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: 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.

Happy Wednesday! In this week's Big I Buzz: the Independent BROKERS TIME Act is introduced in the Senate, and the DOJ ends defense of the federal ban on noncompete agreements.

Independent BROKERS TIME Act Introduced in Senate

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) have introduced the Independent Broker Relief and Oversight of Knowingly Egregious and Repetitive Sales Tactics in Medicare Enrollment Act of 2025, better known as the Independent BROKERS TIME Act.

The bipartisan bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update regulations for independent agents, brokers, and third-party marketing organizations under Medicare Parts C and D. The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration. Read more here.

DOJ Drops Defense of Ban on Employee ‘Noncompete’ Agreements

The U.S. Department of Justice has dropped its legal defense of the 2024 Federal Trade Commission rule that banned employee noncompete agreements, which typically prevent workers from joining competitors or starting competing businesses.

The decision follows rulings from two federal judges striking down the rule, and the DOJ has now filed motions to dismiss related appeals in New Orleans and Atlanta. The rule had faced strong opposition from Republicans and business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson had signaled in February that the agency was reviewing the rule, making this move widely expected. 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.

The IIAW is pleased to announce that Janel Bazan has joined the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin as our new Vice President. Janel has been a dedicated member of the IIAW Board of Directors for several years, providing valuable leadership and insight to our association. Now, she will take on the role of Vice President, bringing her talents, experience, and strategic mindset to help guide the IIAW and our members as we continue to grow and elevate the association.

To help members get to know Janel better, we asked her a few questions about her background, interests, and vision for the future:

Can you share a little about your professional journey and what brought you to this role with the IIAW?

My insurance career began nearly 30 years ago at Mortenson, Matzelle & Meldrum (now M3), where I learned the fundamentals of running an agency from my first mentor, Diane Wilkinson. After a move to Florida and time off to start a family, I returned to Madison and joined Johnson Insurance, eventually working on the management team under Linda Steiner—an incredible mentor who introduced me to the Big “I.”

Through that connection, I served on several committees and later joined the IIAW Board of Directors. During this time, I joined AVID Risk Solutions, and it was there working with Brock Ryan and Ben Shortreed that I realized work is not work when you are having fun every day.

I believe everything happens for a reason, and with a change in staff at the IIAW and the pending second acquisition of the agency I was at, the timing was aligned for me to truly give back to the insurance industry by joining the IIAW as a full-time staff member!

What excites you most about joining the IIAW team?

I’m excited about helping others navigate questions like, “What do you know about…?”, “Have you ever experienced this?”, or “Where can I find…?” especially when it comes to resources available to agents or agencies. Whether it’s outsourcing needs like accounting, audits, marketing, or HR, the IIAW provides these solutions for our members. Additionally, it’s crucial for independent agents to have a strong voice in legislative matters, and the guidance that Misha Lee and the IIAW offer ensures that changes happen with our input. This is where the IIAW can truly represent the independent agent over any other association, hands down.

How do you see the insurance industry evolving in Wisconsin, and how do you hope to contribute?

Like many other industries, the Wisconsin insurance industry will see increased use of AI in the future. I don’t believe the agent will be eliminated. The relationships built with agents are similar to those we value in the financial or healthcare fields—collaborative interaction will always be essential.

Outside of work, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

Outside of work, you’ll find me with friends and family enjoying the lakes or bike trails in the Madison or Minocqua area or sitting by the campfire with a nice glass of wine, taking in the night sky.

Do you have a favorite resource that inspires you professionally or personally?