Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: a look at why AI has surged to the second-largest global business risk, plus key insights families should know about insuring teen drivers.

AI Jumps to Second Place in Top Business Risks

Cyber incidents remain the top global business risk for 2026 for the fifth consecutive year, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer. Cyber risk was cited by 42% of respondents (up from 38% last year) and ranked as the leading concern across companies of all sizes.

Artificial intelligence made a significant leap, rising to second place after being cited by 32% of respondents, up from just 10% last year when it first entered the top 10. Risks tied to AI include implementation challenges, liability concerns, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation. Both cyber and AI now rank among the top five risks across nearly every industry sector. Read more here.

5 Things to Know About Insuring Teen Drivers

Insuring new, young drivers has always been costly, but in 2025, rising premiums have made coverage increasingly challenging for many families. According to The Zebra, the average annual cost to insure a 16-year-old driver exceeds $7,600. Premiums average $6,723 for 17-year-olds, $6,341 for 18-year-olds, and $5,620 for 19-year-olds.

In this article, PropertyCasualty360 outlines five important considerations for parents insuring teen drivers, from why teen boys typically cost more to insure than girls, to how location and vehicle choice can significantly impact rates. 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: a federal reminder impacting Medicare Advantage commissions—plus a timely look at the most common insurance claims during the holiday season.

CMS: States Cannot Regulate Medicare Advantage Broker Compensation

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Dec. 4 memo reminding state insurance departments that federal law preempts state efforts to regulate Medicare Advantage (MA) broker compensation and marketing practices. The clarification follows heightened scrutiny during open enrollment, including a lawsuit filed by UnitedHealthcare against the Idaho Department of Insurance and recent emergency actions by some states aimed at limiting commission changes. CMS emphasized that MA compensation is governed by federal standards, even as insurers adjust commissions amid rising cost pressures. Read more here.

5 Common Causes of Christmastime Claims

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for insurance claims, as increased travel, decorating, hosting, and winter weather all raise risk. Understanding the most common causes of holiday claims can help insureds take preventative steps and avoid costly surprises in the new year.

Some of the most frequent causes of Christmastime claims include:

• Porch piracy 
• Fires 
• Car accidents 
• Winter weather 
• Guest actions

Encouraging safety awareness during the holidays can go a long way in reducing risk and protecting both homes and businesses. 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 top U.S. airports for flight delays this holiday season, and changes coming to Wisconsin liquor laws.

The 5 Worst Airports for On-Time Flights this Holiday Season

AAA projects that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving period, from Tuesday, Nov. 25, through Monday, Dec. 1. This year’s domestic travel forecast includes 1.6 million more travelers than last year, setting a new record.

Weather challenges, heavy passenger volumes, and congested airspace are all contributing to expected delays as airports prepare for record-breaking crowds. According to Transfeero, these airports have the worst on-time performance heading into the holiday season:

1. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
2. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
3. San Diego International Airport (SAN)
4. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
5. George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH)

Read more here.

Horse Out of the Barn on Toughened Wisconsin Liquor Laws

New liquor licensing requirements in Wisconsin will soon apply to all venues—including wedding barns—after a judge dismissed a challenge to the state’s major 2023 alcohol law overhaul. The lawsuit claimed the changes unconstitutionally targeted wedding barn businesses, but the judge sided with regulators, noting the state’s responsibility to prevent excessive drinking.

Beginning in 2026, barn owners must obtain either a traditional liquor license or a special permit allowing beer and wine service up to six times a year, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. Previously, wedding barns operated without these restrictions. 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: 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.