Independent insurance agency growth is still driven by one core factor: trust.While automation and instant quoting have reshaped insurance, relationship-driven agencies consistently outperform transactional competitors, especially when it comes to small business insurance. In our first episode of our new series, Under 10, we examine why trust compounds and why speed alone does not create loyalty.“Speed earns attention. Trust earns retention.”This episode explores how independent agents can use technology to remove friction without weakening client relationships. It also emphasizes the impact that partnerships, communication consistency, and post-bind engagement directly has on long-term book value.Key industry themes covered:- Independent insurance agent growth strategy- Client retention in small business insurance- Relationship-driven selling vs. transactional selling- Insurance automation and trust-building- Agency scalability without losing personalizationCoterie Insurance supports independent agents with fast, digital-first small business insurance solutions built to strengthen, not replace, relationships.Explore more: https://coterieinsurance.com“Technology can start a relationship. Only people can sustain one.”#IndependentInsurance #SmallBusinessInsurance #InsuranceAgents #AgencyGrowth #InsuranceTechnology

Frank Sentner joins the Coterie Insurance podcast for the second time.

Speaking with Bobbie Collies, Frank dives into discussing his thoughts on data standardization, innovation and change in the industry.

Frank has extensive experience in the insurance technology sector, and brings a lot of background and knowledge to this episode.

He highlights the importance of technology, particularly APIs and data standardization, in transforming the insurance landscape. Frank also explores the future of insurance, where data becomes a commodity and the role of AI in enhancing customer experiences. He advocates for a collective approach to data rights and the necessity for the industry to adapt to new technologies and practices.

Thank you to Frank for his thoughts on data and where the insurance industry is today.

Follow Coterie Insurance on LinkedIn.

It's Cybersecurity Awareness Month and we invite insurance agents to listen to this episode to get their small business clients prepared.

In this episode, Ashleigh Burden and Eder Ribeiro discuss the critical importance of cybersecurity and cyber insurance for small businesses. They explore common misconceptions about small business security, the impact of cyber incidents, and the necessity of having adequate cyber insurance coverage. Eder shares insights from his extensive experience in incident response and emphasizes the need for small businesses to take cybersecurity seriously. The conversation also touches on the evolving regulatory landscape and the partnership between Coterie and TransUnion to make cyber insurance more accessible for small businesses.

Learn more about TransUnion:

https://www.transunion.com/lp/cyberscout-explainer

linkedin.com/company/transunion

Learn more about Coterie Insurance:

https://coterieinsurance.com/insurance/cyber-insurance-for-small-businesses/

https://coterieinsurance.com/blog/5-reasons-your-clients-need-cyber-insurance/

Timeline:

00:00 - 01:54: Introductions

01:54 - 04:42: The Myth of Small Business Security

04:42 - 06:36: Common Cyber Attack Vectors for Small Businesses

06:36 - 09:59: Impact of Cyber Incidents on Small Businesses

09:59 - 12:06: Trends for Agents and Brokers in Cyber Insurance

12:06 - 13:53: Regulatory Landscape for Small Businesses

13:53 - 16:49: Making Cyber Insurance Accessible

16:49 - 18:59: Understanding Cyber Insurance Coverage

18:59 - 23:03: Key Takeaways for Cybersecurity Awareness Month

cybersecurity, cyber insurance, small business, cyber attacks, incident response, insurance agents, regulatory compliance, risk management, TransUnion, Coterie

In this conversation, Steve Barnard, Principal AI Engineer at Coterie Insurance, shares how the company is leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to make insurance faster, simpler, and more accurate for agents, brokers, and policyholders.

Steve discusses the challenges of balancing innovation with compliance, the importance of trust and transparency, and why human expertise will always remain central to Coterie’s approach. He also offers a glimpse into the future of insurance technology, including agentic AI and the role of collaboration across teams in driving smarter, customer-first solutions.Learn more about Coterie Insurance: https://coterieinsurance.com/Follow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/coterieinsure/

Follow Steve on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-barnard/

In this episode of the And I Quote podcast, Ashleigh Burden interviews Laura Gruselski, a bilingual independent insurance agent. They discuss Laura's journey in the insurance industry, her mission-driven agency, and her focus on serving underrepresented communities. Laura shares insights on branding, community engagement, and the importance of education in insurance. The conversation also touches on the use of AI in branding, the significance of referrals, and the challenges of maintaining brand consistency.

Laura emphasizes the importance of authenticity and her desire to mentor others in the industry.

Takeaways:

- Branding should reflect personal authenticity and community values.

- Education is key in helping clients understand their insurance needs.

- AI can be a valuable tool in modern branding strategies.

- Building a community-centric brand fosters strong client relationships.

- Networking and mentorship are crucial for business growth.

Learn more about Laura:

Website: https://lajefalaurag.com/laura-grucelski-insurance-agency

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauragrucelski/

Instagram: @lajefalaurag_ins

Discover more about Coterie Insurance:

Website: https://coterieinsurance.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coterieinsurance

Chapters:

00:00 - 01:02: Introduction and Branding Basics

01:02 - 03:09: Laura's Journey in Insurance

03:09 - 05:53: Establishing a Niche and Community Focus

05:53 - 08:20: Education and Empowerment in Insurance

08:20 - 10:09: Leveraging AI in Branding and Marketing

10:09 - 12:25: Building Community and Networking Initiatives

12:25- 12:35: Referrals and Business Growth Strategies

12:35 - 13:02: Navigating Business Growth During COVID

13:02 - 13:33: The Power of Storytelling in Branding

13:33 - 15:31: Challenges of Maintaining Brand Consistency

15:31- 16:13: Cultural Authenticity in Branding

16:13 - 17:16: Actionable Tips for Building Your Brand

17:16 - 18:52: Rapid Fire Branding Insights

18:52 - 20:36: Future Aspirations and Mentorship in Business

20:36 - 21:04: Outro of season 5

In this episode of the And I Quote podcast, host Ashleigh Burden speaks with Giovanna Plum. Giovanna shares her journey in the insurance industry, the evolution of technology in the field, and how MEA Brokerage is adapting to meet client needs.

Giovanna emphasizes the importance of customer service, the use of technology for efficiency, and the significance of personal relationships in the insurance business. She also discusses the future growth plans for MEA Brokerage and her passion for the industry.

Learn more about MEA Brokerage:

Visit their website: https://www.meainsurance.com/meet-our-team/

Learn more about Ashleigh Burden and Coterie Insurance:

Connect with Ashleigh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-burden/

Follow Coterie Insurance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coterieinsurance

Learn more about Coterie: https://coterieinsurance.com/

00:00-00:39: Introduction and Background

00:39-02:45: Journey into the Insurance Space

02:45-03:47: Impact of Technology on Insurance

03:47- 05:16: Key Advancements at MEA Brokerage

05:16-07:48: Client Engagement Tools and Platforms

07:48-10:31: Utilizing Data for Client Understanding

10:31-12:58: Productivity and Growth through Technology

12:58-13:56: Maintaining Personal Relationships in a Digital Age

13:56-15:39: Future Plans for MEA Brokerage

15:39-15:55: Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the podcast, Ashleigh Burden interviews Alexander Dopazo, Vice President of Dopozo Insurance. They discuss his journey in the insurance industry, the importance of building a network, understanding client needs, community engagement, leveraging technology, measuring success, and the future of the insurance industry.

Alex emphasizes the value of relationships, the role of technology in enhancing client experiences, and the opportunities presented by change in the industry.

Learn more about Alex Dopazo and Dopazo Insurance:

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexdopazo/

Follow Dopazo Insurance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dopazoinsurance/

Visit their website: https://www.dopazoinsurance.com/

Learn more about Ashleigh Burden and Coterie Insurance:

Connect with Ashleigh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-burden/

Follow Coterie Insurance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coterieinsurance

Learn more about Coterie: https://coterieinsurance.com/

00:00- 3:00 - Introduction and Background

03:10- 06:02 - Building a Network in Insurance

06:02 - 8:45 - Understanding Client Needs

08:45 - 11:57 - Community Engagement and Trust

11:57 - 15:10 - Leveraging Technology for Success

15:10 - 19:47 - Measuring Success and Feedback

19:47 - 22:35- Future of the Insurance Industry

In this episode of the And I Quote podcast, Ashleigh Burden speaks with John Morlan, founder and CEO of Smarter Risk, about the unique challenges small businesses face in risk management. They discuss the importance of having a solid risk management plan, the role of insurance agents, and the partnership between Coterie and Smarter Risk. John shares insights from his journey in the insurance industry and highlights the innovative technology Smarter Risk is developing to simplify risk assessment for small businesses.

Learn more about Coterie's Manage My Risk Program: https://explore.coterieinsurance.com/manage-my-risk-agentsbrokers

Learn More about SmarterRisk:

Follow John Morlan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbmorlan/

Follow Smarter Risk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smarter-risk/

Visit Smarter Risk's website:

https://smarterrisk.com/

Learn more about Coterie Insurance:

Follow Ashleigh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-burden/

Follow Coterie Insurance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coterieinsurance

Learn more about Coterie:

https://coterieinsurance.com/

00:00 - 02:30: The Journey of John Morland and Smarter Risk02:30 - 5:04: Understanding Small Business Risks05:04 - 07:19: The Importance of Risk Management for Small Businesses07:19 - 10:22: The Role of Insurance Agents in Risk Management10:22- 13:00: The Partnership Between Coterie and Smarter Risk13:00- 15:42: Future Innovations at Smarter Risk15:42 - 18:18: Actionable Steps for Small Business Owners18:18- 19:40: Conclusion and ResourcesCoterie, Smarter Risk, small business, risk management, insurance, partnerships, technology, insurance agents, startups, business growth

In this episode of the And I Quote podcast, Ashleigh Burden of Coterie Insurance speaks with Alexandria Cardoze, the Digital Marketing Manager at Applied Systems. They discuss the evolution of marketing in the insurance industry, emphasizing the importance of data-driven marketing and personalization. Alex shares insights on effective marketing strategies, tools, and the future trends that will shape the industry. The conversation also touches on advice for those looking to enter the marketing field within insurance, highlighting the significance of understanding one's passion in marketing.Learn more about Alex and Applied Systems: Follow Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aeisenhardt/Find Applied Systems on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/applied-systems/Learn more about Applied Systems: https://www1.appliedsystems.com/en-usLearn more about Ashleigh and Coterie Insurance: Follow Ashleigh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-burden/Follow Coterie Insurance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coterieinsuranceLearn more about Coterie: https://coterieinsurance.com/00:00-02:58 - Introduction to Marketing in Insurance02:58-05:57 - The Importance of Data-Driven Marketing05:57- 08:48 - Personalization Strategies for Engagement08:48- 11:51- Tools and Tech Stack for Marketing11:51- 13:00 - Future Trends in Marketing and Insurance13:00 - 14:26 - Advice for Aspiring Marketers in Insurance

In this episode, Nicole Farley, VP of Carrier Operations at Bold Penguin, sits down with Chief Insurance Officer at Coterie, Bobbie Collies, to discuss the current landscape of small commercial insurance, the trends shaping the market for independent agents, and how Bold Penguin and Coterie Insurance are innovating to support agents in navigating these changes.

Nicole highlights the importance of technology, market access, and the evolving needs of agents in a hardening market. Nicole also shares success stories of agents leveraging Bold Penguin's platform to expand their reach and improve their operations.

Key Takeaways:

- The hard market continues to impact independent agents significantly.

- E&S products are gaining traction due to market conditions.

- Cross-selling opportunities are crucial for increasing policy counts.

- Agents are expanding their business into new territories

Bold Penguin:

Learn More: https://www.boldpenguin.com/

Follow them on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bold-penguin

Follow Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-farley-a2153730/

Coterie Insurance:

Learn More: https://coterieinsurance.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coterieinsuranceFollow Bobbie Collies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiecollies/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Bold Penguin and Nicole Farley

01:49 Current Trends in Small Commercial Insurance

04:17 Navigating Market Changes and Supporting Agents

05:19 Innovations in Technology and Agent Enablement

09:25 Success Stories and Growth Metrics

12:06 Nicole's Journey and Bold Penguin's Evolution

13:50 Engaging with Bold Penguin and Closing Thoughts

15:40 Outro

Keywords for this And I Quote podcast episode brought to you by Coterie Insurance: Bold Penguin, insurance technology, independent agents, commercial insurance, market trends, agent support, technology innovations, success stories, insurance industry, Nicole Farley