Happy Wednesday! We are sure that many of you were following yesterday's election results - keep an eye out for our December magazine, where Misha Lee, IIAW Government Affairs, will discuss the results and how it relates to the industry. In the meantime, scroll down to the Government Affairs section of this week's Big I Buzz e-newsletter to read about the election results so far (as of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9th). Don't receive the email, but you'd like to sign up? Sign up instructions for our weekly e-newsletter are listed at the bottom of this blog post. 

In this week's Big I Buzz, we are discussing the cat breeds with the highest pet insurance claims and a reminder to activate your free Catalyit Full Access subscription. 

Forbes Advisor: Cat Breeds With the Highest Pet Insurance Claims

A new survey from MetLife found that 80% of cat owners said prices of pet ownership (veterinary care, food and accessories) have risen over the last year. 31% of those felt those prices had risen significantly. Forbes Advisor found the ten cat breeds that tend to have the highest pet insurance claims and the average cost of those claims. 

10. Domestic medium-haired cat - $356

9. Russian Blue - $369

8. Main Coon - $374

7. American Shorthair - $376

6. Mixed breed short-haired cat - $380

5. Ragdoll - $381

4. Mixed breed long-haired cat - $397

3. Mixed breed medium-haired cat - $403

2. Bengal - $404

1. Siberian Forest Cat - $457

Catalyit Full Access Subscription FREE for IIAW Members

You now have free full access to Catalyit as an IIAW member (a $1500 value). Your free subscription gives you, and every employee of your agency, full access to IIAW's hub for technology advice, tools, training, insights and more. Here's what you gain from Catalyit: 

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

• 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. 

• Training: From live coaching and Q&A sessions to our on-demand video vault, you'll be able to get the most out of your tools. 

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

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

Activate your subscription at iiaw.com/Catalyit. 

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!

RSVP for Emerging Leaders Holiday Party Here!

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 Association.

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:

Venmo: Evan-Leitch
Credit Card: Go to IIAW's Fundraising Page
Check: Mail a Check Made Out To 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 certain 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 from 1:00pm to 5:30 p.m. on December 15th at the IIAW office. RSVP for the Holiday party at bit.ly/2022ELHolidayParty. 

List of donations:

Dane County Humane Society: Wish List Items 

- Towels, wash cloths, and hand towels
- Flat sheets and pillowcases
- Rugs smaller than 4' x 6'
- Opened or unopened bags of pet food
- Dog and cat toys
- Soft/Moist, small training treats (no hard biscuits)
- Compressed rawhide or rawhide rolls
- Canned dog food
- Kongs
- Leashes, collars, and harnesses

Other items include: soft/moist small training treats for dogs (no hard biscuits), squeeze cheese, creamy peanut butter, compressed rawhide or rawhide rolls, canned dog food, canned cat or kitten food, clumping litter (unscented), Royan Canin Baby Cat food (dry and can), Cuddle discs, Paper towels, Kleenex, Dish sponges & scrub brushes, Timothy hay, Bleach, Ziploc baggies (all sizes), Quality white copy paper, bright colored copy paper, Post-It Notes, manila folders, liquid laundry detergent and dry erase markers.

Fox Valley Humane Association: Wish List Items

- Iams or Purina One Dog Food; Wet and Dry
- Iams or Purina One Cat Food; Wet and Dry
- Iams or Purina One Healthy Kitten Dry Food
- Canned Kitten Food
- Canned Pate Cat Food
- Soft Dog & Cat Treats
- Spray Cheese
- Greenies Dog Pill Pockets
- Non-Clumping Clay Litter
- Pellet Litter
- New Small and Medium Cat Litter Boxes
- Paper Towel & Toilet Paper
- Liquid Laundry Soap
- Bleach
- Water Softener Salt
- 33 Gallon Trash Bags & Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags
- Hand Soap
- Dawn Dish Soap
- Q-Tips
- Lint Rollers
- Copy Paper
- Postage Stamps
- Large Dog Collars
- Gift Cards: Gas, Fleet Farm, Festival, Wal-Mart, or any local pet store

Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin: Wish List Items

- Pate style kitten wet food
- Kitten dry food
- Small litter boxes
- Kitten milk replacing (KMR)
- Enclosed playpens for kittens
- Large/XL kennels
- Snuggle safe heating discs
- Miracle bottle nipples
- Kitchen scales
- Receiving blankets
- Tote bags
- Towels
- Blankets
- Sheets
- Newspaper
- Easy Walk harnesses
- Nylabones (large)
- Soft and moist treats
- Canned food
- Pate style wet food
- Small fleece blankets
- Catnip bubbles
- Postage stamps
- Scotch tape
- Whiteout
- Sticky notes
- Black permanent markets
- Black dry erase markers
- Scissors
- Copy paper
- Highlighters
- 32 oz. spray bottles with nozzles
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Toilet paper
- Angled brooms and dust pans
- Toilet bowl cleaner and brushes

Happy Wednesday! In this week's Big I Buzz, we are sharing 7 findings from the 2022 Agency Universe Study and a great reminder for your clients during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. 

7 Findings From the 2022 Agency Universe Study

Independent Agent Magazine has released 7 findings from the 2022 Agency Universe Study. Here are those key findings: 

1. The number of independent agencies has increased. 

2. Business conditions continue to be generally favorable. 

3. Technology has become a crucial part of operations and customer service. 

4. Principal aging remains stable. 

5. Finding qualified staff and marketing continue to be key agency challenges.

6. Emerging purchase channels' impact on personal lines remains a concern. 

7. Inclusion gains some ground. 

Read more details about each of these takeaways at iamagazine.com

Celebrating Cybersecurity Awareness Month

According to Coalition's 2022 Cyber Claims report, the average cost of a cyber claim for a small business owner during the first half of 2022 was $139,000, 58 times higher than the first half of 2022. Now is the perfect time to remind your customers about the importance of cybersecurity and cyber liability coverage. Trusted Choice has created a variety of creative marketing campaigns to help both businesses and individuals understand the importance of cyber safety and how insurance can help protect them. Access the marketing campaigns 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 to sign up to be a member of an IIAW Task Force or Council and 4 studies you need to read for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. 

Get Involved With IIAW's Task Forces & Councils

The IIAW recently announced the opportunity for our members to join our Task Forces & Councils. These Task Forces & Councils act as a sounding board for planning and IIAW education, events and other member benefits. You can join one (or multiple) of the following Task Forces & Councils: Personal Lines Task Force, Commercial Lines Task Force, Employee Benefits Task Force, Industry Relations & Operations Council, Government Affairs Council and Emerging Leaders. Joining a Task Force or Council is easy! Complete the short form here (on the bottom of this page) and you'll be on the contact list for that group to receive an invite for the next meeting. 

If you want to learn more about the Task Forces and Councils before signing up, mark your calendar down for Tuesday, October 18th! The IIAW and our Board of Directors is hosting a free kickoff event from 3 to 5 p.m. at Milford Hills in Johnson Creek. Everyone is welcome to join, and you don't have to be a part of the Task Forces & Councils to attend. Learn more here. 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 4 Studies you Need to Read

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and it's a great time to make sure you're on top of the latest trends in every market to be a trusted advisor to your clients. IA Magazine has put together four major takeaways from studies to help you protect your clients and your agency: 

1. Cybersecurity recovery time and costs are much higher than businesses realize. If you receive our Commercial Lines monthly e-newsletter, you'll know that often small businesses tend to underestimate the cost of a cyberattack could be for their company. A recent survey from Nationwide Agency Forward about cybersecurity and business owners found that less than 3 in 10 small business owners report having cyber coverage, compared to 71% of the middle market business. Small business owners are significantly less likely to be taking important precautions with their employees. 

2. Cyber threats remain the top overall business concern. The 2022 Travelers Risk Index found that cyber threats were the leading concern, with 59% of survey respondents say that they worry some or a great deal about cyber threats, followed closely by broad economic uncertainty. 

3. Consumers are concerned about cyberattacks but haven't insured their digital fingerprints. The Nationwide Agency Forward survey about cybersecurity and business owners also found that consumer concerns about a cyberattack are on the rise. "As many as 58% admitted that they are concerned about falling victim to a cyberattack, which is an increase of nine points since June 2020. Consumers said increased frequency (61%) and sophistication of attacks (51%) in recent years are causes for concern.

4. Average claim cost rises but ransomware claims and waning. "During the first half of 2022, the average cost of a claim for a small business owner increased to $139,000 which is 58% higher than levels during the first half of 2021, according to the mid-year update to Coalition's 2022 Cyber Claims Report." Read more from iamagazine.com 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 information about a free networking & happy hour event, easy marketing opportunities for the month of October and the change in Wisconsin property values. 

The IIAW's Task Forces & Councils Kickoff Networking & Happy Hour

Join the IIAW Staff and Board of Directors to celebrate our new Task Forces and Councils (previously known as committees). IIAW agency and company partners are welcome to come and network, meet our team and learn more about the opportunity to serve on our task forces and councils and help to drive the work we do in the coming year and beyond. If you're already on a task force or council, this is a great way to meet your IIAW staff liaison and other members of your group. If you haven't signed up yet, no worries, it's a great way to come and learn more in the comfort of the beautiful Milford Hills Hunt Club. All are welcome, so reserve your spot and we'll see you there!

Register Now

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Trusted Choice has ready-to-use social media content to help you promote Cybersecurity Awareness Month on your social platforms. Use and share graphics that highlight common password vulnerabilities and prompt business owners to consider their own cybersecurity risks and coverage needs. Visit the Trusted Choice Content to Share library and click on cyber insurance to get started. You can share graphics and articles directly to your social channels including suggested post copy with just a few clicks! 

Wisconsin Property Values See Record Growth in 2022

According to WPR and The Wisconsin Policy Forum, property values in Wisconsin rose 13.8%, overwhelmingly surpassing the previous record increase of 9.6% in 2006. Along with property values, statewide gross property tax also increase. However, this year's property tax levies increased by 1.6%, the smallest annual increase since 2014. 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!