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The Stony Steinbach Achievement Award is presented each year to a PIA of Wisconsin member who embodies the same energy, efficiency, and enthusiasm that its first leader brought to the organization for more than forty years. It’s one of our most meaningful honors – not just because of what it stands for, but because it’s…

Brenda Steinbach Presented with First-Ever Lifetime Achievement Award Last week, the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin (PIAW) Board of Directors awarded Brenda Steinbach the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual ENGAGE Convention in the Wisconsin Dells. A Career Rooted in Commitment Brenda’s journey with PIAW began in March 1984. Over the next 41 years,…

The Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin (PIAW) is proud to announce Steve Albinger of Couri Insurance Associates in Waukesha as the 2025 recipient of the Ron Von Haden Agent of the Year Award! This prestigious award, named after the late Ron Von Haden, a long-time leader in the Wisconsin insurance community, annually recognizes an agent…

Deloitte’s 2026 Insurance Outlook points to a shifting environment where property/casualty carriers are balancing margin pressure, technological transformation, and distribution realignment. For independent agents, the message is clear: adaptation and partnership will define success. The report notes that rising claims costs and moderating premium growth are expected to squeeze underwriting profits in 2026. As carriers…

The Annual Meeting of the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin, Inc. will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. At that meeting, the Nominations Committee will place the following names in nomination for election to the Board of Directors. In accordance with PIAW procedures, we…

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 of this practice, especially in catastrophe prone…