Every time a new technology hits insurance, the same fear bubbles up:
Is this the thing that finally replaces agents?
In 2026, that fear wears the label AI.
But the truth is simpler and far less dramatic: AI isn’t here to replace agents. It’s here to remove friction.
And when used correctly, tools like LARA from Insurance Soup don’t replace the agent — they make the agent harder to ignore.
Agents were never meant to spend their days:
Chasing half-interested leads
Repeating the same intake questions
Manually following up
Sorting through unqualified prospects
Losing opportunities because response time was too slow
That’s not relationship-building. That’s administrative drag.
AI doesn’t eliminate the agent’s role — it protects it.
This is where LARA changes the conversation.
LARA isn’t designed to sell insurance instead of an agent. It’s designed to:
Engage leads instantly
Ask the right pre-qualifying questions
Keep prospects warm instead of letting them go cold
Route conversations to agents when human judgment actually matters
In short, LARA handles the first mile so agents can dominate the last one.
Speed matters more than ever. Consumers expect immediate responses. AI delivers that.
But trust is still earned by:
Explaining coverage in plain language
Advising through complex decisions
Being accountable when something goes wrong
Showing empathy when life hits hard
No AI replaces that.
What AI does is make sure agents are present at the moments that matter, not stuck behind a keyboard answering repetitive questions.
An agent using LARA doesn’t work less — they work smarter.
They show up to conversations already informed.
They spend time advising instead of sorting.
They respond faster without sounding robotic.
They scale their presence without sacrificing authenticity.
That’s not replacement. That’s leverage.
The agents winning in 2026 aren’t fighting AI. They’re pairing with it.
They use tools like LARA to:
Create better first impressions
Increase conversion without pressure
Stay responsive without burning out
Focus on guidance instead of gatekeeping
The result is a better experience for clients and a stronger book of business for agents.
AI isn’t here to take agents out of the equation.
It’s here to remove the clutter so agents can do what technology never will: build confidence, offer clarity, and earn trust.
LARA doesn’t replace the agent.
It clears the path so the agent can lead.