If you’re comparing Lava Automation against other insurance VA providers, here’s an honest breakdown — Lava has built a genuinely broader offering than most VA staffing companies, and this comparison credits that directly.
Lava Automation, a Portland, Oregon-based provider operating since 2019, bundles three services for insurance agencies: virtual assistant staffing, custom workflow automation built inside your AMS and CRM, and fully managed IT and cybersecurity under a SOC 2-certified partnership. Looking for a Lava Automation alternative usually comes down to wanting a focused VA relationship without an automation or IT bundle attached, or wanting published pricing instead of a custom quote.
Lava Automation vs. Silkee: the honest comparison
| Lava Automation | Silkee Solutions | |
|---|---|---|
| Service scope | Three-part bundle: VA staffing, custom workflow automation, and managed IT/cybersecurity | One focused service — dedicated insurance VA staffing, nothing else |
| IT security certification | SOC 2-certified managed IT and cybersecurity partnership | Not formally certified; security built on dedicated permissioned access and signed confidentiality agreements |
| Pricing | Custom quote based on service bundle selected | Published flat monthly pricing on our packages page, including a $899/month part-time option |
| Vetting | Roughly 4,000 applications reviewed monthly; fewer than 50 advance to client interviews | Insurance-trained VAs matched to your agency’s specific AMS and workflows |
| Commitment level | Bundle model may require buying into automation or IT services beyond VA staffing | VA staffing only — no bundled services required |
| Onboarding | Workflow automation build runs on a 60-day sprint; VA onboarding timeline not publicly specified | Live within 5–7 business days |
Where Lava Automation genuinely makes a case
To be fair to them: for an agency that genuinely needs workflow automation and managed IT alongside VA staffing, having all three under one vendor relationship removes real coordination overhead. Their vetting process is rigorous, reviewing thousands of applications a month to place a small fraction into client interviews, and their SOC 2-certified IT partnership is a meaningful distinction for agencies with strict cybersecurity requirements. Six years in business also means a longer track record than most VA-only competitors, Silkee included.
Where the model works differently at Silkee
A focused service, not a bundle to evaluate
If your agency just needs a dedicated person handling policy tracking, renewals, and CRM updates, evaluating a three-part bundle covering automation and IT adds decision-making overhead you may not need. Silkee does one thing: insurance VA staffing.
Published pricing instead of a custom quote
Lava’s pricing depends on which services you bundle together, which means a sales conversation before you know your cost. Silkee publishes exact monthly pricing on our packages page, including a part-time option starting at $899/month.
No automation or IT commitment required
An agency that only wants VA support isn’t required to adopt workflow automation or managed IT services to get it. Silkee’s engagement is VA staffing alone, without upselling into adjacent services.
How Silkee supports agencies switching providers
If you’re currently working with Lava Automation or another provider and considering a switch, we handle the transition directly — mapping your existing workflows, matching you with a dedicated insurance-trained VA, and getting you live within 5–7 business days. No setup fee, and if the fit isn’t right, we replace the VA at no additional cost.
Book a free consultation to talk through your current setup, or see our full cost breakdown — including a calculator — before you reach out.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lava Automation’s IT and automation bundle a meaningful advantage?
Yes, genuinely, for agencies that need all three services. If your agency is already shopping for workflow automation or managed IT alongside VA support, consolidating with one vendor is worth weighing directly.
Do I have to buy Lava’s automation or IT services to get VA staffing?
Lava offers VA staffing, workflow automation, and managed IT as distinct services, so it’s worth confirming directly with them whether VA staffing is available on its own. Silkee’s engagement is VA staffing only, with no bundled services required.
How does Silkee’s pricing compare to Lava Automation?
Lava’s pricing depends on which services you bundle together and requires a custom quote. Silkee publishes flat monthly pricing upfront, including a part-time package starting at $899/month.
Does Silkee work with agencies switching from Lava Automation?
Yes. We regularly onboard agencies coming from another provider, and the transition follows the same process as any new client — a discovery call, workflow mapping, and a 5–7 day onboarding window.