Insurers and independent agents may not like the direction distribution channels have taken of late--particularly the direct-to-consumer model--but both carriers and agents need to realize the push toward the direct channel is coming from consumers.

"Every carrier must realize there is a balance between servicing the agent channel and the opportunities [carriers] need to afford the direct channel," says Karen Furtado, partner with SMA: Strategy Meets Action.

Furtado spoke with Bob Hyle, editor-in-chief of Tech Decisions magazine to lead off the Tech Decisions summer analyst podcast series. You can hear their full conversation by clicking on this link.

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