Primary Agent - September 2024

Page 1


INTERVIEW WITH JEFF OLSOMMER

Pennsylvania State Representative – and president of IA&B Member Agency OlsommerClarke Insurance Group – Jeff Olsommer reflects on his career and his passion for politics. 12

AND PAC: WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR INSURANCE AGENTS THIS NOVEMBER?

IA&B Government Affairs Director John Savant shares how political action committees work and recent successes of AgentPAC.

AGENTPAC CONTRIBUTORS

Thank you to these independent agents and agencies which supported IA&B’s statebased, bi-partisan political action committee, AgentPAC, in 2023.

COLLECTIVELY LOBBYING FOR A DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP

As a three-state organization, we often have to be neutral in our allegiances, recognizing our diverse membership. We say all three states do a good job with crab cakes, when we know Maryland perfects it. We say the Eagles and the Ravens are decent football teams, when of course the Steelers are the best....

When it comes to our government affairs work, the same can be said. In what is proving to be an extremely contentious and divisive election year, IA&B simply puts its head down and only considers the best interests of our members when lobbying. We know our membership base is just as diverse about its politics as it is about its sports teams. No matter who we support legislatively, chances are it may be questioned by one side of the political spectrum or the other. But please know, our support is by no means an allegiance to one party over another. We go into our government affairs work with only one thing in mind – who has the best interests of independent insurance agents in mind.

Our lobbying teams in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware spend time meeting legislators on both sides of the aisle to discuss issues that are important to insurance agents and their business. In our conversations, we identify who supports our cause and who may not be as supportive. We then use member-donated PAC funds to support our allies in the legislature. We may not agree with every position a legislator takes, but we have vetted them enough to know they will protect our livelihood.

Of course, the perfect scenario sometimes arises where an IA&B member agent becomes a legislator, like Jeff Olsommer – who you will meet in the pages ahead. And it goes without saying – we greatly appreciate the PAC donations made by our members, who we recognize in this edition as well. It’s your generous support that allows us to fight the good fight in our three state capitals.

Onward and upward,

INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS

650 Wilson Lane, Suite 200 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

191 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 800-998-9644 | IABforME.com

IA&B BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Sarah Brown, CIC, CRM, AFIS - Chair Keller Brown Insurance Services | Shrewsbury, PA

Andrew Enders, Esq. - Vice Chair Enders | Harrisburg, PA

MEMBERS

Lisa Parry, CPIA Parry Insurance Langhorne, PA

Greg Bennett Famous & Spang Associates Aberdeen, MD

Kate Dawson, CPIA Ferri Dawson Insurance Murrysville, PA

Michael Gaetano The Hartman Group Montoursville, PA

Bruce D. Kraft, AAI, CIC Arbor Insurance Group Allentown, PA

Debra McAfee McAfee Insurance Agency, LLC Wilmington, DE

Michael McGroarty, Jr., CIC McGroarty & Bradburn Insurance Pittsburgh, PA

Shayne McIntosh, CIC JPI Insurance Associates Dillsburg, PA

Michael Papa, CIC, MBA Diversified Insurance Industries, Inc. Hunt Valley, MD

Chris Miller, CIC Miller Insurance Protection Team Jonestown, PA

Bill Purdy Purdy Insurance Agency, Inc. Sunbury, PA

Kent Reynolds, CIC Blue Ridge Risk Partners LLC Hagerstown, MD

David Rivell, CIC, CRM Element Risk Management West Chester, PA

Jason Rodriguez, CIC Prominent Insurance Svcs Wilmington, DE

Donna Roper E K McConkey & Company York, PA

Ashley Stafford, CPIA Williams Insurance Agency, Inc. Rehoboth Beach, DE

Michael Thomas Lighthouse Insurance Svcs Gambrills, MD

NATIONAL DIRECTORS

Mike Ertel (PIA)

The Jacobs Company | Columbia, MD

Diana Hornung, CIC (IIABA)

IOA National, Inc. | Wilmington, DE

Mark Monroe (IIABA)

Griffith Insurance, LLP | West Chester, PA

QUESTION: ANSWER:

Over the past year, major data breaches again have thrust cybersecurity into the spotlight, as the personal and sensitive information of billions of people worldwide was compromised.

DON'S DISCUSSION

IA&B Legal & Corporate Affairs Director Don Bankus Are you a member with a question? Contact Don at 717-918-9204 or DonB@IABforME.com.

What effect, if any, does placing a credit freeze have on insureds and prospective insureds if they’re shopping their policies?

Notably, in November 2023, Infosys McCamish Systems, a provider of “platform-based insurance process management solutions and services” (per Infosys’ website) was hacked. The Infosys breach resulted in approximately 6 million consumers’ personal information having been compromised. Hackers gained access to email addresses, passwords, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, state ID numbers, passport numbers, U.S. military ID numbers, financial account information, and payment card information.

In response, many consumers “froze” their credit to prevent identity theft. A credit freeze precludes lenders and credit card issuers from accessing individual credit reports via the credit reporting agencies (primarily

Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union). That, in turn, prevents hackers from applying for and opening fraudulent credit accounts without an individual’s knowledge.

Producers and consumers alike have questioned what effect placement of a credit freeze has on the insurance industry, such as whether consumers are required to lift and then reinstate a credit freeze in order to purchase insurance.

The good news: credit freezes don’t shut out inquiries from insurers. Nearly all states (including Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware) have enacted “credit freeze laws” that specifically permit insurers to access credit reports for purposes of setting or adjusting a rate, issuing or underwriting a policy, or adjusting a claim, all without requiring an individual to temporarily lift the freeze with the credit agency.

This means that neither the producer nor the insured needs to take any extra steps to allow a carrier to

access credit information if an insured has a credit freeze in place, nor should initiating a credit freeze have any effect whatsoever on an insured’s premium.

Following are references to our respective states’ credit freeze provisions:

Delaware: 6 Del.C. Section 2203(b)(12);

Maryland: MD Code Annotated, Commercial Law Section 14-1212.1(b)(1)(x); and

Pennsylvania: 73 P.S. Section 2503(e)(11).

This document is not a legal opinion and should not be relied upon as such. The intent of this document is to provide a general background regarding the topic or topics discussed, not to provide legal advice. Producers and agencies should consult an attorney regarding specific situations and specific questions with respect to the topic or topics covered in this document. Neither the Insurance Agents & Brokers nor any of its employees shall be responsible for any errors or omissions regarding any statements made in this document, nor any errors or omissions regarding any statutes, regulations, court rules, and/or any other government documents cited in this document.

Also available in audio format

CYBER AND DATA –THE BODILY INJURY PROBLEM

In 2021, a hacker got into the computer system of a water treatment facility near Tampa, FL. The hacker tried to change the levels of sodium hydroxide (lye) added to the water supply to a dangerous level. Thankfully, an employee noticed the hacker’s actions before the water supply was contaminated.

When we think of the myriad problems that can result from cyber events such as hacking, ransomware attacks, or the introduction of malicious code, we tend to think about costs to comply with privacy laws, costs to restore data in systems, and business interruption. Bodily injury is not typically one of the primary concerns, but perhaps it should be.

Historically, the Commercial General Liability Policy (CGL) has been the primary policy turned to for bodily injury coverage. For certain types of businesses such as hospitals and medical offices, a malpractice policy is also needed, but for many businesses, the CGL would suffice.

Increasingly, though, coverage for bodily injury is being removed from the CGL if the loss results from a cyber event or damage to data.

MODIFICATION OF THE ELECTRONIC DATA EXCLUSION

One way that coverage for bodily injury can be removed is through an insurer’s use of Exclusion – Electronic

Data – Deletion of Bodily Injury Exception (CG 21 85 12 23). This optional endorsement replaces a previous endorsement that served essentially the same purpose, Exclusion – Access Or Disclosure Of Confidential Or Personal Information And Data-Related Liability – Limited Bodily Injury Exception Not Included (CG 21 07 05 14.) This endorsement creates a coverage problem even without the presence of a hacker or malicious code.

The Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) CGL Policy (CG 00 01 04 13) includes the following electronic data exclusion applying to Coverage A. This insurance does not apply to:

Damages arising out of the loss of, loss of use of, damage to, corruption of, inability to access, or inability to manipulate electronic data.

However, this exclusion does not apply to liability for damages because of bodily injury.

The Exclusion – Electronic Data –Deletion of Bodily Injury Exception endorsement deletes the last line, the bodily injury exception to the exclusion. Imagine that your insured is an electrician working in a medical office. He causes damage to the data in a computer that controls a piece of medical equipment, and a patient is injured. With this endorsement, there is no coverage for the electrician for the bodily injury.

CYBER INCIDENT EXCLUSION

In 2023, ISO introduced a conditional mandatory endorsement, Exclusion – Cyber Incident (CG 40 35 12 23). If you do not yet see this on your policies, chances are good that you soon will. This exclusion will be incorporated into the upcoming CGL revision that will be available for use in 2026. Among other things, the endorsement excludes bodily injury arising from a cyber incident. A cyber incident includes:

▲ Unauthorized access to or use of any computer system

▲ Malicious code

▲ Denial of service attack

Let’s revisit the Tampa water treatment facility. With this endorsement on the policy, had the attack been successful, there would have been no coverage for any bodily injury that resulted.

There are two endorsements that can be used in lieu of the Exclusion – Cyber Incident Endorsement. Both provide some coverage for bodily injury and property damage resulting from a cyber incident. Each endorsement includes an Each Cyber Incident Occurrence Limit and a Cyber Incident Aggregate Limit.

▲ Cyber Incident Liability Coverage Subject To Each Cyber Incident Occurrence And Aggregate Limits (CG 04 25 12 23)

▲ Cyber Incident Liability Coverage And Loss Of Electronic Data Liability Coverage Subject To Loss Of Electronic Data, Each Cyber Incident Occurrence And Aggregate Limits (CG 04 95 12 23)

This second endorsement has the added advantage of providing coverage for loss involving damage to electronic data resulting from physical injury to tangible property, subject to a separate Loss of Electronic Data limit. Imagine the electrician previously mentioned is sued for the loss of data in the computers he damaged. With this endorsement, there is coverage.

CYBER POLICIES

If keeping coverage for bodily injury due to a cyber incident in the CGL is not possible, one can look to the contingent bodily injury/ property damage coverage in a cyber policy to fill some of the gap. Unfortunately, not all cyber policies include this coverage, and those that do typically offer coverage that is far less broad than the bodily injury coverage in a CGL. In addition, a sublimit typically applies.

As you can see, being on the lookout for ways that bodily injury coverage

can be removed from the CGL is more important than ever.

Til next time!

Cathy Trischan, CPCU, CRM, CIC, ARM, AU, AAI, CRIS, MLIS, TRIP is IA&B’s commercial lines education consultant. She works with our CIC and CISR programs, as well as our live CE webinars. Catch her at one of our upcoming courses: IABforME.com/education

Also available in audio format

LIVE CE WEBINAR

Learn more about cyber coverage from author Cathy Trischan, who teaches this upcoming webinar.

CYBER COVERAGE: PROTECTING YOUR INSUREDS FROM HACKERS, LIARS, AND REALLY BAD BOTS

SEPTEMBER 17

9 AM-Noon

CE PA/DE: 3 GEN MD: 3 PC

IA&B Members: $75 (save $30!) Non-Members: $105 Register today. IABforME.com 800-998-9644, option 1

Accepting the award were (front row l to r) Jennifer Ross-IA&B, Sarah Brown-Keller Brown Insurance Services/IA&B Board Chair, Melissa Yealy-Keller Brown Insurance Services and (back row l to r) Claire Pantaloni-IA&B, Alexandra Yeity-CrossKeys Insurance, Alane Fagan-IA&B, Tara SilfiesHMK Insurance Company

IA&B RECEIVES EMPOWERING WOMEN AWARD

IA&B was named a 2024 Empowering Women award winner. The award, which is coordinated by Lehigh Valley Business and the Central Penn Business Journal, “shines a light on companies and organizations that have demonstrated tangible efforts

IA&B INTERN DAY

On July 27th, which was National Intern Day, IA&B hosted 26 impressive interns from our member agencies and company partners at Millers Mutual Insurance Company for our third annual IA&B Intern Day. Interns spent the day learning about our great industry, brushing up on their employment skills and making connections. The future is bright!

and documented results in supporting and empowering women in Central and Eastern PA.”

Beginning in 2023, IA&B undertook several initiatives to support women in the industry:

▲ Professional development –holding the annual Women’s Conference and ongoing womenfocused webinar series

▲ Community – creating networking opportunities through the Women’s SelfCoaching Program, Make-A-Wish fundraisers, and IA&B Women in Insurance Facebook group

▲ Recognition – elevating and celebrating women leaders in the insurance industry through the March editions of Primary Agent magazine and at the Women’s Conference

Learn more about IA&B’s women in insurance initiatives. IABforME.com/ women-in-insurance

Questions? Contact IA&B Events Manager Alane Fagan 800-998-9644, ext. 512 AlaneF@IABforME.com

IA&B YOUNG AGENT CONFERENCE

Attend the 2024 Young Agent Conference, coming to Gettysburg, PA on Oct. 28-29. Plan for two days of high-energy speakers, handson workshops, and networking opportunities — all with the goal of developing young insurance agents into successful leaders.

Learn more and register. 800-998-9644, option 1.

RECORDED WEBINAR: P&C TRENDS

Gain valuable insights into the latest state-specific P&C Market Share Report. On July 23, Paul Buse, CPCU, ARM, shared his expertise and findings during a live webinar, Interpreting P&C Insurance Trends: A Focus on Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

This P&C Market Share Report highlights top lines of business, agent penetrations, loss ratios, percentage of surplus lines, the

biggest writing insurers, and more. During his presentation, Paul explored the 2023 numbers and explained what they mean for the independent agency system as a whole and your business in particular.

Access to the recorded webinar is free for IA&B members. IABforME.com/memberresources/#marketplace-summaries

Questions? Contact IA&B VP-Advocacy Claire Pantaloni 800-998-9644, ext. 604 ClaireP@IABforME.com

COMPLIMENTARY MARKETING WEBINAR

Join IA&B and Agency Revolution for a complimentary webinar exclusively for IA&B members.

Effective marketing is essential for insurance agency success, but finding time for it is challenging. Agency Revolution’s websites (Forge) and automation tools (Fuse) make it easy to do the marketing you need using sales enablement and AMS data-driven tools.

In this webinar, Agency Revolution will introduce you to Forge and Fuse and show you how they can help you attract new clients, retain existing ones, and grow your business.

Wednesday, Sept. 25 Noon-1 PM, including Q&A (EST)

Host: IA&B VP-Marketing Jennifer Ross

Speakers: Agency Revolution’s Stefanie Altman, Dave Morton, and Jason Walker

Scan to register.

Q& A with JEFF OLSOMMER

Rep. Jeff Olsommer, CIC is president of Olsommer-Clarke Insurance Group, an IA&B member agency with locations in Hamlin, Honesdale, and Moscow, PA. A long-time IA&B Government Relations Committee member, he won a special election in April 2024 to fill the open seat in the 139th District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Olsommer also won the primary election to become the GOP nominee for the seat in this November’s general election.

Q. It’s always interesting to learn how people got their start in the insurance industry. What’s your story?

A. I grew up with insurance in our household. When I graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a political science degree and was looking to get into politics, my father was in my ear, encouraging me to consider insurance. I had the opportunity to do an internship at the Republican State Committee in Harrisburg, and it gave me an opportunity for a position in Washington, D.C. What I found is that it paid very little, so I decided to give insurance a go.

Q. Tell us a bit about your agency, Olsommer-Clarke Insurance Group.

A. My father, Don Olsommer Sr., started the agency in 1972. It began in our house before Dad moved the office to Hamlin, where we are headquartered today.

I came into the agency out of college in 1991 and, along with John Clarke, bought out my father in 2000. Together we bought another smaller insurance agency and folded that into our operation, and then we went on to open two additional locations through the years.

We are a family-run agency, currently owned by me and my brother Don Olsommer Jr. Through the years we have

had wonderful staff who make service to our customers and our local community their top priority. I also have been fortunate to work with my family and my wife, Kelli.

In 2015, we opened a satellite office from scratch in Kentucky. One of our insurance companies was new to Kentucky and that allowed us to go down there. We seized the opportunity and spent a good bit of time getting it started, which Kelli was instrumental in doing. We were blessed to grow our agency in Kentucky, and in 2022 we were able to sell.

Q. You’ve been involved in local government for many years, as well as a member of IA&B’s Government Relations Committee. What drives your passion for politics?

A. When I really dug into this race [special election], I came to realize the reasons why I’m so drawn to it. My father was a four-term county commissioner in Wayne County, and as a kid growing up, I loved handing out bumper stickers and putting up posters with my brothers. That appealed to me. There was always this charge I got out of being around political events. Plus, both of my grandfathers were politically active, so I guess you could say that it’s in my blood. Ten years ago, I was elected as a local township supervisor. I ran because I cared about our community and wanted to give back, and I have those same beliefs today as a State Representative.

Q. Thank you for your generous support of AgentPAC, IA&B’s political action committee, over the years. Now you have been a recipient of our PAC’s support during your recent campaign for state representative. What would you say to other IA&B members about the value of AgentPAC?

A. PACs – and AgentPAC is no exception – play an important role in helping educate legislators on key issues, and issues specific to our industry that affect all of us. It is critical to have a strong AgentPAC representing our interests.

Q. Reflecting on your first months as a state lawmaker, what surprised you the most? And what are you most proud of?

A. What surprised me the most is the amount of chaos in my schedule, the unpredictability of it. We’re in session, we’re not in session. It’s delayed, it’s delayed again. I come from a small-business perspective, where I open the doors at 8:30 in the morning and close at a predictable time each day.

What I’m most proud of is being appointed to the Insurance Committee. I lobbied hard for that and didn’t know if I, as a freshman legislator, would get that. Having 35 years in the insurance industry, I feel at home on that committee. I was just thrilled to get that appointment. I am really looking forward to serving on this committee and providing an agent’s perspective on issues.

Q. What current legislative issues should independent agents be aware of?

A. There are things that, unless you’re in the insurance industry, you don’t understand the impact. There are addons and line items that mandate coverages or eliminate copays or deductibles. Oftentimes legislators feel good about these bills and don’t understand the impact these have on the premiums that people and small businesses pay.

Q. You’re obviously very busy – overseeing a business, holding elected office, and running for reelection. When you do find free time, what do you like to do?

A. It is very hard to find free time these days, but I enjoy spending time with my wife, Kelli. That’s my number one priority. I love spending time outdoors with my friends, family, and dogs. I like traveling, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, football, and hunting. Anytime I can do something like that, I’m in my element and get some sense of peace and relaxation.

IA&B works on your behalf to ensure that state legislators and regulators understand the issues affecting agents.

And your financial support amplifies your message. Please consider contributing. More information at iabforme.com/political_advocacy

PLATINUM PARTNER PROFILE

Insurance Agents & Brokers proudly recognizes Keystone as one of its Platinum Partners. IA&B Platinum Partners dedicate the highest level of sponsorship to our organization.

Conferences: From marketing strategy to prospecting, developing a niche, to learning how to navigate the age of remote work, we’ve covered it. Our agents serve on panels to discuss what’s working, and not. Combined with our services and mentorship, our agents walk away with the tools and tactics they need to implement strategies that succeed.

We’re better together.

Keystone is a network of high-performing independent insurance agencies. Together with Keystone Agency Partners, we can help your agency unlock its full potential with combined experience that fuels growth. Regardless of where you are in your agency journey – just starting out, maturing, or planning to perpetuate, we provide support and guidance while respecting your independence.

This combination is the “secret sauce” that makes it work. Here are just a few ingredients.

Influence: Our board of directors is made up of Keystone agents, who we call partners. They influence our direction, services, and offerings to fellow agents. We honor inclusion and perspective – everyone plays a part in where we are headed into the future.

Staff: From data and analytics to carrier relations, sales training, and revenue generating solutions, each of our staff brings specialized expertise. With it, Keystone partners can give themselves a raise with new business, benchmark against successful peers, and find solutions to meet recruitment and retention challenges.

“Keystone empowers independent agents by providing unparalleled resources and a robust support network. Our collaborative approach ensures that each agency retains its unique identity while benefiting from the collective strength of a larger network. Together, we achieve greater success for our clients and communities.”

VP, MD and VA.

Thanks to these partners for supporting the independent agent network.

PLATINUM PARTNERS

Acuity

Erie Insurance

Keystone

Millers Mutual Insurance

NJM Insurance Group

Penn National Insurance

GOLD PARTNERS

Chesapeake Employers Insurance

Chubb

EMC Insurance Companies

Farmers of Salem

Iroquois Mid-Atlantic Group

Liberty Mutual Small Commercial / State Auto / Safeco

MMG Insurance

Mutual Benefit Group

Nationwide Insurance Company

POM Insurance Company

Progressive Insurance

Elections & PAC:

What’s at Stake for Insurance Agents This November?

These days many people, IA&B members included, are tired of hearing about politics. It’s hard to blame them, especially in today’s highly polarized political environment. Whether by television, social media, or that one family member during holiday get-togethers, we are all inundated with political messaging on a regular basis. However, despite our exhaustion, agents cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Insurance is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world, and the laws that are passed in our state legislatures have a direct impact on our members’ livelihoods. This is why IA&B’s lobbyists and volunteers work tirelessly to influence lawmakers and pass legislation that supports our industry.

There’s a fundamental truth when it comes to elections: Winners make policy. Losers stay home.

This reality underscores the importance of Political Action Committees (PACs) such as IA&B’s AgentPAC. Winning elections matters. If agent-friendly candidates don’t win office, all the lobbying in the world cannot convince someone who is unwilling to listen. For better or worse, campaigns cost money, and political action committees have become a ubiquitous part of American elections at every level of government.

HOW AND WHY PACS WORK

While IA&B membership dues help pay for advocacy efforts, campaign finance law prohibits the use of membership dues for direct contributions to political campaigns. Only AgentPAC funds, which are collected exclusively from voluntary contributions by IA&B members, can be used to support candidates directly. Much like insurance spreading risk among many individuals, AgentPAC allows agents to pool their resources, thereby amplifying their influence within the political process.

A GENT PAC SUCCESS STORIES

In the past few years, AgentPAC funds have not only been used to elect agent-friendly lawmakers, but have also supported several independent agents, who are themselves IA&B members, in winning public office. Legislators are expected to vote on hundreds, if not thousands, of bills during each session and can’t possibly be knowledgeable on every issue. The handful of legislators who are experts on insurance issues are vital allies in educating their colleagues when an insurancerelated bill comes up.

Beyond supporting the election of agent-friendly candidates, a well-funded AgentPAC can serve as a powerful motivator once lawmakers are in office. Legislators who are on the fence when it comes to issues that are important to independent agents are more likely to consider our perspective when they know AgentPAC exists – and might consider backing a challenger who aligns better on our issues. This is how AgentPAC and our lobbying efforts work hand in hand to advance the interests of independent agents. AgentPAC provides the

Continued on page 14

SUPPORT AGENT PAC

AgentPAC is the state-based, bi-partisan political action committee which enhances IA&B’s advocacy efforts. AgentPAC pools the voluntary contributions of IA&B members and uses those funds to support the election of candidates and legislators who understand the issues important to the independent agent and broker community.

Learn how to contribute by check or online: IABforME.online/AgentPAC or contact Government Affairs Director John Savant, 800-998-9644, ext. 607 or JohnS@IABforME.com.

In addition to personal contributions, Maryland and Delaware law permits corporate contributions to AgentPAC, made directly by the agency. Pennsylvania prohibits corporate contributions; however, personal, LLC, and partnership contributions are permitted.

Continued from page 13

financial resources necessary to support sympathetic candidates, while our lobbyists work to ensure that all legislators are informed about specific insurance bills once they are in office. One cannot function without the other.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

As the 2024 election season enters its final months, please consider contributing to AgentPAC today. Waiting until a problematic bill is introduced to contribute to AgentPAC is like waiting until a loss happens to purchase an insurance policy. Proactive contributions to AgentPAC provide a safeguard against unfavorable developments and help to ensure that your interests are considered from the outset.

At the same time, we must be ready to defend against proposals that would be damaging to the insurance industry. Earlier this year, a co-sponsorship memo in the Pennsylvania House called for a ban on credit scoring as an insurance rating factor because “insurance is not a loan or any variety of credit, so [the use of credit score] is wholly illogical.” Recent similar proposals in Delaware would have banned the use of zip code and gender as auto-insurance rating factors, raising rates for many drivers across the state.

In Maryland’s latest legislative session, IA&B successfully opposed a bill that would have applied the state sales tax to services, including insurance agents’ commissions. This proposal arises periodically in all three states, and we expect taxation to become more of an issue in the coming years as state budgets tighten.

The results of the 2024 state elections in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware will determine who holds office and who votes on these critical issues the next time they come up. Contribute to AgentPAC before this November, so we can make sure the people who support us win their elections and send those who don’t support us home.

Reach IA&B Government Affairs Director John Savant at JohnS@IABforME.com or 717-918-9214.

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2023 CONTRIBUTORS

PENNSYLVANIA

President's Club

($1,000+)

Tod Aronson

E R Munro and Company

Shannon Blews Hutton-Blews Insurance LLC

Frank Ebner

E K McConkey & Company

Donald Enders, Jr. Colonial Park Realty Company

Greg Gunn Gunn-Mowery LLC

Michael Harter

E K McConkey & Company

Lew Kachulis

Gilbert's Risk Solutions

John Olkowski

E K McConkey & Company

Donna Roper

E K McConkey & Company

Governor's Club

($500 - $999)

David Beck

The Weimer Group

Scott Burns Burns & Burns Associates Inc

Andy Enders

Colonial Park Realty Company

James Fitzsimmons Fitzsimmons Ins Agency Inc

Kurt Gehman

E K McConkey & Company

Doug Loesel

Loesel-Schaaf Ins Agency Inc

Michael McGroarty, Jr. McGroarty & Bradburn Insurance

Rita McMullen PDM Insurance Agency Inc

Kim Troast-Singley Miller & Company LLC

Robert Walbeck

R E Walbeck Agency Inc

Dean Wimmer The Weimer Group

Marshall Wolff Kressler Wolff & Miller Inc

Timothy Ziegler

E K McConkey & Company

Senate Level ($250 - $499)

Sarah Brown Keller-Brown Insurance Services

Ethan Gibbel Gibbel Insurance Agency Inc

David Gusmar Altany Loynd & Lindquist LLC

Jesse Harlan Colonial Park Realty Company

Kevin Kreider Kreider Insurance Associates Inc

Jay Lemelin Vision Insurance

Roger Myers

Roger W Myers Insurance Agency LLC

Bill Purdy Purdy Insurance Agency Inc

Mark Sammarone

Arthur Hall Insurance

Tara Silfies

Hampson-Mowrer Agency LLC

Robert Smyrl

Robert L Smyrl Inc

House Level ($100 - $249)

Kathleen Barry Kathy Barry Agency LLC

Connie Bence C.L. Bence Inc.

Ryan Cunningham Kellar Insurance Agency Inc

Wanda Cupp Cupp Insurance Agency Inc

Kate Dawson Ferri Dawson Insurance Group

Henry Dunn Henry Dunn Inc

Karl Eisaman McDowell Associates

Duane Epting Strausser Insurance Agency Inc

Jeff Fecko MPF Insurance Inc

Len Gieseler Element Risk Management

Dorine Goodridge Kelly Insurance Agency Inc

Patrick Halcovich Halcovich Group LLC

Robert Hogue Walker & Associates

Bruce Kraft Arbor Insurance Group Inc

Lori Marvin Barr's Insurance

Shayne McIntosh JPI Insurance Associates Inc

Mary McKinley Wilkinson-Dunn Company

Richard Michael Michael Insurance Agency Inc

Karyn Miller Hinkle Insurance Agency Inc

Scott Mills Charles M Mills Insurance Agency

Mark Monroe Griffith Insurance LLP

Claire Pantaloni Insurance Agents & Brokers

Craig Purdy Purdy Insurance Agency Inc

Gerald Reichard

Keystone Crop Insurance Services LLC

Deb Remaley Remaley Insurance Inc

John Savant Insurance Agents & Brokers

William Siegel Siegel Insurance Inc

Mark Sitler The Hartman Group

William Slovik Slovik Insurance Agency

Scott Surra

St Marys Insurance Agency Inc

We thank everyone below for contributing to AgentPAC in 2023. Your financial support helps make sure independent agents' voices are heard during the legislative process. It also assists us in advancing agents’ political interests on key insurance and business issues in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.

MARYLAND DELAWARE

John Wolfe J P Wolfe Insurance Inc

Ifft & Palmer Associates LLC

Up to $99

Matthew DelBorrello Hampson-Mowrer Agency LLC

Glenn Kricher Erie Insurance

Anna McCoy Blue Ridge Risk Partners LLC

Shannon Polka Charles P Leach Agency Inc

David Rivell Element Risk Management

Nate Snyder Charles P Leach Agency Inc

Governor's Club ($500 - $999)

Linda McCann Bay Shore Insurance Inc

Famous & Spang Associates LLC

American Insurance and Financial Services

Senate Level ($250 - $499)

Christopher Heer 3 Cheers Inc

Luray & Associates Inc

Candace Shoupe CBM Insurance Agency LLC

Dana Sessa B J Mattheiss Insurance Inc

Edward L Sanders Insurance Agency

C Clifton Veirs Agency

House Level ($100 - $249)

Kent Reynolds Blue Ridge Risk Partners LLC

Michael Thomas Lighthouse Insurance Services

Kevin Murphy Browning Reagle & Murphy LLC McArdle Insurance Agency Inc

Brendan McArdle McArdle Insurance Agency Inc

Kimberly Matney Matney Insurance Services Inc

Brian Creamer Creamer Insurance Agency

Up to $99

John Keller Blue Ridge Risk Partners LLC

President's Club ($1,000+)

The Insurance Market Inc

Howell Wallace Pratt Insurance Inc

Senate Level ($250 - $499)

Lee Dotson Bellevue Insurance Services LLC

Rick Evans R E Evans Insurance Inc

Ted Wolfer White Clay Insurance Inc

John Yasik Poland & Sullivan Insurance Inc

Wendy Cofone

Weymouth Swayze & Corroon Insurance Inc

Pete Wolff Wolff Insurance Agency Inc

Diana Hornung IOA National Inc

House Level ($100 - $249)

Maria Metcalfe Bellevue Insurance Services LLC

Steve Burnett CBM Insurance Agency LLC

Up to $99

Antimo Dimore CBM Insurance Agency LLC

Brooks Behounek Wilgus Associates Inc

SECURA’s team of insurance experts is making insurance genuine. They are here to support you and your clients. Our sales and 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.

Interested in building a relationship? Contact us at secura.net/PA-agents

Hear from our experts

Want to learn more about what SECURA has to offer?

Scan the QR code or visit secura.net/PA-agents for more information about the SECURA team.

Billie J Friday Agency LLC Tyrone, PA KC Insure Philadelphia,

717-918-9223

TimW@IABforME.com

CLASSROOM

VISION

A thriving independent insurance agent community.

MISSION STATEMENT

To serve as a driving force to champion independent agency success by educating, consulting, advocating, and fostering community in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and beyond.

PRIMARY AGENT

Editor: Karen Robison

KarenR@IABforME.com 717-918-9209

Contributing editors: Jennifer Ross, Megan Fioretta, Sarah Haas

Sales Account Executive: Rebecca Sieg | 717-430-2351

rebecca.sieg@theygsgroup.com

Risk is everywhere. In everything. With Applied Underwriters by your side, the gears of commerce, innovation, and exploration keep turning. Experience the unrivaled heart and unwavering service that only Applied delivers.

Learn more at auw.com or call (877) 234-4450.

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