How AI is Revolutionizing Small Business Insurance
The landscape of commercial insurance is witnessing a paradigm shift with the advent of AI technology. An exemplary move in this direction is by the AI startup 1Fort (which raised $7.5M in April 2025), which is building solutions to enhance small business insurance processes across the United States. This initiative aligns closely with Encorp.ai's mission of integrating AI solutions across industries, offering profound insights and actionable strategies that the insurance sector can adopt.
The Current Challenges in Small Business Insurance
Small businesses often find themselves underprotected due to outdated and cumbersome insurance processes. This gap highlights the need for modernization.
Manual Processes: A Hindrance
1Fort's strategy targets the manual workflows that dominate the insurance industry, turning the tide with AI-powered automation. Currently, insurance brokers face time-consuming tasks involving email trails, PDFs, and spreadsheets that stall efficiency (EY on digital urgency for insurance).
1Fort’s AI Solution
1Fort addresses these inefficiencies by automating the commercial insurance process end-to-end. This innovation is akin to Encorp.ai's custom AI solutions, which streamline complex workflows through intelligent system integration.
A Seamless Workflow
Brokers using 1Fort can input client data once. The system then autonomously completes applications, retrieves quotes, and compares coverage—accelerating the placement process (McKinsey).
Tangible Benefits
- Time Savings: Brokers reportedly save up to two hours per insurance submission.
- Increased Bind Rates: Bind rates increase by up to 20%, demonstrating improved efficiency and client fulfillment.
Bridging Coverage Gaps Nationwide
1Fort expands its utility across all 50 states, offering a multi-carrier platform that extends coverage across various business lines, from cyber insurance to workers' compensation. This expansion is critical in an age where small businesses face growing risks in technology and data privacy (Insurance Information Institute).
Broker Empowerment
Unlike other insurtechs that aim to replace brokers, 1Fort enhances broker capabilities, facilitating improved client relationships and service delivery (Harvard Business Review on legacy modernization).
The Future of AI in Insurance
As AI technology permeates every aspect of commercial insurance, platforms like 1Fort, which raised $7.5M in April 2025 (see the PR Newswire announcement: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/1fort-raises-7-5m-to-automate-business-insurance-with-ai-302430881.html), prove the industry's readiness to embrace modern solutions. Encorp.ai's expertise in AI integration makes it a pivotal player in this transformation, offering end-to-end solutions that cater to industry demands.
1Fort, by preparing to become the 'operating system' for commercial insurance, sets ambitious targets. As they refine AI capabilities and expand their team, we anticipate a more streamlined, accessible insurance landscape for small businesses.
Conclusion
The incorporation of AI in commercial insurance signifies a groundbreaking shift. Companies such as 1Fort and Encorp.ai are at the forefront of this evolution, driven by an ability to enhance efficiency, reduce vulnerabilities, and ultimately redefine the insurance experience for businesses across America.
For more about AI's role in transforming industries, visit Encorp.ai.
Martin Kuvandzhiev
CEO and Founder of Encorp.io with expertise in AI and business transformation