Starting an insurance agency is hard work but choosing the technology you need to be successful doesn’t have to be. You’ve gotten your certifications, secured office space, and prepped for your first day, after all that – technology is the easy part.

Nowadays, there are a lot of capabilities available when it comes to software. But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed. By putting some technology basics in place, you'll have the building blocks you need to deliver the best service to prospects and clients and grow the business.

Here are the basics you’ll need for an effective insurtech solution:

Agency Management System – The Backbone

Agency management systems have all the capabilities you need to manage all aspects of your business across all roles, locations and lines of business. Think of it as the CEO who controls every piece of technology that helps run your business. It’s you, but in technology form. Agency management systems are the backbone of the agency and ensure the business is running at its best.

Comparative Rater – The Must-Have

Comparative raters instantly link you to carriers and allow you to enter prospect’s information one time to generate multiple quotes from multiple carriers in just a few clicks. They also allow you to save quote templates and have prefill capabilities through integrations with popular underwriting software providers to help make quoting seamless, increasing productivity. Comparative raters make quoting insurance quick and easy, a must-have for any agent.

Cloud Technology – The Peace of Mind

Cloud technology stores your data and programs on the cloud, secure servers accessible via the Internet, instead of on physical servers in your office. Cloud computing makes data backup, disaster recovery and business continuity easier and less expensive. It also provides more security because data stored in the cloud is often protected by single sign-on (SSO) and multifactor authentication (MFA). This additional layer of defense makes the cloud much harder for hackers to access than a physical device. Cloud technology gives you peace of mind because you’ll know your important info and programs are safe and easy to access.

Read the full blog for more on Applied's new Build Your Digital Solution tool.