Question: Who is the largest wholesale broker in the known universe?
Answer: Who cares?
As wholesale brokers frantically merge with one another in a race to achieve galactic dominance, we wonder how much size really matters? No, we don’t have 2,000 employees in 50 offices representing 1,000 markets, and no we are not your best bet on a fortune 500 multi national client, but for the typical day to day E&S placement, we are your shop!
For the same reasons a locally owned independent retailer is often the best option for your clients, so too might an independent, locally owned wholesaler, focused solely on your needs, be your best option for a wholesale partner.
We have been proudly serving retail agents for 40 years now and going strong. For more information on our extensive capabilities, contact Chris Gaddis at cgaddis@gaddiscompany.com or 888 853 0071 or visit us on the web at www.gaddiscompany.com
CONVO 2022 Wrap-Up
Inside-Outside Game:
By Scott FreidayChanges are Here - Is Your Agency
By Carey Wallace
an
By Craig Neiss and Luke Hippler
Reports That
By Kelly Donahue-Piro
By Robert Pettinicchi
IS Still a Numbers Game
John Chapin
Curtis Pearsall
Board of Directors Executive Committee
Chairman of the Board | Jay Peterson, AFIS, LUTCF (217) 935-6605 | jay@peterson.insurance
President | Kevin Lesch (630) 830-3232 | klesch@arachasgroup.com
President-Elect | Allyson Padilla (618) 393-2195 | allyson@blanksinsurance.com
Vice President | Patrick Taphorn, CIC, CSRM (309) 347-2177 | ptaphorn@unland.com
Secretary/Treasurer | Cindy Jackman, CIC, CISR (800) 878-9891 x8745 | cjackman@arlingtonroe.com
IIABA National Director | George Daly (708) 845-3311 | george.daly@thehortongroup.com
Regional Directors
Region 1 | James Sager (618) 322-9891 | james@sagerins.com
Region 2 | Ray Roentz (618) 639-2244 | ray.roentz@hwcrins.com
Region 3 | Christopher Leming (217) 321-3185 | cleming@troxellins.com
Region 4 | Bart Hartauer, CIC (815) 223-1795 | hartauer@hartauer.com
Region 5 | Noele Tatlock (309) 642-6855 | ntatlock@unland.com
Region 6 | Thomas Evans, Jr. (779) 220-6564 | tevans@crumhalsted.com
Region 7 | David Jenk, Esq. (312) 239-2717 | djenk@nwibrokers.com
Region 8 | Charles Hruska (708) 798-5700 | chas@hruskains.com
Region 9 | Lindsey Polzin (630) 513-6600 | lpolzin@presidiogrp.com
Region 10 | Mohammed Ali CS (847) 847-2126 | mali@aliminsurance.com
At-Large Director | Amiri Curry (847) 797-5700 | acurry@assuranceagency.com
At-Large Director | Jeff McMillan (815) 265-4037 | jeff@mcmillanins.com
At-Large Director | Patrick Muldowney (312) 595-7192 | patrick.muldowney@alliant.com
At-Large Director | Luke Sandrock, CIC (815) 772-2793 | lsandrock@2cornerstone.com
Committee Chairs
Budget & Finance | Cindy Jackman, CIC, CISR (800) 878-9891 x8745 | cjackman@arlingtonroe.com
Education | Lisa Lukens (618) 942-2556 | salibainsurance@gmail.com
Farm Agents Council | Steve
Government
Planning
Technology
Young
APPLIED UNDERWRITERS
Director of Information and Technology Shannon Churchill - (217) 321-3004 - schurchill@iiaofil.org
Director of Education and Agency Resources Brett Gerger, CIC - (217) 321-3006 - bgerger@iiaofil.org
Accounting & Admin Services Tami Hubbell, CIC - (217) 321-3016 - thubbell@iiaofil.org
Director of Human Resources, Board Admin Jennifer Jacobs, SHRM-CP - (217) 321-3013 - jjacobs@iiaofil.org
Sr. Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Mark Kuchar - (217) 321-3015 - mkuchar@iiaofil.org
Chief Executive Officer Phil Lackman, IOM - (217) 321-3005 - plackman@iiaofil.org
Central/Southern Marketing Representative Lori Mahorney, CISR Elite - (217) 415-7550 - lmahorney@iiaofil.org
Director of Government Relations Evan Manning - (217) 321-3002 - emanning@iiaofil.org
Office Administrator Kristi Osmond, CISR - (217) 321-3007 - kosmond@iiaofil.org
Director of Communications Rachel Romines - (217) 321-3024 - rromines@iiaofil.org
Director of Membership Services Tom Ross, CRIS, CPIA - (217) 321-3003 - tross@iiaofil.org
Products & Services Administrator Janet White, CISR - (217) 321-3010 - jwhite.indep12@insuremail.net
Director of Prof. Liability & Ins. Products Carol Wilson, CPIA - (217) 321-3011 - cwilson.indep12@insuremail.net
TRUST US TO PROTECT THEIR DATA
A lost laptop or stolen smartphone can cause a data breach for even the smallest business. Our Cyber Liability and Data Breach coverage protects your customers, helping them maintain their customers’ trust. Trust in Tomorrow.® Contact us today.
IN THE WORLD OF INSURANCE, CLAIMS DO HAPPEN.
IPMG’s Claims Management Services division (CMS) is that partner. As a full-service claims management company, IPMG CMS accepts the responsibility and expects to be held accountable for the results we achieve on behalf of our clients.
SERVICES AND RESOURCES:
entity
INTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL AND COST CONTAINMENT PRACTICES:
Adjuster book of business analysis – to ensure workload does not affect service levels
Closing ration analysis – a monthly review to ensure adjusters are achieving maximum production
Claims diary tracking
Formal litigation handling guidelines and practices
Comprehensive medical bill review – average 59% cost reduction
Pharmacy benefit program – average 35% cost reduction
ISO claims search
Medicare section 111 data reporting and compliance
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who attended CONVO this year. I cannot thank our carriers and sponsors enough for the support and collaboration that made this year’s CONVO such a valuable event and a huge success.
I am very proud of the content and the opportunities to learn that were presented to our membership at CONVO 2022. With the abundance of changes our industry faces, whether it be technological, social, political, economic, or otherwise, our association consistently responds with relevant and meaningful content for our membership.
At CONVO, there was a slew of topics that were very relevant to the independent agent. Technology, crypto, attracting and hiring talent, and differentiating yourself in the marketplace, just to name a few. Our close-out session was a fantastic discussion about the insurance industry and an election forecast that shined a spotlight on some issues we will be facing and how the upcoming election may influence insurance legislation over the coming years.
Reflecting on that last day of CONVO should be a reminder that the IIA of Illinois advocates on our behalf as the state continuously faces a large slate of legislative and regulatory issues. I commend you for being a member of the IIA of IL, but I also urge you to support the Independent Insurance Agents Political Action Committee (IIAPAC). Your support provides our association the opportunity to build relationships with our elected representatives and senators and educate them on issues that affect our industry and the people and businesses we serve. Please go to my.iiaofil.org/donate and contribute today.
I want to thank everyone who took the TIME to invest in themselves and attend our CONVO. I know it was worth it. If you were unable to make it, you can view highlights of the event in this issue of Insight.
Unfortunately, the summary is not the same as being there in person, so get next year’s event on the calendar now, October 10-12, 2023, in Peoria, IL.
Hopefully I will get to see many of you at the next IIA event.
Again, thank you, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
It shouldn’t take your customer’s roof disappearing in a matter of seconds to find out who you can count on.
BUT SOMETIMES IT
And that’s the Silver Lining®.
Groovy, Awesome, Rad, Cool, Far Out, Happening, Dope, Bussin’
By Shannon ChurchillAs our theme was “The Evolution of Insurance,” it only seems fitting to use a variety of terms to share the success we felt from this year’s event. The lineup of over 21 speakers, presenting during 15 different education sessions, provided attendees great opportunities to customize their learning on topics from selling with video, bitcoin, solar, E&O and ethics to agency operations and procedures, just to name a few. The first of the keynote sessions was “The Evolution of Insurance,” with Steve Anderson of Catalyit and a panel of insurance professionals. This session gave everyone insights into industry issues, including technology, finding and retaining talent, procedures, remote work, and more. The closing keynote session, “Industry and Election Forecast,” featured Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Charles Symington, Executive Vice President of Big “I.” They had an insightful discussion on the upcoming elections, the impact on small businesses, and an overall outlook on the political landscape. Hannah Meisel, with NPR of Illinois, and Phil Lackman, CEO of IIA of IL, shared similar state-level insights, discussed the new district remapping, and analyzed the upcoming elections. IL Department of Insurance (DOI) Director Dana Popish Severinghaus gave an update on the DOI staff’s focus, goals, and challenges.
In addition to learning, the six social events created great opportunities for networking among attendees and exhibitors. The 120 exhibitors brought a variety of services and products to benefit independent agencies. We raised $3,075 for Make-A-Wish and collected $3,500 for IIAPAC.
As I said, I think we had a really successful event, but you don’t have to take my word for it. In the post-event survey, the common theme in the feedback was “CONVO is worth the investment of time and money!” Read on to see additional feedback we have received. Take time to review the pictures in this magazine issue and on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/iiaofil. A picture is worth a thousand words, after all. If you want to share your thoughts or learn more about CONVO, please reach out to me at schurchill@iiaofil.org.
We are already working on CONVO 2023. Make sure you hold the dates on your calendar now, October 10-12, in Peoria, IL. If you have thoughts about what you want to see, let me know.
I loved the convention. Very informative.
- First Time Attendee
I had a great time at the CONVO and I really enjoyed the breakout sessions, especially the Cyber 101. The final day panel of guests were also very interesting.
- First Time Attendee
I thought the convention was great and I was very happy I attended. I do not have a license (no need for CE credit) and am relatively new to the industry, so it was great for me to soak up a lot of knowledge and meet an awful lot of people. The breakout sessions were fantastic and I only wish they were spread out more so I hade a chance to attend more where I had to make a choice between topics presented at the same time.
I think the offering of an education session day one for those not golfing was a great option, and I was glad to have the opportunity to hear Nicole [Broch] speak that afternoon. The session with Steve Anderson was great, the food trucks gave everyone multiple options and a variety of foods was fantastic. I’d have to say it was a very well done event and I look forward to next year.
- First Time Attendee
I thought the event was very well organized and extremely informative! Look forward to more.
- First Time Attendee
What a great time! The breakout sessions were wonderful, excellent options to attend. The entertainment was great. Wonderful experience overall!!
- First Time Attendee
Great event, tradeshow was great. Always good to catch up with my peers in person and form new friendships.
- Anonymous
Award Recipients
Agent of the Year Ray Roentz Agency of the Year (Less than 10 Employees) Heneghan, White, Cutting, & Roentz Insurance Agency Agency of theassociate news
Marisue Elias-Newman Elected NWCRA Chairperson
Marisue Elias-Newman, Esq. was recently elected Chairperson for the National Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association (NWCRA) Board of Directors at its 2022 annual meeting. The NWCRA is a contractual reinsurance pooling mechanism among participating carriers that provides an arrangement to comply with the state statutes and the Workers’ Compensation insurance plans for assigned risk business.
Elias-Newman, who was elected to the NWCRA board in 2019, is the Assistant Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies, where she oversees the company’s residual market activities, licensing, and governmental relations. She is the past chair and current member of the New Jersey Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (NJCRIB), the past chair and current member of the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB), and a member of the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Bureau (NCRB) Workers’ Compensation Committee.
Elias-Newman earned a BA, summa cum laude, from King’s College and a JD from the Dickinson School of Law.
SECURA Insurance Announces Promotions
SECURA Insurance promoted Mary Gronbach to Vice President – Investments effective October 17, 2022. Gronbach joined SECURA in 2013 as Director of Investments where she was responsible for managing SECURA’s investment portfolio and leading the treasury, billing, and accounts payable functions.
In the Vice President – Investments role, Gronbach will continue to lead financial services functions that directly and significantly influence the revenue, profitability, and financial status of SECURA by managing the company’s investment portfolio. In addition, Gronbach will assist the finance team in setting financial plans, tax and risk management, and capital modeling. Gronbach has a master’s degree in accounting and financial management, is a CPA, and has completed Advanced Level Leadership with Leadership Fox Cities.
SECURA Insurance promoted Kevin Klestinski to Chief Underwriting Officer effective Oct. 3, 2022.
Klestinski joined SECURA in 2015 as Vice President –Specialty Lines Underwriting where he was responsible for the profitability of the carrier’s Specialty Lines property and casualty insurance products.
Prior to this, Klestinski worked as Vice President of Property and Casualty Underwriting at CapSpecialty Insurance where he led both their Admitted and E&S divisions, and he also held various commercial underwriting roles at Acuity Insurance. Klestinski holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., and has the CPCU, CIC, CPIA, ASLI, AU, and AIS designations.
SECURA Insurance Named on RISE Elite 50 Internships List
SECURA Insurance was named on the Rising Insurance Star Executives (RISE) 2022 Elite 50 Internships list, which recognizes the 50 best internship programs in the insurance industry across the U.S. RISE recognizes internship programs with high intern satisfaction, opportunities for interns to network with peers and executives, as well as meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
The SECURA internship program is structured to provide interns opportunities to network and work with other interns, full-time associates, and executive team members. The program offers job shadows to help interns find their best fit at the company, and 98% of interns say they would like to stay at SECURA for a full-time position after graduation. SECURA invests in its interns. Company leaders engage with the interns to give them autonomy in their workload, so interns can gain experience in areas where they want to grow.
The internship program encourages interns to get to know each other through company-hosted intern events, such as mini golf and ice cream, pick-up basketball games, corn hole games, and more. The program also partners with SECURA’s Young Professionals Network to offer opportunities to network and advance their careers with other young professionals.
To learn more about SECURA’s internship program, visit secura.net/careers/internships.
SECURA Insurance Promotes Kevin Klestinski to Chief Underwriting Officer
SECURA Insurance promoted Kevin Klestinski to Chief Underwriting Officer effective Oct. 3, 2022.
Klestinski joined SECURA in 2015 as Vice President –Specialty Lines Underwriting where he was responsible for the profitability of the carrier’s Specialty Lines property and casualty insurance products.
Prior to this, Klestinski worked as Vice President of Property and Casualty Underwriting at CapSpecialty Insurance where he led both their Admitted and E&S divisions, and he also held various commercial underwriting roles at Acuity Insurance. Klestinski holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., and has the CPCU, CIC, CPIA, ASLI, AU, and AIS designations.
West Bend Mutual Insurance Announces Jacques Promotion to President
West Bend Mutual Insurance Company announced the promotion of Rob Jacques to president. Jacques has been with the company for 22 years and is a senior officer leading West Bend’s Commercial Enterprise. As president, he will continue to support the company’s corporate strategies and operating principles.
Jacques also serves as a director on the boards of the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, and the Kettle Moraine YMCA.
Kevin Steiner, current president and CEO, will remain as CEO.
West Bend Mutual Insurance Announces Buss Promotion to Director of Sales
West Bend Mutual Insurance Company has announced the promotion of Dan Buss to director of sales effective September 25. Buss will oversee West Bend’s sales efforts in Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. Buss’s experience with West Bend over the past 18 years makes him uniquely qualified for this role. He’s spent time as a commercial underwriter and agency automation representative and was a regional sales manager for seven years. Buss excelled as a state sales manager for five years, allowing him to work closely with agency partners to promote profitable growth.
Buss’s promotion reflects West Bend’s growth and the need to position the Sales team to meet their independent agents’ needs as West Bend continues their state expansion plans. Buss graduated from UW Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing and has earned CIC and AINS designations.
Rockford Mutual Insurance Company
Named in Business Insurance’s 2022 Best Places to Work in Insurance
Rockford Mutual Insurance Company (RMIC) has earned a place on the annual Best Places to Work in Insurance program for a second year in a row. This program recognizes employers nationwide for their outstanding performance in establishing workplaces where associates can thrive, enjoy their work and help their company grow.
RMIC’s mission is to help families, individuals and businesses today and during their time of need by providing exceptional service, innovation, security, ease of doing business and paying claims promptly and fairly. They carry out their mission by hiring the best associates, cultivating their talents, and living their core values while leveraging technology.
RMIC is proud to provide a friendly atmosphere, benefits package, education and training programs for professional development, give back days, and more.
Best Places to Work in Insurance is an annual sponsored content feature presented by the Custom Publishing unit of Business Insurance and Best Companies Group that lists the agents, brokers, insurance companies and other providers with the highest levels of employee engagement and satisfaction. Harrisburg, Pa.-based Best Companies Group identifies the leading employers in the insurance industry by conducting a free two-part assessment of each company. The first part is a questionnaire completed by the employer about company policies, practices and demographics. The second part is a confidential employee survey on engagement and satisfaction.
The program divides employers into the categories of small, 25-249 employees; medium, 250-999 employees; and large, 1,000 or more employees. This year’s report features 100 companies of various sizes, from 25 employees to more than 4,000.
“Let me consult my crystal ball.”
SAID NO AGENT EVER.
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But don’t take our word for it. Check out BOP-Pro products from UFG today. No crystal ball required.
Diamond Level
Platinum Level Progressive
Surplus Line Association of Illinois
Gold Level
AAA Insurance
Arlington/Roe
BlueCross/Blue Shield of IL
Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company
Keystone Insurance Group, Inc.
Pekin Insurance
Silver Level
Imperial PFS
IMT Insurance
West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.
Bronze Level
A. J. Wayne & Associates
AMERISAFE
AmTrust North America
Auto-Owners Insurance Co.
Badger Mutual Insurance Company
Berkley Management Protection
Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Companies
BluSky Restoration Contractors
Central Illinois Mutual Insurance Company
Chubb
ClickVSC
Columbia Insurance Group Continental Western Group
Cornerstone National Insurance Company
Cowbell Cyber CRC Group
CRDN of Chicago (formerly Restoronics)
Donald Gaddis Company, Inc.
Donegal Insurance Group
EMC Insurance
Encova Insurance
Family Financial Solutions Group
Forreston Mutual Insurance Company
Frankenmuth Insurance
Grange Insurance
Homeowners of America Insurance Company
Illinois Mine Subsidence Ins. Fund
Illinois Public Risk Fund
Indiana Farmers Insurance Insurance Program Managers Group
J M Wilson
Liberty Mutual/Safeco Insurance Madison Mutual Insurance Company
Main Street America Insurance Marble Box MarshBerry
Maximum Independent Brokerage, LLC Mercury Insurance Group Method Workers Comp Midwest Insurance Company
Nationwide
NHRMA Mutual Workers’ Compensation
Pouch Insurance
Previsor Insurance & Missouri Employers Mutual PuroClean Emergency Restoration Services
Rockford Mutual Insurance Company
RT Specialty - Naperville
Sensa, Inc. ServiceMaster DSI Society Insurance
SPRISKA - Specialty Risk of America Synergy Select
The McGowan Companies Travelers
UFG Insurance
UIG - The Agent Agency
Utica National Insurance Group
W. A. Schickedanz Agency, Inc./Interstate Risk Placement
Western National Insurance Westfield
Education Classes
Pre-Licensing-Property & Casualty Springfield & Virtual
Ethics: Essentials for the Insurance Producer Webinar
E&O Roadmap to Personal Auto Webinar
E&O-Roadmap to Homeowners Endorsements Webinar
CISR-Commercial Casualty 2 Springfield & Virtual
CIC-Commercial Property Springfield & Virtual
E&O Roadmap To Cyber & Privacy Insurance Webinar
Pre-Licensing-Life & Health Virtual
E&O: Identity Theft, Red Flags, and Money Laundering Webinar
E&O: Defenses, Preventions for the Ins. Professional Webinar
CIC-JK Ruble Graduate Seminar Virtual
NCR Insurance Group Palatine, IL
Peachey Living, LLC Elmhurst, IL
Stateline Insurance Agency, Inc. Hebron, IL
TWH Services, Inc. Bloomington, IL
For information regarding IIA of IL membership or company sponsorship, contact Tom Ross, Director of Membership Services, at (217) 321-3003, tross@iiaofil.org.
E&O: Duties, Best Practices, Operations, Certificates Webinar
Pre-Licensing-Property & Casualty Virtual
E&O: Identity Theft, Red Flags, and Money Laundering Webinar
Flood Insurance, FEMA, and the NFIP Webinar
Pre-Licensing-Life & Health Virtual
E&O Roadmap to Personal Auto Webinar
Deep Dive Into Agency Ethics Webinar
CISR-Insuring Commercial Property Virtual Class
E&O Roadmap To Cyber & Privacy Insurance Webinar
E&O-Roadmap to Homeowners Endorsements Webinar
Central Illinois Mutual Insurance Company Villa Grove, IL
Branch Insurance Columbus, OH
Paul Davis Restoration of North Chicago Chicago, IL
for the insurance professional by the insurance professional
INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENCIES WANTED
17. We are an Independent family-owned agency located in the Chicago area. We are looking to expand through growth and acquisition. If you have a small to medium sized agency and are looking to sell, call or send us a message. We are strictly looking for Personal Lines and Small Commercial accounts with preferred companies.
GALO Insurance Agency, Inc (847) 832-0888 steve@galoagency.com
AGENCY/AGENTS/PRODUCERS WANTED
02. Forest Park/Oak Park agency for over 60 years, will meet your needs by providing space, markets, marketing & sales support, automation, merging with or purchasing your agency. Perpetuation/ Succession Plans, BuySell Agreements also available. We have experienced, educated and dedicated staff for you and your clients. Have access to our numerous companies, office services and many other resources. Retain ownership in your book with contingency. Please look closely at us- we are an agency you want to do business with! We’ve done it before, we know how- we make it easy! Visit our website at forestagency.com/agents.html, or call for a confidential discussion and a list of Agency benefits.
Dan Browne will provide an agency evaluation/appraisal at little cost to you. Please call:
Dan Browne or Cathy Hall Forest Insurance (708) 383-9000
www.forestinsured.com/mergers-acquisitions
AGENCY WANTED
20. Since 2004, Central Illinois Agents Group LLC has been providing independent agents with a variety of markets with contingency opportunities. Agents have availability to several markets that they may not be able to sustain or maintain on their own. We have markets for personal, commercial, agricultural and crop insurance lines. Let us help you get to the next level.
Visit www.ciagonline.com for contact information.
OPPORTUNITIES/SPACE AVAILABLE/RETAIN OWNERSHIP
13. We are a 100 year old Northbrook agency looking to discuss any mutually beneficial opportunity. Our producers, mergers, clusters and agency purchases receive 50% commissions on new and renewal business without any expenses. We can provide: office space, phones, agency management system, service renewals and changes. The companies we represent are: Badger Mutual, Employers Mutual, General Casualty, Guide One, Hartford, Kemper, Progressive, Rockford Mutual, Safeco, State Auto, Travelers and Met Life. Contact:
Nancy Solomon Martini, Miller & Schloss, Inc. (847) 291-1313 Ron@martini-miller.com
We Make Hiring Easier +
CareerPlug’s hiring software helps agents attract more qualified candidates, identify the right candidates with confidence, and improve hiring results.
CareerPlug will provide IIA of IL members access to a free account that can be used to post jobs, manage applicants, and improve the organizations’ employment brand. Association members can also access a “Pro” version of CareerPlug for a special rate to take hiring to the next level.
Learn more about CareerPlug and check out the brand new IIA of IL job board at www.iiaofil.org
SECURA’s team of insurance experts is making insurance genuine. They are here to support you and your clients. Our underwriting teams are quick to reply, open-minded, and know their stuff. Plus they are backed by our caring claims group who will get your clients back on their feet.