PIAW November/December 2023 Magazine

[ NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2023 ]

PROFESSIONAL AGENT

RYAN BUTZKE: Agent of the Year and the Stony Steinbach Achievement Award

ENGAGE RECAP - PAGE 22

Trust.

Do you trust your insurance partner? Well, you’d better.

Insurance coverage is really just a promise.

A promise to be there when things go bad.

A promise of “we’ll take care of your customers.”

Find out more about the Silver Lining and how we value our agent relationships.

Visit thesilverlining.com.

The worst brings out our best.®

CONTENTS 4 From The President 6 Memos From Madison 8 From The Boardroom 10 Capitol Update 13 Eye On The Law 16 OCI Administrative Action 18 I Don’t Own a Car – Why Would I Need Auto Insurance?

20 Community Corner 22 Engage 2023 26 8 Steps to Improve Your Cyber Security Posture 30 Education 37 Upcoming Events 38 Directory

We are a community of independent agents and other dedicated insurance professionals, working to promote and improve the independent agency channel. Our mission is to support the advancement and excellence of all independent agencies.

EDUCATE. ADVOCATE. COLLABORATE. EDUCATE

We are the premier association for insurance education in Wisconsin. Grow your knowledge and your bottom line, at our education sessions. Whether you want to pursue a CIC, CPIA, CISR or CRM designation, or just meet your bi-annual Wisconsin CE requirement, you have come to the right place.

ADVOCATE

With lobbyists representing you in Madison and in Washington, D.C., PIA is looking out for your interests and promoting the independent agency channel within state and federal government. Our goal is a regulatory environment that allows your agency to grow and prosper.

COLLABORATE

PIA is a place for you to collaborate with, and learn from, other agents and many other professionals in the industry. Starting an agency? We’ve been there. Growing an agency?

We’ve been there. Considering a new agency management system? PIA members have been there. Whether at our PIAW Winter Get-Away event in Minocqua, Annual Convention, Scholarship Golf Outing or dozens of other events, you can collaborate with other professionals who have “been there.”

725 Heartland Trail Ste 108 | Madison WI 53717 | (800) 261-7429 | www.piaw.org

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

This Task Force will gather insight from agents, insurance companies, and others from the insurance industry...

LACEY ENDRES, CIC President, PIA of Wisconsin

It is with great honor and a profound send of responsibility that I assume the role of President of the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin. As I step into this new responsibility, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you for entrusting me with this position. I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me, and I am fully committed to serving our association with dedication, innovation, and a vision for our future.

I want to thank Steve Clements as he passes the torch to me – he will be a tough act to follow. Steve has taught me so much about leadership, gratitude and giving to others, and I look forward to carrying that forward.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR INCOMING PRESIDENT In the coming year, we will strive to shape a future where we can meet the demands of the modern world, while also leading in areas such as innovation and offering customer-centric solutions. The needs and expectations of our agents and clients are evolving.

We must listen, adapt, and offer insurance services that truly meet their requirements.

With this, I am excited to share that one of the most important focus areas for us this next year will be forming a Member Benefit Task Force. This Task Force will be entrusted to ensure that our members are aware of the benefits already available to them through their PIAW membership and will also look to learn about additional benefit offerings that might be of interest. This Task Force will gather insight from agents, insurance companies, and others from the insurance industry and bring forth recommendations on what we should ultimately be offering as meaningful and helpful benefits to our members. I am excited to see the possibilities of where this will take us!

Outside of this new Task Force, we will continue to focus on the three key pillars that represent the core of what we focus on at the PIAW and what we have become known to specialize in – Educate, Advocate and Collaborate.

Educate: We are committed to continuing to offer our CIC, CISR and CPIA classes, both in person and online. We also offer numerous other webinars and resources focused on ensuring that our industry remains at the cutting edge of knowledge and expertise. Be sure to check out the education calendar on our website, PIAW.org.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 4 ]

Our education committee will continue to focus on getting CISR courses added to high school curriculum through our partnership with the National Alliance.

We have been trying to identify a school district in Wisconsin to pilot this for us and hope to gain traction by the end of my term. By doing this we can create another channel to bring talented individuals into our industry early in their career.

Advocate: We will continue to be a strong voice for the industry, advocating for policies that promote stability and fairness, while also adapting to the changing regulatory landscape. In partnership with our legislative committee, we will discuss legislation with our law makers both in Wisconsin and at the national level to advocate on behalf of our members and the IA channel..

Collaborate: We are excited to host our annual events and bring the great people in our industry together as much as possible.

•O ur next in person event is the Winter Get-Away, scheduled for January 31st through February 2nd, in Minocqua. I hope to see you there!

•W e look forward to seeing you throughout this next year at the PIAPAC Clay Shoot, the PIA Scholarship Golf Outing, YPI Network events, and at our Engage 2024 convention next fall.

I am excited about the journey ahead and the opportunity to work alongside you in our effort to be resilient, innovative and customer-focused in this amazing and evolving industry.

Cheers to a great year ahead!

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MEMOS FROM MADISON

One-third of all E&O claims result from moving a client to a policy where one of the coverages is less broad.

PETE HANSON, CAE, CISR Executive Director, PIA of Wisconsin

It seems like it was not that long ago that we still talked about the hard market academically. From 2019-2021, prices were increasing enough to call it a hard market - five percent or seven percent in certain lines. Client conversations were sometimes difficult, but manageable.

Most agents had seen worse and were not actually worried. Prices going up at those rates is not actually a bad thing.

In 2022, we had to accept the hard market as reality because those price increases were getting more serious.

Double-digit increases were hitting just about every line of insurance, save Workers Comp. Rates for certain commercial lines and non-standard personal lines were accelerating, but at least we weren’t California or Florida.

Which of us really expected capacity to disappear, to the extent that it has? Little

EVERYTHING IS A RISK hard market n. a hard market is the upswing in the insurance market cycle, when premiums increase, coverage terms are restricted, and capacity for most types of insurance decreases. [credit: IRMI 2022] did we know that – in the second half of 2023 – agents would be receiving agency cancellation letters. Agents would be sharing renewal proposals containing 100% increases with homeowners.

Stalwart regional carriers would be ending their personal lines programs.

Long-time carrier partners of PIA would face repeated downgrades by A.M. Best.

Not only is this the hardest market in a generation or two, with agency staffs stretched way beyond normal capacity, it’s also marked by hugely increased risks for agents.

Some of us recently debated whether to inform policyholders of a carrier downgrade. Not doing so creates risk, and doing so creates other risks. When your staff moves 100 clients from one carrier to another, are you confident that every new policy provides all the same (or broader) coverages as the prior policy? Do you have a checklist with the client’s signature acknowledging that you discussed all the coverages and highlighted any coverage differences?

One-third of all E&O claims result from moving a client to a policy where one of the coverages is less broad. Furthermore, an average E&O claim will cost you and your staff 375 hours of effort to defend.

I don’t know of a single agency that can spare 10 weeks of someone’s time in 2024, which promises to be just as much of a mess as 2023 has been. This means we all should review the processes we use to move coverage between carriers, and we should check and double-check to be sure that proper procedures are being followed by staff.

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Most of our readers are PIA members and Utica E&O policyholders. Those affiliations mean you’re not alone in addressing these difficult situations.

If you’re looking for a checklist to help your staff follow a thorough and consistent process with new home and auto policies, you can reach out to me or Heidi Hodel-Faris and we will get you one.

If you have questions about how these difficult situations we face today could affect your E&O premium, you can speak with YOUR underwriter at Utica National. That’s a major advantage of having your E&O with a super-regional carrier with great customer service.

Our carrier partners know that everything is a risk. It’s a risk to go out for a walk at lunchtime. You could get hit by a car, or even a meteor. It’s a risk to eat dinner with your family (some more than others, I suppose). You could choke on a piece of meat or a cherry tomato. Even things that are objectively good for us in the long term, are also risky.

Some of the things our carrier partners have to do, now, are good for the long-term stability of their companies, policyholders and even agents. In the short term, however, they are hard to swallow.

In a couple of years, we will see the other side of this hard market, when our carrier partners will have greater capacity, lower prices and stable ratings.

In the meantime, feel free to reach out to me if you have questions about E&O,

AUGUST 5

agency processes, or even finding a support any carrier over the others. new market for your personal lines It’s because I get asked the question 10 AM REGISTRATION customers. In these difficult times, by so many members who are looking I’m asking agents which carriers they SHOTGUN for options, and they just need to find START 11AM know of that still have an appetite for some capacity, somewhere. home and auto. This is not because I

As always you can find me at phanson@piaw.org, Heidi at hhodel@ piaw.org, and both of us at (608) 274-8188. Let us know how things are going or how we can help.

THE BOG

3121 COUNTY ROAD I SAUKVILLE, WI 53080

THANK YOU 2023 SUPPORTING MEMBERS! COST

Each year those insurance companies that$150 choose to support the Professional Insurance Includes cart, box drink Agents of golf Wisconsin, makelunch, so manytwo things possible. It is because of them that we can tickets,affordable reception, hors d’oeuvres offer top-notch, networking and education opportunities to our member agents.

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Scholarships totaling up to Silver Supporting Members $25,000 will be given away thanks to our generous sponsors.

REGISTER TODAY! PIAW.ORG [ 7 ]

FROM THE BOARDROOM

It’s time to add social inflation to the list of topics we need to educate our insureds about.

MIKE ENDRES

Treasurer, PIA of Wisconsin

UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL INFLATION When completing annual reviews with my clients, the question often comes up, “How large of an umbrella policy do I really need?” Five years ago, my answers were completely different than they are today. My change in opinion stems largely from social inflation.

Social inflation, in a nutshell, is the inflation in insurance prices that is not caused by inflation in prices of other goods and services. It is caused by increased litigation in our society and the trend toward bigger and bigger lawsuits.

I have followed highly publicized court cases, sat on several insurance company advisory councils as well as read several articles on social inflation. The driving factors I continue to see in today’s society are: • Mistrust of corporations and a society of blaming • Increasing awards and settlements due to highly publicized verdicts • Attorney practices • Third-party litigation funding • Changes in tort reform Insurance carriers continue to monitor the effects of social inflation. Higher litigation costs ultimately equate to higher insurance premiums. Carriers continue to aggressively underwrite

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 8 ]

insureds’ business practices to protect themselves from social-inflation-related issues and claims.

Working with our clients to proactively minimize exposure to liability claims has never been more important than it is today. Making sure our clients have sound business practices such as updated employee manuals, a safe work atmosphere for employees, as well as continued training for management positions can reduce the risk of a liability claim. It is important to understand how social inflation continues to impact our industry and to work with our insureds to address relevant risks.

As an agency owner, I continue to stress the importance to my staff that we are advisors to our clients and not just insurance agents. Our clients lean on us for our experience and expertise. It’s time to add social inflation to the list of topics we need to educate our insureds about. Revisiting business practices, liability limits and umbrella policies are a few areas I continue to stress with my clients to help protect them from this growing risk factor.

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CAPITOL UPDATE

H

NATALIE WHITE

Communications Director

Things are in full swing in the Legislature, moving to get as much business taken care of prior to the holidays. Committee meetings are abundant, and bills are itching to make it to the floor before spring.

New legislation is being introduced and circulated daily.

With the flurry of activity, there are many exciting updates to share on PIA-backed legislation: • Assembly Bill 109, relating to requiring one-half credit of financial literacy education in high school passed both houses as of September 14th.

• Assembly Bill 395/Senate Bill 386, relating to putting into place an insurance framework for peer-to-peer car sharing transactions, was given a hearing in both the Senate and the Assembly.

• Assembly Bill 396/Senate Bill 394, relating to a driver education grant program was passed on a voice vote by the Assembly and given a hearing in the Senate. This bill would use funds allocated in the budget to put in place a driver education grant program for students meeting the requirements for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program.

• Assembly Bill 338/Senate Bill 328 was introduced and given a hearing in the Senate. This bill would require hospitals to comply with federal law and put hospital price transparency requirements in state law.

• Assembly Bill/Senate Bill 464 was introduced and given a hearing in the Assembly. This bill would put into place consumer protections and reasonable regulations on legal lending transactions.

Independent Contractors – Are They Really?

Many industries utilize independent contractors for the convenience and independence that they offer, allowing a working relationship without the constraints of hiring an additional employee. Some of these industries include construction, marketing, healthcare, and even insurance. Though convenient for some circumstances, it is not a loophole to avoid paying for workers compensation insurance on an actual employee.

Workers compensation insurance is extremely important, protecting employers from lawsuits and is required to be paid for businesses with three or more employees. The Department of Workforce Development oversees statutory compliance and will investigate whether someone is truly an independent contractor… or whether they are actually a full employee. There are extremely costly NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 10 ]

penalties if the independent contractor status is claimed but is intentionally misclassified – of up to $25,000!

Therefore, it is essential that anyone claiming to utilize independent contractors thoroughly examine their status using the 9-point test of statutory requirements.

In order to truly be an independent contractor, someone must meet ALL of the following nine requirements according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: 1. They must have their own business.

2. They must have a Federal Employer Identification number from the Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or have filed business or selfemployment income tax returns with the IRS based on the work or service in the previous year.

3. They must operate under specific contracts.

4. They are responsible for operating expenses under those contracts.

5. They are responsible for the quality of work and performance of the work under the contracts.

6. They are paid for each contract, per job, by commission or by competitive bid.

7. They are subject to profit or loss in performing the work under the contracts.

8. They must have recurring business liabilities and obligations.

9. They will succeed or fail if their business expense exceeds income.

For a full description on the requirements of each point, please visit https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/workerclassification/wc/ninepart/ It is important to advise your clients of the consequence of correctly determining their employees’ status and help them make sure they are paying workers compensation insurance for all actual employees. Avoiding acknowledging actual employee status and getting workers compensation insurance could be a costly mistake in the long run.

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FREE LEGAL PIAW MEMBER HOTLINE

608.200.4221 INSURANCEHOTLINE@AXLEY.COM

Solving Problems Makes Us Attorneys; Anticipating Them, Makes Us a Partner.

Our attorneys have extensive experience in the unique legal needs of insurance agencies. We have represented hundreds of agencies, agents and brokers in all aspects of their business. Î Agency Ownership & Operations Î Mergers & Acquisitions Î Drafting & Review of Carrier, Producer, & Other Contracts Î Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation, & Non-Competition Agreements Î Perpetuation & Succession Planning Î Employee & Independent Contractor Issues Î Representation regarding OCI Licensing & Discipline Î E&O Reporting Obligations

Axley’s free insurance hotline is available to all PIAW members. Our attorneys will respond as quickly as possible. Calls do not constitute an attorney-client relationship. If your issues require more in-depth legal action or advice, you may be directed to seek private counsel.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 12 ]

Eye on the Law Thanksgiving and Cybersecurity: A Feast of Protection

By Judd Genda Just like a well-prepared Thanksgiving meal, cybersecurity is the recipe for safeguarding your digital world.

In the expansive landscape of cybersecurity, various threats loom. Here are some of the more common cyber threats: • Malware: Malware is an unwelcome intruder, infiltrating your digital environment without detection. It can erase data and disrupt your systems, leading to operational standstill.

300,000 malware instances are generated daily, while 4.1 million websites are infected with malware.

• Ransomware: Ransomware is an unforeseen impediment that creates a challenging hostage situation. It encrypts your data and demands a substantial ransom for its release.

• Data Breaches: In the realm of cybersecurity, data theft acts as the digital pickpocket. Cybercriminals can snatch sensitive information and peddle it on the dark web.

• Identity Theft: Attackers can use your personal information to impersonate you, commit fraudulent actions and spend your money.

A common misconception is that only high-value targets need to worry about cybersecurity. In reality, cybercriminals are opportunistic, seeking any vulnerability they can exploit, regardless of the specific target. No organization, whether large or small, is immune. In recent discussions with cyber insurance experts, one theory that was brought to light is that cyber attackers may infiltrate the networks of insurance agencies only to find out which of its customers have increased their cybersecurity coverage, making these customers a prime target for ransomware.

Safeguarding your digital environment requires implementing a multifaceted cybersecurity strategy. We understand that many of you do not have IT personnel on staff with expertise in cybersecurity. Accordingly, here’s a menu of cybersecurity measures, similar to a toolkit of defenses, to help ensure the safety and resilience of your digital assets: • Anti-Malware/Virus Solutions: Anti-malware and antivirus software serve as the guardians of your network, detecting and neutralizing digital threats before you are even alerted that there is a breach.

• Security and Phishing Awareness Training: The number one attack vector of your agency are the persons that work for you. Phishing attacks, often initiated through deceptive emails or websites, and social engineering tactics, relying on human interaction to gather information, can be

thwarted through comprehensive training and awareness.

Cybersecurity training empowers your staff to recognize and avoid digital threats.

•L imit Access to Sensitive Information: Limiting the number of persons in your organization with access to sensitive information can reduce the severity of a data breach.

•M ultifactor Authentication (MFA) and Strong Passwords: One of the best ways to prevent unauthorized access to systems and data is to implement MFA. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional verification beyond their password, creating a two-step authentication process. Strong, complex passwords with a mix of characters are crucial to bolster security. Consider using an enterprise-grade password manager for added protection.

• S ecure Home and Mobile Working Environments: With the increase in working remotely, make sure that home and mobile networks are as secure as possible. When possible, utilize a VPN connection and avoid connecting through public networks.

•D ata Backups: Backups serve as a safety net in the event of data loss or corruption. Follow the “3-2-1” rule, which involves maintaining at least three copies of your data, with two stored on different media and one kept offsite.

This approach ensures data resilience even in the face of unexpected disruptions.

• S oftware and Device Updates: Regular updates for software and devices are essential to patch vulnerabilities that cyber attackers may exploit. Consider using patch management software to automate this process and reduce potential attack vectors.

•C yber Insurance: Much like insurance safeguards you against unforeseen circumstances in the real world, cyber insurance provides a financial safety net in the digital domain. It can mitigate the financial impact following a potential incident, covering expenses like legal fees, data loss, and ransomware recovery. Small businesses, in particular, can benefit significantly from this added layer of protection.

In conclusion, just as meticulous planning is essential for the success of any Thanksgiving feast, cybersecurity is a multi-faceted approach that demands careful preparation and attention to detail. By implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, you can create a digital environment that is secure and resilient.

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OCI ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS NATHAN HOUDEK

Commissioner of Insurance

AUGUST 2023

Allegations & Actions Against Agents

Isaac Anderson, 5224 Kunesh Rd., Green Bay, WI 54313, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of demonstrating financial irresponsibility in the conduct of business.

Callie Belanger, 133683 Wilde Dr., Athens, WI 54411, had her insurance license revoked.

This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

John J. Black, Sr., 5103 N Autumn Ln., McFarland, WI 53558, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Patricia Brenwall, 901 Clinton St., Apt. 2, Green Bay, WI 54303, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Jeremy JB Bryant, 4711 Balley Shannon Dr., Mableton, GA 30126, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having criminal convictions that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct; having administrative actions taken by the states of Florida, Texas, Indiana, South Carolina, and Georgia; and having a probationary license issued by his resident state.

Tami Cahak, 541 McKay Way, Waterloo, WI 53594, had her insurance license revoked.

This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Rolando M. Campos, 5020 W Thunderbird Rd., Apt. 281, Glendale, AZ 85306, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to report administrative actions taken by the states of Kansas, Indiana, and Delaware.

Madison, WI—OCI has taken the following administrative actions. In many of these cases the respondent denied the allegations but consented to the action taken. Any forfeitures paid in these administrative actions are deposited in the Common School Fund which is administered by the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. The earnings from this fund are distributed to all public K-12 schools in Wisconsin and are used by school libraries to purchase books. Copies of the administrative action orders may be viewed online at https://ociaccess. oci.wi.gov/OrderInfo/OrdInfo.oci.

Marcus M. Carbajal, 240 E Illinois St., Apt. 2509, Chicago, IL 60611, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Joshua Chichoni, 12640 SW 92nd Ave., Miami, FL 33176, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having an administrative action taken by the State of Utah, having a probationary license in the State of Utah, having employment terminations for cause, and demonstrating incompetence and untrustworthiness in the conduct of business.

Arlene E. Dombrowicki, 5028 River Oaks Dr., De Pere, WI 54115, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Marcus R. Driessen, 2809 Southbreeze Ct., Kaukauna, WI 54130, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having criminal convictions that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct.

Justin Ellis, 567 Hilltop Dr., Green Bay, WI 54301, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely report an administrative action taken by the State of California and violating a previous warning letter.

Stephanie Findley, PO Box 16464, Milwaukee, WI 53216, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Thomas Fuhler, 1150 SE 13th St., Cape Coral, FL 33990, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00 and was ordered to respond to OCI information requests. These actions were taken based on allegations of failing to respond to investigative demands NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 16 ]

related to a consumer complaint and failing to maintain current address information.

Peter Hang, 540 Spring St., Eau Claire, WI 54703, had his insurance license revoked.

This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Eric M. Harthun, 3108 Shady Hollow Ct., Appleton, WI 54913, agreed to pay a forfeiture of $1,500.00 and agreed to cease and desist representing himself as a financial advisor. These actions were taken based on allegations of false representation.

Logan C. Hastie, 1813 E College Ave., Appleton, WI 54915, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Joseph A. Hill, 708 E Euclid, Phoenix, AZ 85042, had his insurance license revoked.

This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Nyisha Johnson, 2617 N 41st St., Milwaukee, WI 53210, had her insurance license revoked.

This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

John R. Keller, 9323 W Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Danny Martinez, 419 N Maple Ave., Apt. A, Green Bay, WI 54303, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Merril McKnight, 201 Short St., Kingstree, SC 29556, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely report an administrative action taken by the State of Kansas.

Joseph C. Nickerson, 3940 NW 79th Ave., Apt. 641, Doral, FL 33166, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

David C. Olivares, 20 Capitol View Terr., Apt. 1, Madison, WI 53713, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Chidi P. Onukwugha, 7728 W Villard Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Peace U. Onukwugha, 7728 W Villard Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Shane Rankin, 3311 N McDonald St., Appleton, WI 54911, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Kyla M. Riley, 1244 N 68th St., Apt. 109, Wauwatosa, WI 53213, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Joann Savinon, c/o Humana DMS, 3501 SW 160th Ave., Miramar, FL 33027, was ordered to pay consumer restitution in the amount of $432.00. This action was taken based on allegations of making an unsuitable insurance product recommendation.

John P. Sivels,1542 S Laflin St., Chicago, IL 60643, agreed to the permanent surrender of his Wisconsin insurance license. This action was taken based on allegations of violating insurance laws and lacking the competence and trustworthiness required of insurance intermediaries.

Ashley N. Sullivan, 108 Dover Dr., Ruther Glen, VA 22546, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Edward D. Swims, 4714 N 72nd St., Milwaukee, WI 53218, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Krystynn N. Taylor, 2975 N 50th St., Milwaukee, WI 53210, had her insurance

license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Caitlin H. Vang, 1226 Plumas Links St., Plumas Lake, CA 95961, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Kenneth L. Vargas, 8255 SW 152nd Ave., Apt. 204, Miami, FL 33193, had his insurance license revoked and was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $1,500.00. This action was taken based on allegations of making misrepresentations to a consumer, recommending an unsuitable policy to a consumer, and failing to respond promptly to inquiries from OCI. Travis Wiley, Jr., 6738 W Lisbon Ave., Apt. 2, Milwaukee, WI 53210, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

September 2023

Allegations & Actions Against Agents Tammy A. Backhaus, 179 Mill St., Campbellsport, WI 53010, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Suzanne L. Boutcher, 200 Parkview Dr., Burlington, WI 53105, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Brian I. Bowen, 208 6th St., Hartford, WI 53027, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having a criminal conviction that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct.

Richard Bowhousen, 214 S Eagle St., Oshkosh, WI 54902, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely report a criminal charge and conviction to OCI. Tre J. Burnette, 1014 N. Sunnyvale Ln., Madison, WI 53714, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

John-Pierre J. Herrera, 1025 Old Country Rd., Westbury, NY 11590, agreed to surrender his Wisconsin insurance license.

This action was taken based on allegations of making misrepresentations in the sale of an insurance policy.

Darci Hoffland, 315 S Ohio St., Prairie du Chien, WI 53821, had her application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to comply with the terms of a previous Stipulation and Order.

Michael L. Locke, 20240 Hague Rd., Noblesville, IN 46062, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having an administrative action taken by the State of Indiana that resulted in the issuance of a probationary license.

James Merritt, N3164 Evergreen Rd., Lake Geneva, WI 53147, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Lisa Murray, S90W13960 Boxhorn Dr., Muskego, WI 53150, had her application for an insurance license denied for six months. This action was taken based on allegations of having a criminal conviction that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct.

Alex Perez, 945 E Playa Del Norte Dr., Unit 2024, Tempe, AZ 85288, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to disclose an administrative action taken by the State of Wyoming on a licensing application and violating the terms of a previous warning letter.

Brendalis Rodriguez, 4203 W College Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53221, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Kirsten VanNest, 218 Wilson Way, Marshfield, MO 65706, had her application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having a criminal conviction that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct, having administrative actions taken by the states of Wisconsin and Florida, and failing to provide evidence of a federal crime waiver.

Keagan A. Williams-Salgado, 361 Rockport Rd., Janesville, WI 53548, had his application for an insurance license denied.

This action was taken based on allegations of having criminal convictions that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct, failing to disclose criminal charges and convictions on a licensing application, and owing unpaid unemployment compensation.

OCI is responsible for overseeing the operations and marketing of insurance companies and agents in Wisconsin.

OCI encourages anyone with a question or a complaint regarding an insurance company or agent to contact the office at this toll-free telephone number: 1-800-236-8517.

PIAW.ORG [ 17 ]

F E AT U R E

I Don’t Own a Car – Why Would I Need Auto Insurance?

Leslie Jones is a successful attorney who lives in a trendy neighborhood. She works from home regularly. When she travels, she routinely uses Uber for her transportation needs. She sees no need for a personal auto policy (PAP) as she does not own a car.

Gertrude Benson is a longtime client of your agency. Her spouse, Ed, passed away several years ago. A frugal lifestyle and consistent investing over their lifetimes have put Getrude in a very positive financial position – we would even consider her wealthy. She is in her early eighties and is quite active with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her small home sits on her 660 acre farm and she travels extensively. She has not had a driver’s license in decades and sold their only car when Ed passed in 1999.

She sees no need for a PAP as she does not own a car.

Bill Jones is president of a local bank. As part of his compensation package, the bank furnishes two autos for Bill’s use. He regularly drives one of the vehicles and his spouse, Sue drives the other. The bank provides permission with no restrictions to both Bill and Sue to use these vehicles.

Bill and Sue see no need for a PAP as they own no cars.

As insurance professionals, we work diligently to address our clients’ uncertainties. Risk cannot be adequately addressed until it is identified, analyzed, controlled and

financed. Any plan developed in these endeavors must be put into place, monitored and modified as necessary. For the client who does not own autos, we cannot fall into the trap of assuming they have no auto-related exposures.

We understand that, if any of these folks are operating an auto, they could injure or cause property damage to a third party. Even when they are not, themselves, operating an auto, they could be considered vicariously liable for an auto’s use. Leslie and Gertrude have NO coverage, other than coverage that may exist on the vehicle itself, when they are responsible for that auto. For Bill and Sue, the autos they use most often are owned by the bank, and, likely, a business auto policy (BAP) on which they are insureds is in place when they are using those autos. This BAP may even be endorsed to provide Bill and Sue insured status when they operate non-owed autos by use of the Drive Other Car Coverage – Broadened Coverage for Named Individuals CA 99 10. For Bill and Sue, this endorsement DOES provide some VERY IMPORTANT coverages when they use nonowned autos, but it does not remove two very important exclusions that we find in the BAP that do not exist in the PAP – exclusions for bodily injury to a fellow employee as well as pollution.

Consider these scenarios: Leslie finds it simply more convenient to rent a car for a couple of days when she travels to a more remote area than to depend upon ‘spotty’ Uber or cab service. Even better, on

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 18 ]

a particular trip, she stays with a college friend and uses the friend’s extra car for the duration of her visit.

Gertrude takes four of her adult grandchildren on vacation and ‘springs’ for the cost of a rental van so that they can all ride together comfortably during their week of vacation. Her platinum Am Ex card is used to pay for the rental and she, of course, signs the rental agreement.

Bill is driving to a regional board meeting and a co-worker is with him in the bank-owned auto. Bill is at fault in an accident when he runs a red light. Both Bill and his coworker are injured.

In addition to liability exposure for use of non-owned autos, Leslie and Gertrude are also at risk for their bodily injury each time they occupy an auto. Leslie and Gertrude also may be responsible for damage to a non-owned auto – particularly if they have rented the vehicle. As they are not a named insured on their own PAP, and as they are not a “family member” on the PAP of anyone else, they simply are not protected for liability, medical payments, uninsured/ underinsured motorists nor physical damage exposures.

Although Bill is an insured on the bank’s BAP as to liability exposure, that policy’s exclusion for bodily injury to a fellow employee would prove incredibly problematic if the coworker or any of their family members were to bring suit against him. For this type of allegation, Bill would not have coverage in the BAP, and, without coverage, Bill would have not find defense.

Bill and Sue MAY be afforded coverage for their bodily injury on the bank’s BAP – depending upon the Symbols used on that coverage form. For example, if Symbols 2, 3 or 4 are used for medical payments and/or uninsured/ underinsured motorists coverages in Item Two of the BAP Declarations, these coverages would not be afforded to nonowned autos. Symbols 2, 3 and 4 only make covered autos of autos OWNED by the BAP’s named insured. Obviously, a

hired, borrowed or rented auto is NOT owned by the bank.

Ultimately, unless Bill controls the Symbols used in the BAP, many gaps can exist for the client that depends upon a BAP to provide the personal coverages they need.

As insurance professionals, we are tasked with addressing such exposures for our clients. Properly insuring auto risk for our clients is quite simple – EVERY INDIVIDUAL NEEDS A PERSONAL AUTO POLICY. For personal lines clients who do not own autos, this is done by placing a PAP and including a Named Non-Owner Coverage endorsement.

The most current ISO PAP is the 09 18 edition. The Named Non-Owner Coverage endorsement PP 03 22 with the most current edition date – 09 18 is a beautiful creation. When our clients who do not own autos are made named insureds on the PAP and this endorsement is added, an individual’s name must be included – Leslie Jones, for example. An option to include “family members” as covered by the endorsement is available by indication – ALWAYS check this box, even if your client is currently not married. Certainly, in the example of Bill and Sue, we could name Bill and then check the box to provide coverage for Sue as a “family member”. An option to include coverage for vehicles furnished or available for regular use appears next. Again, ALWAYS check this box.

This is not helpful for an auto owned by Leslie, Gertrude, Bill or Sue – any owned vehicles need to be added to the PAP’s Declarations, but, for Bill and Sue, an ‘X’ in this box now makes the bank owned vehicles covered autos on an excess basis. Remember, the PAP DOES NOT have an exclusion for injury to a fellow employee nor does it have a pollution exclusion. With this endorsement, for those indicated in the endorsement, we can provide liability, medical payments, uninsured/underinsured motorists and/or physical damage coverages for non-owned autos. WOW!!!

Finally – all personal excess/umbrella policies require underlying personal auto insurance at minimum underlying limits. A PAP with the PP 03 22 is how you accomplish this requirement for your clients who do not own an auto.

PIAW.ORG [ 19 ]

COMMUNITY CORNER How are you and your agency or company helping your community? Community Corner showcases what individual members and agency/company members are doing to help make Wisconsin a great place to live and run a business. Share your volunteer story with us – shoot an email and photos of the action to nwhite@piaw.org!

TRICOR DELIVERS SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS

Associates from the TRICOR Insurance office in Platteville, Wisconsin were on a mission to get teachers the supplies they need to set students up for success! Associates collected and delivered various school supplies to get teachers across various school districts fully stocked with the supplies they need for their classrooms. Great work TRICOR helping our teachers and students begin the school year on the right foot!

WEST BEND MUTUAL VOLUNTEERS FOR MILWAUKEE RECREATION

Associates and independent agents of West Bend Mutual Insurance got together in early October to volunteer and do some planting! The old trees at the Bryant Playfield had a dead canopy due to the effects of the Emerald Ash Bore. Therefore, they needed to be removed and replaced. The West Bend employees and agents spent the day helping plant new trees to create a sanctuary for wildlife and the community in Milwaukee’s Northwest side.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 20 ]

M3 DIGS IT N’ DONATES IT

In September, M3 Insurance had their annual “Dig It N’ Donate” event, where associates from M3 and their carrier partners gathered together for a fun day of volleyball and fundraising. Attendees had a blast and got a bit sandy, while raising money to support the United Way. It was not only a great time – it helped a great cause!

SOCIETY INSURANCE HELPS KIDS GET BACK TO SCHOOL

BADGER MUTUAL’S BARTENDERS BATTLE

At the start of the school year, a group of employees from Society Insurance got together for a day of packing – school supplies! In conjunction with the Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac and the United Way of Fond du Lac, the group spent time organizing and getting supplies packed to help students in need start out the school year strong!

In October, Badger Mutual associates got to show off their bartending skills, while raising money for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. Teams of Badger Associates dressed up and went head-to-head competing for the highest amount in tips. Thanks to their hard work behind the bar, the Badger bartenders were able to raise $3,500 in cash tips that will go towards making kids’ wishes come true!

PIAW.ORG [ 21 ]

Recap Agents and industry members from around the state converged at the beautiful Grand Geneva Resort & Spa on October 4th and 5th, for Engage 2023.

Wednesday evening started off with President Steve’s opening party. Attendees connected over good food, drinks, games, and company. There was even a bit of karaoke and dancing!

Day two started bright and early with breakfast and the Annual Meeting of Members, where three new board members were elected. Congratulations to new board members: April Tarras of Advantage Insurance Agency, Ryan Bedroske of MacGillis Agency Inc., and Luke Strupp, CPIA of P+C Insurance Services! After the meeting, some lucky attendees had an opportunity to spin PIA’s Prize Wheel and walked away with some fun prizes!

During the breakout sessions, attendees learned how to master their memory power with Paul Mellor and Chris Paradiso advised how to transform their agency with new technology.

The Annual Awards Lunch was a celebration of insurance greatness. Ryan Butzke, CIC, CISR from Northbrook Insurance was honored with the Stony Steinbach Achievement Award before also being named the Ron Von Haden Agent of the Year! Jennifer DeGeorge, CIC

of Vizance was formally recognized for her achievements as Outstanding CSR of the Year. Lastly, Jackson Chesbro, AIC of SECURA Insurance received the great honor of being named the Company Representative of the Year.

Congratulations to the winners for their achievements and thank you for all you do for the PIA! PIA’s new directors and officers were sworn in during the luncheon by PIA National President Rich Savino, CIC, CPIA. Congratulations to newly elected officers: President Lacey Endres, CIC, of M3 Insurance, Vice President Jon Strom of JMS Insurance Services, Treasurer Mike Endres of Endres Insurance Agency, and Secretary Octavio Padilla of Nova Insurance.

The (Re)Connect Trade Show was a great time connecting with industry colleagues, while also attempting to complete PIA’s new digital scavenger hunt! Agents answered some trivia, explored exhibitor booths, and got some selfies along the way.

Greg Schwem closed out the day with plenty of laughs. He reminded attendees that insurance is a funny business, and it’s okay to lighten the mood along the way.

We can’t wait to see you next year in Green Bay at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center – Mark your calendars for October 16th & 17th!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 22 ]

Congratulations to newly elected President, Lacey Endres

Company Representative of the Year Jackson Chesbro, AIC (Center) with PIA Executive Director Pete Hanson, CAE, CISR (Left) and PIA Immediate Past President Steve Clements, CPIA

PIA Executive Director Pete Hanson, CAE, CISR (Right) with Ryan Butzke, CIC, CISR (Left) & his awards for Agent of the Year and the Stony Steinbach Achievement Award

Outstanding CSR of the Year Jennifer DeGeorge, CIC with her award.

PIAW.ORG [ 25 ]

F E AT U R E

8 Steps to Improve Your Cyber Security Posture

| By Martha Lester, MBA, CIC, CRM, AAI, AIC, CFE to create more credible emails. Through AI, the emails can now be easily translated into several languages with a click increasing the number of attempted attacks, and opened emails, in a shorter period of time.

With human error being the greatest risk of a cyber breach, it is important that businesses provide employees with cyber risk management training and have strong protocols and processes in place to reduce the chances of a successful attack.

Cyber security posture is the strength of the security protocols and processes an organization has in place to reduce the chances of a security breach and also to mitigate recovery should a loss occur. The cyber statistics are astounding and continuously increasing!

• Human error is the number one cause in 95% of attacks.

(IBM Cyber Security Intelligence Report) • 90% of cyberattacks get into an organization through “phishing emails”. (CISCO) • 287 days is the average that it takes for a business to identify a breach occurred. (IBM) • 25% of businesses were forced to close after a ransomware attack. (Cyberreason) • One out of every 99 emails are a “phishing” email. (IBM) • 42% of employees admit to opening a “phishing” email.

(Cybertalk) • 56% of employees have allowed family and friends to use their company computer. (Proofpoint’s State of the Phish 2022 Report) Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a phishing attack geared towards businesses. The FBI refers to it as one of the most financially damaging risks for an organization today. Cyber criminals continue to improve their skills.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now being used, by attackers,

1. Create a cyber security policy and educate employees about the risks. Advise all employees that use of the company computer is not allowed by family or friends.

This is especially crucial in today’s remote work environment. Determine how much personal use, if any, the company is comfortable allowing employees with respect to company equipment.

Encourage employees to create passwords of 14 characters that include upper case and lowercase letters, numbers, and at least one symbol. Employees should be instructed not to use this same password anywhere else nor share it with others. According to IronTech Security, a 14-character password would take 2 million years to crack. This should decrease the vulnerability to “brute force” attacks.

Teach employees to slow down and read the sender’s email address when asked for passwords or other proprietary information, to download a file, or to click anywhere in the email. If the sender’s address is not recognized or looks suspicious or the request doesn’t sound right, company policies and procedures should provide the employee with guidance. In either case, employees should be instructed not to open the email or click on any links.

Allow and encourage employees to report an incident if they accidentally clicked on or responded to an email that they think may have been suspect. Provide them with the steps to take and assure them that they won’t be terminated for the error. With 287 days being the average time frame for a business to realize they have been breached, safe notification can quickly reduce - and potentially mitigate - the damage.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 26 ]

2. Implement and utilize Multi-Factor Authentication.

Statistics indicate that this dramatically reduces the chances of a breach.

3. Limit employee access to only the information they need to do their job. This is called the “Principle of Least Privilege”. A workflow analysis can assist in identifying what data is necessary for each position within the organization.

It can also help to identify where the “at risk” points are internally with the organization’s data. Not limiting a thirdparty contractor’s access to company data is what caused the 2013 Target breach. An employee of the contractor opened a phishing email while using Target’s wireless internet.

4. Remove separated employees. When an employee quits, retires, or is terminated, their access to the system should be stopped immediately. The leading cause of insider threats is disgruntled employees. A former employee of Georgia Pacific continued to access the computer system for two weeks, after being fired, causing the mill to temporarily shut down.

5. Apply updates and patches. Restarting a computer when in the middle of working can be frustrating but it is necessary.

In 2017, Wannacry resulted in 230,000 computers being breached. The breach was successful because those computers did not apply a Windows patch issued by Microsoft approximately one month earlier T aking the time to update can seem very inconvenient when we are in the middle of a project or responding to an email. However, the damage caused by failing to take those few minutes can be severe.

6. Back up your data. There are still risks with backing up into the cloud. Read the contract with your provider and ask about security measures. Keep a backup copy of your key files and records off premises that can be easily accessed by the leaders of your organization if needed. This simple step increases your company’s ability to stay in, or quickly return to, business in a much shorter period of time. Backing up data also provides your business with the upper hand in a ransom request.

7. Create an Incident Response Plan. Think through the steps that the organization should take in the event of a breach.

You’ve greatly reduced your down time just by having a plan. IT staff should work with all departments and leaders in the establishment of the process. This will help identify the critical information that must be restored immediately.

Test the plan periodically to assure it’s effective and each person knows their role.

8. Purchase Cyber Insurance. The premiums and deductibles are increasing because losses are occurring and the operational, legal, and reputational costs of a breach are significant. The companies that write this insurance are experienced in current cyber trends and losses. The insurers have teams of experts in security, compliance, third party liability mitigation, and reputation management.

These 8 steps are not a conclusive list of preventative measures when it comes to cyber security, but it’s a good start.

The security you need.

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PIAW.ORG [ 27 ] area.

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14TH ANNUAL PIAW WINTER GET-AWAY AT THE POINTE HOTEL & SUITES – MINOCQUA, WI LOW REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES TWO DINNERS, LUNCH, ACTIVITIES 10 WI CE CREDITS, PRIZES & MORE! PIAW MEMBERS $149 / NON-MEMBERS WELCOME $179

JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 2, 2024 • THE POINT HOTEL & SUITES $99 SINGLE, $199 TWO BEDROOM | 888-356-4431 • T HE WATERS, $99 | 715-358-4000 Mention PIA for Group Rate WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31 1:00 – 5:00

E&O MOCK TRIAL (4 WI CE & UTICA APPROVED)

5:30 – 11:00

GET-AWAY FUN AT ISLAND CITY LANES PIZZA, APPETIZERS AND FREE BEER, WINE & SODA TO 7:30 SHUTTLE TO AND FROM THE POINTE & THE WATERS

EDUCATION PRESENTED BY

TODD DAVIS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 9:00 – 12:00 EHOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? INSURANCE VALUATION (3 WI CE) 12:00

BUFFET LUNCH AT THE POINTE AFTERNOON FUN – DETAILS SOON

4:45 & 5:15

BUS FROM THE POINTE & THE WATERS TO WHITETAIL INN

5:00 – 10:30 WHITETAIL INN – BEAUTIFUL, NORTHWOODS RESTAURANT CASH BAR, APPETIZERS 5-6 P.M., SIT DOWN DINNER AT 6 P.M. BUS BACK TO HOTEL AT 8:30 AND 10:30

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 9:00 – 12:00 ETHICS, CROSSING THE LINE? (3 WI ETHICS CE) )

PIAW.ORG [ 29 ]

PUT YOUR DANCING SHOES ON! BRIAN MCLAUGHLIN IS BACK ON THURSDAY NIGHT!

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION: VISIT EVENTS AT PIAW.ORG QUESTIONS CALL PIA 800-261-7429

EDUCATION

Register online at piaw.org or call 1-800-261-7429. Contact Brenda

NEW TOPICS ADDED! 3 WI CE CREDITS. LIVE (NOT PRE-RECORDED). NO TEST. NO PROCTOR. Visit the Education tab at piaw.org for a complete list of topics, descriptions, webinar demo and registration. Several approved for Utica credit. Ethics is offered each month. Fee per Webinar: $55 PIAW Member, $70 Non-Member. Includes WI CE fees.

November 2023 Webinar Schedule TITLE & WI CE

DATE

TIME (CST)

INSTRUCTOR

Flood Insurance and the NFIP 3 WI CE # 6000059679

11/1

8-11a

Robin Federici, CIC, AAI, ARM, AINS, AIS, CPIW

An Hour with Dave: Coverages That Keep a Business Income Loss From Bankrupting You 1 WI CE # 6000139309

11/1

1-2p

David Thompson, CPCU, AAI, API, CRIS

Inflation and Personal Lines: Helping Insureds Understand Why It Matters 3 WI CE # 6000139308

11/2

8-11a

Nicole Broch, CIC, CISR, PLCS

Ethical Dilemmas in Insurance and the Responsibilities of Agents 3 WI ETHICS, CE # 6000136606 Utica Approved

11/2

12-3p

Catherine Trischan, CPCU, CRM, CIC, ARM, AU, AAI, CRIS, MLIS

Marriage, Kids, Money, Assisted Living and Everything Between: Home and Auto Exposures for Life 3 WI CE # 6000134114

11/9

8-11a

Scott Treen, CIC

Chris Amrhein’s “Adventures in Aging”: Medicare and Other Retirement Healthcare Solutions 3 WI CE # 6000108253

11/9

12-3p

Chris Amrhein, CIC

Commercial Property: Recent Changes and Crucial Concepts 3 WI CE # 6000136533

11/14

8-11a

David Thompson, CPCU, AAI, API, CRIS

Mastering Business Income: Tools & Tips to Keep Insureds Flush 3 WI CE # 6000136605

11/14

12-3p

Terry Tadlock, CIC, CPCU, CRIS

An Hour with Nicole: Why Personal Lines Deductibles Always Confuse Insureds 1 WI CE # 6000136589

11/15

1-2p

Nicole Broch, CIC, CISR, PLCS

More Money, More (Insurance) Problems?

Mastering P&C Coverage for the Affluent Market 3 WI CE # 6000121850

11/27

12-3p

Kym Martell, CRM, CIC, CRIS, AAI, MLIS

Cyber Coverage: Protecting Your Insureds From Hackers, Liars, & Really Bad Bots 3 WI CE # 6000136607

11/28

12-3p

Catherine Trischan, CPCU, CRM, CIC, ARM, AU, AAI, CRIS, MLIS

Leadership and Liability: Insuring Executive Risk 3 WI CE # 6000115913

11/29

8-11a

Steve Lyon, CIC, CPCU, ARM

An Hour with Sam: The Policy’s Position on Home-Sharing and How to Handle It 1 WI CE # 6000119116

11/29

1-2p

Sam Bennett, CIC, AFIS, CRIS, CPIA

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 30 ]

for in-house webinar opportunities. bsteinbach@piaw.org

NEW TOPICS ADDED! 3 WI CE CREDITS. LIVE (NOT PRE-RECORDED). NO TEST. NO PROCTOR. Visit the Education tab at piaw.org for a complete list of topics, descriptions, webinar demo and registration. Several approved for Utica credit. Ethics is offered each month. Fee per Webinar: $55 PIAW Member, $70 Non-Member. Includes WI CE fees.

December 2023 Webinar Schedule TITLE & WI CE

DATE

TIME (CST)

INSTRUCTOR

Homeowners Deep-Dive: What You Need to Know About the Most Recent Forms 3 WI CE # 6000134134

12/5

8-11a

David Thompson, CPCU, AAI, API, CRIS

Planting the Seed: Agent Strategies to Get and Keep Agribusiness Insureds 3 WI CE # 6000110471

12/5

12-3p

Sam Bennett, CIC, AFIS, CRIS, CPIA

An Hour with Nicole: Everything You Need to Know About Insuring Work-From-Home Exposures 1 WI CE # 6000134133

12/6

1-2p

Nicole Broch, CIC, CISR, PLCS

Claims That Will Convince Your Insured to Enhance Their Homeowners Coverage 3 WI CE # 6000136609

12/7

8-11a

Nicole Broch, CIC, CISR, PLCS

“Wait…What the #^&* Just Happened?!”

Fourteen Personal Lines Issues To Know Before It’s Too Late 3 WI CE # 6000136608

12/7

12-3p

Scott Treen, CIC

All Things Ethics: Agent Obligations, Standards, Authority and More 3 WI ETHICS, CE # 6000139311 Utica Approved

12/12

12-3p

David Thompson, CPCU, AAI, API, CRIS

An Hour with Dave: Fast Facts About Flood 1 WI CE # 6000123785

12/13

1-2p

Catherine Trischan, CPCU, CRM, CIC, ARM, AU, AAI, CRIS, MLIS

Certificates of Insurance and the Coverage Issues that Go With Them 3 WI CE # 6000110940 Utica Approved

12/14

8-11a

Steve Lyon, CIC, CPCU, ARM

Chris Amrhein’s “Adventures in Aging”: Social Security and Other Retirement Income Solutions 3 WI CE # 6000110967

12/14

12-3p

Chris Amrhein, CIC

PIAW.ORG [ 31 ]

EDUCATION - DESIGNATIONS & UPDATES CIC WEBINARS & CLASSROOM Anyone Can Attend No Exam or Proctor Required for CE 16 WI CE Each (3 of 16 are Ethics in April)

NOVEMBER 15-16 Commercial Multiline Webinar

JANUARY 16-17 Life & Health Webinar

FEBRUARY 1-2

APRIL 10-11

Commercial Casualty Webinar

Commercial Property West Bend

CIC GRADUATE RUBLE WEBINARS & CLASSROOM Exciting update option for CICs, CRMs, and CISRs! 16 WI CE Each / CISRs Can Attend One Day for 8 CE and Update Credit

DECEMBER 6-7 Webinar

MARCH 6-7 Webinar

JUNE 19-20

Sheboygan (Includes 4 Ethics)

SEPTEMBER 25-26

Green Bay (Includes 4 Ethics)

CISR WEBINARS & CLASSROOM

Anyone Can Attend. No Exam or Proctor Required for CE 7 WI CE Each

NOVEMBER 9

Commercial Casualty II Webinar

NOVEMBER 29 Personal Auto Webinar Webinar

DECEMBER 5

Commercial Casualty I Waukesha

DECEMBER 14

Life & Health Essentials Webinar

CPIA WEBINARS & CLASSROOM Anyone Can Attend. No Exam.

7 WI CE

NOVEMBER 14 CPIA 3 - Webinar

FEBRUARY 6 CPIA 1 – Webinar

MARCH 5

CPIA 2 – Webinar

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 32 ]

APRIL 2

CPIA 3 - Webinar

NEW CICs

The Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) Program has been the insurance industry’s premier, proven source for practical, real-world education since 1969. For insurance professionals everywhere, the 16 hour Institutes represent a thoroughly rewarding learning experience, led by accomplished insurance and risk management speakers.

Michelle Viscuso-Mauthe, CIC Frankenmuth Mutual Neenah, WI

New CISRs

The Certified Insurance Service Representative program empowers outstanding individuals to provide exceptional account management and customer service.

Su Ann Gascoigne, CIC, CISR, CISR Elite M3 Insurance Solutions, Inc Racine, WI

Mollie Fontany, CISR Acuity Insurance Plymouth, WI

Jacob Giesen, CIC Midwest Insurance Agency Delafield, WI

Stephanie Grow, CISR HG Hausmann Group Madison, WI

Krystal Hewitt, CIC Rural Mutual Insurance Company Edgerton, WI

Gerald Hagen, CISR Ansay & Associates Brookfield, WI

John Mauthe, CIC Frankenmuth Mutual Neenah, WI

Samantha Hustoft, CISR Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. New Berlin, WI

Nicole Kirsten, CISR Acuity Insurance Kewaunee, WI Noel Klug, CISR R&R Insurance Services, Inc. Waukesha, WI Lisa Kumbalek, CISR Acuity Insurance Two Rivers, WI Beth Zeinert, CISR Church Mutual Insurance Company, Wausau, WI

NEW CISR ELITEs

The honorable status for CISRs who aspired to be more and passed all nine CISR courses.

Julie Mauer, CISR Elite TRICOR, Inc. Oconomowoc, WI

DELIVERING MORE BY FOCUSING ON LESS. SMALL DETAIL. BIG DIFFERENCE. Rather than attempt to be all things to every kind of business, we focus on the ones we know best—restaurants and bars, grocery and convenience stores, medical clinics, artisan contractors and auto service shops—to deliver outstanding property, casualty and workers compensation insurance.

Deep niche expertise, with insight into unique business risks, is how we cover the details that make the biggest difference to our policyholders.

To discuss an agency appointment, give us a call at 888.5.SOCIETY or visit societyinsurance.com.

PIAW.ORG [ 33 ]

LEARN MORE ABOUT A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND, HANDS-ON SALES TRAINING

On October 4, 2023, Mary LaPorte, CIC, CPCU, CPIA, AINS, LIC presented the lively and interactive CPIA course to twenty-two attendees. Many were there to update their CPIA designation, some starting their first of three, and three who earned the designation with their attendance.

New CPIAs by completing CPIA 3 on October 4, 2023 • Tiffanie Courtney, CIC, CISR, CRIS, CPIA • Brenda Steinbach, PIAW Education & Convention Director • Chloe Steinbach, CPIA • Tyler Oestreich, CPIA

View the 2024 CPIA Schedule Under the Education Tab at www.piaw.org NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 34 ]

ready for

a new beginning?

It’s time to start a new chapter in your story. Consider becoming an independent Erie Insurance agent.

• 13th largest auto insurer in the U.S.1 (even though we only operate in 12 states and the District of Columbia) • 12th largest home insurer in the U.S.1 • 13th largest business insurer in the U.S.2 • Support from a dedicated sales team and your own underwriter • FORTUNE 500® company • High customer retention3—over 90%

Limited appointments available, so visit BecomeAnErieAgent.com to learn more, or contact me today: Fred Johnson, CIC Vice President & Branch Manager, Wisconsin Branch (262) 798-1941 or (877) 740-3743 Fred.Johnson@erieinsurance.com Erie Insurance agents are independent contractors and not employees. All Erie Insurance agents are subject to all terms and policies as outlined in the Erie Insurance Agency Agreement and related policies and procedures.

1 Based on direct premiums written, Best’s Insurance Reports 2020. 2Based on direct premiums written, commercial multi-peril writers, Best’s Insurance Reports 2020. 3Based on year-overyear retention rate data compiled by ERIE as of December 31, 2020. CMS149_30 6/21

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Agencies SFB is a Wisconsin-based community bank that understands the nuances of the insurance industry and has experience in financing all of your business and personal needs.

• Acquisition Financing • Partner Buyouts • Producer Loans • Technology Loans • Lines of Credit • Refinancing

Bankers Who Believe in You Contact John, Kimberly and Curt to learn more on maximizing your agency.

888.254.0615 sfbank.com | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 36 ]

UPCOMING EVENTS

THE PIA OF WISCONSIN IS KNOWN NATIONWIDE FOR ITS TOP-NOTCH EDUCATION AND NETWORKING EVENTS!

DECEMBER NOVEMBER

For a comprehensive list of all PIA education opportunities, including the 12-14 multiple topic 1-3 hour webinars, and pre-licensing, visit the Education tab at piaw.org.

8 CISR Commercial Casualty II Webinar (7 WI CE) 14 CPIA 3 Sustain Success Webinar (7 WI CE, Utica Approved) 15-16 CIC Commercial Multiline Webinar (16 WI CE) 29 CISR Personal Auto (7 WI CE) 5 CISR Commercial Casualty I Webinar (7 WI CE) 6-7 CIC Ruble Graduate Webinar (16 WI CE) 14 CISR Life & Health Essentials (7 WI CE)

TIMES LIKE THESE CALL FOR A WORRY FREE PARTNERSHIP. Partnering with the right people can make all the difference in giving policyholders the peace of mind they are looking for.

Learn how you can represent IMT Insurance by visiting imtins.com/contact PERSONAL | BUSINESS The information presented here is intended for informational purposes only and does not supersede any provisions in your insurance policy and related documents. See applicable terms and conditions or your policy provisions for details.

PIAW.ORG [ 37 ]

DIRECTORY

PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE AGENTS OF WISCONSIN, INC. 725 HEARTLAND TRAIL, ST. 108 | MADISON, WI 53717 | WWW.PIAW.ORG PHONE: 608-274-8188 | TOLL FREE: 800-261-7429 | FAX: 608-274-8195

officers

Directors

Lacey Endres, CIC President M3 Insurance, Inc. 828 John Nolan Dr. Madison, WI 53713 (608) 288-2874 lacey.endres@m3ins.com

Steve R. Albinger Couri Insurance Associates 379 W. Main St. Waukesha, WI 53186 (414) 916-9321 salbinger@couri.com

Jon M. Strom Vice President Image of Wisconsin PO Box 608 Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (920) 723-1209 jon@imageofwi.com Mike Endres Treasurer Endres Insurance Agency, Inc. 2201 Eulalia Street Cross Plains, WI 53528 (608) 798-3811 mendres@endresinsurance.net Octavio Padilla Secretary Nova Insurance LLC 4615 W. National Ave. West Milwaukee, WI 53214 (414) 639-1650 octavia@novaagencies.com

Staff

Ryan Bedroske MacGillis Agency Inc. W3934 Cty Hwy H Fredonia, WI 53021 (262) 790-0000 ryan@macgillisinsurance.com Ryan Butzke, CIC, CISR Northbrook Insurance Associates, Inc. PO Box 520 Slinger, WI 53086 (262) 297-7101 ryanb@northbrook-ins.com Steve Clements, CPIA Immediate Past President Clements Insurance Agency 151577 King Fisher Ln. Wausau, WI 54401 (715) 842-1664 steve@clementsagency.com Alyssa Hobgood BWO Insurance Group, LLC 7472 S. 6th Street Oak Creek, WI 53154 (414) 768-8100 alyssa@bwoinsurance.com

Eric Lewison, CIC Past President Liaison TRICOR, LLC 313 Oak St. Baraboo, WI 53913 (608) 963-4193 elewison@tricorinsurance.com Tracy A. Oestreich, CIC, CPIA, AU, CPIW PIA National Director T4 Insurance Solutions, Inc. PO Box 408 Jackson, WI 53037 (262) 423-4949 tracyo@t4ins.com Luke Strupp, CPIA P+C Insurance Services 405 N. Calhoun Rd., Ste. 20 Brookfield, WI 53005 (262) 784-0990 luke.strupp@pcins.com April Tarras Advantage Insurance Agency LLC 435 E Mill St Plymouth, WI 53073 (920) 893-3252 april@bwoinsurance.com

Pete Hanson, CAE, CISR Executive Director phanson@piaw.org

Shirley Faherty Executive Assistant/Bookkeeper sfaherty@piaw.org

Brenda Steinbach Education & Convention Director bsteinbach@piaw.org

Becca Bredeson Administrative Assistant bbredeson@piaw.org

Heidi Hodel-Faris, CPIA, CIC Insurance and Member Services Director hhodel@piaw.org

Natalie White Communications Director nwhite@piaw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 [ 38 ]

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PERSONAL | BUSINESS | REINSURANCE

Trust in Tomorrow.” and “Grinnell Mutual” are registered trademarks of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. © Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, 2023.

PIAW.ORG [ 39 ]

©2023 Applied Underwriters, Inc. Rated A- by AM Best.

Luke Donald, Captain of Team Europe, Winner of Ryder Cup 2023.

When strategy, determination, and spirit lead the way to a team victory, it’s more than just a win; it’s a triumph. At Applied Underwriters, we don’t just share that same drive to succeed, we champion it.

Learn more at auw.com or call (877) 234-4450.