You know the saying: You get what you pay for. Nowhere is that more painfully obvious than in the world of IT support for insurance advisors in Salt Lake City.
On paper, a lower-priced managed IT services agreement might look like a win: lower monthly bills, a few security tools, maybe even access to a help desk. But dig beneath the surface, and you’ll uncover the real story—missed backups, cybersecurity gaps, and "gotcha" fees that can cost your agency far more in downtime, lost data, and reputation damage.
After spending years auditing IT contracts for local insurance agencies, we’ve seen how these budget MSPs cut corners. Below are five of the most common traps they set—and how they quietly drain your business.
- "Antivirus" Masquerading As Cybersecurity
Let’s be clear: basic antivirus software is not real cybersecurity.
Unfortunately, that’s all many low-cost IT providers in Salt Lake City install. No MFA, no endpoint detection, no staff training, no threat response. And in the insurance world, that’s a problem.
Why? Because cyber liability carriers are getting smarter. They now require multi-layered protection before issuing policies—and if those layers aren’t in place, your claim could be denied. We’ve seen agencies here in Salt Lake City lose tens of thousands in ransomware recovery because their IT provider failed to implement required defenses.
That’s not just poor service. That’s professional negligence.
- Backups That Skip Your AMS And CRM
Your agency lives and dies by your CRM and AMS. But many budget IT providers in the Salt Lake area ignore them entirely.
They assume Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace is backing up your data. Spoiler alert: it's not. Those platforms offer basic version history—not true backup. And your mission-critical systems? Often ignored entirely.
We’ve reviewed agency networks where client policy data, renewal schedules, and compliance records weren’t being backed up at all. If those systems go down, your agency grinds to a halt.
Even worse? Most cheap MSPs don’t offer immutable backups (the kind required for cyber insurance), meaning even your backups can be deleted or encrypted by ransomware.
Ask your current provider what they’re backing up. You might not like the answer.
- Surprise Fees Every Time You Pick Up The Phone
Here’s a classic trick: quote a low monthly fee, then charge extra anytime you call after 5 PM, request an on-site visit, or need help with "non-covered" software.
That’s not partnership—that’s nickel-and-diming.
At Qual IT, we believe in predictable pricing. But many of our Salt Lake City competitors don’t. We’ve seen insurance advisors hesitate to call their IT support because they’re afraid of getting hit with another invoice. And that delay in support? It can cost you.
Missed renewals, lost clients, downtime you can’t bill for—all because your "cheap" MSP padded the fine print.
- "Not Our Problem" Support Mentality
Your phones go down. Your email won’t sync. Your networked printer glitches. You call IT and hear: "That’s not our responsibility."
This happens more than you think. Some MSPs in Salt Lake City limit their support to a narrow list of devices or services—and charge extra to talk to your vendors (like your VoIP provider or internet carrier).
At Qual IT, we manage everything that touches your network. If it plugs in and affects your business, it’s our problem. You need a partner, not a hot potato toss when things go wrong.
- One-Man Shops And Entry-Level Techs
One of the biggest risks in hiring a budget IT provider? Lack of strategy.
We’ve seen agencies managed by a single tech who doubles as salesperson, engineer, and billing department. No oversight. No planning. Just reactive support from someone learning as they go.
That might work for a retail shop. But for insurance agencies handling sensitive client data, strict compliance, and complex renewals? You need a real team.
Here’s what you should be getting:
- A dedicated account manager who understands insurance workflows
- Proactive reviews of your cybersecurity, compliance, and disaster recovery
- Technology road mapping and budget forecasting
- A strategic partner who aligns IT with your agency goals
If your current IT company can’t do that, you’re not just underprotected. You’re falling behind.
The Bottom Line For Salt Lake Insurance Advisors: If It Looks Cheap, It’s Probably Costing You More
We’ve seen it too many times. A Salt Lake insurance firm thinks they’re saving money with low-cost IT, until a ransomware attack, server crash, or audit fine blows the budget wide open.
If you’re not 100% confident that your IT provider is protecting your CRM, AMS, and client data—you’re gambling with everything you’ve built.
Let us take a look at your network. We’ll review your setup for free, walk you through what’s missing (if anything), and give you clear next steps—no tech jargon, no sales pitch.
Click here to book your FREE Network Assessment with Qual IT.
