Guesswork is costly in business, and for the busy independent insurance agent who is navigating shifting market conditions and increased competition, precision is key. That is where business intelligence serves as a bridge between an idea and informed action. Still, many agents are operating somewhat blind in terms of data and analytics even with the use of technology. Data and business analytics are too often viewed as a rearview mirror, or a reporting tool to understand an agency’s past. In reality, business intelligence can inform a forward-looking strategy and set an independent insurance agency on the track for success.
Why Business Intelligence Matters
Business intelligence can reveal insights on how an agency is performing, client sentiment and opportunities for growth. Leveraging this information allows agents to shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive one, anticipating what will happen in order to make more informed decisions. There are clear benefits to utilizing business intelligence; consider the following five ways business intelligence drives agency growth:
- Efficiency Gains: Used productively, business intelligence can offer significant efficiency returns. The real value of data analytics is understanding what is likely to happen in an agency, predicting future performance, and using that information to inform decision-making. Additionally, giving agency staff access to relevant, well-maintained data analytics will allow them to make more strategic decisions, maximizing their impact in terms of resource allocation, renewal processes, sales strategies, and more.
Read the full article, written by Anurag Shah, Chief Data Officer at SIAA, published September 19, 2025, in The Standard. Reprinted with permission from The Standard, Copyright 2025, Standard Publishing Corporation, Boston, MA. All rights reserved.