michael Jans sits down with longtime industry friend Dale Steinke of Liberty to break down what agency owners are really feeling about AI today: the excitement, the confusion, the overwhelm, and the massive opportunity hiding in plain sight. Dale shares what he sees across hundreds of agencies: why most principals underestimate how much AI their teams are already using, the tools that are quietly reshaping daily operations, and how top agencies are using AI to eliminate drudge work, sharpen renewal reviews, supercharge staff, and build client experiences that simply weren’t possible a few years ago. You’ll also hear: Why there’s never been a better time to start—or scale—an independent agency How a 7-person agency is using two developers and AI tools to build a next-level customer experience Why leaders must adopt AI themselves and create a clear AI governance policy What agencies should do first to prepare for the next wave of change Insightful, practical, and direct—this 10-minute “vitamin shot” delivers exactly what independent agencies need to know now.

In this rapid-fire 7-minute briefing, we break down the six industry trends reshaping the independent insurance agency landscape. You’ll discover why nearly 75% of Q3 insurtech funding went to AI-centric firms, what the softening market means for your organic growth strategy, and how smart agencies are using bolt-on technology to deepen client relationships. We also dig into an overlooked profit lever that recovers 1–3% of annual revenue, the surge in niche MGA/MGU valuations, and the surprising line of business slipping while everything else climbs. If you want to lead your agency through a shifting market — not react to it — this is your essential weekly intelligence hit.

In this episode, Michael Jans sits down with South Florida agency owner Matt Livings, who grew his agency from absolutely nothing to more than 5,700 households—in one of the toughest, most volatile markets in the country. Matt reveals the simple but powerful systems he’s used for two decades, including: His 24,000-postcards-a-month direct mail engine The niche strategy that built his affluent book (hint: boats) Why he stopped selling policies 15 years ago—and grew faster How hurricane claims turned him into a local hero The referral playbook that keeps the pipeline full Carrier contingency tactics that added an extra 10% to his income If you want to see how real, organic, sustainable agency growth is built—especially in hard markets—this is the episode.

Independent agencies survived the internet. They adapted to websites, email marketing, and social media. But AI is different. It changes the structure of work, speed of response, and expectations of clients—and it’s moving exponentially faster than any prior wave of technology. In this episode, agency owner & industry thought leader, Chris Paradiso explains: Why AI is a fundamentally different kind of disruption How agencies can leverage AI to move faster than carriers Real examples of AI in daily agency operations: sentiment scoring, policy gap analysis, coverage review, client communication, and multilingual training Why some roles will shift—and why relationships still matter The emerging divide between agencies that adapt and those that fall behind Chris shares how his agency has implemented AI from frontline workflows to training systems—and what agency owners must do now to remain competitive. Key Message: Do not sit on the sidelines. The agencies that act now will lead the market. The others will be forced out of it.