The verdict in three sentences
For a brokerage with 6,000 policies and 12 partner insurers, custom management software costs USD 30,000 to 65,000 (300,000 to 650,000 MAD, excl. tax) in 2026, delivered in 4 to 7 months. The return comes from two measurable sources: commissions claimed and reconciled every month, and renewals chased on time, which lowers lapses by about 4 points. Excel stays useful for analysis, not for running a portfolio under a regulator's eye, whether the ACAPS in Morocco or the Central Bank of the UAE in Dubai.
What Excel costs a broker
Each insurer sends commission statements in a different format: rates by line of business, acquisition and servicing commissions, sub-broker splits. One staff member spends 3 to 5 days a month matching these files against collected premiums. Unclaimed gaps often represent 1 to 3% of annual commissions.
On renewals, without automatic alerts at D-60 and D-30, motor, property and group medical policies expire without contact. The client compares, then moves to a competitor or a bancassurance offer. Regulators also expect traceability of advice, complaints and anti-money-laundering checks, which is hard to prove with scattered files.
Custom or off-the-shelf: the 2026 comparison
| Criterion | Broker software vendor | Kolonell custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | USD 6,000 to 18,000 setup | USD 30,000 to 65,000 |
| Recurring cost | USD 40 to 90 per user per month | USD 600 to 1,500 per month maintenance |
| Statement formats for 12 insurers | Often 4 to 6 standard connectors | All 12 importers built |
| Sub-broker split rules | Limited | Unlimited, by introducer and line |
| Client portal (certificates, claims) | Optional module | Included, Arabic and English |
| Code and data ownership | Vendor | Brokerage |
| Time to go live | 2 to 4 months | 4 to 7 months |
A vendor suits a brokerage under 2,000 policies with insurers using standard formats. Beyond that, and as soon as commission rules become specific, a custom build avoids the double entry that cancels the software's benefit.
Functional scope and budget
| Module | 2026 budget (USD, excl. tax) | What it automates |
|---|---|---|
| Policy and endorsement management | 7,000 to 14,000 | Client file, covers, history |
| Renewal schedules and reminders | 4,000 to 8,000 | D-60/D-30 alerts, SMS, email, WhatsApp |
| Statement import and reconciliation | 6,000 to 14,000 | 12 formats, gaps flagged |
| Commission and split calculation | 5,000 to 11,000 | Rates by line, introducer, insurer |
| Claims notification and tracking | 4,000 to 9,000 | Files, documents, deadlines |
| Web and mobile client portal | 3,000 to 6,000 | Certificates, online claims |
| Regulatory compliance and data protection | 1,000 to 3,000 | Complaints log, access journal |
Mini case study
Mr. Bennani runs a brokerage in Casablanca: 6,000 policies, 12 insurers, 9,400,000 MAD (about USD 940,000) in annual commissions. His lapse rate is 14%, with an average commission of 1,570 MAD (USD 157) per policy.
He launches custom software at 480,000 MAD (USD 48,000), plus 10,000 MAD (USD 1,000) a month in maintenance. The 4-point drop in lapses keeps 240 policies, worth 376,800 MAD (USD 37,700) in commissions a year. Reconciliation recovers 1.5% of unclaimed gaps, 141,000 MAD (USD 14,100). The employee who spent 4 days a month on statements frees up 3. Annual gain of about 517,800 MAD against a year-one cost of 600,000 MAD: payback in 14 months. A Dubai brokerage of similar size sees the same logic with higher commission volumes. 2026 order of magnitude, to be checked against your portfolio.
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FAQ
Can the software read statements from every insurer?
Yes, we build one importer per format (Excel, CSV, structured PDF). Budget USD 400 to 1,000 per insurer depending on file complexity.
Which regulatory obligations should the software cover?
At minimum advice traceability, a complaints register and anti-money-laundering checks. The compliance module represents USD 1,000 to 3,000.
Can data be hosted in-country?
Yes. Local hosting or a compliant cloud region (Morocco law 09-08, UAE data rules) costs USD 150 to 400 a month.
How long to migrate 6,000 policies from Excel?
Data migration takes 3 to 5 weeks, cleanup included. Plan 2 to 3 days of validation by your team.
Can we start with commissions only?
Yes, a first release covering commissions and renewals costs USD 15,000 to 25,000 and ships in 10 to 12 weeks, before adding claims and the client portal.
Let's scope your project. We scope your brokerage software, including insurers, lines of business and split rules, within a USD 30,000 to 65,000 range and a 4 to 7 month timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
