In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers welcomes back Colby Tunick from ReFocus AI. Colby dives deep into the company’s latest innovation that’s transforming the way insurance agencies service policies. Refocus AI, which started with helping agencies predict customer churn, has now transitioned to automating one of the most time-consuming aspects of insurance — quoting policies. Colby shares how their new technology is helping agencies scale efficiently without burning out staff, allowing producers to focus on building relationships and growing their book of business.
Refocus AI began by addressing the issue of time spent servicing existing policies. Colby discusses how insurance agencies spend a significant portion of their time on renewals, quoting, and policy servicing, which takes away from their ability to acquire new business.
Refocus AI’s new tool, IntelliAgent, acts as a virtual assistant that automates the quoting process. This AI-powered system logs into carrier portals, retrieves rates, and delivers bindable quotes, freeing up agents’ time to focus on client relationships.
Colby explains how automating the quoting process can help agencies scale without adding significant headcount. It allows agencies to quote on multiple lines with various carriers simultaneously, drastically reducing the time spent on manual quoting tasks.
For small commercial and personal lines business, agencies often struggle with quoting efficiency. Colby shares how technology like IntelliAgent is solving this problem, making it easier for agencies to serve more clients without overwhelming their teams.
Refocus AI’s roadmap includes plans to expand into the ENS market, where underwriters are involved. By automating this process, Refocus AI will further streamline how agencies access bindable rates and service their clients, all while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
Colby shares the personal story of how working excessive hours led to burnout and a serious health condition. This experience fuels Refocus AI’s mission to help agencies reduce unnecessary workload and increase staff retention by allowing employees to focus on high-value tasks.
Colby gives a sneak peek into two new innovations coming soon. The Know Your Customer module will make updating account information faster and more efficient, while the MGA Marketplace will help agencies quickly find coverage for policy exclusions and better options for motor sports, flood, earthquake, and more.
In commercial insurance, the most dangerous threats to your book of business aren’t always visible on the loss runs. One of the most overlooked vulnerabilities for middle market producers is ignoring the personal lines needs of their business owner and executive clients.
In an industry where tradition often outweighs innovation, artificial intelligence and automation are slowly but steadily reshaping how independent insurance agencies operate. The push toward smarter, more efficient workflows is no longer a matter of if—but when. While many agencies are still evaluating how AI fits into their operations, early adopters are already reaping the benefits of streamlined submissions, faster processing, and actionable data insights.
The commercial insurance industry is changing faster than ever—and not always for the better. Consolidation is accelerating. Service levels are declining. Private equity is pushing agencies to scale in ways that strip out the personal touch that once defined the independent channel. But for the producers willing to do the work, lean into mentorship, and sharpen their craft, this isn’t a challenge—it’s an opportunity.
The commercial insurance industry is in the midst of a major evolution. The traditional workflows that once drove agency productivity are now dragging down growth, overloading staff, and frustrating owners who are trying to scale efficiently. For independent insurance agencies—especially those in the middle market—adapting to these challenges without increasing overhead is a tightrope walk.
Few industries reward consistency, discipline, and patience quite like middle-market commercial insurance. Initially, every producer starts with a different story, background, and path into the business. However, the ones who rise are the ones who learn to embrace the long game. Moreover, while success may take time, those who persevere ultimately reap the benefits. Furthermore, this industry values resilience, and those who remain committed often find themselves achieving great success in the end.
In today’s performance-obsessed culture, achieving elite status in your profession can often come with a hidden price. Tania Khazaal, known to many as Tanya the Herbalist, knows this truth firsthand. After climbing the ranks in the insurance industry and landing in the top 1% of sales professionals, she found herself at a crossroads. Despite the accolades, international travel perks, and consistent recognition, she was suffering from a quiet crisis: burnout.
Please confirm you want to block this member.
You will no longer be able to:
Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.
