For MGAs in specialty lines—especially those managing $80M+ in premium—the right core system is crucial. With premium volumes in the U.S. now exceeding $100 billion, MGAs need technology that not only streamlines operations but also fuels rapid expansion. In this post, we'll explore why choosing an all-in-one platform (with built-in Policy, Billing, and Claims capabilities) can make all the difference in accelerating an MGA's growth without the headaches of juggling dozens of integrations.

The Scaling Challenge

Many MGAs started with basic tools—spreadsheets, emails, and lightweight systems—that worked for a while. But as business grows, these stopgaps quickly become obstacles. Manual processes create friction, delay quotes, and scatter data across systems. In today’s fast-paced market, what got you to $50M might not get you to $500M.

MGAs face these key challenges:

  • Scalability: Legacy systems often can’t support rapid growth or expansion into new products and regions.
  • Data & Compliance: Disconnected systems lead to data silos and compliance risks.
  • Operational Efficiency: Manual processes drain resources that could be better spent on business development.
  • Talent Attraction: Modern, streamlined tech is essential to attract and retain skilled professionals.

Why an Integrated Core is Essential

A unified core platform—one that includes Policy Administration (PAS), Billing, and optionally Claims—can overcome these challenges by:

  • Enhancing Efficiency: Automation and streamlined workflows speed up quoting, underwriting, and service delivery. A single system reduces the need for multiple logins and manual data transfers.
  • Ensuring Data Integrity: Consolidated data means a single source of truth. This improves decision-making and reporting, freeing up your team to focus on growth.
  • Reducing Costs: Fewer integrations mean lower maintenance and reduced IT headaches. An all-in-one solution minimizes the total cost of ownership.
  • Boosting Partner Confidence: Carriers and brokers want to see that you’re running on modern, scalable infrastructure—one that can grow with your business.

Built-In Capabilities vs. Integration Overload

While some may be tempted to piece together specialized systems, every additional integration introduces complexity:

  • Fewer Points of Failure: Built-in modules mean fewer chances for integration errors and data mismatches.
  • Simplified Operations: With core functions under one roof, your team can focus on strategic initiatives rather than patching systems together.
  • Speed to Market: A platform with in-built capabilities allows for faster product launches, as changes are often a matter of configuration rather than custom coding.

Real-World Success: Fueling Growth with the Right Tech

Velocity Risk Underwriters started as a niche MGA in catastrophe-exposed property insurance. They initially used a smaller PAS solution but quickly outgrew it. After moving to an integrated core system, their straight-through processing rose from 85% to 98%, cutting manual intervention and doubling profitability. Their CTO, Chris Gundersen, highlighted that InsuranceNow, the all-in-one, cloud-based system they selected was “the best end-to-end, all-in-one... feature-rich system in the market to complement and scale with our business growth strategy”, noting its adaptability to change and the advantage of easy integration to best-in-class insurtech add-ons when needed​ (insurtechinsights).  

In less than 3 years, Velocity Risk Underwriters grew became such an attractive, rapid growth business, they were acquired by Ryan Specialty for over $525 million. Their story shows how the right system can scale operations and become a significant growth catalyst.  

Similarly, Delos Insurance Solutions chose the same all-in-one platform to avoid the risks of piecing together disparate systems. This decision allowed them to launch new products quickly and provide a smooth digital experience for agents—setting them up for rapid market capture and future scalability. “As an early-stage startup, we have an opportunity to succeed quickly and don’t want to introduce any unnecessary risk into the company. Out of all the systems we evaluated, InsuranceNow was the best in meeting our requirements,” said Kevin Stein, Delos’s CEO​ (businesswire).

Key Considerations When Choosing a Core Platform

When evaluating options, focus on these actionable criteria:

  • Comprehensive Functionality: Ensure the platform covers PAS, Billing, and, if needed, Claims. Additional modules like reporting or policyholder portals are a bonus.
  • Configurability: The system should be highly configurable, enabling fast product launches without heavy custom coding.
  • Proven Success: Seek out case studies and references from MGAs similar to yours. Platforms like InsuranceNow have a proven track record of driving growth.
  • Ease of Integration: While minimizing integrations is key, the system should still support essential connectivity with third-party tools, ideally from a robust marketplace where these integrations have been validated and approved by the system. 
  • Leverage the help of SI Partners: Small to mid-market MGA’s can’t afford to engage with a massive consulting firm to help with your system selection.  But, there are specialty insurance consulting firms, like Ogon Consulting, with deep expertise in P&C and the experience to support your system selection analysis.
  • Total Cost of Ownership: Consider not just license fees but also long-term maintenance, implementation speed, integrations.  A platform with robust built-in features that will scale with your business often proves more cost-effective in the long run.  Core system selection and implementation is an expensive and painful process.  You want to make sure you only have to do this once. 

Conclusion

For MGAs, a modern, integrated core system isn’t just an IT upgrade—it’s a strategic investment in your future. By choosing a platform that automates processes, consolidates data, and scales seamlessly, you empower your business to focus on growth, innovation, and customer service. With the right technology in place, you can leave the complexities of IT behind and concentrate on what truly matters: expanding your market share and driving profitability.

Are you ready to turn your core system into a launchpad for growth? The right decision today could set the stage for tomorrow’s breakthroughs, transforming your MGA into a powerhouse capable of handling hundreds of millions in premium with ease.