Happy Wednesday! In this week's Big I Buzz, we are discussing our December Member Benefit Spotlight, the changes to A.M. Best commercial property market outlook and where employers stand on the 'new normal'. 

This Month's Spotlight on Member Benefits

December is here, and we are highlighting a new member benefit for the month, Catalyit.You told us harnessing tech in your agency isn't easy. We listened, and did something about it. The solution is here today! Introducing Catalyit: All the agency tech guidance you need... in one place. The number of ways independent insurance agencies can leverage tech to increase profit and serve customers is nearly unlimited. But time, know-how and fear of risk are getting in the way. Catalyit solves it for you. The IIAW partnered with six state associations and industry tech leader, Steve Anderson, to create Catalyit. 

To super-serve Catalyit subscribers, access to catalyit.com is limited to four windows a year. So, for now, access to Catalyit opened October 14, 2021, and will close December 15, 2021. With a brand new year right around the corner, you won't want to wait. Take advantage of the current sign up window. Your IIAW membership grants you free access to a Basic subscription. You can get a full-access pass (all tools, guides and learning unlocked) for your entire agency with an exclusive IIAW discount. Learn more here. 

A.M. Best Revises Commercial Property Market Outlook

According to Business Insurance, "On Tuesday, A.M. Best updated its outlook for the U.S. commercial property insurance market from negative to stable, citing ongoing rate increases by insurers and a decline in business interruption claims." The report stated that inflationary cost pressures may push rates upward throughout 2022. "Appropriate rate and pricing actions by commercial property insurers as well as ongoing efforts to ensure the adequacy of property valuations will mitigate the effect over time," Best said. Read more here. 

Where Employers Stand on Vaccines, 'New Normal' Workplace, Remote Work, Travel 

A recent survey from Willis Towers Watson found that more than half of US employers require or plan to require COVID-19 vaccinations of employees, but their support depends on whether the courts approve the Biden Administration emergency workplace safety rule requiring vaccinations or weekly testing. Originally, the deadline for comments was set for December 6, however as of this morning, it was pushed back to January 19th. Insurance Journal reported that, "About three in 10 respondents (29%) [to the survey] say their organizations have already reached their "new normal" in terms of returning to the workplace and ending pandemic-related policies. Roughly the same amount (28%) say they don't expect their organizations to reach the new normal until the third quarter of 2022 or later. Additionally respondents report that 34% of employees are now working remotely. This is expected to drop to 27% in the first quarter of 2022. Employers that have returned remote workers to the workplace report that public health recommendations (79%), state regulations and recommendations (74%) and business needs (71%) were considerations in their decisions." Read more on the survey findings about business travel, vaccination rates and federal contractors here. 

For more news, check out the Action news section of our weekly e-newsletter, Big I Buzz. If you aren’t subscribed, click here to add your email to our emailing list.