The MGA world runs fast — new risks, new products, new carrier expectations. But there’s one thing that hasn’t evolved nearly as quickly: technology adoption. And that gap is starting to show.
For many MGAs, the conversation around tech modernization has always been something like: “We’ll get to it eventually.” But in 2026, “eventually” is turning into right now, especially as carriers tighten requirements, agents expect real-time responsiveness, and competitors automate core workflows.
This guide breaks down why legacy workflows hold MGAs back — and what a more modern distribution strategy should look like.
Most MGAs still rely on platforms built 10, 15, sometimes 20 years ago — systems designed long before today’s submission volume, data requirements, compliance rules, and underwriting complexity.
Legacy stacks typically include:
Aging policy admin systems
Siloed CRM tools
Outdated portals built for basic data entry
Manual quoting workflows
Limited API or integration capabilities
These systems weren’t built for:
Real-time appetite visibility
Digital submissions from retail agents
Modern underwriting data enrichment
Automated triage and routing
High-volume quoting
AI-based decision support
The result? Slower responses, harder agent onboarding, and more leakage to competitors who can quote faster.
A typical MGA tech ecosystem looks like this:
A quoting tool here
A submission inbox there
A CRM in another tab
A homegrown policy admin system
A separate document management tool
A portal for brokers
A portal for carriers
None of them talk to each other.
This means:
Data is re-entered multiple times
Producers and underwriters lose hours switching systems
Agents experience submission friction
Reporting is delayed or manually stitched together
When everything is disconnected, the MGA becomes reactive — not proactive — in its distribution strategy.
Excel has been an MGA’s best friend for decades — appetite grids, broker lists, quoting worksheets, bordereaux reports, commission schedules.
But spreadsheets introduce:
Version-control issues
Human error
Limited visibility for executives
Data that can’t scale with growth
No automation
As MGAs take on more carrier relationships, more complex programs, and higher submission volume, spreadsheets simply can’t keep up.
Automation isn’t about replacing underwriters — it’s about enabling them.
Without automation:
Submissions pile up
Retail agents get frustrated
Quotes take longer
Loss ratios suffer from inconsistent decisions
Carrier partners lose confidence
Growth slows because workflows can’t expand with demand
MGAs who automate intelligently are seeing:
Faster response times
Higher agent retention
Better underwriting consistency
More accurate reporting to carriers
Improved profitability
Here are the strategic steps MGAs should take to remain competitive:
Identify every step from submission → triage → underwriting → bind → back-office reporting.
You’ll quickly see where friction lives.
One platform won’t solve everything, but fewer systems means:
Less data redundancy
Faster onboarding for new staff
Easier reporting
Cleaner workflows for retail agents
Examples MGAs can automate:
Submission intake
Appetite triage
Class code identification
Quote comparisons
Basic communication workflows
Document handling
Underwriters should spend time on judgment — not data entry.
Agents shouldn’t have to send 10 emails just to learn where a risk fits.
Provide:
Easy appetite visibility
Faster submission intake
Real-time communication
A clear path from quote → bind
A smoother agent experience equals more business placed through you.
Carriers want:
Real-time visibility
Cleaner data
Transparent performance metrics
Your ability to win and keep capacity depends heavily on these capabilities.
MGAs don’t need to become tech companies — but they do need to behave like modern distribution partners.
2026 will reward MGAs who:
Build strong digital foundations
Reduce manual workflows
Improve data quality
Support agents with modern tools
Strengthen carrier relationships through transparency
The ones who don’t? They risk falling behind faster than ever before.