University City-based startup Margo wants to simplify what has become a stressful process.

With changing government regulations and the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, there are many new factors to consider while shopping for insurance. That’s where Margo comes in. 

Founder Zach Robbins and the company have built a service that makes buying insurance a little less formal, less “salesy.”

“At the end of the day we believe that everyone more or less needs insurance and we’d like to make the process as convenient as possible. Being such an arduous task, it doesn’t need to be more complicated,” said Robbins.

Here’s how it works: A consumer contacts Margo through text message, e-mail or online chat. No 1-800 numbers. A good start.

After the customer makes the initial contact, the company’s Insurance Advocates run the data past carrier partners and follow up with the best insurance quotes. The process is entirely digital. While carriers are the parties with the most control over insurance rates, Margo’s Insurance Advocates make sure to notify users when their rates change and can also help them determine if there is a need for a policy change.

Oh, almost forgot, the service is free. The insurance carriers pay Margo.

In Margo’s early planning phase, the team worked with The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania’s Small Business Development center for early stage assistance. Undergraduate and graduate students were paid to help lay the groundwork for select new ventures.

To learn more about the digital insurance agency, visit www.getmargo.com.

– Rana Fayez