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Rural Mutual and Badger Mutual Finalize Affiliation Agreement Madison, Wis. — Jan. 16, 2025 — Rural Mutual Insurance Company and Badger Mutual Insurance Company, with a combined 227 years of providing farm, commercial, and personal policies, have finalized their affiliation agreement based on regulatory approval from the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI)…

Stepping Into the Unknown By: Alyssa Hobgood | PIA Director True growth rarely comes from staying comfortable. Some of my most transformative experiences have happened when I stepped into unfamiliar territory—nervous, unsure, and entirely out of my comfort zone. For me, 2024 became a year of courage: breaking free from my comfort zone, letting go…

Are you SURE you want to send that e-mail? Never forget that e-mail constitutes a legal record and can be admissible in legal actions, not only in the courtroom, but in the court of public opinion. People sue for all kinds of silly reasons. Family members get into disputes, couples get divorced, consumers sue merchants,…

Can Your Agency Survive Without You? By: Kimberly Bunce | Brought to you By: If something unexpected happened, could your agency survive without you? How would this affect your family, partners, employees, and clients? Whether planning for the unexpected or for retirement, creating a succession plan – often referred to in the industry as a…

Get to Know: PIA Director Shannon Wiegman Shannon Wiegman of M3 Insurance in Green Bay was recently elected as a new director to PIA’s Board during Engage 2024. Shannon has been involved with PIA for years, sharing her talents on the Education, Convention and Legislative Committees. We are excited to welcome her expertise to the…

Is your business prepared to thrive in the new year? Running a business comes with both exciting opportunities and complex challenges, making preparation for the new year essential. Reviewing your insurance coverage with your independent agent ensures your business is protected against potential risks. Key steps to prepare include assessing changes in your operations, identifying…

Safe Lifting 101: Material Handling Techniques Brought to you by: A common task in many industries, material handling is one of the leading causes of workplace injury. Overexertion caused by improper lifting or cumulative trauma due to repetitive body motions can result in damage to an individual’s back, shoulders, hips, and other parts of the…

Introducing PIA President: Jon Strom We are excited to congratulate Jon Strom of JMS Insurance Services and Image of Wisconsin on being elected President of PIA for the 2024-25 term. Jon brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and enthusiasm to the role – and his term is just beginning! Getting to Know Jon How did…

Highlighting Jackson Chesbro: PIA National’s Company Representative of the Year The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents recently announced the winners of its 2024 Fall Awards, honoring outstanding contributions from industry leaders dedicated to supporting independent insurance agents. Jackson Chesbro, CIC, AIC of SECURA Insurance, received the prestigious national Company Representative of the Year award,…

Steve Van Sluys Named 2024 Company Representative of the Year The Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin (PIAW) is pleased to announce that Steve Van Sluys, AIC, AINS, AIS, AU, CPCU from AAA – The Auto Club Group has been named the 2024 Company Representative of the Year. Chosen by the PIAW Board of Directors, this…