What you'll accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll be using Otter.ai to automatically transcribe agent calls, renewal conversations, and underwriting review meetings — with AI-generated summaries and action item extraction. Stop relying on handwritten notes; get a searchable record of every conversation.
What you'll need
- Free Otter.ai account at otter.ai (300 minutes/month free)
- Your phone (for mobile recording) or the Otter.ai browser extension (for web-based calls)
- Agent's consent to record the call (required — see note below)
- Time needed: 10 minutes to set up; zero extra effort during calls
- Cost: Free (600 minutes/month with Pro at $10/month)
Consent note: Many states require one-party consent (you can record without telling the other party), but others require all-party consent. Check your state's law and your firm's call recording policy before recording agent calls. When in doubt, tell the agent: "I'm going to take notes using a transcription service — is that okay?" Most agents agree readily.
How-To Guide: Transcribe and Summarize Agent Calls With Otter.ai
Step 1: Create Your Otter.ai Account
Go to otter.ai and sign up with your Google or Microsoft account. The free tier gives you 300 minutes of transcription per month — enough for most underwriters' agent call volume.
Download the Otter.ai mobile app on your phone (iOS or Android) for recording phone calls.