Choosing an AMS for a small insurance agency
For a small independent agency, the best AMS is the one your team can use consistently for the work you actually write. Start with your book, who handles service, and the records and reports you need to run the business.
HawkSoft, EZLynx, QQCatalyst, and Momentum, formerly NowCerts, are options to evaluate. This is a decision guide, not a ranked product test. Ask each vendor to demonstrate the same recent account and provide a written scope for the features you need.
Side by side
How the two paths compare
| Option | What to examine | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| HawkSoft | Agency servicing and connections to a chosen comparative rater | Does the rater connection cover your carrier, line, and state mix? |
| EZLynx | Agency management alongside its rating offering | Which products and workflows are included in your proposal? |
| QQCatalyst | Client, policy, and operational management | How will your current data, rating, and accounting process fit? |
| Momentum | Agency management with published subscription tiers | Which users, features, and optional services does your plan include? |
Where each fits
When a small-agency AMS fits
Your current records are scattered and the agency needs a shared operational system.
Your team can name the service, billing, and renewal workflows the system must support.
You are comparing total cost: subscription, conversion, training, add-ons, and internal setup time.
Where Relay fits
You already have an AMS and want to reduce repeated entry from dec pages and other client documents.
A colleague still prepares applications, certificates, or proposals in a separate manual process.
You want to establish one useful workflow before expanding the software budget.
The honest take
What we would tell a friend who runs an agency
Do the AMS demonstration first. Then pick a task that remains manual, such as preparing an application from a prospect's documents. In Relay, review extracted facts, identify missing answers, and inspect the draft your team would use.
For a small agency, the useful outcome is a repeatable task that a colleague can complete and review without the owner explaining every step. Confirm the access, setup, and return-to-record process before expanding.
FAQ
Common questions
Do small-agency AMS vendors publish pricing?+
Some do. Momentum publishes plan tiers. For every option, verify the current proposal, included users, additional features, onboarding, and renewal terms. A published starting price is only part of the total cost.
Does HawkSoft include its own comparative rater?+
HawkSoft describes integrations with comparative raters, allowing agencies to choose a rater. Confirm the separate product arrangements and your supported markets.
Should we choose the system with the most features?+
Prioritize the workflows the team uses every week, data quality, support, and understandable costs. A feature has value when someone in your agency can use it reliably.
Sources
Part of the Relay comparison library. Updated 2026-07-11.
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