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.

For years, independent insurance agencies in Wisconsin have had to rely on generic compensation surveys that don’t reflect the unique size, structure, and realities of our industry. Until now, there has never been a comprehensive compensation survey designed exclusively for independent agents across Wisconsin.

That’s why Agency Compensation 360 was created. It's an industry-wide initiative to collect accurate, Wisconsin-specific compensation data from independent agencies of every size and type.

Why a Wisconsin-Specific Compensation Survey Matters

Independent agencies in Wisconsin span everything from small-town, family-run shops to large, multi-location firms. National or generalized compensation data can’t capture that diversity, leaving owners without reliable benchmarks.

Accurate compensation data matters because it helps you:

• Attract and retain top talent: Competitive pay structures ensure you’re not losing employees to competitors.
• Make smarter business decisions: Reliable benchmarks give you confidence in budgeting, hiring, and growth planning.
• Strengthen your agency’s future: Aligning compensation with industry standards protects your agency from turnover and helps sustain profitability.

The Opportunity Is Now

The Agency Compensation 360 survey is live right now, and we need participation from independent agency owners across Wisconsin. The more agencies that complete the survey, the stronger and more accurate the results will be.

But here’s the catch: Only agency owners and principals who complete the survey by November 2 will gain access to the interactive results dashboard in November. This tool will allow you to see compensation trends across agencies in Wisconsin – finally giving you the data you need to make confident decisions.

Don’t Miss Out

Independent agents have never had access to this kind of Wisconsin-focused compensation data before. Don’t be left in the dark while your peers gain insights that could reshape their compensation strategy.

Start the Survey Today

Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: extreme weather climbs to the top of business risk concerns, and Gen Z workers see AI as a career co-pilot.

Extreme Weather Emerges as Top Business Risk

Extreme weather has quickly risen to the forefront of business risk. The number of U.S. disasters costing over $1 billion has more than tripled—from an annual average of 7.2 (1980–2019) to about 23 per year between 2020 and 2024, according to Gartner.

Organizations are being pushed to rethink risk management strategies. It’s no longer enough to focus solely on physical damages such as flooding, storms, and wildfires. Businesses must also address transitional risks like changing regulations, evolving consumer expectations, and long-term climate exposure.

Enterprise Risk Management leaders are now tasked with building greater visibility into vulnerabilities, strengthening organizational agility, and embedding resilience throughout operations and supply chains. With insurance costs rising and coverage becoming more limited in high-risk regions, defining clear risk ownership within companies is becoming essential for sustaining business continuity. Read more here.

Gen Z Insurance Workers Want AI on the Job

A recent survey by Counterpart and Young Risk Professionals shows that Gen Z insurance workers largely welcome AI as a tool for career growth rather than a threat. Over half say AI poses no risk to their jobs, and 69% believe it will improve their workflow. At the same time, 45% point to slow technology adoption as a major challenge within the industry.

While AI is reshaping industries across the economy, the insurance sector has lagged in keeping pace. As the industry works to catch up, young professionals have an opportunity to position themselves as future leaders by leveraging AI expertise—an advantage that may outweigh traditional tenure. Looking ahead, companies that embrace innovation are likely to attract both top talent and future clients, while those that delay risk falling behind. 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: the Independent BROKERS TIME Act is introduced in the Senate, and the DOJ ends defense of the federal ban on noncompete agreements.

Independent BROKERS TIME Act Introduced in Senate

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) have introduced the Independent Broker Relief and Oversight of Knowingly Egregious and Repetitive Sales Tactics in Medicare Enrollment Act of 2025, better known as the Independent BROKERS TIME Act.

The bipartisan bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update regulations for independent agents, brokers, and third-party marketing organizations under Medicare Parts C and D. The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration. Read more here.

DOJ Drops Defense of Ban on Employee ‘Noncompete’ Agreements

The U.S. Department of Justice has dropped its legal defense of the 2024 Federal Trade Commission rule that banned employee noncompete agreements, which typically prevent workers from joining competitors or starting competing businesses.

The decision follows rulings from two federal judges striking down the rule, and the DOJ has now filed motions to dismiss related appeals in New Orleans and Atlanta. The rule had faced strong opposition from Republicans and business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson had signaled in February that the agency was reviewing the rule, making this move widely expected. 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.

Something big is coming to the independent insurance world this September, and you’re going to want in on it.

On September 4, we’re launching Agency Compensation 360, the first-ever, multi-state compensation survey built specifically for independent insurance agencies and powered by Big “I” associations. This isn’t just another generic industry report – it’s your chance to get real, independent agency-specific salary, benefits, and commission data that you can actually use.

Why this is a game changer for independent agents

Let’s be honest, up until now, getting accurate compensation data for independent agencies has been tough. Most of what’s out there mashes all kinds of insurance data together, making it hard to figure out how you really stack up.

With Agency Compensation 360, that changes. You’ll be able to compare your agency’s numbers with others of similar size and location, giving you a clear, accurate view of where you stand. Want to know how agencies your size in your region are paying producers? Or how benefits and PTO compare? You’ll finally have answers.

And the best part? If you take the survey, you get free access to the interactive dashboard when results go live in early November – a $2,500 value. You can filter the data by state, region, agency size, role, and more to get exactly the insights you need.

What’s in it for you

By participating, you’ll get:

• Salary & commission ranges that are actually relevant to independent agencies
• Benefits & PTO trends that show what’s competitive right now
• Insights into remote work adoption
• A peek at 2026 staffing forecasts so you can plan ahead

We can’t do it without you!

Here’s the thing – the more agents who take the survey, the more powerful and accurate the results will be. Your input will help create a more robust, insightful Agency Compensation 360 dashboard that benefits you and the entire independent agency community.

September 4 is compensation survey day. Look for more details in your inbox from the IIAW on how to complete the Agency Compensation 360 survey to access the results dashboard in November.

This is your opportunity to shape the data, see where see where your agency stands, and make smarter decisions for your business. Don’t miss it.

Launch Date: September 4

Results Available: Early November