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Supporting Clients Beyond the Policy BY: Melissa Brown, CPIA | PIA Director As independent insurance agents, we do far more than match clients with the right coverage. We often become educators, advocates, and steady voices during stressful moments. Sometimes that support looks like guiding someone through a claim. Other times, it’s helping them navigate something…

E&O Tip: Know What Activities an Unlicensed CSR Can Peform In general, unlicensed Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are not able to sell, solicit, bind, or negotiate insurance, nor should they recommend, interpret, or discuss coverages with clients. They can act as a go-between for the licensed producer and the client for certain activities – however, matters such…

How Agencies Can Use AI Without Losing the Human Touch By: Shannon Wiegman, PIA Director Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of daily operations in Wisconsin insurance agencies. From automated quoting to documentation assistance, AI offers tools that can streamline work and reduce administrative burden. But for many independent agents, one concern rises above all:…

Sen. Quinn Receives 2025 Legislative Excellence Award Sen. Romaine Quinn receives his award at his Capitol office from PIA Executive Director Pete Hanson and Communications Director Natalie White. Madison, WI – The Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin (PIA) is pleased to announce that Senator Romaine Quinn (R – Birchwood) has been named the Senate recipient…

Agencies with Business Entity License Must Complete Annual Cybersecurity Certification Form Beginning in 2023, agencies licensed by OCI and domiciled in Wisconsin must annually certify by March 1st that they are following the information security program requirements of Wisconsin Act 73. Does My Agency Need to Complete the Certification? Most PIA Member agencies are exempt from…

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…

When Someone from the Cable Company Stops By, Do You Let Them In? Cyber Security Tip: This can happen at work or at your home By Gabriel Ness, Vieth Consulting A secretary unknowingly gave a con artist access to her law firm’s server room when a total stranger showed up in a Comcast Cable shirt…

Dear Consumer: Before you buy insurance online, read this… DEAR CONSUMER: BEFORE YOU BUY INSURANCE ONLINE, READ THIS…  By April Tarras In today’s digital age, almost everything can be purchased online—from groceries to vacation packages. Insurance providers have also made it possible for consumers to buy policies with just a few clicks. While the convenience is undeniable, there are…

Demotech: Systemic tech-driven lawsuit practices destabilize U.S. insurance markets A new and rapidly expanding threat is undermining the stability of U.S. insurance markets: tech-enabled litigation instigation. Since about 2017, AI-driven search manipulation, phishing emails, data scraping, and automated outreach have redirected storm-affected property owners into litigation pathways—often without any awareness that they bypassed their insurer’s…