2021 Wisconsin Act 73 created new requirements related to insurance data security that applies to all insurers, intermediaries, and persons required to be licensed, authorized, or registered under Wis. Stats. chs. 600 to 655. This email contains the information your entity will need to comply with this requirement. Additional information regarding these requirements is available on OCI’s website at https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Cybersecurity.aspx.

Wis. Stat § 601.952(8) requires that licensees provide an annual certification to OCI that the licensee is in compliance with the information security program requirements of Wis. Stat. § 601.952. Licensees must maintain records that support the certification for at least five years and shall produce the records when requested by OCI. The certification requirement only applies to licensees who are domiciled in the state of Wisconsin.  Annual certifications are required to be provided to OCI not later than March 1 every year beginning in 2023. 

• The certification form will be included in insurers' annual financial packets.
  

• Intermediary firms and other business entities licensed by Agent Licensing must submit a certification form. Certify compliance with the information security program requirements here .

• Individual producers are not required to submit a certification form; the exemption for licensees that have fewer than 50 employees would apply.

Note: Completion and submission of the annual certification form is required even if the licensee maintains that it is exempt.

Step-by-step tips for completing the Cybersecurity Certification Form:

1.     The certification forms will be submitted electronically at https://public.oci.wi.gov/finform/public/cybersecurity on or after January 1, 2023.

2.     We recommend that you use the Chrome browser.

3.     Enter the licensee’s NPN: After you enter the first 3 digits of your NPN, you will see a list of licensees. Clicking on your entity’s name will bring up the certification form. The form will be prepopulated with the licensee’s name, license type and NPN.

4.     Choose the Filing Year from the drop down: The certification attests that the licensee complied with the cybersecurity requirements during the prior calendar year. For example, the certification submitted by March 1, 2023 attests that the licensee was in compliance during the calendar year 2022. You should only choose the prior calendar year unless you receive a request from OCI.

5.     Exemption: If the licensee is claiming an exemption, check all boxes that apply. You may also add information in the text box.

6.     Attestation: Be sure to check the attestation box

7.     Enter the name of the contact person and his/her email address

8.     Submit: The Submit button is on top right of the form. If you get an error message, review the form to verify that all required information is entered.

9.     Download the pdf: Be sure to save or print the completed form for your records. Licensees are required to maintain records supporting the certification for at least five years.

Questions regarding the Cybersecurity Annual Certification form should be emailed to: OCICyberReport@Wisconsin.gov with the subject line: Annual Certification Form.  IIAW Members are also encouraged to contact the Matt Banaszynski, CEO of the IIAW with any questions pertaining to compliance. He can be reached at Matt@iiaw.com or by calling 608-256-4429.

Happy Wednesday - we are back from Thanksgiving break to bring you all another week of Big I Buzz.

IIAW Emerging Leaders Annual Fundraiser

Yesterday was Giving Tuesday, and we saw great support for this year's Emerging Leaders Fundraiser! Last year the IIAW Emerging Leaders surpassed their initial fundraising goal of $500, donating an incredible $5,725 to the American Family Children's Hospital. This year, our fundraising goal is $1,500 and we hope you'll help us reach our fundraising goals by donating today!

We are also accepting physical donations, and you can find a list of what items each humane society is looking for here. You can bring physical donations to the IIAW office by contacting evan@iiaw.com to setup a drop off time or attend this year's Emerging Leaders Holiday Party and bring your physical donations with! 

We will accept physical and monetary donations through December 15th. 

Have you taken advantage of your free Catalyit Full Access Subscription?

Go into the New Year with your agency tech resolutions already accomplished with Catalyit.com. 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. As an added IIAW member benefit, all IIAW agency members receive a free Full Access Subscription to Catalyit.

Here's what you gain when you activate your FREE subscription: 

Tools: An in-depth tech assessment with a custom roadmap report for your agency awaits. Get a free consult with an expert and guidance on the best approach for your tech stack. If you have questions, not to worry - call the Catalyit Help Line.

Guides & Reviews: Selection guides for each area of your tech with side-by-side comparison charts of solution provider features and reviews. 

Training: Cybersecurity, budgeting for tech workshop, insurtech trends, q&as and so much more - you'll get an entire library of on-demand learning for your team. 

Consulting: One-on-one expert support to help you implement solutions. 

Insights: You don't have to hunt for the latest tips and tech news. We send the tips and terms you need to know in your inbox each week. 

So no matter where you are on the technology spectrum - from early adopter to experienced implementer - rest assured, with Catalyit, you're in the right place. Empower your agency with Catalyit today.

The Biggest Factors Impacting Home Insurance Heading Into 2023

PropertyCasualty360 is anticipating insurance shoppers to seek more options in 2023 because of three significant market conditions. 

These are: 

• Inflation - this likely comes as no surprise, as we've been covering how inflation is affecting auto insurance over the last two weeks. The same goes for home insurance. PropertyCasualty reports, "For consumers who are already feeling their budgets squeezed by rising prices just about everywhere, higher insurance rates can be crippling... Companies can leverage bundles while lowering overhead by keeping staffing and internal costs down are able to pass more savings on to the buyer."

• Natural disasters are increasing - luckily, we don't have to worry about hurricanes in Wisconsin, but that doesn't mean we're protected from all natural disasters. "Many property owners are not properly insured against catastrophic events like floods. According to FEMA, floods are the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States. Too many homeowners discover after a flood that their policy doesn't actually include flood insurance.... It's important for consumers to understand what their policies do and do not cover when it comes to natural disasters. This type of coverage is also a big differentiator when comparing insurance companies."

• Relocations, general anxiety and rate increases trigger shopping. "According to a Consumer Pulse Survey conducted by Transunion in Q2 of 2022, topping the concerns of most Americans are inflation, the possibility of a recession and increased housing costs. As people reduce their spending in response to anxiety, they also take a closer look at their current expenses, including what they pay for home insurance. More consumers are likely to visit digital insurance aggregators in times of uncertainty."

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. Additionally, we send out monthly newsletters with content curated just for you and your role. Make sure you're on the list to receive our communications by heading to bit.ly/industrynewsforyou to stay in the loop!

Happy Wednesday! In this week's Big I Buzz, we are sharing the Thanksgiving travel predictions you need to know and how to give back this holiday season.

AAA: Thanksgiving Travel in Wisconsin Could Reach Pre-Pandemic Levels

Are you planning to travel for Thanksgiving? If so, you're not alone. AAA predicts around 54.6 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their homes this year for Thanksgiving. According to AAA, "Despite higher gas prices this year, 89% of all Thanksgiving travelers will drive." While there will be more people on the road next weekend, Spectrum News has released a list of the best and worst times to travel: 

Wednesday, Nov. 23

Best Time: Before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Worst Time: Between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 24

Best Time: Before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Worst Time: Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 25

Best Time: Before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m. 

Worst Time: Between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Saturday, Nov. 26

Best Time: Before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.

Worst Time: Between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 27

Best Time: Before 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Worst Time: Between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Read more here. 

2022 Emerging Leaders Fundraiser

The IIAW Emerging Leaders annual fundraiser is back, and this year we are supporting three humane societies across Wisconsin; Dane County Humane Society, Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin and Fox Valley Humane Society. 

Last year, we surpassed our initial fundraising goal of $500, donating an incredible total of $5,725 to the American Family Children's Hospital! This year, our fundraising goal is $1,500, and we are accepting both monetary and physical donations to the chosen humane societies. 

How to Donate: 

Credit Card: Go to IIAW's Fundraising Page

Check: Mail a check made out to the IIAW, 725 John Nolen Dr., Madison, WI 53704

Physical Item Donations: Each humane society has its own list of physical donations they are accepting such as specific pet foods, cleaning supplies, pet toys, treats and more. These physical donations can be dropped off at the IIAW office (Contact Evan, evan@iiaw.com, to let us know you're dropping items off) or you can bring them to the Emerging Leaders Holiday Party. The party is happening from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on December 15th at the IIAW office. RSVP for the holiday party at bit.ly/2022ELHolidayParty. You can see the donation list for each humane society 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. Additionally, we send out monthly newsletters with content curated just for you and your role. Make sure you're on the list to receive our communications by heading to bit.ly/industrynewsforyou to stay in the loop!

Happy Wednesday! In this week's Big I Buzz, we are sharing how you can earn 6 CE credits and a must-attend webinar happening TODAY. 

Membership Upgrade - Full Access to Catalyit.com

IIAW members now have free Full Access to Catalyit (a $1500 value). Catalyit is the IIAW's hub for technology advice, tools, training and insights. We know that managing technology in an agency adds to your stress, and we recognize that as an organization one of the most important things we can do is help our members navigate, utilize and maximize technology.

We are thrilled to let you know that the IIAW and our Board of Directors has now made full Free Access to Catalyit available to all IIAW members. 

What is Catalyit, you may ask? 

Catalyit is an incredible resource that is available to independent agents to help them understand where they are at with technology and the steps they may want to consider in order to enhance their technology and empower their staff in a bigger and better way. 

Join us today for a members-only webinar where we will walk through the tools and resources Catalyit has to offer! Register now and join us today at 1 p.m.

Free CE Opportunity

PuroClean is hosting FREE Ce courses on Thursday, November 3rd at the Machine Shed in Appleton. Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch will be provided compliments of PuroClean Disaster Services. 

Earn 3 credits for their Errors & Omissions course from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. hosted by Mallory Cornell, IIAW Vice President. This course has been approved for SwissRe premium credits. 

Earn 3 credits for their Understanding the Restoration Industry: Fire Damage course, hosted by Becky Edgren from PuroClean. Click here to fill out the registration form and email it to Abby Coffey by October 28th to attend. (Submission instructions at the bottom of the registration form.)

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. Additionally, we send out monthly newsletters with content curated just for you and your role. Make sure you're on the list to receive our communications by heading to bit.ly/industrynewsforyou to stay in the loop!

For new or smaller agencies, having access to markets right away means more new business opportunities and growth potential for your agency. But building those carrier relationships needed to secure quality appointments can be time-consuming and challenging.

As an IIAW member, you can get a jump start on building those key relationships through Independent Market Solutions (IMS). The IMS program provides access to a broad mix of state-specific standard and niche markets at no additional cost to you. Instead of relying on traditional appointments, IMS creates marketplace leverage through its negotiated contracts and facilitates direct relationships between independent agencies and carriers.

Agents who gain appointments through IMS maintain a direct working relationship with carriers, all while taking advantage of competitive commissions, 100 percent ownership of expirations, low to no volume commitments, and participation in any earned program contingencies. Every IMS agency ALWAYS owns its book of business and, if minimum premium threshold and performance standards are met, direct appointments are available.

Getting started with IMS is easy and doesn’t involve any hidden fees or fine print. All you need to do is sign up online to start connecting with carriers.