Navigating the Human Element in Virtual Intelligence with Davie Holt

In this episode of Connected Conversations in Insurance, features Davie Holt, in a candid conversation on virtual staffing, economics, and the misunderstood human reality behind offshore teams.

What unfolds is less a conversation about “virtual assistants” and more a reframing of how agencies should think about labor, technology, and the irreplaceable value of human connection in an increasingly automated industry.

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Reframing “Virtual”: It’s About People, Not Place

Early in the conversation, Davie challenges one of the industry’s most persistent misconceptions: that virtual employees are interchangeable, transactional resources.

“When people hire a VA and think, ‘I’ve just got another worker,’ they’re missing the point.”

Virtual Intelligence, he explains, isn’t about cheap labor or shortcuts—it’s about connecting capable, educated professionals to insurance agencies that desperately need support. These are real people, often college-educated, who see working with U.S. agencies as a meaningful professional opportunity.

“The industry needs to recognize these employees for who they are: smart, college-educated individuals eager to participate in the American professional experience.”

This reframing sets the tone for the entire episode: virtual staffing isn’t a technology trend. It’s a human one.

Why Virtual Staffing Exists: Follow the Economics

When asked what truly fueled the rise of virtual staffing in insurance, Davie doesn’t hesitate.

“It’s the economy, stupid.”

Rising operational costs, shrinking commission margins, and increasing administrative burdens have created a labor gap agencies can’t fill domestically. There simply aren’t enough U.S. workers willing—or financially able—to spend their days on repetitive, non-licensed tasks like data entry, policy changes, or certificates of insurance.

“We can’t find enough employees stateside who want to manually input data all day—the economy doesn’t allow for it.”

Virtual employees, Davie argues, are not replacing licensed professionals. They’re enabling agencies to survive within today’s economic reality.

Addressing the Fear: Are Jobs Being Outsourced?

One of the most direct moments in the episode comes when Davie addresses fears of job displacement head-on.

“If you’re a non-licensed U.S. worker in an insurance agency, your days are numbered, unless you adapt.”

It’s not a warning driven by outsourcing alone, but by automation, AI, and evolving workflows. Davie emphasizes that licensed staff should be focused on what only humans can do: advising clients, building trust, and maintaining relationships.

“Put your most coachable, adaptable staff with virtual employees first. They won’t see it as a threat—they’ll see it as support.”

The message is clear: virtual employees don’t replace agency teams—they free them to do higher-value work.

Hiring the Right Way: Pay, Culture, and Accountability

Davie and Nick also dig into best practices for hiring and retention, starting with compensation.

“You’re not going to get proactive engagement from someone making two bucks an hour.”

Underpaying offshore employees leads to turnover, disengagement, and ultimately higher costs. Virtual Intelligence’s model focuses on fair pay, long-term career paths, and rigorous vetting to ensure cultural alignment.

Their hiring philosophy centers on three core values:

• Proactive – anticipating needs, not waiting for instructions
• Visible – actively engaged and responsive within agency systems
• Accurate – delivering insurance-specific precision, not generic admin work

“We’re not just giving you a body. We’re giving you a vetted professional ready to integrate into your team.”

Automation Can’t Replace Trust

While AI and automation play a growing role in agency workflows, Davie is clear about where technology stops short.

“AI and virtual employees can make you faster, but they can’t replace human trust.”

Insurance remains a relationship business. Virtual teams and automation handle the busy work so licensed professionals can stay focused on conversations, advice, and community presence—the things no algorithm can replicate.

A Global Perspective on Opportunity

Davie closes the episode with one of its most human moments, reflecting on the global impact of virtual staffing.

“Imagine giving life and prosperity to someone by paying them $32,000 a year—and they’re joyful to do work you can’t find anyone locally to do.”

For him, virtual staffing isn’t just operational efficiency. It’s about dignity, opportunity, and mutual respect across borders.