The holidays can be a time of connection - but also, a quiet struggle for many. Between year-end goals, heavy workloads, and personal responsibilities, this season can take a real toll on our mental and emotional health. That’s why it’s so important to pause, check in with ourselves, and look out for those around us.

Today, we’re proud to highlight one of our new collaborators for 2026 - Project 55.

Founded by Justin Goodman and Brenden Corr, Project 55 was built to educate, equip, and empower everyone in our industry to better understand mental health and be ready to respond when it matters most.

Offering a FREE world-class mental health training, tools, resources, and community support - Project 55 helps individuals and organizations foster healthier, more resilient teams and create workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and safe to speak up. Because the truth is, the insurance industry is built on helping others - yet so many within it are quietly struggling.

And the impact is already real. Thousands across the industry have signed up and begun the training, started new conversations in their offices, and begun shaping a more compassionate, connected culture. Project 55 is more than a program - it’s a movement to change how we talk about mental health at work.

The IIAW is thrilled to share that Brenden and Justin will be presenting at InsurCon2026 on “Quiet Signs, Clear Actions: Leading Mental Health at Work.”

This season, take a moment to check in - with yourself, your coworkers, and your community. Learn more or start the free training today at www.project55.org

New survey shows widespread concern that excessive lawsuits are hurting policyholders.

ALEXANDRIA, VA (November 19, 2025)—As insurance lawsuits hit record levels, a new survey from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) reveals growing concern that excessive and abusive litigation is driving up costs for consumers and reforms are needed.

According to the survey, 64.3% of respondents said they were concerned about how excessive lawsuits increase their premiums, and 80.5% believe that the legal system is used in ways that unfairly drive up insurance costs. Overwhelmingly, 8 in 10 (80.3%) respondents also believed that their premiums would increase due to excessive lawsuits, even if they had never filed a claim themselves.

“Consumers are absolutely correct. They are paying the price for unnecessary lawsuits in the form of higher insurance costs for their households,” said Charles Symington, Big "I" president & CEO. “The survey makes it clear: Americans want reform and accountability. Independent agents are working with their customers so they further understand the impact of lawsuit abuse and how to advocate for reform.”

Consumers also expressed skepticism about who truly benefits from lawsuits against insurers. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said attorneys and law firms profit most, compared to only 30.9% who believe consumers with valid claims benefit.

Third-Party Litigation Funding Drives Costs Even Higher

Despite awareness of traditional lawsuit abuse, many consumers remain unfamiliar with “third-party litigation funding,” a growing practice where outside investors finance lawsuits for profit. Nearly 40% said they were not at all familiar with this trend, underscoring a gap in public understanding of how global capital is increasingly driving U.S. insurance litigation and consumer costs.

Call for Action and Reform

Consumers aren’t just aware of the problem; they’re ready for change. The survey reveals overwhelming demand for action to rein in abusive litigation and restore fairness to the insurance system.

• 89.7% say it’s important to reduce unnecessary lawsuits to help control insurance costs.
• 84.3% would support reforms if they knew certain legal practices were making their insurance more expensive.
• A majority (54.8%) believe that the state and federal government should take the lead in addressing the issue, while many also pointed to insurance companies (33.6%) and courts (32.6%).

“Consumers overwhelmingly agree that unchecked litigation is not protecting them, it’s costing them. It directly affects their family budgets by adding thousands of dollars every year in unnecessary costs for their insurance and other products and services.” added Symington.

According to The Perryman Group, lawsuit abuse is costing the average American family $5135 a year. Another recent study from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. (Munich Re US) estimates the impact is even higher—at more than $6,500 for a family of four. The Big “I” is working with a broad coalition of stakeholders across a variety of industries to educate consumers and legislators about litigation funding and hold those accountable for driving up insurance costs.

Methodology

National survey conducted by Mfour Data Research via mobile targeting consumers ages 25+ who have home, auto and/or business insurance.

About the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”)

Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing more than 25,000 agency locations. Big “I” members are trusted insurance advisers who offer consumers all types of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products—from a choice of insurance companies.

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: a Wisconsin contractor is fined for acting as a public adjuster, and climate risk remains a growing concern across the insurance industry.

Wisconsin Contractor Fined for Acting as a Public Adjuster

Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek issued a final decision imposing $6,000 in civil forfeitures after determining that a contractor acted as a public adjuster under Wisconsin law. This subjected the contractor to the standards outlined in Wis. Stat. ch. 629, which he violated through prohibited and fraudulent practices.

The contractor’s business model combined home repair services with “claim assistance” through assignments of benefits, which violated state law. Under Wis. Stat. § 629.10(3), individuals acting as public adjusters cannot have a financial interest in the subject of a claim beyond the compensation established in their contract. Read more here.

Most Insurance Execs Fear the Industry Isn’t Ready for Climate Risk

A new study from ZestyAI found that the insurance industry remains unprepared for climate-driven risks, even as natural disasters become more frequent, severe, and costly. According to the report, 61% of insurance executives believe the industry is not adapting quickly enough to climate-related threats.

Many insurers continue to rely on traditional actuarial and stochastic models, which were built for more stable conditions and fail to reflect today’s complex, property-specific loss patterns. ZestyAI’s leadership emphasized that the industry must evolve its risk modeling to match the realities of a changing climate and that AI-driven, property-level models can provide more accurate insights, improve transparency, and help all stakeholders strengthen resilience. 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.