Neither type is better across the board. They solve different problems. Inbound leads are for agents who want to quote people already shopping. Filing leads are for agents who are willing to prospect and want to reach owners before they start shopping.
The main lead types, side by side
| Lead type | What you get | Intent | Typical pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inbound quote requests | A form someone filled out | High, often shopping several agents | Per lead, higher per record | Agents with fast quoting |
| Live transfers | A caller connected to you | High in the moment | Per transfer, highest per record | Agents who can take calls all day |
| Aged leads | Old quote requests resold | Low to moderate | Per lead, cheap | High-volume dialers |
| Filing-based lists | New businesses with owner contact info | None stated, but good timing | Subscription or per list | Agents who prospect |
| Referrals | An introduction | High trust | Your time and relationships | Everyone, but hard to scale |
Where filing leads win
- Timing. You can reach an owner in the first weeks, before they have filled out any quote form.
- Less competition per record. An inbound form might go to several agents at once. A new filing has not been sold as a quote request.
- Cost per record. You are paying for data and research, not intent, so each record costs far less.
- Territory. You can work only your county and the business types you write.
Where filing leads lose
- No stated intent. Many owners are not ready. Some never will be.
- You must prospect. If your team does not call, a list is just a spreadsheet.
- Public, not exclusive. Anyone can download the filings. Few agents do, because the state's files have no phone numbers, so the owner usually hasn't heard from anyone yet.
- Some records are not real prospects. Holding companies and inactive filings get through any filter.
How to compare costs fairly
Do not compare price per lead across types. Compare cost per conversation and cost per bound policy, using your own numbers:
- Track how many records you work in a month.
- Count real conversations with a decision maker.
- Count quotes and bound policies.
- Divide what you spent by each of those.
A cheap list you never call costs more than an expensive lead you close. A free sample is the lowest-risk way to measure it.
Who should use filing-based leads
They fit agents and agencies that already make outbound calls, want commercial accounts in a specific area, and would rather start a relationship early than compete on a shared quote request. They are a poor fit if you only want people who have asked for a quote.
FiledToday sends new Florida filings for your county with owner phone numbers each weekday. Get a free sample and measure it against your current sources.
Common questions
What is the difference between an inbound lead and a new business filing lead?
An inbound lead is someone who asked for a quote, usually through a web form. A filing lead is a business that just registered with the state and has not asked for anything. Inbound leads show intent. Filing leads show timing.
Are new business filing leads exclusive?
No, filings are public. But the state's files have no phone numbers and are full of holding companies, so few agents ever work them, and the owner usually hasn't heard from anyone yet. With FiledToday you get each business the morning after it registers, with the owner's number already found, so you'll usually be the first to call.
Why are filing-based leads cheaper per record?
Because nobody has pre-qualified them and they did not ask to be contacted. You are paying for research and delivery, not for a buyer's intent. You do the qualifying on the call.
Updated October 13, 2026 · By Ben Thalmann, founder of FiledToday