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Big I Buzz - April 9, 2025

Posted By Kim Fiene, Wednesday, April 9, 2025

 

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.

Tags:  big i buzz  insuring Wisconsin  wisconsin independent agent  wisconsin independent insurance association  wisconsin insurance agency help  wisconsin insurance blog  wisconsin insurance news 

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Rural Mutual and Badger Mutual Finalize Affiliation Agreement

Posted By Kim Fiene, Thursday, January 16, 2025

Madison, Wis. Jan. 16, 2025 Rural Mutual Insurance Company and Badger Mutual Insurance Company, with a combined 227 years of providing farm, commercial, and personal policies, have finalized their affiliation agreement based on regulatory approval from the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) as of January 1, 2025.

The two insurance companies announced their intent to affiliate in October 2024.  Rural Mutual and Badger Mutual each bring unique attributes and value to the affiliation, including their industry knowledge, exceptional customer service, and deep community involvement. A shared vision and culture will ensure collaboration while both Rural Mutual and Badger Mutual retain their distinct brand identities. Leaders of both organizations say that there is a shared commitment to working together to achieve long-term growth and stability for employees, agents, and policyholders.

“Our two organizations have been meeting daily to finalize the details to bring together our two reputable brands for mutual growth,” said Dan Merk, Rural Mutual Executive Vice President and CEO. “We are excited about what the future holds as we begin this new affiliation.”

Rural Mutual adds its financial strength and AM Best A+ rating, seasoned staff, local agents, and operational excellence to the relationship. Badger Mutual contributes an experienced management team and independent agents with an expanded sales footprint in six states outside of Wisconsin. The current ratings of each organization will remain under review until AM Best completes its evaluation of the new relationship post transaction.

“After much anticipation, we are thrilled to officially join forces with Rural Mutual,” said Dan Nigro, CEO of Badger Mutual. “The synergy between both organizations has been outstanding, and I have great confidence in our mutual success as we embrace this amazing opportunity.”

About Rural Mutual Insurance Company

Rural Mutual Insurance Company has been protecting Wisconsin for 90 years and is the state’s No. 1 writer of farm insurance and No. 4 writer of commercial insurance. As an AM Best A+ Superior company, Rural Mutual provides a full line of insurance products exclusively to farms, families, and businesses in Wisconsin. The company is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin with over 150 local agents across the state.

About Badger Mutual Insurance Company

Badger Mutual Insurance Company has been providing a range of property and casualty insurance products since 1887. The company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is represented by over 320 local agencies across seven states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada.

Tags:  insuring Wisconsin  wisconsin insurance association  wisconsin insurance blog  wisconsin insurance news 

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Big I Buzz - September 30, 2020

Posted By IIAW Staff, Tuesday, September 29, 2020

On this week's Big I Buzz, we are discussing the kick-off of our Agency Leadership Webinar Series, what the future of Wisconsin hotels & lodging may look like and an update on COVID-19 in Wisconsin. 

Impact of COVID-19 on the Insurance Industry

Our Agency Leadership Webinar Series kicks off on Thursday, October 1st at 10 a.m. Our featured speaker, Dr. Steven Weisbart will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the insurance industry. Dr. Steven N. Weisbart oversees the Insurance Information Institute's program of economic research and analysis, preparing studies in support of the organization's communications mission, speaking to media and conducting briefings for member companies, industry organizations and public policymakers. Since joining the I.I.I. in 2005, Dr. Weisbart has authored several significant research papers and articles on a variety of insurance issues, including the threat of an avian flu pandemic and the effect of US population on the property/casualty insurance industry. Register for this webinar here

Wisconsin Could Lose Nearly Half of Hotels & Lodging Establishments without Financial Assistance

According to The Wheeler Report, "The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association recently shared numbers from an internal survey showing that 47% of lodging facilities could close within 12 months without loan or grant assistance. The survey also shows that more than 50% of the state's lodging property staff remained furloughed or laid off." National studies from the American Hotel & Lodging Association has reported that 68% of hoteliers are reporting that they will only be able to last six more months at current projected revenue and occupancy levels absent any further relief. Learn more here

Wisconsin Hits 2,817 Infections, Record for New Coronavirus Cases Reported

On Saturday, September 26th, Wisconsin hit a record for the number of COVID cases in a day. Health officials reported 2,817 people tested positive for the virus. 

According to Insurance Journal, "Over the course of the pandemic, 113,645 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Wisconsin. About 83% of those people have recovered, while over 18,000 have active infections and 1,281 have died. Read more from Insurance Journal 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. We hope that everyone has a great rest of their week! 

Tags:  Big I Buzz  insurance news  insuring Wisconsin  wisconsin independent insurance association  wisconsin insurance agency help  wisconsin insurance blog  wisconsin insurance news 

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Big I Buzz - July 29, 2020

Posted By Evan Leitch, Wednesday, July 29, 2020

In this week's Big I Buzz, we have news about the success of the WEDC "We're All In" small business grants that the IIAW assisted eligible members with obtaining, IIABA's new Agency Cyber Guide 3.0 from ACT and a new report shows that the average age of cars Americans drive is about 12 years.

WEDC "We're All In" Small Business Grant

The WEDC Reviewed more than 30,500 applications for the 'We're All In' grants for small  businesses. The IIAW assisted hundreds of Wisconsin insurance agencies in obtaining this grant. 

 ACT Releases Agency Cyber Guide 3.0

Handling sensitive information is now one of the most critical responsibilities faced by the modern insurance agency. Independent insurance agents and brokers must properly collect and protect sensitive client information every day. This means complying with state and federal regulations as well as adhering to customer service best practice standards, and compliance with Data Privacy Laws as mandated in all Agency/Company contracts. 

 Average Age of Cars Americans Are Driving Nears 12 Years: IHS Markit

Americans are hanging on to their cars and trucks longer, pushing the average age of vehicles on the road to the highest level in nearly 20 years even before the coronavirus hit, according to new data from IHS Markit Ltd. That is not good for emissions or safety, but t could give a lift to companies that manufacture and sell repair parts.  

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. We hope that everyone has a great rest of their week! 

 

Read the July 29 edition of the Big I Buzz Here

Tags:  Big I Buzz  IIAW news  insurance industry news  Insurance news  insuring wisconsin  weekly wisconsin insurance agent newsletter  wisconsin insurance news 

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