Beyond the AMS with Michael Lebor
What comes after the traditional AMS? In this episode of Policy in Wonderland, I speak with Michael Lebor, President of Momentum AMP, about the future of independent insurance agencies and InsuranceAgency.ai - the company’s AI platform designed to move beyond answering questions and help agencies complete actual work. The average independent agency uses around 14 different technology systems, many of which do not communicate effectively with one another. Michael explains why the answer is not simply another tool, but an open ecosystem connecting agency data, existing systems, InsurTech solutions, and AI-powered workflows. We discuss how InsuranceAgency.ai is intended to become part of the agency’s operation: connecting different systems, supporting workflows, and enabling AI agents to perform repetitive tasks across servicing, sales, renewals, finance, and other areas. Michael also shares how Momentum mapped 165 workflows across seven types of agency work, and explains the important difference between asking ChatGPT a question and truly integrating AI into the business. As AI begins handling certificates, policy comparisons, renewals, client communications, and other insurance tasks, trust, control, and human oversight become even more important. Where will people continue to create the most value? And what will the independent agency look like three years from now? Michael’s honest answer is that no one can know with certainty - even six months ahead. But one thing is clear: “Hope is not a strategy.” Chapters: 00:00 – The “SaaS Apocalypse” and Independent Agents 00:20 – The 14-System Problem Inside Insurance Agencies 03:40 – Moving Beyond the Traditional AMS 08:50 – Building an Open InsurTech Marketplace 11:55 – The Vision Behind InsuranceAgency.ai 15:30 – Using AI vs. Truly Integrating It 22:45 – Seven Worker Types and 165 Agency Workflows 28:30 – Trust, Control and AI Mistakes 33:05 – What Will the Independent Agency Look Like? 36:30 – “Hope Is Not a Strategy”
