Episode #161
May 15, 2025
How Tech is Powering the Modern Agent in Licensing, Launching, and Leveling Up
with Brett Fulmer from Newport Beach Insurance Center LLC
SPONSORED BY
Brett Fulmer from Newport Beach Insurance Center LLC shares his expertise on how tech is powering the modern agent in licensing, launching and leveling up. Discover how digital tools are helping accelerate early success and reshaping what it takes to break into the insurance industry today.
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Rethinking the Insurance Agent
In Episode 161 of the InsurTech Geek Podcast, host James Benham and co-host Rob Galbraith sit down with Brett Fulmer—known widely as Broker Brett—to explore how insurance agents are transforming their approach in a tech-driven world. From licensing and launching to scaling a modern agency, Brett’s insights reflect years of experience across retail brokerage, startup advising, and community building in the insurtech ecosystem.
From Religion Major to Retail Powerhouse
Brett’s journey into insurance wasn’t conventional. With a degree in Comparative Religions from Cal State Fullerton, he initially had no plans of entering the insurance space. But a mix of entrepreneurial ambition and a desire for independence led him to the broker world.
His candid narrative about leveraging bartending jobs, retail sales, and personal resilience reflects how many professionals can pivot into insurance—even without a traditional background.
“Sales was a route to small business ownership… the way to get as independent as possible.”
What Today’s Agents Need: Tech That Serves, Not Replaces
A core theme in the episode is Brett’s stance on technology adoption. While AI and automation are game-changers, Brett insists that tools must complement existing workflows rather than complicate them.
“Tech is only helpful when it compliments how we act naturally—agents won’t change too much.”
He outlines that the most effective broker technologies are those that understand the day-to-day realities of agency work and integrate seamlessly into how agents already operate.
Advising Startups: The Broker’s Eye for Practical Innovation
As an advisor to numerous insurtech startups (Faneo, Marble, OneFort, Juniper Labs, and more), Brett shares his philosophy for working with founders:
- Trust the founder
- Ensure the tech works in another domain
- Believe the team can execute
This practical, empathetic view is grounded in experience. He’s not just providing introductions—he’s providing insight, reality checks, and sustained support.
“You’re not just pushing your own kind bagger buddies… try to be helpful through platforms like Insurance Nerds.”
The AI Question: Power Tool or Pitfall?
AI is reshaping the way agents gather data, quote policies, and serve clients. But Brett adds a note of caution:
“It’s still your E&O. If there’s an issue with the client, it’s your livelihood. Buyer beware.”
Rather than focusing on the buzzword, he urges startups to explain what the tool actually does, not just that it uses AI. For Brett, the practical application matters more than the hype.
Human Element: The Constant in a Changing Landscape
One of the most resonant takeaways from this episode is Brett’s reflection on the value of people and relationships:
“We’re all just kind of on the journey together… the people are everything.”
Despite the digital tools and data layers, trust and communication remain the pillars of effective client service and business growth in insurance.
A Roadmap for the Modern Agent
Whether you’re an agent, a startup founder, or someone looking to understand the nuances of broker innovation, Brett Fulmer provides a grounded, authentic look at what it means to thrive in the modern insurtech landscape. From his humble beginnings to his current influence across retail and tech, Brett embodies what it means to hustle smart, stay human, and drive innovation.