Insurance Shoptalk

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, Eric Stein sits down with David Prejeant, Vice President of Client Relations at Alacrity Solutions, to discuss one of the fastest-growing challenges facing the insurance industry: AI-powered fraud. With more than two decades of experience in claims operations, property adjusting, catastrophe response, and commercial claims management, David shares firsthand i...

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, Eric Stein sits down with Jake Cash, founder of Senryx Group and former marketing leader at GEICO, to discuss what insurance agencies need to do to grow in today's rapidly changing marketing environment. Drawing from his experience managing large-scale insurance marketing campaigns and helping hundreds of agencies grow their books of business, Jake shares pra...

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with James Benham, founder of JBK and Terra, host of the InsureTech Geek Podcast, and a longtime technology leader in the insurance industry. James shares insights from more than two decades building software, claims systems, underwriting platforms, and automation tools for carriers, TPAs, MGAs, and brokers across the insurance ecosy...

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Joe Zuk, an operating partner with Altamont Capital Partners, to discuss the future of insurance through the lens of private equity, underwriting, MGA strategy, and AI. Joe shares insights from his career across reinsurance, underwriting, corporate development, and insurance investing, while offering a behind-the-scenes look at...

In this episode of Insurance Shop Talk, host Eric Stein sits down with Francisco Lopes of Sonant to talk about how AI voice technology is transforming the way insurance agencies handle inbound and outbound calls. From quote requests and policy servicing to claims intake, billing questions, renewals, and cancellation follow-up, Francisco shares how agencies are using AI voice assistants to reduce c...

Healthcare costs are no longer just a line item — they're a growing liability for employers. In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Brandy Thompson, CEO of BenefitBay, to explore how ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) is reshaping the way larger employers approach employee benefits. With renewal volatility, self-funded risk exposure, fiduci...

Insurance agencies don't just need more people — they need smarter operations. In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, Eric Stein sits down with Travis MacMillian of Xceedance to unpack how automation, AI, and strategic back-office support can completely transform the way property & casualty agencies operate. From policy checking and COI management to remarketing, loss runs, endorsements, accountin...

In this episode of Insurance Shop Talk, host Eric Stein introduces a game-changing workers' compensation opportunity for P&C agents in Ohio and surrounding states.  With Ohio's monopolistic system long limiting agent participation, a newly approved Alternate Employer Organization (AEO) program now allows agents to earn ongoing commission while delivering meaningful cost savings and improved claims...

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Walter Sabrin of Venture Employer Services for a wide-ranging conversation on the realities of hiring, recruiting, and retaining talent in today's insurance agency environment.  Drawing on decades of experience, Walter breaks down why agencies should always be recruiting, how internal referral programs and small-scale job fairs...

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Vlada Lotkina, CEO and co-founder of SUPERAGENT, to explore how AI is changing the way P&C agencies train and scale their sales teams.  Vlada breaks down how SUPERAGENT's AI personas create realistic roleplay for new producers, how the real-time sales co-pilot improves conversion rates for experienced reps, and how their outboun...

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Terry McLean, CEO of SageSure, to discuss how the company has built one of the largest independent property insurance platforms serving catastrophe-exposed markets. Terry shares insights into navigating the hardest property market in decades, managing risk in wildfire and coastal regions, and balancing technology with hands-on u...

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein of Insured Solutions speaks with Bob Butts of Alternative Comp Solutions (ACS) about Ohio's newly approved Alternative Employer Organization (AEO) program—an innovative alternative to the state's traditional Bureau of Workers' Compensation system. They discuss how this new model allows agents to finally earn commissions on workers' comp, helps...

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, guest Jamie Fortier from isolved joins host Eric Stein to discuss how insurance agents can expand into payroll services through flexible referral and white-label models. Jamie explains how isolved supports agents with full back-office operations—from payroll processing to tax management—allowing them to grow revenue without adding staff. The conversation dive...

In this episode of Insurance Shop Talk, host Eric Stein sits down with Ron Lucki, Vice President of Business Development at Ohio Indemnity Company, to discuss a powerful yet often-overlooked opportunity for P&C agents — helping nonprofits manage and insure their unemployment risk through the UC Assure program. Ron breaks down how the UC Assure model works, how nonprofits can legally opt out of sta...

Ohio Workers' Comp Just Changed – Here's What Agents Need to Know In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein talks with Bob Butts, Chief Risk Officer at Alternative Comp Solutions (ACS), about a major change in Ohio's workers' compensation market. For the first time, agents can now sell workers' comp in Ohio and earn commission, thanks to Senate Bill 2011 and approval by the Ohio Burea...

In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, Eric Stein sits down with Alex Choroomi from Alkeme Insurance to discuss how digital leads and online quoting are transforming the small business insurance landscape.  Alex shares his journey into the commercial insurance world, explaining how Alkeme Insurance is leveraging digital advertising and advanced quoting portals to bring in high-quality leads and cl...

In this episode of Insurance Shop Talk, host Eric Stein is joined by James Allgood and Chad Carpenter from CompScience, a game-changing workers' compensation program that uses AI-powered computer vision to reduce workplace injuries and cut claims—by up to 35–55%. Discover how CompScience helps clients improve safety, reduce risk, and  look like heroes —all while using existing camera systems. Lear...

Work ON your business, not just IN it! In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein is joined by guest Steve Kim to dive into what it really takes to build a purpose-driven insurance agency—one that doesn't just generate profit, but also gives owners the freedom, balance, and fulfillment they're looking for. Steve, the founder of Purpose Matters and the author of the upcoming book  Focus...

Artificial intelligence is here - how will it change and transform your agency? Find out in this episode of Insurance Shoptalk with host Eric Stein and guest Nikhil Kansal. Nikhil is the co-founder of Oyster, an AI software company for insurance. Oyster provides a new standard of comprehensive personal insurance coverage through a simplified experience. In this episode, he talks about about Cara,...

In this episode of Insurance Shop Talk, host Eric Stein sits down with John Sansoucie  from Cognethro.com to discuss how outsourcing back-office tasks can transform an insurance agency. They explore the critical role of documentation in setting clear expectations, the efficiency gains from outsourcing, and how offshore teams can help scale operations. John shares insights into improving underwriti...

Many agency owners have a valuation in mind . . . but is it realistic? In this insightful  new episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein and guest Steven Nigro, Managing Partner at TAG Financial, break down the realities of agency valuations, deal structures, and M&A strategies in today's market. They discuss the importance of properly preparing your agency for sale, the differences between b...

Rising healthcare costs are a big challenge! In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, learn how to navigate rising healthcare costs as host Eric Stein interviews guest Kayla Shawn, CEO of The Healthcare Navigator. Kayla shares more about the Healthcare Navigator's innovative steerage program, and how it guides employees to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare providers, saving employers thousands...

Are you aiming to transform your sales approach? Then you'll love with new episode of Insurance Shoptalk! In this episode, host Eric Stein is joined by guest Nick Lamparelli of Insurance Nerds. Nick and Eric take a deep dive into the dynamics of becoming a trusted advisor in commercial insurance, and Nick shares invaluable strategies for building credibility, creating value-added risk management p...

Explore a revolutionary approach to premium recovery in this new episode of Insurance Shoptalk! Host Eric Stein interviews Duke Mills, president of Work Comp Solutions. Duke shares more about his innovative journey through the commercial insurance world, plus offers actionable insights and game-changing strategies for uncovering costly workers' comp mistakes and unlocking hidden savings. To learn...

In this exciting new episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein is joined by guest Lawson Condell, the founder of Riskybly. Riskybly is an app for commercial insurance agents that offers a customizable, white-labeled client portal that centralizes HR, safety training, compliance tools, and policy management. In this episode, Eric and Lawson discuss how Riskbly's cutting-edge platform is revolu...