Primary Agent - September 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ISSUE

MEET JEFF OLSOMMER PENNSYLVANIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND IA&B MEMBER AGENT

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER MAGAZINE

ALSO INSIDE AGENTPAC CONTRIBUTORS ELECTIONS: WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR AGENTS?

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SEPTEMBER 2024

CONTENTS FEATURED 8

INTERVIEW WITH JEFF OLSOMMER

Pennsylvania State Representative – and president of IA&B Member Agency OlsommerClarke Insurance Group – Jeff Olsommer reflects on his career and his passion for politics.

> > > > > > 12 16 JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook.com/IABforME LinkedIn.com/company/IA_and_B Instagram.com/IA.and.B X.com/IA_and_B YouTube.com/@IA_and_B IA&B Podcasts can be found at:

IA&B is the premier resource and champion for independent insurance agents in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

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Primary Agent (ISSN 1543-3110), Permit # 638-620, Issue # 2024-09, is published monthly by IA&B Service Group Inc., a subsidiary of IA&B. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. No material September be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of the publisher. The information in this publication is general in nature and not intended to serve as legal, accounting, financial, insurance, investment advisory or other professional advice as to any reader’s particular situation. Users are encouraged to consult with competent legal, financial, insurance, investment advisory and/or other professional advisors concerning specific matters before making any decisions. We disclaim any responsibility for any decisions or actions by readers. Statements of fact and opinion in Primary Agent are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers or the members of IA&B. Participation in IA&B events, activities and/or publications is available on a non-discriminatory basis and does not reflect IA&B endorsement of the products and/or services.

ELECTIONS AND PAC: WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR INSURANCE AGENTS THIS NOVEMBER?

IA&B Government Affairs Director John Savant shares how political action committees work and recent successes of AgentPAC. AGENTPAC CONTRIBUTORS

Thank you to these independent agents and agencies which supported IA&B’s statebased, bi-partisan political action committee, AgentPAC, in 2023.

MONTHLY 2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 3 DON'S DISCUSSION 4 COVERAGE CORNER 6 NEWS & NOTES 19 PICS & POSTS 21 UPCOMING EDUCATION IABforME.com |

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

COLLECTIVELY LOBBYING FOR A DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP As a three-state organization, we often have to be neutral in our allegiances, recognizing our diverse membership. We say all three states do a good job with crab cakes, when we know Maryland perfects it. We say the Eagles and the Ravens are decent football teams, when of course the Steelers are the best....

INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS 650 Wilson Lane, Suite 200 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 191 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 800-998-9644 | IABforME.com

IA&B BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Sarah Brown, CIC, CRM, AFIS - Chair

Keller Brown Insurance Services | Shrewsbury, PA

Andrew Enders, Esq. - Vice Chair Enders | Harrisburg, PA

When it comes to our government affairs work, the same can be said. In what is proving to be an extremely contentious and divisive election year, IA&B simply puts its head down and only considers the best interests of our members when lobbying. We know our membership base is just as diverse about its politics as it is about its sports teams. No matter who we support legislatively, chances are it may be questioned by one side of the political spectrum or the other. But please know, our support is by no means an allegiance to one party over another. We go into our government affairs work with only one thing in mind – who has the best interests of independent insurance agents in mind.

Our lobbying teams in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware spend time meeting legislators on both sides of the aisle to discuss issues that are important to insurance agents and their business. In our conversations, we identify who supports our cause and who may not be as supportive. We then use member-donated PAC funds to support our allies in the legislature. We may not agree with every position a legislator takes, but we have vetted them enough to know they will protect our livelihood.

Of course, the perfect scenario sometimes arises where an IA&B member agent becomes a legislator, like Jeff Olsommer – who you will meet in the pages ahead. And it goes without saying – we greatly appreciate the PAC donations made by our members, who we recognize in this edition as well. It’s your generous support that allows us to fight the good fight in our three state capitals.

Onward and upward,

MEMBERS Lisa Parry, CPIA

Chris Miller, CIC

Greg Bennett

Bill Purdy

Kate Dawson, CPIA

Kent Reynolds, CIC

Michael Gaetano

David Rivell, CIC, CRM

Bruce D. Kraft, AAI, CIC

Jason Rodriguez, CIC

Debra McAfee

Donna Roper

Michael McGroarty, Jr., CIC

Ashley Stafford, CPIA

Parry Insurance Langhorne, PA

Famous & Spang Associates Aberdeen, MD Ferri Dawson Insurance Murrysville, PA The Hartman Group Montoursville, PA Arbor Insurance Group Allentown, PA

McAfee Insurance Agency, LLC Wilmington, DE McGroarty & Bradburn Insurance Pittsburgh, PA

Shayne McIntosh, CIC JPI Insurance Associates Dillsburg, PA

Miller Insurance Protection Team Jonestown, PA Purdy Insurance Agency, Inc. Sunbury, PA Blue Ridge Risk Partners LLC Hagerstown, MD Element Risk Management West Chester, PA Prominent Insurance Svcs Wilmington, DE E K McConkey & Company York, PA Williams Insurance Agency, Inc. Rehoboth Beach, DE

Michael Thomas

Lighthouse Insurance Svcs Gambrills, MD

Michael Papa, CIC, MBA Diversified Insurance Industries, Inc. Hunt Valley, MD

NATIONAL DIRECTORS Mike Ertel (PIA)

The Jacobs Company | Columbia, MD

Jason F. Ernest President & CEO

Diana Hornung, CIC (IIABA)

IOA National, Inc. | Wilmington, DE

Mark Monroe (IIABA)

Griffith Insurance, LLP | West Chester, PA 2

SEPTEMBER 2024

DON'S DISCUSSION

DON'S DISCUSSION IA&B Legal & Corporate Affairs Director Don Bankus

Are you a member with a question?

Contact Don at 717-918-9204 or DonB@IABforME.com.

effect, if any, does placing a credit freeze have on insureds and QUESTION: What prospective insureds if they’re shopping their policies?

ANSWER: Over the past year, major data breaches again have thrust cybersecurity into the spotlight, as the personal and sensitive information of billions of people worldwide was compromised.

Notably, in November 2023, Infosys McCamish Systems, a provider of “platform-based insurance process management solutions and services” (per Infosys’ website) was hacked.

The Infosys breach resulted in approximately 6 million consumers’ personal information having been compromised. Hackers gained access to email addresses, passwords, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, state ID numbers, passport numbers, U.S. military ID numbers, financial account information, and payment card information.

In response, many consumers “froze” their credit to prevent identity theft.

A credit freeze precludes lenders and credit card issuers from accessing individual credit reports via the credit reporting agencies (primarily

Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union).

That, in turn, prevents hackers from applying for and opening fraudulent credit accounts without an individual’s knowledge.

access credit information if an insured has a credit freeze in place, nor should initiating a credit freeze have any effect whatsoever on an insured’s premium.

Producers and consumers alike have questioned what effect placement of a credit freeze has on the insurance industry, such as whether consumers are required to lift and then reinstate a credit freeze in order to purchase insurance.

Following are references to our respective states’ credit freeze provisions:

The good news: credit freezes don’t shut out inquiries from insurers. Nearly all states (including Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware) have enacted “credit freeze laws” that specifically permit insurers to access credit reports for purposes of setting or adjusting a rate, issuing or underwriting a policy, or adjusting a claim, all without requiring an individual to temporarily lift the freeze with the credit agency.

This means that neither the producer nor the insured needs to take any extra steps to allow a carrier to IABforME.com |

Delaware: 6 Del.C. Section 2203(b)(12); Maryland: MD Code Annotated, Commercial Law Section 14-1212.1(b)(1)(x); and Pennsylvania: 73 P.S. Section 2503(e)(11).

This document is not a legal opinion and should not be relied upon as such. The intent of this document is to provide a general background regarding the topic or topics discussed, not to provide legal advice.

Producers and agencies should consult an attorney regarding specific situations and specific questions with respect to the topic or topics covered in this document. Neither the Insurance Agents & Brokers nor any of its employees shall be responsible for any errors or omissions regarding any statements made in this document, nor any errors or omissions regarding any statutes, regulations, court rules, and/or any other government documents cited in this document.

Also available in audio format 3

CYBER AND DATA – THE BODILY INJURY PROBLEM

By Cathy Trischan In 2021, a hacker got into the computer system of a water treatment facility near Tampa, FL. The hacker tried to change the levels of sodium hydroxide (lye) added to the water supply to a dangerous level. Thankfully, an employee noticed the hacker’s actions before the water supply was contaminated.

When we think of the myriad problems that can result from cyber events such as hacking, ransomware attacks, or the introduction of malicious code, we tend to think about costs to comply with privacy laws, costs to restore data in systems, and business interruption. Bodily injury is not typically one of the primary concerns, but perhaps it should be.

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Historically, the Commercial General Liability Policy (CGL) has been the primary policy turned to for bodily injury coverage. For certain types of businesses such as hospitals and medical offices, a malpractice policy is also needed, but for many businesses, the CGL would suffice.

Increasingly, though, coverage for bodily injury is being removed from the CGL if the loss results from a cyber event or damage to data.

MODIFICATION OF THE ELECTRONIC DATA EXCLUSION One way that coverage for bodily injury can be removed is through an insurer’s use of Exclusion – Electronic SEPTEMBER 2024

Data – Deletion of Bodily Injury Exception (CG 21 85 12 23). This optional endorsement replaces a previous endorsement that served essentially the same purpose, Exclusion – Access Or Disclosure Of Confidential Or Personal Information And Data-Related Liability – Limited Bodily Injury Exception Not Included (CG 21 07 05 14.) This endorsement creates a coverage problem even without the presence of a hacker or malicious code.

The Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) CGL Policy (CG 00 01 04 13) includes the following electronic data exclusion applying to Coverage A. This insurance does not apply to:

COVERAGE CORNER Damages arising out of the loss of, loss of use of, damage to, corruption of, inability to access, or inability to manipulate electronic data.

However, this exclusion does not apply to liability for damages because of bodily injury.

The Exclusion – Electronic Data – Deletion of Bodily Injury Exception endorsement deletes the last line, the bodily injury exception to the exclusion. Imagine that your insured is an electrician working in a medical office. He causes damage to the data in a computer that controls a piece of medical equipment, and a patient is injured. With this endorsement, there is no coverage for the electrician for the bodily injury.

CYBER INCIDENT EXCLUSION In 2023, ISO introduced a conditional mandatory endorsement, Exclusion – Cyber Incident (CG 40 35 12 23).

If you do not yet see this on your policies, chances are good that you soon will. This exclusion will be incorporated into the upcoming CGL revision that will be available for use in 2026. Among other things, the endorsement excludes bodily injury arising from a cyber incident. A cyber incident includes: ▲ Unauthorized access to or use of any computer system ▲ Malicious code ▲ Denial of service attack Let’s revisit the Tampa water treatment facility. With this endorsement on the policy, had the attack been successful, there would have been no coverage for any bodily injury that resulted.

There are two endorsements that can be used in lieu of the Exclusion – Cyber Incident Endorsement.

Both provide some coverage for bodily injury and property damage resulting from a cyber incident. Each endorsement includes an Each Cyber Incident Occurrence Limit and a Cyber Incident Aggregate Limit. ▲ Cyber Incident Liability Coverage Subject To Each Cyber Incident Occurrence And Aggregate Limits (CG 04 25 12 23) ▲ Cyber Incident Liability Coverage And Loss Of Electronic Data Liability Coverage Subject To Loss Of Electronic Data, Each Cyber Incident Occurrence And Aggregate Limits (CG 04 95 12 23) This second endorsement has the added advantage of providing coverage for loss involving damage to electronic data resulting from physical injury to tangible property, subject to a separate Loss of Electronic Data limit. Imagine the electrician previously mentioned is sued for the loss of data in the computers he damaged. With this endorsement, there is coverage.

CYBER POLICIES If keeping coverage for bodily injury due to a cyber incident in the CGL is not possible, one can look to the contingent bodily injury/ property damage coverage in a cyber policy to fill some of the gap.

Unfortunately, not all cyber policies include this coverage, and those that do typically offer coverage that is far less broad than the bodily injury coverage in a CGL. In addition, a sublimit typically applies.

As you can see, being on the lookout for ways that bodily injury coverage IABforME.com |

can be removed from the CGL is more important than ever.

Til next time!

Cathy Trischan, CPCU, CRM, CIC, ARM, AU, AAI, CRIS, MLIS, TRIP is IA&B’s commercial lines education consultant. She works with our CIC and CISR programs, as well as our live CE webinars. Catch her at one of our upcoming courses: IABforME.com/education

Also available in audio format

LIVE CE WEBINAR

|

Learn more about cyber coverage from author Cathy Trischan, who teaches this upcoming webinar.

CYBER COVERAGE: PROTECTING YOUR INSUREDS FROM HACKERS, LIARS, AND REALLY BAD BOTS SEPTEMBER 17 9 AM-Noon

CE

PA/DE: 3 GEN MD: 3 PC

IA&B Members: $75 (save $30!)

Non-Members: $105

Register today.

IABforME.com 800-998-9644, option 1

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NEWS & NOTES and documented results in supporting and empowering women in Central and Eastern PA.”

IA&B YOUNG AGENT CONFERENCE

Beginning in 2023, IA&B undertook several initiatives to support women in the industry:

Attend the 2024 Young Agent Conference, coming to Gettysburg, PA on Oct. 28-29. Plan for two days of high-energy speakers, handson workshops, and networking opportunities — all with the goal of developing young insurance agents into successful leaders.

▲ Professional development – holding the annual Women’s Conference and ongoing womenfocused webinar series

Accepting the award were (front row l to r) Jennifer Ross-IA&B, Sarah Brown-Keller Brown Insurance Services/IA&B Board Chair, Melissa Yealy-Keller Brown Insurance Services and (back row l to r) Claire Pantaloni-IA&B, Alexandra Yeity-CrossKeys Insurance, Alane Fagan-IA&B, Tara SilfiesHMK Insurance Company

IA&B RECEIVES EMPOWERING WOMEN AWARD IA&B was named a 2024 Empowering Women award winner. The award, which is coordinated by Lehigh Valley Business and the Central Penn Business Journal, “shines a light on companies and organizations that have demonstrated tangible efforts

▲ Community – creating networking opportunities through the Women’s SelfCoaching Program, Make-A-Wish fundraisers, and IA&B Women in Insurance Facebook group ▲ Recognition – elevating and celebrating women leaders in the insurance industry through the March editions of Primary Agent magazine and at the Women’s Conference Learn more about IA&B’s women in insurance initiatives. IABforME.com/ women-in-insurance Questions? Contact IA&B Events Manager Alane Fagan 800-998-9644, ext. 512 AlaneF@IABforME.com

IA&B INTERN DAY On July 27th, which was National Intern Day, IA&B hosted 26 impressive interns from our member agencies and company partners at Millers Mutual Insurance Company for our third annual IA&B Intern Day. Interns spent the day learning about our great industry, brushing up on their employment skills and making connections. The future is bright!

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SEPTEMBER 2024

Learn more and register.

800-998-9644, option 1.

RECORDED WEBINAR: P&C TRENDS Gain valuable insights into the latest state-specific P&C Market Share Report. On July 23, Paul Buse, CPCU, ARM, shared his expertise and findings during a live webinar, Interpreting P&C Insurance Trends: A Focus on Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

This P&C Market Share Report highlights top lines of business, agent penetrations, loss ratios, percentage of surplus lines, the

biggest writing insurers, and more.

During his presentation, Paul explored the 2023 numbers and explained what they mean for the independent agency system as a whole and your business in particular.

Access to the recorded webinar is free for IA&B members.

IABforME.com/memberresources/#marketplace-summaries Questions? Contact IA&B VP-Advocacy Claire Pantaloni 800-998-9644, ext. 604 ClaireP@IABforME.com

Now part of Harford Mutual Insurance Group, Clearpath Specialty provides specialized Workers’ Compensation coverage to protect your business.

COMPLIMENTARY MARKETING WEBINAR Join IA&B and Agency Revolution for a complimentary webinar exclusively for IA&B members.

Effective marketing is essential for insurance agency success, but finding time for it is challenging. Agency Revolution’s websites (Forge) and automation tools (Fuse) make it easy to do the marketing you need using sales enablement and AMS data-driven tools.

In this webinar, Agency Revolution will introduce you to Forge and Fuse and show you how they can help you attract new clients, retain existing ones, and grow your business.

Wednesday, Sept. 25 Noon-1 PM, including Q&A (EST) Host: IA&B VP-Marketing Jennifer Ross Speakers: Agency Revolution’s Stefanie Altman, Dave Morton, and Jason Walker Scan to register.

IABforME.com |

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Q&A with

JEFF OLSOMMER Rep. Jeff Olsommer, CIC is president of Olsommer-Clarke Insurance Group, an IA&B member agency with locations in Hamlin, Honesdale, and Moscow, PA. A long-time IA&B Government Relations Committee member, he won a special election in April 2024 to fill the open seat in the 139th District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Olsommer also won the primary election to become the GOP nominee for the seat in this November’s general election.

Q. It’s always interesting to learn how people got their start in the insurance industry. What’s your story?

A. I grew up with insurance in our household. When I graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a political science degree and was looking to get into politics, my father was in my ear, encouraging me to consider insurance. I had the opportunity to do an internship at the Republican State Committee in Harrisburg, and it gave me an opportunity for a position in Washington, D.C. What I found is that it paid very little, so I decided to give insurance a go.

Q. Tell us a bit about your agency, Olsommer-Clarke Insurance Group.

A. My father, Don Olsommer Sr., started the agency in 1972. It began in our house before Dad moved the office to Hamlin, where we are headquartered today.

I came into the agency out of college in 1991 and, along with John Clarke, bought out my father in 2000. Together we bought another smaller insurance agency and folded that into our operation, and then we went on to open two additional locations through the years.

We are a family-run agency, currently owned by me and my brother Don Olsommer Jr. Through the years we have 8

had wonderful staff who make service to our customers and our local community their top priority. I also have been fortunate to work with my family and my wife, Kelli.

In 2015, we opened a satellite office from scratch in Kentucky. One of our insurance companies was new to Kentucky and that allowed us to go down there. We seized the opportunity and spent a good bit of time getting it started, which Kelli was instrumental in doing. We were blessed to grow our agency in Kentucky, and in 2022 we were able to sell.

Q. You’ve been involved in local government for many years, as well as a member of IA&B’s Government Relations Committee. What drives your passion for politics?

A. When I really dug into this race [special election], I came to realize the reasons why I’m so drawn to it. My father was a four-term county commissioner in Wayne County, and as a kid growing up, I loved handing out bumper stickers and putting up posters with my brothers.

That appealed to me. There was always this charge I got out of being around political events. Plus, both of my grandfathers were politically active, so I guess you could say that it’s in my blood. Ten years ago, I was elected as a local township supervisor. I ran because I cared about our community and wanted to give back, and I have those same beliefs today as a State Representative.

SEPTEMBER 2024

ON THE COVER Q. Thank you for your generous support of AgentPAC, IA&B’s political action committee, over the years. Now you have been a recipient of our PAC’s support during your recent campaign for state representative. What would you say to other IA&B members about the value of AgentPAC? A. PACs – and AgentPAC is no exception – play an important role in helping educate legislators on key issues, and issues specific to our industry that affect all of us. It is critical to have a strong AgentPAC representing our interests.

Q. Reflecting on your first months as a state lawmaker, what surprised you the most? And what are you most proud of?

A. What surprised me the most is the amount of chaos in my schedule, the unpredictability of it. We’re in session, we’re not in session. It’s delayed, it’s delayed again. I come from a small-business perspective, where I open the doors at 8:30 in the morning and close at a predictable time each day.

What I’m most proud of is being appointed to the Insurance Committee. I lobbied hard for that and didn’t know if I, as a freshman legislator, would get that. Having 35 years in the insurance industry, I feel at home on that committee. I was just thrilled to get that appointment. I am really looking forward to serving on this committee and providing an agent’s perspective on issues.

Q. What current legislative issues should independent agents be aware of?

A. There are things that, unless you’re in the insurance industry, you don’t understand the impact. There are addons and line items that mandate coverages or eliminate copays or deductibles. Oftentimes legislators feel good about these bills and don’t understand the impact these have on the premiums that people and small businesses pay.

Q. You’re obviously very busy – overseeing a business, holding elected office, and running for reelection. When you do find free time, what do you like to do?

A. It is very hard to find free time these days, but I enjoy spending time with my wife, Kelli. That’s my number one priority. I love spending time outdoors with my friends, family, and dogs. I like traveling, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, football, and hunting. Anytime I can do something like that, I’m in my element and get some sense of peace and relaxation.

IABforME.com |

IA&B works on your behalf to ensure that state legislators and regulators understand the issues affecting agents.

And your financial support amplifies your message. Please consider contributing.

More information at iabforme.com/political_advocacy

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PLATINUM PARTNER PROFILE

Insurance Agents & Brokers proudly recognizes Keystone as one of its Platinum Partners. IA&B Platinum Partners dedicate the highest level of sponsorship to our organization.

Conferences: From marketing strategy to prospecting, developing a niche, to learning how to navigate the age of remote work, we’ve covered it. Our agents serve on panels to discuss what’s working, and not. Combined with our services and mentorship, our agents walk away with the tools and tactics they need to implement strategies that succeed.

We’re better together.

Keystone is a network of high-performing independent insurance agencies. Together with Keystone Agency Partners, we can help your agency unlock its full potential with combined experience that fuels growth. Regardless of where you are in your agency journey – just starting out, maturing, or planning to perpetuate, we provide support and guidance while respecting your independence.

This combination is the “secret sauce” that makes it work. Here are just a few ingredients.

Influence: Our board of directors is made up of Keystone agents, who we call partners. They influence our direction, services, and offerings to fellow agents.

We honor inclusion and perspective – everyone plays a part in where we are headed into the future.

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SEPTEMBER 2024

Thank You

Thanks to these partners for supporting the independent agent network.

PLATINUM PARTNERS

Staff: From data and analytics to carrier relations, sales training, and revenue generating solutions, each of our staff brings specialized expertise. With it, Keystone partners can give themselves a raise with new business, benchmark against successful peers, and find solutions to meet recruitment and retention challenges.

“Keystone empowers independent agents by providing unparalleled resources and a robust support network. Our collaborative approach ensures that each agency retains its unique identity while benefiting from the collective strength of a larger network. Together, we achieve greater success for our clients and communities.”

– Amy Kolbl, State VP, MD and VA.

Acuity Erie Insurance Keystone Millers Mutual Insurance NJM Insurance Group Penn National Insurance

GOLD PARTNERS Chesapeake Employers Insurance Chubb EMC Insurance Companies Farmers of Salem Iroquois Mid-Atlantic Group Liberty Mutual Small Commercial / State Auto / Safeco MMG Insurance Mutual Benefit Group Nationwide Insurance Company POM Insurance Company Progressive Insurance

Become a Partner Today Interested in becoming a partner?

Reach out today.

Tim Wonder IA&B VP-Membership 717-918-9223 TimW@IABforME.com

IABforME.com |

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Elections & PAC: What’s at Stake for Insurance Agents This November?

BY JOHN SAVANT

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SEPTEMBER 2024

ADVOCACY These days many people, IA&B members included, are tired of hearing about politics. It’s hard to blame them, especially in today’s highly polarized political environment. Whether by television, social media, or that one family member during holiday get-togethers, we are all inundated with political messaging on a regular basis.

However, despite our exhaustion, agents cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Insurance is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world, and the laws that are passed in our state legislatures have a direct impact on our members’ livelihoods. This is why IA&B’s lobbyists and volunteers work tirelessly to influence lawmakers and pass legislation that supports our industry.

There’s a fundamental truth when it comes to elections: Winners make policy. Losers stay home.

This reality underscores the importance of Political Action Committees (PACs) such as IA&B’s AgentPAC. Winning elections matters. If agent-friendly candidates don’t win office, all the lobbying in the world cannot convince someone who is unwilling to listen. For better or worse, campaigns cost money, and political action committees have become a ubiquitous part of American elections at every level of government.

AGENT PAC SUCCESS STORIES In the past few years, AgentPAC funds have not only been used to elect agent-friendly lawmakers, but have also supported several independent agents, who are themselves IA&B members, in winning public office.

Legislators are expected to vote on hundreds, if not thousands, of bills during each session and can’t possibly be knowledgeable on every issue. The handful of legislators who are experts on insurance issues are vital allies in educating their colleagues when an insurancerelated bill comes up.

Beyond supporting the election of agent-friendly candidates, a well-funded AgentPAC can serve as a powerful motivator once lawmakers are in office.

Legislators who are on the fence when it comes to issues that are important to independent agents are more likely to consider our perspective when they know AgentPAC exists – and might consider backing a challenger who aligns better on our issues. This is how AgentPAC and our lobbying efforts work hand in hand to advance the interests of independent agents. AgentPAC provides the Continued on page 14

HOW AND WHY PACS WORK While IA&B membership dues help pay for advocacy efforts, campaign finance law prohibits the use of membership dues for direct contributions to political campaigns. Only AgentPAC funds, which are collected exclusively from voluntary contributions by IA&B members, can be used to support candidates directly.

Much like insurance spreading risk among many individuals, AgentPAC allows agents to pool their resources, thereby amplifying their influence within the political process.

SUPPORT AGENTPAC AgentPAC is the state-based, bi-partisan political action committee which enhances IA&B’s advocacy efforts. AgentPAC pools the voluntary contributions of IA&B members and uses those funds to support the election of candidates and legislators who understand the issues important to the independent agent and broker community.

Learn how to contribute by check or online: IABforME.online/AgentPAC or contact Government Affairs Director John Savant, 800-998-9644, ext. 607 or JohnS@IABforME.com.

In addition to personal contributions, Maryland and Delaware law permits corporate contributions to AgentPAC, made directly by the agency. Pennsylvania prohibits corporate contributions; however, personal, LLC, and partnership contributions are permitted.

IABforME.com |

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Continued from page 13 financial resources necessary to support sympathetic candidates, while our lobbyists work to ensure that all legislators are informed about specific insurance bills once they are in office. One cannot function without the other.

WHAT’S AT STAKE As the 2024 election season enters its final months, please consider contributing to AgentPAC today. Waiting until a problematic bill is introduced to contribute to AgentPAC is like waiting until a loss happens to purchase an insurance policy. Proactive contributions to AgentPAC provide a safeguard against unfavorable developments and help to ensure that your interests are considered from the outset.

At the same time, we must be ready to defend against proposals that would be damaging to the insurance industry. Earlier this year, a co-sponsorship memo in the Pennsylvania House called for a ban on credit scoring as an insurance rating factor because “insurance is not a loan or any variety of credit, so [the use of credit score] is wholly illogical.” Recent similar proposals in Delaware would have banned the use of zip code and gender as auto-insurance rating factors, raising rates for many drivers across the state.

EDUCATION

In Maryland’s latest legislative session, IA&B successfully opposed a bill that would have applied the state sales tax to services, including insurance agents’ commissions.

This proposal arises periodically in all three states, and we expect taxation to become more of an issue in the coming years as state budgets tighten.

The results of the 2024 state elections in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware will determine who holds office and who votes on these critical issues the next time they come up. Contribute to AgentPAC before this November, so we can make sure the people who support us win their elections and send those who don’t support us home.

Reach IA&B Government Affairs Director John Savant at JohnS@IABforME.com or 717-918-9214.

ADVOCACY

RESOURCES

Register for the best insurance education! ▲ In-person ▲ Live webinar ▲ On-demand TO REGISTER, CALL: 800-998-9644, OPTION 1 ONLINE: IABFORME.COM

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SEPTEMBER 2024

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2023 CONTRIBUTORS PENNSYLVANIA President's Club ($1,000+) Tod Aronson E R Munro and Company Shannon Blews Hutton-Blews Insurance LLC Frank Ebner E K McConkey & Company Donald Enders, Jr. Colonial Park Realty Company Greg Gunn Gunn-Mowery LLC Michael Harter E K McConkey & Company Lew Kachulis Gilbert's Risk Solutions John Olkowski E K McConkey & Company Donna Roper E K McConkey & Company

Governor's Club ($500 - $999) David Beck The Weimer Group Scott Burns Burns & Burns Associates Inc

Rita McMullen PDM Insurance Agency Inc Kim Troast-Singley Miller & Company LLC

Mark Sammarone Arthur Hall Insurance

Bruce Kraft Arbor Insurance Group Inc

Tara Silfies Hampson-Mowrer Agency LLC

Lori Marvin Barr's Insurance

Robert Smyrl Robert L Smyrl Inc

Shayne McIntosh JPI Insurance Associates Inc Mary McKinley Wilkinson-Dunn Company

Robert Walbeck R E Walbeck Agency Inc

House Level ($100 - $249)

Dean Wimmer The Weimer Group

Kathleen Barry Kathy Barry Agency LLC

Marshall Wolff Kressler Wolff & Miller Inc

Connie Bence C.L. Bence Inc.

Timothy Ziegler E K McConkey & Company

Ryan Cunningham Kellar Insurance Agency Inc

Scott Mills Charles M Mills Insurance Agency

Wanda Cupp Cupp Insurance Agency Inc

Mark Monroe Griffith Insurance LLP

Kate Dawson Ferri Dawson Insurance Group

Claire Pantaloni Insurance Agents & Brokers

Henry Dunn Henry Dunn Inc

Craig Purdy Purdy Insurance Agency Inc

Karl Eisaman McDowell Associates

Gerald Reichard Keystone Crop Insurance Services LLC

Duane Epting Strausser Insurance Agency Inc

Deb Remaley Remaley Insurance Inc

Jeff Fecko MPF Insurance Inc

John Savant Insurance Agents & Brokers

Len Gieseler Element Risk Management

William Siegel Siegel Insurance Inc

Dorine Goodridge Kelly Insurance Agency Inc

Mark Sitler The Hartman Group

Patrick Halcovich Halcovich Group LLC

William Slovik Slovik Insurance Agency

Robert Hogue Walker & Associates

Scott Surra St Marys Insurance Agency Inc

Senate Level ($250 - $499) Sarah Brown Keller-Brown Insurance Services Ethan Gibbel Gibbel Insurance Agency Inc David Gusmar Altany Loynd & Lindquist LLC Jesse Harlan Colonial Park Realty Company

Andy Enders Colonial Park Realty Company

Kevin Kreider Kreider Insurance Associates Inc

James Fitzsimmons Fitzsimmons Ins Agency Inc

Jay Lemelin Vision Insurance

Kurt Gehman E K McConkey & Company

Roger Myers Roger W Myers Insurance Agency LLC

Doug Loesel Loesel-Schaaf Ins Agency Inc

16

Michael McGroarty, Jr. McGroarty & Bradburn Insurance

Bill Purdy Purdy Insurance Agency Inc

SEPTEMBER 2024

Richard Michael Michael Insurance Agency Inc Karyn Miller Hinkle Insurance Agency Inc

We thank everyone below for contributing to AgentPAC in 2023. Your financial support helps make sure independent agents' voices are heard during the legislative process. It also assists us in advancing agents’ political interests on key insurance and business issues in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

MARYLAND

DELAWARE

John Wolfe J P Wolfe Insurance Inc

Governor's Club ($500 - $999)

House Level ($100 - $249)

President's Club ($1,000+)

Ifft & Palmer Associates LLC

Linda McCann Bay Shore Insurance Inc

Kent Reynolds Blue Ridge Risk Partners LLC

The Insurance Market Inc

Famous & Spang Associates LLC

Michael Thomas Lighthouse Insurance Services

American Insurance and Financial Services

Kevin Murphy Browning Reagle & Murphy LLC

Anna McCoy Blue Ridge Risk Partners LLC

Senate Level ($250 - $499)

McArdle Insurance Agency Inc

Shannon Polka Charles P Leach Agency Inc

Christopher Heer 3 Cheers Inc

David Rivell Element Risk Management

Luray & Associates Inc

Up to $99 Matthew DelBorrello Hampson-Mowrer Agency LLC Glenn Kricher Erie Insurance

Nate Snyder Charles P Leach Agency Inc

Brendan McArdle McArdle Insurance Agency Inc Kimberly Matney Matney Insurance Services Inc

Candace Shoupe CBM Insurance Agency LLC

Brian Creamer Creamer Insurance Agency

Dana Sessa B J Mattheiss Insurance Inc

Up to $99

Edward L Sanders Insurance Agency

John Keller Blue Ridge Risk Partners LLC

C Clifton Veirs Agency

Howell Wallace Pratt Insurance Inc

Senate Level ($250 - $499) Lee Dotson Bellevue Insurance Services LLC Rick Evans R E Evans Insurance Inc Ted Wolfer White Clay Insurance Inc John Yasik Poland & Sullivan Insurance Inc Wendy Cofone Weymouth Swayze & Corroon Insurance Inc Pete Wolff Wolff Insurance Agency Inc Diana Hornung IOA National Inc

House Level ($100 - $249)

Join your fellow IA&B members and support AgentPAC. IABforME.online/AgentPAC

Maria Metcalfe Bellevue Insurance Services LLC Steve Burnett CBM Insurance Agency LLC

Up to $99 Antimo Dimore CBM Insurance Agency LLC Brooks Behounek Wilgus Associates Inc

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Billie J Friday Agency LLC Tyrone, PA KC Insure Philadelphia, PA

NEW PARTNER Workpartners For information about membership or benefits, contact: Tim Wonder, VP-Membership 717-918-9223 TimW@IABforME.com

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E D U C AT I O N SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 2024 Register today! 800-998-9644, option 1 IABforME.com/education CLASSROOM DATE TOPIC

LOCATION

Sep 17-18

CIC - Personal Lines Institute

Lancaster, PA

Sep 24-25

CIC - Commercial Casualty Institute

Erie, PA

Sep 26

CISR - Commercial Casualty I

Lancaster, PA

LIVE WEBINARS DATE TOPIC

TIME

Sep 10

William T Hold - Personal

8 AM-4 PM

Sep 10-12

Property & Casualty Licensing Study Course

Sep 10

Hour w/ Nicole: Insuring Work-From-Home Exposures

8 AM-5 PM 11 AM-12 PM

Sep 10

Claims That Will Convince Your Insured to Enhance Their Homeowners Coverage

1-4 PM

Sep 11

CISR - Personal Auto

Sep 12

The STORM 2024 Edition: Commercial and Personal Lines Coverage Concerns in the Wake of a Big One

8 AM-3:45 PM 11 AM-12 PM

Sep 17-18

CIC - Personal Lines

8 AM-5 PM

Sep 17

Cyber Coverage: Protecting Your Insureds From Hackers, Liars, & Really Bad Bots

9 AM-12 PM

Sep 17

The Bad Thing Happened: Handling Commercial Claims & Coverage Disputes

1-4 PM

Sep 19

CISR - Commercial Casualty II

8 AM-3:45 PM

Editor: Karen Robison KarenR@IABforME.com 717-918-9209

Sep 19

Forward and Backward: Insuring Emerging Risks, Surviving Deteriorating Markets

9 AM-12 PM

Sep 19

Commercial Property: Recent Changes and Crucial Concepts

1-4 PM

Contributing editors: Jennifer Ross, Megan Fioretta, Sarah Haas

Sep 24

E&O: Agent Obligations, Procedures, and Operations

9 AM-12 PM

Sep 24

All-Things Ethics: Agent Obligations, Standards, Authority & More

Sep 25

CISR - Life & Health Essentials

1-4 PM 8 AM-3:45 PM

Sales Account Executive: Rebecca Sieg | 717-430-2351 rebecca.sieg@theygsgroup.com

Sep 26

Wait…What the #^&* Just Happened?!” Fourteen Personal Lines Issues To Know Before It’s Too Late

9 AM-12 PM

Sep 26

Flood Insurance: What You Need to Know

1-4 PM

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