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As of 2024, only 6% of insurance agency principals have implemented AI solutions in their workflow. However, that number is quickly rising, with 36% planning to adopt AI tools within the next five years. The pressure is mounting to modernize, yet many brokers are still stuck in one of the most time-consuming and error-prone parts of their process: manual spreadsheeting.
Benefit Teams are expected to deliver fast, accurate plan comparisons. Yet, for many, that still means copying and pasting quote data from PDF proposals into spreadsheets, tweaking formulas, and triple-checking for typos. It’s tedious, risky, inefficient, and it’s holding teams back.
SmartSheeting AI™ by Plansight is a broker-specific automation tool that eliminates the need for manual spreadsheeting. It extracts data from carrier proposals, organizes it into clean, side-by-side comparisons, and empowers brokers to focus on strategy rather than formatting.
At a time when only 17% of agents trust AI and 27% see it as a threat, SmartSheeting AI™ proves that the right technology can support, not replace, broker expertise.
Continue reading to discover how AI is transforming broker workflows, what makes SmartSheeting AI™ uniquely effective, and why now is the time to shift from spreadsheets to intelligent systems.
Benefit Teams have long been the unsung heroes of the renewal process, navigating a maze of carrier PDFs, copy-pasting into spreadsheets, checking formulas, and hoping nothing breaks before the presentation. It’s high-stakes work done under tight timelines, and it hasn’t changed much in over a decade.
But the game is changing.
AI-powered tools are eliminating that manual grind, giving brokers a faster, more innovative, and more reliable way to manage proposals and compare quotes. Only 6% of agencies have adopted AI so far, but 36% say they’re planning to in the next five years. The question isn’t if this shift is happening; it’s who will lead it.
Here’s what makes manual spreadsheeting a hidden liability:
Time Drain
Copying and pasting quote data from carrier PDFs into Excel burns hours every week.
Cognitive Load
Constant formula checking, formatting, and version control can create stress and delays.
Error Risk
Manual processes lead to typos, broken formulas, and inconsistent presentation, putting client trust and compliance at risk.
Collaboration Bottlenecks
When spreadsheet logic lives in one person's head, team handoffs become fragile and error-prone.
SmartSheeting AI™ was built to directly replace the spreadsheeting burden brokers face without changing how carriers deliver data.
AI-Powered Data Extraction
Automatically reads quote data from carrier PDF proposals, mapping it into structured, usable fields.
Instant Comparison View
Generates side-by-side comparisons of plans, organized, interactive, and ready to present (no spreadsheet required).
Human QA, Simplified
Brokers stay in control with lightweight review and edit capabilities before exporting.
Flexible Exports
Need Excel or PDF for clients? SmartSheeting AI™ supports both, providing perfectly formatted results.
SmartSheeting AI™ helps teams reclaim valuable time, reduce errors, and create more consistent and scalable workflows.
Significant Time Reclaimed Per Renewal
Time previously spent formatting, fixing errors, and troubleshooting spreadsheets is now redirected toward strategic advising and client-facing work.
Fewer Errors, Lower Risk
Automation dramatically reduces copy/paste mistakes and broken logic.
Standardized, Scalable Processes
Client deliverables are consistent across teams, enabling organizations to grow without compromising quality.
The employee benefits space is evolving. Firms that adapt early will gain a competitive edge.
AI is Here and Growing
The insurance industry is rapidly adopting AI for underwriting, claims, and now broker workflows.
Carrier PDFs Aren’t Going Away
Since carriers won't change how they deliver proposals, brokers need tools that adapt to them.
Top Firms Are Scaling Smarter
Leading brokerages are embracing tools like SmartSheeting AI™ to grow faster without adding headcount.
For some, AI can feel like a threat to their role. However, SmartSheeting AI™ is not about replacing brokers; it's about elevating them.
Brokers still own the strategy, plan design, and client experience.
SmartSheeting AI™ takes care of repetitive work, allowing brokers to spend more time advising clients.
Yes, and here’s why:
Proven Results
It’s used by leading firms and brokers across multiple regions and specialties.
Secure by Design
It’s built with data privacy and compliance at its core.
Transparent Workflows
AI doesn't act in a black box; users can see, QA, and edit every field before the final output.
If you haven’t seen Plansight in action and you want to, book a discovery call with us.
At the end of the day, Plansight is more than just software. It is a partner built with brokerages and their benefits teams in mind. Plansight is the only end-to-end benefits marketing platform that uses AI and automation to ensure every renewal and RFP is consistent, accurate, and fast.
From SmartSheetingAI™ to RFP automation to side-by-side comparisons to the intelligence of PlansightAI, everything we create is designed to lighten the load, reduce risk, and elevate your client relationships. Your team is your greatest asset, and Plansight is here to make sure they have the tools, insights, and support to shine.
Plansight works alongside leading General Agencies to help brokers move faster, stay compliant, and deliver a better client experience. You can explore our trusted GA partners here.
For brokers, Plansight transforms a manual, time-consuming RFP process into one that is faster, more efficient, and more profitable, without sacrificing accuracy or control.
