AI vs Virtual Assistants for Insurance Agencies: What’s the Smarter Move?
You’re overwhelmed with COIs, endorsements, and client emails. Do you hire a virtual assistant? Or do you automate it with AI? For P&C insurance agencies, MGAs, and wholesalers, the answer isn’t obvious-until you see what’s possible in 2025.
What Is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?
- A remote worker, typically offshore
- Assigned to handle basic admin or back-office tasks
- Works under your direction
- Often generalized (not insurance-specific unless trained)
Good for:
- Calendar scheduling
- Data entry
- Answering templated emails
- CRM cleanup
What Is AI BPO?
- GPT and AI OCR-driven task automation
- Classifies inbound email, reads PDFs, triggers workflows
- Backed by trained insurance operations teams
- Executes inside your AMS or CRM
- Runs 24/7 with auto-routing
Great for:
- COI detection + fulfillment
- FNOL triage
- Carrier download matching
- Renewals + submission classification
- Endorsements, audits, cancellations
Comparison Table
| Feature / Factor | Virtual Assistant (VA) | AI BPO (Selectsys) |
| Skill Level | General admin | Insurance-trained + AI |
| Tech Integration | Manual | GPT + AMS integration |
| System Access | Limited | Works inside AMS360, Epic, etc. |
| Speed | Human pace | 3-5x faster with automation |
| Scalability | 1:1 ratio (1 VA = 1 task set) | 1:many (AI routes and scales) |
| 24/7 Availability | Usually 8-5 | Yes – follow-the-sun teams |
| Ideal For | Admin / CRM tasks | Insurance ops + service tasks |
| Cost | $1.5-$3K/month avg. | 30-40% cheaper (AI-assisted) |
When VAs Work-And When They Don’t
Use a VA when:
- You have clear, simple SOPs
- You need help with admin overflow
- You don’t need insurance-specific logic
Use AI BPO when:
- You want to automate task intake
- You need compliance, speed, and SLA-driven delivery
- You want full integration with AMS360, Epic, or RQB
- You care about real insurance expertise
Final Verdict: You Need a Machine, Not Just a Mouse
AI doesn’t replace people-it just replaces the grind.
Let GPT classify requests.
Let AI OCR tag your documents.
Let Selectsys do the rest-faster, cheaper, and 24/7.
Still hiring admin help to sort emails and PDFs?
Let AI handle the routing and our BPO team handle the work.
Try it free for 30 days.
FAQ
Can I use both a VA and Selectsys?
Yes-but most clients replace VAs after seeing what automation + BPO can do in real time.
Do I need to train your team?
No. We’re already trained in insurance ops and AMS workflows.
Can I keep my AMS360 or Epic setup?
Absolutely. We work within your system—we don’t ask you to switch.
