Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: thousands of Wisconsinites could lose Obamacare coverage if federal subsidies expire, and new data shows more Americans are moving away from flood-prone areas.

Up to 60,000 Wisconsinites Could Lose Obamacare Coverage if Subsidies Expire

Between 40,000 and 60,000 Wisconsinites who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act could lose their coverage if Congress fails to extend subsidies that lower plan costs, according to Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek.

The subsidies have driven record-high enrollment in Wisconsin’s ACA marketplace this year, with roughly 300,000 residents signing up for coverage. If the enhanced subsidies expire at the end of the year, those gains could be reversed. Read more here.

Americans Are Moving Out of Flood-Prone Neighborhoods

For the first time since 2019, U.S. counties at the highest risk of flooding saw more residents moving out than in — about 30,000 more people left than arrived, according to a new Redfin report.

The trend marks a shift from the pandemic years, when remote workers flocked to coastal and Sun Belt regions. Despite the outflow, some of those high-risk counties still experienced overall population growth due to strong immigration from abroad.

Of the 310 counties identified as high flood risk, 132 saw net population losses while 178 saw gains — but the number of people leaving outpaced those arriving. Read more 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 join our emailing list.

Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: The Illinois Department of Insurance requests policyholder relief during the federal government shutdown, and the top automobiles for customer satisfaction in 2025 are revealed.

Illinois Department of Insurance Asks Insurers for Policyholder Relief During Shutdown

The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) is urging insurers to provide relief to policyholders affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown to ensure they do not lose insurance coverage.

The department noted that more than 153,000 Illinois residents employed by the federal government have been impacted since the lapse in federal appropriations began on October 1. To support these consumers, IDOI is asking insurers to consider measures such as temporary moratoriums on cancellations and extensions for payment or repair timeframes. Read more here.

Top Automobiles for Customer Satisfaction in 2025

Driver satisfaction with the auto industry has dipped slightly in 2025, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Longer loan terms have increased consumer focus on vehicle reliability and dependability, as many drivers continue making payments beyond their warranty periods.

According to ACSI, Subaru, Mazda, and Toyota ranked highest among automakers for customer satisfaction this year. See the full list and read more 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.

Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: a Wisconsin contractor is fined for acting as a public adjuster, and climate risk remains a growing concern across the insurance industry.

Wisconsin Contractor Fined for Acting as a Public Adjuster

Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek issued a final decision imposing $6,000 in civil forfeitures after determining that a contractor acted as a public adjuster under Wisconsin law. This subjected the contractor to the standards outlined in Wis. Stat. ch. 629, which he violated through prohibited and fraudulent practices.

The contractor’s business model combined home repair services with “claim assistance” through assignments of benefits, which violated state law. Under Wis. Stat. § 629.10(3), individuals acting as public adjusters cannot have a financial interest in the subject of a claim beyond the compensation established in their contract. Read more here.

Most Insurance Execs Fear the Industry Isn’t Ready for Climate Risk

A new study from ZestyAI found that the insurance industry remains unprepared for climate-driven risks, even as natural disasters become more frequent, severe, and costly. According to the report, 61% of insurance executives believe the industry is not adapting quickly enough to climate-related threats.

Many insurers continue to rely on traditional actuarial and stochastic models, which were built for more stable conditions and fail to reflect today’s complex, property-specific loss patterns. ZestyAI’s leadership emphasized that the industry must evolve its risk modeling to match the realities of a changing climate and that AI-driven, property-level models can provide more accurate insights, improve transparency, and help all stakeholders strengthen resilience. Read more 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.

For years, independent insurance agencies in Wisconsin have had to rely on generic compensation surveys that don’t reflect the unique size, structure, and realities of our industry. Until now, there has never been a comprehensive compensation survey designed exclusively for independent agents across Wisconsin.

That’s why Agency Compensation 360 was created. It's an industry-wide initiative to collect accurate, Wisconsin-specific compensation data from independent agencies of every size and type.

Why a Wisconsin-Specific Compensation Survey Matters

Independent agencies in Wisconsin span everything from small-town, family-run shops to large, multi-location firms. National or generalized compensation data can’t capture that diversity, leaving owners without reliable benchmarks.

Accurate compensation data matters because it helps you:

• Attract and retain top talent: Competitive pay structures ensure you’re not losing employees to competitors.
• Make smarter business decisions: Reliable benchmarks give you confidence in budgeting, hiring, and growth planning.
• Strengthen your agency’s future: Aligning compensation with industry standards protects your agency from turnover and helps sustain profitability.

The Opportunity Is Now

The Agency Compensation 360 survey is live right now, and we need participation from independent agency owners across Wisconsin. The more agencies that complete the survey, the stronger and more accurate the results will be.

But here’s the catch: Only agency owners and principals who complete the survey by November 2 will gain access to the interactive results dashboard in November. This tool will allow you to see compensation trends across agencies in Wisconsin – finally giving you the data you need to make confident decisions.

Don’t Miss Out

Independent agents have never had access to this kind of Wisconsin-focused compensation data before. Don’t be left in the dark while your peers gain insights that could reshape their compensation strategy.

Start the Survey Today

Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: extreme weather climbs to the top of business risk concerns, and Gen Z workers see AI as a career co-pilot.

Extreme Weather Emerges as Top Business Risk

Extreme weather has quickly risen to the forefront of business risk. The number of U.S. disasters costing over $1 billion has more than tripled—from an annual average of 7.2 (1980–2019) to about 23 per year between 2020 and 2024, according to Gartner.

Organizations are being pushed to rethink risk management strategies. It’s no longer enough to focus solely on physical damages such as flooding, storms, and wildfires. Businesses must also address transitional risks like changing regulations, evolving consumer expectations, and long-term climate exposure.

Enterprise Risk Management leaders are now tasked with building greater visibility into vulnerabilities, strengthening organizational agility, and embedding resilience throughout operations and supply chains. With insurance costs rising and coverage becoming more limited in high-risk regions, defining clear risk ownership within companies is becoming essential for sustaining business continuity. Read more here.

Gen Z Insurance Workers Want AI on the Job

A recent survey by Counterpart and Young Risk Professionals shows that Gen Z insurance workers largely welcome AI as a tool for career growth rather than a threat. Over half say AI poses no risk to their jobs, and 69% believe it will improve their workflow. At the same time, 45% point to slow technology adoption as a major challenge within the industry.

While AI is reshaping industries across the economy, the insurance sector has lagged in keeping pace. As the industry works to catch up, young professionals have an opportunity to position themselves as future leaders by leveraging AI expertise—an advantage that may outweigh traditional tenure. Looking ahead, companies that embrace innovation are likely to attract both top talent and future clients, while those that delay risk falling behind. Read more 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.