IOA moves from experimentation to enterprisewide commitment as the firm deploys AI capabilities across its operations.

LONGWOOD, Fla. (October 12, 2026) — Insurance Office of America (IOA), one of the largest privately held independent insurance brokerages in the United States, today announced its enterprise artificial intelligence strategy, marking a new chapter in the firm’s commitment to innovation, team empowerment, and service excellence. Rooted in years of deliberate exploration and investment, IOA’s AI initiative reflects a clear conviction that technology should make great people even better.

While the industry conversation around AI is accelerating, IOA has been actively building expertise, testing capabilities, and refining an approach that is both responsible and results-oriented. That foundation now positions IOA to move with confidence as it scales AI across the enterprise.

IOA’s strategy is already producing capability in the field. This year, the firm launched an internal platform that consolidates carrier information previously spread across multiple systems and applies AI to help teams assess and interpret carrier appetite, reducing manual comparison and supporting faster, better-informed placement decisions. Built through collaboration between IOA’s commercial lines, carrier-facing, and technology teams, the platform is designed as the foundation on which additional AI capabilities will be introduced over time.

IOA is also applying agentic AI — systems that carry out multistep work under the direction of an IOA professional — to areas of the insurance lifecycle where time has always been the constraint. These capabilities are built to do the assembly work that precedes judgment, not to replace it: comparing quotes across multiple carriers so a producer can evaluate options side by side in a fraction of the time; surfacing coverage insights and benchmarks drawn from the breadth of IOA’s book of business so an advisor can show a client how their program compares to the market; and shortening turnaround times across submission, quoting, and servicing so clients get answers sooner.

IOA’s capabilities are built on enterprise-grade AI platforms from established technology providers, deployed within IOA’s own security, data protection, and governance controls.​ The strategy spans associate productivity, client intelligence, operational efficiency, and governed, ethical AI adoption, which aligns with IOA’s long-standing commitment to being a trusted partner for every client it serves.

Critically, IOA’s leadership is unambiguous on one point: AI is a growth enabler intended to free up time and capacity so IOA’s professionals can be more powerful advocates for clients, focusing on high-value work and deepening the trusted partnerships that define the IOA experience.​

“At IOA, we have always grown by investing in our people and in the relationships we build with our clients. That’s not changing; it’s being amplified,” said Jeff Lagos, chief executive officer of IOA. “AI gives our team members sharper insights, more time, and better tools. What they do with that time is what sets IOA apart: they show up for clients, they solve problems, and they deliver solutions that make a real difference. We are not adopting AI to do more with less. We are adopting AI to do more for our clients and to continue growing the kind of firm that the best people in this industry want to be a part of.”

“We’ve been intentional and disciplined in how we’ve approached AI from the beginning,” said John Woods, senior vice president and chief information officer of IOA. “We didn’t wait for the market to tell us how to move forward. We started building, testing, and learning years ago, and that gave us a meaningful head start. Today, we’re deploying AI in ways that are designed with security and scalability in mind and directly tied to outcomes our clients and team can feel. We are not handing decisions to a machine. We are handing our people better inputs and giving them their time back, so their judgment reaches clients faster. That’s the point. That’s always been the point.”

IOA’s approach is designed to serve multiple strategic dimensions simultaneously. As a destination for top talent and a disciplined acquirer of independent agencies, the firm recognizes that its AI capabilities signal something important to both potential associates and prospective acquisition partners. ​​Joining IOA means joining a firm that is not just keeping pace with the future; it is actively shaping it.

ABOUT INSURANCE OFFICE OF AMERICA

Insurance Office of America (IOA) is one of the largest privately held independent insurance brokerages in the United States. Founded in 1988, IOA has more than 1,500 associates located in over 60 offices in the U.S., and it is a recognized leader in providing property and casualty, employee benefits, and personal lines insurance and risk management solutions. In California, dba IOA Insurance Services. (#0E67768) For more information, visit ioausa.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Bevrlee J. Lips | VP, Enterprise Marketing & Communications

P 407.998.3010

E bevrlee.lips@ioausa.com