Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: Tips for agents insuring the cannabis beverage boom. Plus, the top pet insurance claims of 2025.

3 Tips for Agents Insuring the Cannabis Beverage Boom

Cannabis-infused beverages are rapidly gaining popularity, offering a new way for consumers—especially those new to cannabis—to enjoy its effects without smoking or edibles. From teas and seltzers to lemonades and soft drinks, these drinks are popping up in bars and boutique grocery stores, making cannabis feel more like a casual social drink than a controlled substance.

But with this growth comes complexity. Hemp-derived THC beverages, legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, are largely unregulated and sold outside the traditional marijuana market—creating challenges for independent insurance agents tasked with covering these businesses. Read about tips for insuring the cannabis beverage boom here.

Top Pet Insurance Claims of 2025

About 66% of U.S. households own a pet—a big jump from 56% in 1988. While pets bring joy, they also come with costs. Annual expenses average around $1,400 for dogs and $1,150 for cats, and emergency care can send those numbers soaring.

To protect their wallets, many pet owners turn to insurance, with monthly premiums averaging $53 for dogs and $32 for cats. Rising vet bills make it easier to justify, especially when top claims have reached over $60,000. PropertyCasualty360 outlines the top pet insurance claims 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: Wisconsin lawmakers will consider expanding PTSD law. Plus, US health insurers jump as 2026 Medicare payment rates exceed expectations.

Wisconsin Lawmakers to Consider Expanding PTSD Law

Wisconsin lawmakers are considering a new bill that would extend workers’ compensation eligibility for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to a broader group of first responders.

Currently, only firefighters and law enforcement officers are covered under a standard that does not require their PTSD to stem from unusually high stress. Senate Bill 168 would add emergency medical responders, EMS practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, dispatchers, coroners, and medical examiners to the list. Read more here.

US Health Insurers Jump as 2026 Medicare Payment Rates Exceed Expectations

The U.S. government has finalized a 5.06% average increase in 2026 Medicare Advantage payment rates, more than doubling the initially proposed 2.2% from January. This substantial hike is expected to benefit major insurers like UnitedHealth Group, Humana, and CVS Health, allowing for enhanced plan benefits and improved profitability. Following the announcement, Humana's stock surged 11.5%, while CVS Health saw a 6.7% increase. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) attributed the updated rate to more comprehensive cost data through Q4 2024, reflecting the Trump administration's strong support for the Medicare Advantage program. 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: Nine states are taking action to reform third-party litigation financing, while Tesla owners may face rising insurance rates due to targeted vandalism.

Nine States Pursue Third-Party Litigation Reform

Third-party litigation financing—when outside firms fund lawsuits they believe have a strong chance of success—is facing increased scrutiny across the U.S. These funding companies support a variety of commercial and consumer claims, including cases involving trucking incidents. Truck drivers, their employers, and insurers often bear the brunt of excessive and costly litigation related to personal injury claims, creating ripple effects throughout the supply chain. In response, states from Montana to West Virginia have implemented measures to curb litigation financing, with several others now considering similar reforms. Read more here.

Targeted Teslas Could See Insurance Rates Rise

Tesla owners may see rising insurance premiums as acts of vandalism against the brand continue to surge. Protests against Elon Musk—sparked by his role in the federal government’s DOGE initiative—have led to attacks on Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations. Reports detail cars being spray-painted, set on fire, and having their tires slashed. While many incidents have occurred at dealerships, individual Tesla owners have also been affected. If the trend persists, insurers may adjust rates to account for increased risks related to theft and vandalism. 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: what to expect for the 2025 tornado season. Plus, a look at how tariffs will impact the insurance industry.

What's In Store for the 2025 Tornado Season?

With spring just around the corner, now is the time to prepare for the possibility of severe weather. In 2024, the U.S. recorded its second-highest number of tornadoes in a single year, with 1,855 confirmed twisters. As spring arrives, severe weather is expected to ramp up again, with AccuWeather predicting that regions outside traditional Tornado Alley may continue to face the worst of these storms. A high-pressure system over the Southwest could suppress thunderstorms in the Plains, while unusually warm Gulf waters may fuel severe storms and tornadoes in the Mississippi Valley.

Looking ahead, thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread in May, impacting the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and Tornado Alley. Additionally, derechos could pose an increasing threat from late spring into summer. However, overall tornado activity is projected to be lower than in 2024, with an estimated 1,300 to 1,450 twisters this year, including 75 to 100 in March, 200 to 300 in April, and 250 to 350 in May. Read more here.

Tariffs Will Negatively Affect Insurance Industry, Says AM Best

AM Best analysts warn that proposed U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China could negatively impact the insurance industry, particularly homeowners’ and auto insurance. A senior director at AM Best highlighted that supply chain disruptions in the auto sector could drive up repair and replacement costs, posing a financial challenge for insurers. Modern vehicles, equipped with advanced technology, are already expensive to fix, and tariffs may further inflate those costs.

Similarly, the homeowners’ insurance market could see rising expenses as tariffs increase the cost of building materials like lumber. As a result, replacement costs are expected to increase. 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.

Neenah, Wis. (Feb. 28, 2025) — SECURA Insurance, a property-casualty insurance company, is celebrating its 125^th anniversary March 1, 2025.

SECURA was founded in 1900 by Julius Bubolz, a local farmer, after a tornado tore through New Richmond, Wisconsin causing incredible property damage, killing more than 100 people and injuring 500 others. Bubolz knew something needed to be done to ease the inevitable financial burden caused by future storms. Together with his neighbors, he founded The Farmers Home Mutual Hail, Tornado, and Cyclone Insurance Company of Seymour, Wisconsin (now SECURA Insurance).

Company accomplishments from the past 125 years include:

• Grew from a farm insurance company to also offer insurance solutions for businesses, agribusinesses, nonprofits, and special events
• Expanded to offer insurance products in 13 states
• Grew direct written premium to $999 million
• Achieved recognition as a Great Place to Work for nine consecutive years (2016-present)
• Increased the number of employees to approximately 1,000

“We are proud to be a mutual insurance company that has served our associates, agent partners, policyholders, and communities for the past 125 years,” said Garth Wicinsky, SECURA Insurance President & CEO. “We have accomplished many milestones throughout our history and look forward to growing over the next 125 years.”  

The company’s longevity speaks to the strength of its workplace culture, relationships with independent agents, and trust from policyholders. While much has changed since 1900, SECURA has remained a mutual insurance company focused on making insurance genuine.

ABOUT SECURA INSURANCE

SECURA Insurance, headquartered in Neenah, Wis., is a regional group of property-casualty insurance companies operating in 13 states. Approximately 550 independent insurance agencies represent the group, which provides a broad range of competitive commercial, agribusiness, farm, nonprofit, and special events products. SECURA Insurance is known for providing exceptional service to its agents and policyholders since 1900, and is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best for its excellent ability to meet policyholder obligations. It is also a certified Great Place to Work. Visit secura.net to learn more.