First Connect, a modern digital insurance marketplace connecting independent agents with carriers and MGAs, has announced new results from its collaboration with Jewelers Mutual, showing how streamlined access and marketplace integration can materially accelerate agent engagement, policy volume, and premium production.
Following the implementation of First Connect’s Effortless Carrier Login single sign-on technology, Jewelers Mutual recorded a 32% increase in average monthly agent access requests, a nearly 50% increase in average monthly policy count, and a 116% increase in average new business premium written monthly over a seven-month period. The results highlight how reducing friction from access-to-bind can directly influence growth outcomes for specialty carriers.
Removing friction where it matters most
Jewelers Mutual, a leading specialty insurer focused on protecting jewelry, watches, and the businesses that power the jewelry industry, joined the First Connect marketplace in 2023.
After seeing early success with independent agents, the company partnered more closely with First Connect to deepen engagement and accelerate growth across agent access, policy volume, and written premium. The objective of the collaboration was to increase engagement across the access-to-bind funnel, measured through growth in agent access requests, policy count, and total premium written. Both companies recognized that for specialty lines, even small sources of friction can slow agent momentum and limit conversion.
Effortless Carrier Login
First Connect focused on removing barriers that prevent agents from moving efficiently from access to quote. Jewelers Mutual, known for its collaborative and technology-forward approach, partnered closely with First Connect to implement the integration.
One of the key solutions deployed was Effortless Carrier Login, a single sign-on capability that allows agents with approved access to move seamlessly from the First Connect marketplace into carrier portals without re-entering credentials. By eliminating redundant login steps, agents are able to begin quoting faster and remain focused on placing the right risks rather than navigating disconnected systems.
Development was completed in mid-April 2025, with the new capability launched shortly thereafter in the First Connect Carrier Store, making the streamlined experience immediately available to agents.
The impact of the seamless agent experience was reflected across all key performance indicators. Average monthly agent access requests increased by 32% over the seven-month period following implementation, signalling strong adoption and clear agent preference for carriers that provide a streamlined login experience. The increase in access translated into higher quoting activity, driving growth in policy count and contributing to a significant increase in total premium production.
Policy counts increased by nearly 50%, reflecting higher quoting activity, while premium production grew by 116% as agents were able to move more efficiently from access to bind.
Mike Alexander, President at Jewelers Mutual, said the results reflect how operational simplicity can translate into measurable growth. “Independent agents value speed and ease of access, particularly when working with specialty products. By simplifying how agents engage with us through First Connect, we made it easier for them to quote and place business, which has driven stronger engagement and premium growth.”
The collaboration also reflects a broader shift in how carriers approach digital distribution. First Connect’s 2025 research shows that 81% of agents report increased customer expectations for speed, with a majority expecting same-day quotes and policy issuance.
Aviad Pinkovezky, CEO of First Connect, said the Jewelers Mutual partnership demonstrates the impact of removing small but persistent barriers. “Friction at the access stage is easy to underestimate, but it has a direct effect on whether agents engage, quote, and bind. This collaboration shows how tech-forward carriers can unlock meaningful growth by making it easier for agents to get started and move quickly.”
The Jewelers Mutual results come as First Connect continues to scale its marketplace. The company recently surpassed $500 million in annual gross written premium, reflecting growing adoption among independent agents and carriers focused on faster, more efficient distribution.
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