Posts by nwhite

Urge Governor Evers to Sign AB 225 – Support Venue Fairness! The law in Wisconsin was designed to ensure that lawsuits are heard in a fair and convenient location, typically the county where the incident at hand occurred. Unfortunately, a growing practice coined “forum shopping” undermines this and has led to court cases in Wisconsin being…

Start Fresh: Your 2026 Clean Slate Brought to you by: We’ve turned the page to 2026—a brand-new year and a chance to start fresh. The calendar gives us a symbolic reset, but what will you do with yours? Research shows that nearly half of Americans set New Year’s resolutions, yet most don’t stick. Why? Because…

Member Alert: Support Assignment of Benefits Reform! Assignment of Benefits (AOB) contracts allow policyholders to assign their rights under an insurance contract to a third party, such as a contractor. Unfortunately, this creates opportunities for abuse, inflated claims, and can disrupt the ability for an insurer to work with their insured directly. The negative effects…

Using Dashboard Cameras and Driver Qualification Files to Strengthen Fleet Management Brought to you by: Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S. West Bend’s recent blog explores how combining dashboard cameras and well-maintained driver qualification (DQ) files can significantly improve fleet safety and regulatory compliance. Cameras provide objective, real-world…

Celebrating Our Supporting Members: Partners Investing in Agents This past June, PIA had the pleasure of hosting PIA Partners Appreciation Day in beautiful Door County. It was a day designed to simply say thank you to the valued partners who make the work we do at PIA possible. Attendees enjoyed a relaxing boat ride on…

Beyond the Brew: What Craft Beer Can Teach Insurance Professionals September 7 marks National Beer Lovers Day—a celebration for aficionados and casual sippers alike. But beyond the pints and the cheers, there’s a surprising kinship between the craft beer movement and the world of insurance professionals. Drawing inspiration from brewmasters around the world, let’s explore…

Acquisition Loans with SBA vs. Traditional Financing Thinking about buying another insurance agency or expanding your own? The right loan can make or break your growth plan. Two common financing options are Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and traditional bank loans. But before signing on the dotted line, it’s important to understand how each aligns…

Working Outdoors & Staying Cool During Summer Brought to you by: Prolonged exposure to hot weather, including working outdoors for long hours, can be detrimental to a person’s health. Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps, and rashes can quickly occur and become serious, if not treated promptly. Heat stress can also lead to conditions like…

Vision Zero: A Promise Worth Keeping By: Octavio Padilla, PIA Vice-President On July 1, 2025, I had the honor of standing beside Mayor Cavalier Johnson as he officially signed Milwaukee into the Vision Zero program one of the most meaningful, forward-looking efforts our city has embraced in years. As Vice President of Wisconsin PIA, I…

Brianna Schwanke Named Wisconsin’s 2025 Outstanding CSR of the Year Please join us in congratulating Brianna Schwanke, CSRM, of M3 Insurance in Wauwatosa, who has been named Wisconsin’s 2025 Outstanding CSR of the Year! Each year, PIA’s Education Committee selects one standout customer service representative who exemplifies leadership, professionalism, and an unwavering dedication to clients…