Insurance Town

 Join us as we dive into an insightful conversation with Peter Flynn, who leads the personal lines vertical in the Americas for Exceedance. Discover his journey from an underwriting trainee at Chubb to his current role, and learn about the innovative ways Exceedance is transforming the insurance industry.

Peter's career path and experiences in the insurance industry The role of Exceedance in operationalizing insurance companies Insights on AI's impact on personal lines and customer service The evolving landscape of the E&S and MGA markets The importance of partnerships in the insurance ecosystem

Key quotes 

"Exceedance does everything an insurance company does except for take risk and distribute products."

"We tend to overestimate the impact of technology in the near term and underestimate it in the long term."

"If I were to invest my capital in taking risks right now, I'd want to do it on an E&S basis."

"I don't want to be called a vendor, I want to be a partner."

Sponsors:

Smart Choice
Canopy Connect
Olde School Markting

n this week’s visit to Insurance Town, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Spencer Witcher, a second-generation insurance pro who’s doing big things with Smart Choice. We had a real talk about the challenges agents face in hard-to-place markets — and how finding the right partners can make all the difference.

We peeled back the curtain on:

• What Smart Choice is doing to help agents thrive in California and other tough states
• How to write the business others shy away from — without jumping through hoops
• Why MGAs and non-traditional carriers might just be your new best friends
• The critical importance of relationships — not just for quoting, but for long-term success
• Building your book with depth, not just volume

Whether you're a seasoned agency owner or a producer looking to grow smarter, Spencer delivers actionable insights that’ll challenge the way you think about growth

 A big THANK YOU to the amazing folks who keep the lights on in Insurance Town:

  Smart Choice – Helping agents grow their book without adding overhead
  Canopy Connect – Making gathering client info as easy as pie
  Olde School Marketing – Bringing you hand-written, high-touch prospecting that works

 Make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review!
New episodes drop weekly — straight from the heart of Insurance Town.

Think ChatGPT is just for writing emails? Think again. In this episode, Chris Green drops real-world prompts and jaw-dropping use cases that will make you rethink how you engage every prospect and client.

Is AI just another shiny object… or the secret weapon your agency has been missing?

In this high-energy episode of Insurance Town, the Flood Guru himself, Chris Green, steps into the Mayor’s office and throws down example after example of how he's using ChatGPT right now to:

✅ Personalize client interactions
✅ improve your team's experience
✅ build your own in house They ask you answer intranet
 ✅ Simplify complex insurance language
 ✅ Improve response times
 ✅ Drive more leads
 ✅ And yes… actually close more business

If you’ve ever said, “I don’t have time to figure out this AI stuff,” this is the episode you can’t afford to skip. Chris lays out a playbook so practical, you’ll be tempted to pause and try it mid-episode.

🔥 Brought to You By:

💥 Smart Choice – The fastest-growing agency network in the game. More markets, less headaches.
💥 Canopy Connect – The one-click solution for collecting insurance data without all the back and forth.
💥 Olde School Marketing – Direct mail that actually works. Get noticed, get leads, get growing.

🎧 Listen Now and Learn:

In this epsisode of Insurance Town the mayor sits down with two of his favorite people Jessica Holder and Keenan Rice on a previously recorded episode of the VIP Podcast. I am so impressed with these two, their marriage, parenting, agency, etc  this forward-thinking power couple are continuing to rise above and face various challenges head on. Jessica and Keenan have such an amazing balance at home and at the office. They have a great balance of community involvement and innovative technology at their fingertips, and lastly, they have a great balance of work and fun in their agency. 

We talk about:

The delicate balance of marriage and co-ownership of a growing agency
How human touch and community involvement is possible with the right technology in your agency
How the emphases on educating their community on the intricacies of insurance is so valuable to their growth
Their powerful message of staying true to yourself and not sacrificing authenticity 
Get ready to be inspired and educated by this episode. It's a good thing there is a rewind button, this one is full of impactful moments.

A special shout out to Vertafore for letting me reuse this episode : vertafore.com 

 A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

🛠️ Smart Choice – Your partner for market access without the headaches. Whether you're a new agency or a seasoned vet, Smart Choice helps you stay independent while expanding your carrier options.

🔐 Canopy Connect – The one-click solution for collecting insurance data. Save time, improve your close rate, and give your clients a seamless experience—because the quoting process shouldn’t feel like pulling teeth.

📬 Olde School Marketing – Direct mail that actually works. Handwritten postcards, real human touch, and just the right dose of nostalgia to stand out in a digital world.

In this episode of Insurance Town, host and Mayor, Heath engages with Allen Hudson at the PIA Virginia DC Conference. They discuss the critical importance of information sharing in the insurance industry, especially for independent agents. The conversation highlights the role of technology, particularly AI, in enhancing efficiency and specialization within agencies. Allen shares insights on the resurgence of independent agents and the necessity of niche specialization to compete in a changing market. The episode concludes with advice for both new and seasoned agents on how to adapt and thrive in the evolving insurance landscape.

takeaways

• Information sharing is essential for independent agencies.
• AI can streamline processes and improve efficiency.
• Niche specialization helps agencies stand out in the market.
• Independent agents are seeing a resurgence in demand.
• Proactive communication with carriers fosters better partnerships.
• Understanding carrier appetites is crucial for success.
• Technology can significantly enhance agency operations.
• Specialization allows for better training and support for staff.
• The insurance market is evolving, requiring adaptability.
• Building relationships with carriers can lead to better opportunities.

Chapters

00:00
Welcome to Insurance Town
02:12
3 people you would invite to your block party dead or alive?
03:53
what peice of tech could you not live without?

4:45
The Importance of Information Sharing
5:00

Embracing Technology in Insurance

05:14
Niche Specialization in Insurance

12:25
The Resurgence of Independent Agents

14:26
Advice for New and Existing Agents

20:25
Leveraging Technology for Efficiency

In this weeks episode the mayor sits down with his good friend and 2nd tine guest in Insurance Town. Only this time These two are live in The Home of Elvis Presley!

The mayor simply asked Marcus what have you learned about the insurance industry of the last year and some of the answers he gave to us blew my mind. 

Cause he’s working and Consulting with insurance agencies and said he talks about:

Insurance agencies don’t treat themselves like professionals and how they can do that better

The importance of AI, data, and automation is for your business

This man is so inspirational so much fun you gotta check this one out. It’s short sweet.

“The enemy of great is not bad it’s good.” 

Sponsors 

Smart Choice Agents 

Canopy Connect

This episode was recorded live from Memphis Tennessee at Graceland, Home of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll. From the PIA of Arkansas annual convention, the Mayor got to sit down with long time friend Courtney Fenske to talk about her life from Account Manager to successful Territory Manager at Accuity. She is such a value add to not only her agents but also this industry earning her multiple awards over the past few years and the respect of so many. Check out this amazing conversation and hear more from her journeys in Arkansas.

Sponsored by :

Smart Choice Agents -

Canopy Connect -

Olde Schoool Marketing

And watch it on Youtube as well. 

In this engaging live podcast episode from Memphis, Heath Sheeran and Riley Talbot discuss a variety of topics ranging from music and culture to the intricacies of the insurance industry. Riley shares his journey from a college athlete to a successful insurance professional, emphasizing the importance of technology and human interaction in the field. The conversation also touches on the challenges of building a business from scratch and offers valuable advice for agents and carriers navigating the evolving landscape of insurance.

• Building a business from scratch requires a clear vision and adaptability.
• Technology should enhance, not replace, human interaction in insurance.
• Long-term sustainability is key for both agents and insurers.
• A balance between technology and personal touch is essential for growth.
• Riley emphasizes the importance of real-time data in decision-making.
• The insurance industry is evolving, and staying ahead requires innovation.
• Personal interests, like music and food, can enrich professional conversations.

Chapters

00:00
Welcome to Insurance Town

02:03
Exploring Music and Culture

04:54
Riley's Journey in Insurance

09:56
Building a Business from Scratch

12:52
The Role of Technology in Insurance

20:08
Advice for Agents and Carriers

22:50
Fun and Personal Insights

In this conversation, Matt Waxman shares his journey from a marketing major to a successful figure in the insurance industry, discussing his experiences in hospitality, insurance claims, and marketing. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the property market, particularly in challenging areas like Florida and Texas, and offers valuable advice for agents navigating these tough times. The discussion also touches on the evolution of his company, Alchemy Insurance Solutions, and the opportunities within the builders risk space. In this conversation, Matt Waxman and Heath Shearon delve into the complexities of Builders Risk insurance and the emerging cannabis insurance market. They discuss the importance of building strong relationships with underwriters, understanding client needs, and the necessity of educating producers on these specialized insurance products. The dialogue emphasizes the need for agents to develop pipelines for Builders Risk and the lucrative opportunities within the cannabis sector, highlighting the evolving nature of these industries and the role of Alchemy Insurance Solutions in providing comprehensive coverage solutions.

takeaways

• Matt Waxman has a diverse background in marketing, hospitality, and insurance.
• He transitioned from a marketing major to a career in insurance after exploring various fields.
• Waxman emphasizes the importance of building relationships in the builders risk market.
• The property market presents challenges, but also opportunities for agents willing to adapt.
• Alchemy Insurance Solutions focuses on solving pain points in the insurance market.
• Understanding the needs of clients is crucial for success in insurance.
• Waxman encourages agents to prepare thoroughly when submitting risks to underwriters.
• Flexibility in underwriting is essential in today's property market.
• The builders risk space can lead to long-term relationships with clients.
• Agents should not give up on finding coverage solutions for their clients. The likelihood of declination increases without proper partnerships.
• Understanding Builders Risk is crucial for effective insurance solutions.
• Building relationships with underwriters is essential for agents.
• Providing detailed information to underwriters enhances approval chances.
• Agents must sell both to clients and carriers effectively.
• The cannabis insurance market presents significant opportunities.
• Education and webinars are vital for agents to succeed in niche markets.
• Direct access to underwriters fosters better communication and solutions.
• Agents should be transparent about their knowledge in niche markets.
• The insurance landscape is evolving, requiring adaptability from agents.

05:52
Matt Waxman's Journey to Insurance

10:32
Cornerstone to Alchemy: Evolution of a Company

18:00
Navigating the Property Market Challenges

20:06
Advice for Agents in a Tough Market

21:54
Navigating the Builders Risk Landscape

28:10
Understanding the Role of Underwriters

32:32
Building a Pipeline for Builders Risk

35:53
Exploring the Cannabis Insurance Market

40:07
The Science Behind Cannabis Insurance

45:53
Alchemy Insurance Solutions: A Comprehensive Overview

My amazing Sponsors;

Smart Choice
Canopy Connect
Olde School Marketing