What does a quoting VA actually do?
Quoting is one of the most time-consuming parts of a P&C agency's day, and most of it is data work: collecting drivers, vehicles, property details and prior coverage, keying it into one or more systems, and organizing the results. A quoting VA takes that work off your producers so they spend their time on conversations and closing.
- Collect and verify applicant information from intake forms, calls, emails or texts
- Enter risks into carrier portals and comparative raters
- Run renewal re-shops when premiums increase
- Organize quote results side by side for producer review
- Log quotes and notes in your CRM or agency management system
- Follow up with prospects who haven't returned missing information
Can a virtual assistant quote in carrier portals and raters?
Yes. Quoting in carriers and raters is the first item on our capabilities list, and it's what our QuoteSim™ training is built around. Before a VA joins your agency, they practice real quoting scenarios in a simulated environment so they already understand the flow of a personal lines quote and the information carriers ask for.
Your VA works under your agency's logins and processes, so you control which systems they can access. Each carrier and rater has its own rules about who may use agency credentials; set up access in a way that follows those rules.
How do renewal re-shops work with a VA?
Renewal re-shops are a natural fit for a VA because they are repeatable and deadline-driven. A typical workflow: your VA pulls a list of upcoming renewals with a premium increase above a threshold you set, re-quotes those accounts with your appointed carriers, and flags any meaningful savings for a producer or account manager to review with the client.
- Pull upcoming renewals on a set schedule (for example, 45 to 60 days out)
- Re-quote accounts that meet your criteria
- Summarize options and notes for the licensed agent
- Track outcomes in your AMS or CRM
Where does the licensed producer stay involved?
A VA handles the unlicensed support work. Recommending coverage, explaining policy differences, selling, and binding where a license is required stay with your licensed staff. Follow your state's licensing rules and your carriers' requirements when deciding exactly where the handoff happens. Many agencies draw the line at: the VA gathers and enters, the producer advises and closes.
How do I set up a quoting VA for success?
The agencies that get the most from a quoting VA document their process up front. Write down which carriers you quote first for each line, your minimum information requirements, and how you want results presented. Record a short screen video of yourself running one quote. Then let the VA shadow and gradually take over.
- Create a quoting checklist for each line of business
- Decide your carrier order and appetite notes
- Set a standard format for presenting quotes to producers
- Use our 48-Hour VA Launch Plan for the first two days
Which tier is best for quoting?
Most agencies start with a Trained VA at $9 per hour for back-office quoting. If you want the VA to also call prospects to gather information, an Experienced VA at $12 per hour brings 3+ years of insurance service experience and advanced carrier and rater knowledge. If many of your prospects speak Spanish, a Bilingual VA at $15 per hour can handle intake in both languages.