Tennessee Insuror - First Quarter 2026

Phone 615.385.1898

Toll Free: 1.800.264.1898

Email: marketing@bigitn.org

Editor: Kristen Gulson

Publisher: MarketWise, Inc

BIG I TENNESSEE OFFICERS

President ..............................................Battle Bagley, III, CIC, CPA

IIABA National Director ........................John McInturff III, ARM

VP Region III & President-Elect ............................Kevin Ownby

VP Region I .................................................................Portis Tanner

VP Region II ....................................................................Paul Steele

Treasurer ......................................................Richard Whitley, CIC

Secretary ................................................................Brandon Clarke

Director, Region I ............................................Andrew Maddox

Director, Region I .................................................Tim Treadwell

Director, Region I ..........................................Sam Bradshaw, IV

Director, Region II ................................. Matt Felgendreher, CIC

Director, Region II .................................................... Jack Thoma

Director, Region II .................................................... Brent Chance

Director, Region III ...................................................Mitch Rader

Director, Region III ....................................................David Clark

Director, Region III ..................................................Stuart Oakes

Director, Young Agents ...................................Jonathan Peters

Immediate Past President ........................................Bobby Sain

ADVERTISING

Display advertising rates, deadlines and specifications may be obtained by writing to Big I Tennessee, 2500 21st Avenue South, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37212, phone 615.385.1898, e-mail marketing@bigitn.org or at www.bigitn.org. The Tennessee Insuror is provided to all Big I Tennessee members and associate members as a member service.

21st Avenue South, Suite 200

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From the Mississippi River

Battle Bagley, III, CIC, CPA is President of Bagley & Bagley, Inc. in Fayetteville and serves as President. Battle has been working in the insurance business since 1987. Before that, he practiced accounting with the firm currently known as Puryear & Noonan CPA’s PLLC from 1982 to 1987. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Middle Tennessee State University in 1982. Battle has three grown children, Battle Bagley, IV, Samantha B. Jennings, and John Robert Bagley. He also has two granddaughters, Lilly Beth and Amelia Jennings.

Kevin Ownby is a co-owner of Ownby Insurance Service, Inc., in Sevierville and currently serves as Vice President Region III and President Elect. A 1992 graduate of Sevier County High School, Kevin went on to obtain his Bachelor degree in Finance from the University of Tennessee in 1997. He has been with the family agency for 28 years, where he is now a third-generation owner. He previously served on the Board as Young Agent Chair, Director of Region III, Region III Vice President and Secretary. He also serves on the Big I National Health Care Task Force committee. Kevin also volunteers on the Board for the Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains where he has served as President and chairman of the One Campaign for the Boys and Girls Club’s annual fundraising efforts and is the state treasurer of the Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee. He currently lives in Seymour with his wife Brooke and their children Kendall and Braden.

Portis Tanner is the Chief Operating Officer of Westan Insurance Group and serves as Vice President, Region I. He grew up in Union City and graduated from Union City High School. In 1995, he graduated with a business degree from Belmont University in Nashville and worked for Mike Curb & Curb Music Publishing off Music Row before leaving Nashville to join the family business. In 2012, he became the 4th Chief Operating Officer of the corporate umbrella Westan Insurance Group. He, his wife, Cindy and their children, Beck and Edie, and their dog, Bruce, reside in Union City where he is past president of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce, member of the Rotary Club, and a board member of the Keystone Group of independent insurance agencies. He also serves as a board Member of Discovery Park of America and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Tennessee and is a member of the Tennessee Business Roundtable. In his free time, you will find him golfing, attending St. Louis Cardinal baseball games, watching the Tennessee Vols, and spending time at Kentucky Lake with his family and friends.

to the Smoky Mountains

Paul Steele, CRM, CAWC, CIC, ACRA, is the president of Martin & Zerfoss in Nashville and serves as Vice President of Region II. Born and raised in Nashville, he has been in the insurance business with the agency since 2005. He is a past Young Agent Director and a past Insurers of Nashville President. Paul is a graduate of Vanderbilt University. He is married to Jenny and they have three daughters, Sophie (16), Ella (15) and Helen (11). His passions are long walks on West End, his family, Vandy and craft beer.

John McInturff III, ARM is the President of McInturff, Milligan and Brooks in Greeneville and serves as your IIABA National Director. A Greeneville native, John Graduated from Greeneville High School and then attended the University of Tennessee, earning a B.S. in Business Administration in 1985. He began his insurance career with USF&G and then joined Bennett & Edwards of Kingsport in 1988 where he later became President. In 2006 the Tri-State Claims division of Bennett & Edwards merged with McInturff, Milligan & Brooks to form the current agency. John is a Past-president of the Insurors of Tennessee and has served the Insurors as the Young Agent Chair, Director of Region III, VP of Region III, Secretary, and Treasurer. In addition to his involvement with the Insurors, John is the Past President of Kingsport Jaycees, Past President of HVFC Soccer Club, Past President of Kingsport Rotary-Sunshine Club, and has been involved with Junior Achievement of Tri-Cities. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Kingsport and is currently serving his second term as an Elder. He and his wife Tonya reside in Kingsport and have two grown children, Lauren and Lindsey.

Richard H. Whitley CIC is president of McDaniel-Whitley Inc and Memphis Insurance Group Inc in Memphis, and he has serves the IOT as Treasurer. He is a native of Covington and earned his BBA from the University of Mississippi. Richard entered the insurance industry in 1997 and has earned the CIC and CBIA designations. He is a thirty year volunteer for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Memphis’ PGA Tour tournament. When he isn’t working, Richard enjoys SCUBA diving, golf, hunting, and tailgating with family and friends. He and his wife, Michelle, have two daughters, Caroline and Emmy.

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Brandon Clarke, CIC is the President of John Bailey Company in Knoxville and serves as Secretary. He is a graduate of Farragut High School and Ole Miss. He has a professional goal of innovating the way we “care for others” via this industry, which is legacy passed down from his father, John, who had 40+ years in the industry. Insurance is a difficult product, and the landscape of our market is difficult, however Brandon believes those pressures are where the opportunity for growth lies. His experience includes time as an insurance underwriter nd marketing representative which helped shape Brandon’s expertise and passion for the insurance business. Brandon co-founded Young Professionals of Knoxville and Knoxify.com. He also served as the Dogwood Arts Festival Co-Chair, contributing to the cultural vibrancy of his hometown. Outside of work, Brandon is an Ironman, snowboarder and trail runner. Above all, he considers himself a lucky husband to wife, Lauren, and proud father to three daughters, Emerson who is 16, and identical twin girls, Taylor and Bankston, who are 12. His greatest source of joy and inspiration is his family and the legacy we leave others.

Andrew Maddox is the president of Maddox Insurance and serves as Director of Region I. Maddox Insurance has locations in Huntingdon, Camden, and McKenzie. Andrew has been in the insurance industry since 2009, and has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Bethel University in McKenzie. He and his wife, Meagen, have three children, Bryce, Grey, and Elyza, and reside in Huntingdon, where they are very active in the community. Andrew has served on the City Council since 2018, is heavily involved at Huntingdon Church of Christ, and loves coaching his kids in youth sports. He is also the public address announcer for Huntingdon High School Football and helps support youth athletics programs across Carroll and Benton Counties. In his spare time, Andrew also enjoys hunting and traveling.

Sam Bradshaw IV is a native of Dyersburg, Tennessee and serves as a Director for Region I. Sam started his career at Bradshaw & Co Insurors in 2015 after graduating from the University of Tennessee- Martin with a bachelor’s in Business Administration. Sam came to Bradshaw & Co Insurors to begin his career as an independent agent focusing on Agriculture and outdoor related products driven by his love for all things outdoors. Bradshaw & Co Insurors was formed in 1965 by Sam Bradshaw Jr, and the importance of creating a strong network of like-minded independent agents was instilled in the culture of the agency, and the legacy of support started in 1977 when Sam Jr entered as Insurors president. Sam has been active with numerous conservation organizations, and any agent can find ease in conversation involving the outdoor lifestyle. Sam is married to Ali Bradshaw, and they have one son, Jack.

Tim Treadwell V is Assistant Vice President of Boyle Insurance Agency and serves as Director for Region 1. A graduate of Christian Brothers High School (1996), Treadwell began his career in the insurance industry in 2001 at family-owned Treadwell and Harry Insurance Agency. After Treadwell and Harry Insurance Agency was sold to USI, Inc. of Tennessee in 2007, Treadwel continued to work at USI until joining Boyle Insurance Agency, Inc. in 2010. Treadwell and his wife Bridgette have 2 daughters, Lanier and Marrin, and a son Timmons VI (Lou). He enjoys watching his children play sports, cooking, baseball, and Tennessee Vols football.

Matt Felgendreher is a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and a 2006 graduate of Rhodes College, Matt began his business career as a property and casualty insurance producer in Memphis, before joining WC Dillon Company/Insight Risk Management in August 2011. He combines strong technical insurance knowledge with the business acumen to fully interpret and mitigate a client’s exposure. In his current role as Executive Vice President, he oversees the commercial lines department of the agency, mentors new producers, and manages client relationships. Matt is a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). Matt served on the board of the Insurors of Tennessee as the Young Agent Director in 2022 and was recipient of the Insurors Young Agent of the Year award in 2022. He is also a legacy member of the Phoenix Club of Nashville, past-president of the Insurors of Nashville and past board member of the Nashville Humane Association.

Jack

Thoma Director, Region II

Jack Thoma is a Principal at Lester, Greene, McCord, & Thoma, Inc. in Tullahoma and services as Director of Region III. A Tullahoma native, he graduated from Tullahoma High School and earned a degree in Risk Management and Insurance from the University of Georgia. After graduating, Jack spent three years in Nashville working as a commercial underwriter for Auto-Owners Insurance Company. In 2014, he returned home to become the fourth generation to work in the family agency, E.B. Thoma & Son, founded in 1910 by his great-grandfather, E.B. Thoma. Both his father, Busch Thoma, and his grandfather, E.B. (Jack) Thoma, are past presidents of the Insurors of Tennessee. In 2016, E.B. Thoma & Son merged with Lester, Greene, & McCord to form Lester, Greene, McCord, & Thoma, where Jack is now a part owner and Principal. Jack is active in the Tullahoma community, serving as a past president of Rotary, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, graduate of Coffee County Leadership, and a recipient of Tullahoma’s 40 Under 40 recognition. Outside of work, he enjoys cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs and spending time at the lake with his wife, Brandi, and their two children, Liza and Caroline.

Director, Region II

Stuart

Director, Region III

Brent Chance is the Owner of Ivy Insurance Inc. in Brentwood, Tennessee and serves as Director of Region II. He has been in the insurance business for 27 years and founded Ivy Insurance in 2009. Born and raised in the Nashville area, Brent graduated from Belmont University in 1998. In 2016, he served on the Board of Insurors of Tennessee as the Young Agent Director. Brent has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 25 years, and they have three children: Bo, Hutson, and Harby. When he is not selling insurance, he coaches baseball at Christ Presbyterian Academy, enjoys hunting, and spends time traveling with his family.

Stuart F. Oakes, CIC, CRIS is the President of the Construction Division and Partner at TIS Insurance Services, Inc. in Knoxville, and serves as Director of Region III. Born and raised in Knoxville, Stuart graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2006 with a degree in Finance. He joined TIS shortly after graduating, and has held various positions in the agency, and was named President of Construction in 2020. Stuart is involved in several construction associations and the Construction Financial Management Association (CFM Stuart is involved in several different construction associations including serving on the Board of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) and Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). Serving the Insurors is in his blood, as both his grandfather, R.L. Oakes Jr., and his father, R.L. "Bunny" Oakes III, served as President of the Insurors of Tennessee in 1967 and 2002 respectively. His favorite thing outside of work is spending time with his wife, Mary Bailey, and his three boys James (11), Bailey (9) and Johnny B (6).

Director, Region III

David Clark is a Client Executive at RSS Insurance in Chattanooga, TN, where he's been serving clients since 2013. David serves as Director of Region III. A proud Auburn University graduate with a degree in Finance, David also holds the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. With over 10 years in the industry, he’s passionate about finding the right solutions for his clients and offering guidance they can trust. He also enjoys mentoring newer agents, sharing his knowledge and experience to support their growth. When he’s not working, David enjoys spending time with his wife, Meredith, and their three children: Mary Grace, Ellis, and George. He’s also active in his church and community, enjoys hunting, and spending time with family and friends.

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Mitch Rader is the President of Burchfiel-Overbay & Associates Insurance Agency, Inc, in Sevierville and serves as Director of Region III. He grew up in Sevierville and graduated from Sevier County High School. Mitch earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with a Major in Marketing from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He began his insurance career with Federated Insurance as a Marketing Representative in Chattanooga and moved back to Sevierville to join Burchfiel-Overbay in 1993 where he later became principal owner of the agency in 1995. He currently serves as Vice-Mayor of the City of Sevierville, became Seat 2 City Councilman in 2019, currently serves as Chariman of the Board for the Sevier County Electric System serving on the board since 2002. Currently serves as a Board Member for the Department of Workforce and Labor’s Elevator and Amusement Device Department since 2016. He has been married to his wife, Jacquie for 34 years and they have two children. Holt, 26, married to his lovely wife Taylor and is a 1st LT in USMC stationed in Okinawa JP. Paige, 20, is a Marketing Major at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Mitch and Jacquie reside in Sevierville and when not working enjoy spending time at their condo in Orange Beach, Alabama, boating, fishing, attending UT Vols football and working on their 72-acre farm. They attend Pathways Church in Sevierville.and his family are members of St. Michaels Catholic Church.

Jonathan Peters (“JP”) is the Director of Sales & Producer Development for SouthPoint Risk (of Correll Insurance Group). Jonathan is serving as our Young Agents Director. He is native to Jackson, Mississippi and is a Managerial Finance graduate of the University of Mississippi. In 2021, after a 6-year career with Enterprise Holdings, Inc., he became a producer for SouthPoint Risk. In 2022, he obtained his CIC designation and joined as a Young Agents Committee member-at-large. In 2023, he joined agency leadership where he leads a team of 13 and continues to produce business himself. In his personal time Jonathan values time spent with his wife and two children, Sloan & Hall, their extended family and friends and Church community. Jonathan is a lifelong musician and enjoys mixing and recording, golfing, and rooting on the Rebs.

Bobby Sain is President of Bolivar Insurance & Real Estate and serves as Immediate Past President. Bobby graduated from Bolivar Central High School and attended University of Mississippi. He later received an Associate Degree from Jackson State Community College. After JSCC, he went to work with his father at Bolivar Insurance & Real Estate. Bobby attended and completed several insurance educational classes including Hartford Insurance School for personal and commercial insurance, Hartford, CT. Bobby has always been active in his community where he enjoyed coaching baseball and supporting all Bolivar sports. In his spare time, he loves playing golf and music. He served as one of the youngest City Councilman in Bolivar at age 21 and in 2005 Bobby ran and was elected Mayor, City of Bolivar. In his term, the city received a grant which helped renovate and bring new businesses to downtown Bolivar. Bobby is presently Vice-Chair of Bolivar Downtown Development Corporation. He is also a board member at Western Mental Health Board of Trustees. Bobby and his wife DaJuan have 3 children, Blake, Chase and Shelby. They are members of First Baptist Church in Bolivar.

If you woudl like to contact any of the Board of Directors, please reach out to Chief Executive Officer Kristen Gulson.

Save the Date – Insurefest 2026 - Tuesday, October 1316, 2026 - J.W. Marriott in Nashville

Each fall we convene to acknowledge the many successes in the independent insurance industry in Tennessee. This 'crown jewel' of our events features many enjoyable activities and engagements within our association. We strive to host a quality trade show for our carriers and vendors to exhibit their new products to our agency members. Along with our trade show, we host speaker sessions, free time activities, tours, CE opportunities, social hours, football parties, live music, and our longstanding association breakfast where we recognize the agents and company representatives who are making tremendous impacts with the Big I Tennessee. Please save the date and make plans to attend Insurefest 2026. We look forward to seeing you there. u

Groundbreaking Symposium Addresses the Complex Issue of Availability and Affordability on Insurance

On January 13, 2026 an important symposium was held in Franklin, Tennessee, hosted by the Travelers Institute, the public policy division of Travelers, one of the largest property and casualty insurance companies in the United States. The event was held with the support of other industry partners including the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, the Big “I”, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes and the Big “I’ of Tennessee.

Through its new initiative, Risk. Resilience. Regulation. Responsibility. SM , the Travelers Institute and experts from Travelers are visiting key locations across the country to create a grassroots dialogue in communities to address the availability and affordability of insurance. Moreover, the symposium aspires to break down the barriers of existing rhetoric to find common ground to develop solutions to solve this seemingly intractable circumstance. The stakes are high for many communities across the United States depending on location and complex dynamics. The truth is that the status quo is simply not sustainable, making this multi-year initiative by the Travelers Institute all the more important.

Examples of topics discussed included:

• How insurance markets work and the role of risk-based pricing.

• The impact of changing climate conditions on atmospheric perils.

• Insurance markets of last resort.

• The latest building science and the role of building codes.

• The state of community infrastructure.

• Disaster preparedness for families, businesses and broader communities.

• The impact of litigation abuse and the need for legal reform.

• Actions we can all take to promote resilient communities.

The Tennessee Insuror magazine was fortunate to have a discussion recently with one of the thought leaders driving this initiative who was keynote and panelist at the event held in Franklin. Travelers Executive Vice -President and Chief Underwriting Officer Rick Keegan was kind enough to have a brief phone conference with us to discuss the initiative. Prior to his current role, Mr. Keegan held the position of Senior Vice President and President for the company’s Construction, Energy & Marine business.

Mr. Keegan is clearly passionate about the traveling symposium he describes as the "4Rs Road Show" that tackles the key topics of risk, regulation, resilience, and responsibility and how they impact the availability of affordability of insurance. He explains, “Issues of availability and affordability are the

symptoms of complex issues that often fall within the context of the 4Rs and need a cooperative effort to find fresh solutions.” At its heart, the road show is designed to bring together the various constituencies in communities across the nation to understand the root causes of market dislocations and dysfunction based on real-world data and facts. From that point of mutual understanding, the mission is to then to find practical solutions to begin the process of developing healthier insurance markets and better conditions for consumers in Tennessee and across the nation.

One area discussed with Mr. Keegan centered on the significant losses driven by natural disasters including fires, floods, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and other severe weather events that cause significant harm to communities. Mr. Keegan stated, “We have to find ways to mitigate and adapt to more frequent extreme weather and address the underlying factors that leave communities vulnerable.” He referred to the concept of building to the environment to create more resiliency and safer communities. For example, building codes, zoning, and the management of development patterns can be critical in creating communities that can better withstand natural disasters.

From a liability insurance perspective, Mr. Keegan said, “The tort crisis is another underlying factor driving insurance

market challenges that needs to be addressed in certain markets across the nation.” Both insurance regulation and tort legislation are primarily enacted at the state level, meaning the impact of those policies on insurance availability and affordability can vary significantly. For example, in states where nuclear verdicts and excessive awards are more commonplace, insurance markets inevitably suffer more.

When an insurance marketplace fails to function, families and businesses bear the consequences. Costs rise, coverage shrinks and economic opportunity suffers. These challenges will not be easy to solve, but it is well past time we get started. Real progress will require committed partnership among policymakers, carriers and consumers.

Mr. Keegan, his colleagues at the Travelers Institute, and other industry partners should be commended for creating this symposium to drive the hard work necessary to solve complex challenges that can no longer wait for solutions. Travelers' holistic approach to solving insurance market dislocations is both refreshing and forward-thinking.

In Tennessee, we are fortunate to have a generally healthy and competitive insurance marketplace. Nevertheless, we have challenges with weather related events, earthquake exposure, and other issues that make the Travelers Institute’s

initiative important to our state as well. To learn more about the Traveler’s Institute, visit their website at www.travelersinstitute.org.

L to R: Rick Keegan, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Chief Underwriting Officer, Travelers; Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute; Michael Newman, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety; Caleb Earnest, Vice President, Chief Underwriting Officer, Personal Insurance, Travelers; Brooke Steele, Vice President, Enterprise Catastrophe Risk Management, Travelers; Glenn Westrick, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Travelers.

L to R: Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute; Michael Newman, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety; Brooke Steele, Vice President, Enterprise Catastrophe Risk Management, Travelers; Caleb Earnest, Vice President, Chief Underwriting Officer, Personal Insurance, Travelers; Glenn Westrick, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Travelers; Rick Keegan, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Chief Underwriting Officer, Travelers.

The Travelers Institute is the public policy division of Travelers. Their mission is to leverage Travelers’ industry and technical expertise, along with insights from private and public sector experts, to help address the most pressing challenges facing industry, customers and the communities. The Travelers Institute convenes audiences with government and industry thought leaders to share insights, learn together and solve problems. u

Agency Client Spotlight – Volunteer Traditions

This is the first in a series of articles we are going to feature from time to time to highlight special clients from member agencies across the state of Tennessee. In this issue of the magazine, we feature Volunteer Traditions, a company known by many across the state and beyond for their premium line of clothing and gear that reflects the owners love for the state of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

Chip Piper, with Powell & Meadows, has written insurance on the business since the early days of Volunteer Traditions and takes extraordinary pride in the success the company has enjoyed. Chip and his staff have worked with the company to meet their evolving insurance and risk management needs through the years. It is also interesting to note that Powell & Meadows also provided insurance to the pharmacy owned and operated by Mason’s father in White house Tennessee. So, the agency has a long history of serving the family.

The story starts with Mason Jones who grew up in the White House where his father owned a pharmacy. After graduating from high school, Mason attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and where he earned his undergraduate degree. He then applied to and was accepted by the University of Tennessee School of Law. After a lot of hard work, late nights, case law, legal briefs, and moot court sessions, Mason earned his law degree.

During Mason’s time growing up in White House followed by his years at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, his affinity for his home state and university only grew deeper. Like many Tennesseans he enjoyed wearing quality apparel that reflected his Tennessee roots and his alma mater.

He and a friend were trying to find a belt that displayed the iconic Tennessee TriStar associated with the state flag and other state symbols. They could not find such a belt. So, in 2006, Mason and his friend decided to design and source a new line of belts proudly displaying the Tennessee flag and the TriStar to offer them to prospective customers. Because of the focus on producing quality belts, the product line grew in popularity and evolved into shirts and other products that featured the Tennessee flag and Tristar logo.

By 2012, the company had worked with the University of Tennessee to license apparel and products featuring logos and branding associated with the University of Tennessee Vol-

unteers. The company was laserfocused on designing and producing classic high-quality apparel and gear for UT Vol fans. The combination of exceptional design and the quality of fabrics powered Volunteer Traditions success.

In 2020, Volunteer Traditions created the Blue Tick Hound design from a clean sheet on classic shirts, other apparel and products. The Blue Tick Hound line of products was an instant success.

After the company’s early days, based out of a college apartment, Volunteer Traditions now has a brandnew store front and headquarters located in Gallatin, Tennessee. The company’s products are also offered in twenty-five retail stores and shops who carry their product line across Tennessee. Volunteer Traditions also has a robust web and social media presence that gives the company broad market reach across the nation and around the world.

As it turns out, there are Tennesseans and University of Tennessee Volunteer fans who appreciate the design and quality of Volunteer Traditions apparel and gear everywhere. By any measure, Volunteer Traditions is a uniquely Tennessee success story!

Mason credits Chip Piper and his staff at Powell & Meadows for helping to make certain he has the insurance coverage and risk management tools to protect the financial security of the company and the integrity of the brand. The agency has a truly consultative relationship with Mason Jones and the staff at Volunteer Traditions. As Volunteer Traditions has grown and developed, Powell-Meadows has been there for them all along the way.

This is a story told countless times where a professional independent agency insures a start-up or small business and then grows with them through the years as they realize more success. Through the insurance products and services provided by professional independent agencies, they become part of the success story of the business. This pattern of mutual success has served as a formula that works for agencies across Tennessee.

To learn more about Volunteer Traditions be sure to visit their website at www.volunteertraditions.com or stop by their store in Gallatin or other retail stores that carry their product lines across the state. u

WHAT IS BIG “I” ALLIANCE BLUE?

Formerly known as Big “I” Markets, Big “I” Alliance Blue is IIABA’s FREE online market access placement center program. We provide Big “I” members with access to specialty/niche coverages, program business and hard-to-nd markets. Our top tier carrier partners offer access to the products you need, with new carriers being added in response to member needs.

PERSONAL LINES

Affluent Markets

Auto and Home Standard Markets

Flood

Jewelry

Non-standard Homeowner

Umbrella & Home Business

COMMERCIAL

LINES

Bonds

Cyber

Commercial Auto

Community Banks

Executive Risks

Habitational

Real Estate Agents/Property Manager E&O

Small Commercial

Product availability varies by state.

WHAT SETS US APART?

After completing our online registration, you can begin submitting business online. Simply answer a few questions and provide banking info, licensing info, tell us about your E&O insurance, and accept the sub-producer agreement. Approval takes about one business day, then you’re off and running and can begin submitting and doing business online 24/7.

PROGRAM FEATURES

•No initial access fees

•No ongoing monthly fees

•No termination fees

•No monthly minimum production requirements

•No obligation to submit other accounts

•Ownership of expirations

•EFT commission payments

You can access the markets you need once a year or multiple times per day; the price to access products through Big “I” Alliance Blue remains the same: zero. Log in and plug in to the power!

QUESTIONS? Contact allianceblue@iiaba.net or visit www.independentagent.com/Alliance.

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Goodbye no added value.

Only 3 in 10 Americans Review Insurance Annually, Often Waiting Until Problems Arise

A new survey from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big "I") finds that despite the central role insurance plays in Americans' financial lives, their insurance policy is something people only reach for when there's a problem. "In today's insurance market, standing still can cost you," said Charles Symington, Big "I" president & CEO. "When policyholders sit down regularly with a trusted insurance advisor, they can better understand their options and potential coverage changes."

Nearly 9 in 10 Americans (88%) say having insurance is very or somewhat important to their financial security, according to the survey. Yet infrequent coverage reviews leave consumers missing opportunities to better understand what they're paying for, manage costs or ensure coverage still reflects their needs.

For many consumers, coverage reviews remain reactive rather than routine. Without regular reviews, coverage can quietly drift out of sync with a consumer's financial situation, assets, or priorities—often going unnoticed until a claim, premium increase or coverage issue brings it to the surface.

"In today's insurance market, standing still can cost you," said Charles Symington, Big "I" president & CEO. "When policyholders sit down regularly with a trusted insurance advisor, they can better understand their options and potential coverage changes. These insurance reviews can be invaluable in helping consumers protect what matters most. Unfortunately, this new research shows too many people miss out on these important discussions."

When Coverage Reviews Become Reactive

Premiums are rising in many regions due to higher claims costs, severe weather losses, and rebuilding expenses. Legal system abuse, in particular, is affecting how policies are issued and renewed. At the same time, new technology and InsurTech platforms are changing how consumers evaluate and compare their options. In this environment, regular coverage reviews help ensure protection keeps pace with rising costs, stricter underwriting conditions, and a more digitally driven insurance marketplace.

Despite this, many consumers do not engage with their coverage on a routine basis. Nearly half of respondents (49%) report that they only revisit their insurance after a premium increase or say they never review their policies at all—limiting opportunities to proactively assess coverage, adjust limits or address gaps before problems arise. As a result, insurance decisions are often made reactively and under time pressure, triggered by a billing change rather than guided by forwardlooking conversations that align coverage with evolving financial priorities.

Consumers Want Guidance When Managing Insurance Decisions

Despite infrequent coverage reviews, many consumers recognize the need to take a closer look at their policies. The survey found that 76% of respondents say they are likely to re-examine or adjust their insurance coverage in the next 12 months, signaling strong intent but inconsistent follow-through. Consumers also place a high value on professional insurance guidance. As many as 87% say working with an insurance agent is very or somewhat important, while nearly 45% report they primarily engage with an agent during claims or major issues.

The survey found that independent agents were the most preferred distribution channel, reflecting consumer demand for flexibility and tailored coverage recommendations. Among respondents, 35% of consumers prefer working with an independent insurance agent, highlighting the importance of choice and flexibility when seeking insurance support. However, 32% said they decide on their own, and another 5% rely on AI or comparison tools, leaving plenty of room for mistakes without an experienced advisor guiding the way.

"Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, consumers want options and advice tailored to their individual situations—especially as coverage needs and budgets change," said Kevin Brandt, executive director of Trusted Choice. "Independent agents bring that flexibility by offering choice across carriers, helping consumers compare options, and weighing coverage alongside premium so adjustments can be made with confidence over time."

Encouraging a More Proactive Approach

As insurance decisions grow more complex, the Big "I" encourages consumers to take a more proactive approach to reviewing their coverage. Regular check-ins don't have to be complicated, but they can help ensure policies—and premiums—continue to reflect current needs, priorities, and financial goals.

Consumers can take a more active role by:

• Reviewing policies at least once a year and after major life changes.

• A sking questions to better understand what is—and isn't— covered.

• M aking sure coverage limits still reflect current assets and needs.

• Checking in periodically to see whether coverage should be updated.

Independent insurance agents can support these conversations by helping consumers compare options, understand trade-offs between coverage and cost, and make informed decisions—without waiting for a premium increase or coverage issue to prompt action. (Source: Big “I”) u

New Member Event! Big I Tennessee Day

Join

Coming to Knoxville!

Thursday, June 4th

Bridgewater Place

REGISTER TODAY

AGENDA

11:30 AM - Welcome & Arrival

12:00 PM - Lunch

12:20 PM - Association Update

12:30 PM - Keynote Presentation

AI & Automation ROI Examples. Presented by Angela Ford

1:30 PM - Roundtable Discussions

join a table to engage with your industry peers

Agency Operations & Technology | Government Affairs

Marketing | P&C Market Landscape

2:30 PM - Program Concludes

Need assistance with registration? Contact Sharon Nettles - sharon@bigitn.org; 615-515-2605

From Your President

Battle Bagley, III, CIC, CPA

I have a small favor to ask of members.

The first quarter of 2026 has been a busy one for your association. As is often the case, this time of year we have been active in legislative affairs since the Tennessee General Assembly opened session in January. From the start, we have been tracking and evaluating bills being filed and moving through committees. As needed, we weigh in on legislation that may impact independent agents and our industry directly or indirectly. Earlier in March, we had the opportunity to meet with state legislators to discuss the association’s position on various issues. Trey Moore, our Government Affairs Consultant, has written an excellent article that summarizes some of the key legislation we are closely watching.

The Big I National Legislative Conference held in Washington, D.C. is set for April 22- 24. A contingent of Big I of Tennessee members will travel to Washington to hear from Big I National leaders about issues and potential legislation they are tracking. Our delegation will also share concerns from Tennessee with the Big I National staff. Ultimately, state delegations will meet with over 400 congressional offices to speak directly with our elected leaders about issues important to the insurance industry in Tennessee and to our consumers. This year there are a number of prominent issues to be addressed. We look forward to actively taking part in the Big I Legislative Conference this year. We will report back to you about key elements of the visit upon our return and in the next issue of The Tennessee Insuror.

As most of you know, 2026 is an election year. An essential part of our legislative affairs work involves fund raising for our state PAC (INSURPACTN) and our national PAC (INSURPAC). Perhaps now more than ever, we need your help in contributing to one or both PACs. The funds we raise help your association support worthy candidates at the state and nation -

al level who will hear our concerns and consider supporting our positions. The reality is that we simply cannot afford to sit on the sidelines in this election. We look forward to seeing your support and will be reporting on our progress in the coming months.

In the first months of my term as President of our association, I have a small favor to ask of members. Our association has an active board made up of members across the state of Tennessee. These board members give freely of their time, experience, and expertise to propel this association forward. I encourage you to read the Board Introduction article in this magazine and get to know who your representatives are for your region. I encourage you to talk with them about any concerns you have, suggestions, ideas or

Speaking of meetings, be sure to Save the Date for Insurefest 2026 being held in Nashville at the J.W. Marriott Hotel from October 13-16. Please note in a departure from earlier InsureFest schedules, the conference will run from Tuesday, October 13, to Friday, October 26, freeing up your weekends and busy Mondays in most agencies. We hope this shift in the days the event is held will allow more agency principals and members of your staff to attend. Planning is already underway to create an exceptional event this October in Nashville. Please mark your calendars now!

other input you may have to make this association and our industry better. The board members are your conduit to the Big I of Tennessee.

This year, we are having two new gatherings called Big I Tennessee Days designed to expand our reach across the state. The first Big I Tennessee Day will be held in Memphis on March 25 at the famous Peabody Hotel. The second Big I Tennessee Day will be held June 4 at Bridgewater Place in Knoxville. We hope you will make plans to attend the meeting in your area. Please see the exhibit (page 22) in this magazine or visit the Big I Tennessee website to learn more. I look forward to seeing you in Memphis and Knoxville.

On a final note, please be sure to make your nomination for the Robert E. Musto Insurance Hall of Fame at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). We have many worthy candidates across the state who should be considered for recognition in the Hall of Fame for their contributions to the insurance industry in Tennessee. Be sure to see the article in this magazine (page26). Scan the QR code or visit the MTSU website (martinchair. mtsu.edu/nomination/) to complete the nomination form. Please note the deadline for this year is April 10, 2026.

Wishing you a great start to 2026 both professionally and personally. I look forward to seeing you across the state of Tennessee this year! u

From Your Executive Director

Kristen Gulson

Adapting to New Challenges and Supporting Members

I hope the first quarter of 2026 has gotten off to a good start for member agencies across the state. We have already encountered a historic ice storm, tornados, hail, and high wind events across the state that caused damage and dislocation for your insured clients. Your agencies and the companies you represent have been instrumental in helping clients with repairs and recovery from those weather-related events.

Our industry has been instrumental in getting businesses and households back up on their feet. It is still early spring, and if past is prologue, we know there will be other weather-related challenges ahead. Now is a good time to work with your clients to make sure their coverage is updated and accurate to reflect the exposure. It is also the right time to discuss flood insurance options even if the client is not in a clearly defined flood zone. Recent history tells us that significant flooding can happen in many areas not always recognized as flood zones.

It is also prudent to have discussions about earthquake insurance. These discussions are consistent with building a consultative relationship and helping clients be prepared and resilient. As always, be sure to thoroughly document your consultation for future reference.

Encourage your clients to visit the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency website at tn.gov/tema/ready-tn to learn how to prepare for severe weather and other unexpected events. Being prepared is key to safety, quicker recovery and building resilience in our businesses, households and communities.

Now on to a bit more positive topic. By now, I am sure you have seen the new branding for the Insurors of Tennessee

as it changes to the new Big I of Tennessee logo and branding. It’s more than just the simple change of a logo in that it capitalizes on the brand recognition of the Big I at the national level and across other states. It also represents the close coordination between our colleagues in other state associations and in Washington, D.C. at the national level.

At a time of rapid change and ongoing challenges to our industry, close coordination and consultation is essential for the health of the independent agency system here and across the nation. We will continue to lean on the history of the Insurors of Tennessee brand in a myriad of ways, such as keeping the name of this magazine as The Tennessee Insuror.

This association has successfully navigated over one hundred thirty years. It is because the organization has had the vision to adapt and change to meet new challenges and support members as they serve clients. We encourage your agency to adopt the new Big I of Tennessee branding as we build brand awareness and marketing power across Tennessee. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to a board member or a member of our staff. We are here for you!

We have been updating and refreshing our website at www.bigitn.org to include better access to information and schedules. We encourage you to browse the website to become better acquainted with the resources and information available at your fingertips.

One area of specific emphasis is focused on Education and Professional development resources. We hope you will avail yourself of the many educational resources available to you and your col-

leagues. Knowledge is power in the insurance and risk management business, so be sure to plan your education calendar for 2026.

The website also presents the special events we have scheduled for 2026 including the new Big I Tennessee days set for Memphis and Knoxville and the 2026 Insurefest conference to be held in Nashville. Please check the website for details and to register.

At present, we are in government affairs mode tracking key legislation at the state and national levels. Your Government Affairs Committee and Trey Moore, our Government Affairs Consultant, have been fully engaged to make sure the interests of independent insurance agents and the insurance industry are represented. Soon, we will be leaving to go to Washington, D.C. to attend the Big I Legislative Conference, April 2224. Be sure to see Trey’s article ion page 31 for more details.

Finally, the Robert E. Musto Insurance Hall of Fame at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is accepting nominations until April 10, 2026, for this year’s class. We hope you will visit the website (martinchair.mtsu.edu/nomination/) to make your nomination. If you miss the April 10 deadline, you can still submit a nomination for the class of 2027.

I look forward to seeing you across the state at the events we have planned this year. If you have any questions or input, please feel free to reach out to me, our staff, or our board members. This is your association, so we always welcome your input. u

Tennessee Young Agents '26

Young Agent Spotlight

Davis Rader • Burchfiel-Overbay & Associates, Inc.

In this edition of the Young Agent Spotlight, we introduce you to Davis Rader, Producer with Burchfiel – Overbay & Associates located in Sevierville, Tennessee. Davis has been employed with this historic family-owned agency since 2018 after graduation from the University of Tennessee at Martin. First a few comments about the agency are in order.

It is important to note Burchfiel-Overbay & Associates Insurance Agency (BOA) was established in 1919. It is truly an exceptional accomplishment for the agency to have successfully served the Sevierville market area for one hundred and seven years. As anyone in business knows, navigating the up and downs of the business cycle, natural disasters, wars, and countless other challenges, it is a true testament to the vision, determination, and resilience of agency staff for over century. Under the experienced leadership of agency principal Mitch Rader, the agency continues to meet the insurance and risk management needs of the area in a rapidly evolving world. For the sake of clarity, Mitch is Davis Rader’s uncle. Today, BOA is a full-service agency providing personal insurance, business insurance, life insurance, group & individual health insurance, Medicare supplements, long and short-term care insurance, surety bonds and retirement planning to the Sevierville area.

Now back to Davis Rader. While Davis and the Rader family are from the Sevierville area in East Tennessee, Davis followed in the footsteps of others in his family and attended the University of Tennessee at Martin located in West Tennessee north of Jackson and just east of Union City. Davis explains, “In addition to attending UT-Martin, the Rader family has always been drawn to West Tennessee in part due to the ample opportunities to go duck hunting as a result of the flyways that pass over the region.” As most duck hunters know, West Tennessee is one of the best areas in the Southeast to enjoy duck hunting and hunting in general. Davis light-heartedly jokes, “He went to West Tennessee to go duck hunting and ended up earning a bachelor’s degree from UT-Martin in the process.”

The agency specializes in providing insurance and risk management solutions that serve the vibrant tourism industry in the Sevierville- Gatlinburg region at the gateway to the Great Smokey Mountains. Specifically, the agency writes insurance for rental cabins, overnight rental condominiums, hotels, restaurants, homeowner associations, rental management companies, contractors, apartments, convenience and retail stores. By any measure, the agency is clearly positioned for success in the future.

Davis first started working with the agency in the personal lines segment to begin learning about the insurance business and has since added commercial insurance to the portfolio of business he can offer prospective clients. He primarily focuses on commercial insurance now including complex commercial exposures. He volunteers that one of the first things he learned about commercial insurance is that there is so much to know and understands that you never stop learning. He credits Mitch Rader, his uncle, and other colleagues in the agency for helping him to grow and develop as an insurance professional. He also appreciates the Insurors of Tennessee for the professional education and development resources they make available to him. He notes that the agency’s membership in the Keystone organization and the Insurors of Tennessee provides him with a network of people he can rely on when he has questions or needs guidance on unique or complicated insurance exposures. He also appreciates and values the relationships he has already developed through both organizations. He said, “I already can see that I will develop lifelong professional relationships and friendships that will make my career in the industry even more meaningful in the years ahead.”

YA

Consistent with a key area of focus for the agency, Davis specializes in serving the businesses in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and other nearby communities that are part of the ever-growing tourism industry in the area. The business segment offers Davis a broad range of businesses to serve. When asked about what he enjoys most about being and insurance professional he says, “No two days ever the look the same with each day presenting different opportunities and challenges keeping the business fresh.” He also appreciates the chance to help people and companies manage their risk and protect their assets. He says it is especially likes being there for his clients on those days when they need him most from an insurance perspective. It is clear that the insurance business is not just a job but a mission for Davis.

When asked about a significant challenge he faces, he first alluded to the hard market conditions that have created complications in serving clients. He qualifies that statement by saying that it seems as if the hard market is finally beginning to subside a bit. Davis then says keeping up with technological changes in the businesses is presenting challenges because of the speed of change and newer technologies surrounded by artificial intelligence. He does indicate that Keystone and the Big I are a valuable resource helping him to learn and adapt as it relates to technology change.

Davis is married to his wife Sidney who he met in college. They have one nine-month-old daughter named Neely who brings them great joy and keeps the couple busy on any given day. In October, they are expecting their second child and look forward to welcoming the newborn into the family. They also have three dogs including one labrador retriever, and two long-haired dachshunds. As you might suspect, the labrador retriever is Davis’s trusty duck hunting companion. All three dogs provide the family with great companionship and entertainment. As mentioned earlier, Davis greatly enjoys hunting and he competes in charity clay shoot tournaments frequently. He is an accomplished competitive shooter.

In the community, Davis serves on the Board of Directors of the local Boy’s and Girl’s Club, helping to give the youth of the community a positive experience and a better way forward. Davis has also participated in leadership classes in the community. He and his wife are also members of a local church in the Sevierville area.

Davis is another example of a multigenerational family serving their communities through professional independent agencies that help build the very fabric of towns and cities. We wish Davis the best as he moves forward in his career and look forward to his participation in the Insurors of Tennessee or the Big I of Tennessee as it is now known. u

ACUITY INSURANCE

AF GROUP

AMERICAN EUROPEAN INSURANCE COMPANY

AMTRUST

BUILDERS INSURANCE GROUP

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CINCINNATI INSURANCE

EMC INSURANCE

ENCOVA INSURANCE

ENTERPRISE

FFVA MUTUAL

FRANKENMUTH INSURANCE

FRONTLINE INSURANCE

GRANGE INSURANCE

HARFORD MUTUAL

KEYSTONE INSURERS GROUP

MARTIN & ZERFOSS

RT SPECIALTY

SAFEWAY INSURANCE COMPANY

STONETRUST WORKERS' COMPENSATION

THE SERVICE INSURANCE COMPANY

SUMMIT

WEST BEND INSURANCE COMPANY

WESTFIELD INSURANCE

State Advocacy Update: Key Issues for Big I Tennessee in the 2026 Session Government & Legal Update

The second session of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly convened on January 13, 2026, and is expected to adjourn in late April. As always, Big I Tennessee is actively engaged at the Capitol monitoring legislation and working with lawmakers and regulators on issues affecting independent insurance agents, insurance markets, and Tennessee consumers.

Each year, Big I Tennessee members have an opportunity to engage directly with legislators during our annual legislative reception and Day on the Hill. This year’s reception was held on February 24 at the Hermitage Hotel, followed by our Day on the Hill on February 25, where members met with lawmakers to discuss issues affecting the independent agency system and the broader insurance marketplace. During those meetings, several priority issues were discussed with legislators. Below is an overview of four key measures Big I Tennessee is actively working on this session.

Strengthening Transparency in Litigation Financing

SB 2101 (Taylor) / HB 2108 (Boyd)

Big I Tennessee supports legislation that strengthens Tennessee law governing third-party litigation financing (TPLF). TPLF involves outside investors—often hedge funds or other financial entities—providing funding to plaintiffs in civil lawsuits in exchange for a share of any settlement or judgment. While consumer lawsuit lending is already addressed in Tennessee law, commercial litigation financing remains largely unregulated.

SB 2101 / HB 2108 would establish commonsense guardrails for these arrangements. Key provisions of the bill include:

• Requiring disclosure of commercial litigation financing arrangements

• Prohibiting funders from controlling litigation strategy, legal representation, or settlement decisions

• Preventing foreign adversaries or sovereign wealth funds from secretly influencing litigation in Tennessee courts

Unexpected risks are met with exceptional coverage.

Slips, sparks, tire blowouts — your clients never see them coming. West Bend is ready with the support and service they need to weather any storm.

We help you deliver the coverage your clients need with the service they deserve.

That’s the power of The Silver Lining® . The Worst Brings Out Our Best®.

Government & Legal Update

existing plan for up to three months (plus any partial month) if they had been enrolled for at least three months. The provision was repealed in 2025 as part of broader updates to state law.

At the time, enhanced federal Affordable Care Act premium tax credits made Marketplace coverage more affordable for many consumers who experienced a loss of employer coverage. Those enhanced subsidies have since expired.

SB 865 / HB 705 restores the prior continuation option and provides consumers with a short-term bridge while they evaluate longer-term coverage options.

Supporters note that restoring this provision:

• Provides short-term coverage stability during employment transitions

• Allows individuals to maintain existing provider relationships temporarily

• Gives consumers additional flexibility when evaluating Marketplace plans or other coverage options

The bill reflects a modest policy adjustment in response to changes in federal subsidy conditions and aims to provide consumers with greater continuity and choice during coverage transitions.

Insurance Coverage for Delivery Network Company Drivers

SB 2458 (Bailey) / HB 2175 (Travis)

Big I Tennessee is also supporting legislation addressing insurance coverage for delivery network company (DNC) drivers, including those working with services such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, and similar platforms.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Ron Travis (R-Dayton)— a former CEO of Big I Tennessee—and Senator Paul Bailey (RSparta), establishes clear insurance requirements for drivers who use digital platforms to solicit delivery jobs.

The legislation mirrors the framework Tennessee adopted several years ago for ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, ensuring appropriate coverage is in place while a driver is using a platform’s app.

The bill is based on a model policy framework developed by the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) and is designed to address potential coverage gaps that can arise when:

• A driver’s personal auto policy excludes commercial ac tivity, and

• The driver has the delivery app active and is seeking a job but has not yet accepted one.

Without clear statutory guidance, questions may arise about which insurance policy applies if an accident occurs during that period. The legislation clarifies coverage responsibilities and helps ensure that:

• Drivers are properly insured

• Individuals or property damaged in an accident are protected

• Insurance obligations are clearly defined for all parties

Supporters note that the bill provides important consumer protections while reflecting the continued growth of the gig economy and app-based delivery services.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 session is expected to remain active through late April, and Big I Tennessee will continue working with legislators, regulators, and industry partners on these and other issues affecting independent agents and the insurance marketplace.

We appreciate the engagement of members who participated in this year’s Day on the Hill and helped share the perspective of independent agents with policymakers.

Big I Tennessee will continue providing updates as the legislative session progresses.

About the Author—Trey Moore is the government and legal consultant for Insurors. He operates Trey Moore Consulting in Nashville and formerly served as senior public policy counsel for one of Nashville’s largest law firms. Trey has over a decade of experience in representing clients before the Tennessee General Assembly and state government. u

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Tennessee Insurance Hall of Fame Nominations

Are

Now Open

The Tennessee Insurance Hall of Fame was established to recognize and honor the greats of the insurance industry in the state of Tennessee. Specifically, the Robert E. Musto Tennessee Insurance Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose leadership, vision, and service helped shape the insurance profession in Tennessee.

Inductees are men and women who founded or led insurance companies, made a meaningful difference within their organizations and communities, significantly impacted the lives of others, and advanced the essential role of insurance in this state and beyond. These are individuals whose names will be prominently referenced throughout the history of the insurance industry in Tennessee.

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee is currently accepting nominations for the Class of 2026. To be considered for this class, completed applications must be submitted by April 10. Applications received after April 10 will be eligible for consideration for induction in the Class of 2027.

We ask that you give serious consideration to nominating an outstanding candidate whose career reflects excellence, integrity, and lasting impact on our industry and our state. Your participation in this process helps ensure that the remarkable legacy of Tennessee’s insurance leaders is preserved and celebrated.

You can access the Nomination form using the QR link provided below. Please complete the form and e-mail it to the address provided on the form.

Please remember the deadline to submit a nomination form is April 10, 2026. Thank you for your time, your thoughtful consideration, and your efforts in submitting nomination materials. We truly appreciate your commitment to honoring the individuals who have shaped our profession. u

7 Trends Transforming Personal Lines

BY AnneMarie McPherson Spears, Big "I"

In my 18 years in the insurance industry, 2025 was the toughest year in my career,” says Daniel Rohrbaugh, president of Raleigh Insurance Group in Raleigh, North Carolina, member of the Big “I” national Young Agents Council (YAC), and immediate past chair of iLEAD, the YAC of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC).

The reason? Personal lines. “I can explain market trends and rate cycles and people understand that. That’s not the hard part,” Rohrbaugh says. “The hard part is when customers come to me with: ‘I’ve seen my rates go up 50% and I have not filed a claim.’”

Rohrbaugh started his insurance career in 2008, working as a State Farm team member for nine years before launching his own agency. “I reached out to the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina and simply asked them, ‘How do you start a scratch agency?’” he recalls. “I started out of a back bedroom at my house with auto, home and life.” He started his agency when personal lines was “pretty easy” by comparison, he says. But over the past couple of years, “we are seeing rate increases that the residents in North Carolina are not used to and have never seen,” he says.

And it’s true all over the country. In fact, the phrase used by many agents to describe personal lines in their region has been “dumpster fire.” But when will the flames be brought under control? How are shifting trends impacting independent agents’ personal lines strategies? And what do clients want from their insurance relationships? Here are seven trends for the future of personal lines insurance.

1) Personal lines stability will improve.

After several challenging years, the U.S. homeowners insurance segment finally joined the rest of the U.S. personal lines outlook as “stable” in November 2025, according to AM Best’s “Market Segment Report.”

“Homeowners had been deeply impacted by inflation, elevated weather activity and a hard reinsurance market—coupled with more restrictive regulatory bodies in some states,” explains Chris Draghi, director at AM Best. “Carriers required time in addressing these challenges through rate increases

and refinement to underwriting risk appetites. These actions have led to meaningful improvement in recent periods, influencing the decision to revise our outlook to stable.”

“Another key consideration is the expectation for reinsurance pricing to moderate, providing an opportunity to carriers to record some cost-savings or strengthen reinsurance programs,” Draghi adds.

Looking at the rest of 2026, “We anticipate the personal lines outlook to remain stable in the near term,” Draghi says. “It remains important for agents to work closely with the insurance carriers in developing a sound understanding of risk appetite. With customer shopping increasing, and modest rate decreases being observed in the market, some softening may develop in the near term.”

However, AM Best is monitoring trends that could affect the health of the personal lines market for better or worse over the next few years. While claim frequency has been declining, severity continues to rise due to economic and social inflation, rising medical costs and supply-chain disruptions, according to AM Best’s “Market Segment Outlook: US Personal Lines.”

“As such, rate adequacy is top of mind. Many carriers have diligently increased rates and refreshed algorithms to account for current trends,” Draghi says. “However, severity trends have yet to stabilize, which may lead to additional rate need. That said, increased competition may lead to rate reductions, which will be monitored.”

Rohrbaugh has observed that “carriers are feeling better about the actions they’ve taken and they’re feeling better about the outlook over the next 12 to 24 months,” he says. “We better understand what we can expect in 2026, at least as far as new business goes.”

Personal lines market access options are available to Big “I” members through Big “I” Alliance. “The Big ‘I’ Alliance Blue program offers free access to multiple personal lines markets, including standard and nonstandard auto and home as well as personal umbrella, flood, and jewelry coverage,” says Summer Cole, assistant vice president of Big “I” Alliance

Gold. “The fee-based Big ‘I’ Alliance Gold program is an alliance network that can connect agents to appointments with dozens of carriers. A dedicated Alliance Gold staff works with Gold agencies to open doors to new carrier partnerships and maximize profit-sharing opportunities. All Alliance programs are designed to help Big ‘I’ members large and small grow their businesses in an accelerated yet sustainable way.”

2) Rates may start to soften.

With personal lines enjoying firmer footing, the billion-dollar question is: When will personal lines rates actually begin to decline?

The answer is: It’s complicated. While some auto carriers filed for rate decreases in 2025, softening will occur “state by state and customer by customer,” says Craig Martin, executive director, global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power. “Each carrier is going to have a different risk appetite, underwriting approach and acquisition strategy—each carrier is thinking about long-term who their target customer is.”

Rohrbaugh’s clients in North Carolina are still seeing rate increases because “There’s a lag effect—actuary takes place 12 to 24 months prior, and then it takes another 12 months to get it through onto a policy,” he says. “If we have labor rates, lumber rates and steel prices doubling, and now tariffs, insurance has got to play catch-up. We have clients whose premiums still aren’t where they’re supposed to be.”

While there are plenty of those difficult conversations to be had, Rohrbaugh has begun to see rate decreases—albeit more on auto than homeowners. And with carriers more optimistic about 2026, “We have some rate stability coming,” he says.

Mark Garvelli, vice president of the personal insurance division at Walsh Insurance in Buffalo, New York, is also “cautiously optimistic that we’re reaching a little bit of stabilization,” he says. “There is moderation in the rates, and the increases we’re seeing are not as bad as the double digits we had been seeing over the last couple of years.” But then there’s California. After the exodus of carriers from the state, the question agents are asking isn’t “when are rates coming down?” but rather “when will markets reopen?”

“I don’t want to use the word ‘despair,’ but it comes very close to how we’re beginning to feel,” says Armenn Karlubian, owner of Karl Insurance Services in Woodland Hills, California. “Every time we place something in the excess & surplus space, we lose coverages that exist in the admitted market. The exposure disturbs me. But I cannot create coverage. My job is to offer it, not create it. There’s a lack of information about what’s going on with insurance companies, and a lack of a meaningful response by the government to the crisis that is so out of control,” she says.

Karlubian does write business with one carrier that has begun

accepting homeowners policies, but the guidelines are very stringent. “I can only hope that some markets will start reopening soon,” she says. In the meantime, her agency’s response has been “to be creative, put a FAIR Plan policy in force, write a wrap-around policy, and insure the client to the best of our ability.”

3) Shopping and switching will remain high.

The “Loyalty Indicator & Shopping Trends” (LIST) report from J.D. Power, conducted in collaboration with TransUnion, shows that auto shopping has decelerated but still remains active, with a 13% shopping rate in the fourth quarter of 2025. The switching rate was at 4.1%, down from the all-time high of 4.5% in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, 47% of homeowners insurance customers experienced insurer-initiated rate hikes last year, the highest level in more than a decade, according to J.D. Power’s “2025 U.S. Home Insurance Study.”

As a result, homeowners are exhibiting an unusual willingness to shop, Martin says. Among homeowners who say they are unlikely to renew their policies, 43% point to recent price hikes as the reason.

“Speed is everything in personal lines. You need to be able to qualify prospects as quickly as possible, you need to speed up your quoting process, and you must make sure online portals and self-service are being utilized.”

While many homeowners pay their insurance policies through escrow accounts, meaning that premium increases are often not very transparent, “Mortgage servicers have a vested interest in communicating with their customers about what’s going on, rather than getting blamed for a price increase that is separate from their business,” Martin says. “We’re actually seeing communication from mortgage companies saying, ‘Your home insurance is likely to go up in the next year—do you want to shop?’”

“We had seen, particularly in the homeowners space, the average tenure decreasing,” Martin says. And looking into the rest of 2026, “I think we’re going to continue to see a fairly strong level of shopping and switching,” he says. “It’s easier to shop than ever.”

But should customers shop? Raleigh Insurance Group educates its personal lines clients on the potential pitfalls, emphasizing that while it may be easy to switch, it may not always be the best choice.

“We have automated renewal notices that go out to customers, including asking them if anything in their life has changed—teenage driver, home addition, new roof—and if they have, that’s an opportunity to shop,” Rohrbaugh says. “If the client has questions about a rate increase, my team is equipped to show comparisons.”

The key question is: Is it worth it?

In the current industry climate of strict underwriting guidelines, “we have to be very careful about switching,” he explains. “There are some carriers for which a roof older than a decade is ineligible. Most carriers are doing home inspections.”

“When eligibility becomes tight, you’re making sure you’re at least insurable, and not so much what you’re paying,” Garvelli agrees. “What the hard market did was help us educate our consumers that insurance isn’t just a price-driven commodity. We’re definitely being more selective about what we shop and when we switch business. We’re looking at how companies are underwriting risk, especially in the homeowners market, where we’re not randomly moving people to save a few dollars anymore. Those days are pretty much gone.”

Also, longevity with a carrier matters, Rohrbaugh says. “If I have a customer that’s been with a carrier for a while, I can go to bat for them.” But if a customer makes a habit of switching carriers every one or two years, “they don’t have much ground to stand on,” he says.

4) Artificial intelligence (AI) will bring opportunities to balance speed and trust.

When it comes to AI in insurance, there’s no going back—and companies are getting the message.

“Carriers are understanding that we cannot continue to operate the way we always have,” Rohrbaugh says. “Carriers that lean in and leverage AI are going to simply outperform legacy carriers in speed, accuracy and customer experience.”

However, while consumers are keeping an open mind about insurers using AI, they are concerned about who will truly benefit from its usage, according to J.D. Power. Customers are most comfortable with AI when it automates routine aspects of their experience, such as sending claim status updates (24%), managing their billing (23%) and answering basic customer service questions (21%). But 47% are somewhat or very uncomfortable with AI being used to process their claims, indicating a clear boundary between convenience and trust.

With customer trust and loyalty already eroded by years of price hikes, Martin emphasizes the importance of agent communication to win consumers over. “It’s key to communicate how it [AI] makes the industry faster and more efficient, which means we’re going to save them money, time and make it easier to access information at any time,” Martin says. “That’s why independent agents continue to be a critical part of the insurance landscape: helping their customers understand where this fits in their world and what’s really valuable to them. It’s the human side of things that will differentiate brands in the future.”

As AI continues to develop, “I think we’re going to see more strategies built around the ethics of using AI,” Rohrbaugh says. For example, “Are carriers going to be required to share the decision-making process with the client, rather than just sending a generic declaration letter?” he asks.

Independent agencies are increasingly using AI, with 1 in 3 agency employees reporting using AI for work in the past year, according to Liberty Mutual’s “2025 Independent Agents at Work Study.” Rohrbaugh believes AI will only become more crucial. “I can see it getting to a point where carriers are going to qualify and disqualify agencies based on the technology they have in their office,” he says. “If an agency isn’t utilizing the tools that are available, does a carrier want to partner with them?”

AI is also becoming increasingly established as a way for agents to meet clients’ expectations for timely communication and personalized service—and to survive the ongoing challenges of the personal lines market, according to Liberty Mutual.

“Our perspective is that we focus on having a ‘human in the loop,’” says Rob Bourne, senior vice president and general manager of EZLynx. “It then becomes a question of: ‘How can we enable the agent to focus on the highest value activities while automating the lower-value pain points?’”

Agency principals said they plan to leverage AI to identify opportunities for cross-selling (58%), assist in marketing content creation (53%), automate routine service tasks (52%) and create personalized customer communications (46%), according to Liberty Mutual’s “2024 Agent-Customer Connection Study.”

“Speed is everything in personal lines,” Rohrbaugh says. “You need to be able to qualify prospects as quickly as possible, you need to speed up your quoting process, and you must make sure online portals and self-service are being utilized. The personal lines agents that don’t embrace the technology at their fingertips, I dare to say, will get left behind. In the near term, there’s a place where AI can jump in and meaningfully reduce the amount of time agents have to spend on those areas.

Speed is valuable to customers, too. Eighty-three percent

expect their agent to respond to inquiries within one business day, and 35% expect a response in an hour or less, according to Vertafore.

But despite these high expectations, more than 1 in 4 say they are uncomfortable with their agent using AI. The vast majority—85%—of consumers want to know when AI is being used, regardless of their comfort level.

Meanwhile, customers place significant value on the human expertise offered by their independent agent. While 45% of consumers use AI for financial planning, only 17% consider it a primary source for information about insurance products and coverage, according to a Nationwide survey. Despite the growing presence of digital tools, over half of consumers (56%) say they never use AI for information about home or auto insurance.

“I see it every day: the lack of consumer knowledge and the need for the information we provide them,” Karlubian says. “The coverages they never thought about, the stuff they never thought they would need. They would really have a problem if they trusted AI to take care of their insurance needs and then, God forbid, something happened and they realized only then they didn’t have coverage.”

As the personal lines industry balances the dual needs of

Our original specialty, Workers’ Comp has long served as the anchor line for our growing suite of commercial products. We distinguish our coverage by providing a host of value-added services before, during, and after a claim.

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speed and personalized advice, “There’s a lot of opportunity for agents and carriers to reestablish trust with customers,” says Sarah Griffin, senior vice president of personal lines product and underwriting at Nationwide. “Agents are going to need to blend their expertise and customer focus with AIaugmented tools and capabilities and retain customer loyalty through increasingly personalized and value-added experiences.”

5) Telematics and proactive risk management continue to emerge.

Last year, Nationwide launched its Telematics Property Discount, which connects driving behavior to homeowners policy discounts. The product is a forerunner in expanding auto telematics data to inform risk assessment and pricing in other personal lines, as well as inform insureds about their behavior and how it can impact pricing.

“As the industry continues to face challenging trends like inflation and extreme weather, we believe it’s critical to educate consumers on their role in risk mitigation, and how safe behaviors and even small steps can prevent damage and remove some cost from the insurance equation,” Griffin says. “As an industry, if we’re successful in beginning to shift behaviors at scale to a predict-and-prevent mentality, I believe that’ll start to reflect in loss performance patterns. For

Local Presence.

agents, this shift presents a powerful opportunity to deepen client relationships and lead the way in modern risk management.”

As the risk landscape changes and technology evolves, personal lines will continue to move away from more traditional models toward personalized, technology-enabled solutions, Griffin predicts.

“We’re seeing improved technology and more intuitive and responsive telematics experiences that help create transparency and visibility for the customer and the agent,” Griffin says.

Agents are helping clients shift from reactive coverage to proactive prevention. As many as 85% of agents now recommend smart-home technology to reduce risk, including smart smoke and carbon monoxide sensors (62%), door locks (59%), and water flow sensors (58%), according to Nationwide’s “2025 Homeowners Report.”

For example, Walsh Insurance’s personal lines agents have become more involved in risk mitigation “as underwriting started to tighten up, to make sure our customers were still insurable,” Garvelli says. “Auto telematics is a little more established, but quite a few cool things are happening in homeowners telematics.” u

Penn National Insurance sells property-casualty insurance in 12 states by partnering with more than 1,200 independent agency operations.

Financial Strength

Penn National Insurance has an A.M. Best Rating of A (Excellent). This rating is assigned by A.M. Best to companies that have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.

Claims Service

Penn National Insurance has achieved a “Superior Rating” for Personal Lines Claims Customer Experience for five consecutive years.

Partner With Us

We are looking for select commercial lines agencies in Tennessee.

n Jane Kinard • 615-889-2740 ext. 7158

n Carmen McIntosh • 615-889-2740 ext. 7528

The Prevalence of Auto Thefts–Don't Be a Victim

Auto theft remains a widespread and costly crime in the United States despite advances in vehicle security technology. Recent data shows that motor vehicle theft rose steadily for several years, highlighting the continued vulnerability of vehicle owners. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the nationwide rate of motor vehicle theft increased from 199 incidents per 100,000 people in 2019 to 283.5 incidents per 100,000 people in 2023, representing a significant rise over a short period. In raw numbers, more than 1 million vehicles were reported stolen nationwide in 2023, marking one of the highest totals on record.

Several factors contribute to the persistence of auto theft. Thieves often target vehicles that are easily accessible, lack visible security measures, or are parked in poorly lit or unsecured areas. The FBI reports that over 78 percent of stolen vehicles are standard passenger automobiles, making everyday cars the most common targets rather than luxury models alone. Advances in technology have also introduced new risks, with criminals increasingly using electronic devices to exploit vulnerabilities in keyless entry and ignition systems, allowing thefts to occur quickly and quietly.

Despite these trends, individuals can take practical steps to

reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim. One of the most effective preventative measures is consistently locking the vehicle and removing the keys, even when parking for short periods. Many thefts occur at residences; in 2023 alone, more than 250,000 vehicles were stolen from residential locations, emphasizing that home driveways and street parking are not immune. Parking in well lit areas or secured garages can significantly deter thieves by increasing visibility and risk.

Using additional security devices further reduces vulnerability. Steering wheel locks, immobilizers, and audible alarms make vehicles harder to steal and less appealing to criminals seeking easy targets. Vehicle tracking systems and GPS technology improve recovery rates, which exceed 85 percent when thefts are reported promptly, according to insurance crime data. Drivers should also avoid leaving spare keys or personal documents inside vehicles, as these items facilitate resale and identity related crimes.

In conclusion, auto theft remains a serious but preventable crime. By understanding current trends and combining awareness with simple security practices, vehicle owners can substantially reduce their risk and contribute to safer neighborhoods overall. u

Two-Thirds of Independent Agents Plan to Increase AI Use This Year Your Big I

Two-thirds of independent insurance agencies plan to increase their use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the next 12 months, according to the “2026 Big I Agents Council for Technology Tech Trends Report.”

Despite growing interest, many agencies remain in the early stages of adoption, with nearly one-third reporting they are not using AI. A key motivation for adopting AI is operational efficiency (60%) and staff productivity (52%). However, data privacy or compliance risks (24%) and inaccurate outputs (22%) topped the list of concerns. “The findings of the report highlight a pivotal moment for independent agencies, with growing AI interest signaling momentum, long-term success hinges on clearer governance, stronger training and more integrated technology strategies,” says Kasey Connors, executive director of the Big I Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

“Across our research and conversations with technology leaders, the same priorities continue to surface: responsible AI use, stronger data management and security, and protecting the human element that defines the independent agency channel,” Connors said. “The agencies that strike the right balance between innovation and trust will have a clear advantage as AI adoption accelerates.”

Here are some of the key findings from the report:

Likelihood agencies will increase AI use in the next 12 months:

• 38% – Very likely.

• 30% – Somewhat likely.

• 19% – Not likely.

How agencies describe their AI usage:

• 33% – Just experimenting.

• 31% – Not currently using AI.

• 22% – Using AI in limited areas.

• 8% – AI is embedded in daily workflows.

Most common AI tools in use:

• 45% – ChatGPT or other public LLMs.

• 20% – Policy comparison tools.

• 18% – AI-enabled marketing tools.

• 13% – AI chatbots or virtual assistants.

• 13% – Document/data extraction tools.

• 30% – Not using any AI tools.

Top concerns about AI:

• 24% – Data privacy or compliance risks.

• 22% – Inaccurate outputs.

• 17% – Losing the human touch.

• 16% – Not knowing how to apply AI.

• 11% – No major concerns. AI governance and training:

• 55% – Do not have a written AI use policy.

• 23% – Have a policy in development.

• 13% – Already have a formal AI policy. Expected benefits:

• 60% – Operational efficiency.

• 52% – Staff productivity.

• 21% – Customer experience.

• 17% – Revenue growth.

• 13% – Risk reduction/compliance.

• 23% – Not sure.

When asked their top tech-related challenge, agents said:

• 22% – Keeping up with the pace of technology change.

• 16% – Lack of automation and process.

• 16% – Too many disconnected systems.

• 9% – Changing customer expectations.

• 8% – Rising compliance or cybersecurity risk.

• 6% – Overwhelmed with vendor options.

“AI is entering agencies at a time when many are already struggling with disconnected systems and limited automation. That complexity makes it harder to move from experimentation to meaningful impact,” Connors said. “What we hear consistently is that agents aren’t worried about the price of AI—they’re worried about the cost of getting it wrong. Data privacy, compliance, and accuracy have to be addressed before agencies are comfortable scaling AI use.”

The “2026 Big I Agents Council for Technology Tech Trends Report” was based on a national survey conducted by the Big “I” via email targeting independent agency members of various sizes. Download a copy of the report here. And, to access a suite of resources designed to help independent insurance agents embrace technology to execute their unique business strategies, go to independentagent.com/technology. u

Association News

Agent Development Program Now Available to Big I Tennessee Members

"We are very excited to be bringing the Agent Development Program to Tennessee! We have peers in other states who have seen success using InsureAcademy and we aim to bring the same level of success to Big I Tennessee Members." Jake Smith

In partnership with your Big-I State Association, the Agent Development Program, powered by InsurAcademy provides customized learning for new agents and those seeking professional growth. It features self-paced courses, industry expert-led webinars, interactive learning, and a Mentor Program with one-on-one support and group sessions on relevant topics. Email Nicholas@bigitn.org for more information. Here are a few features of the program.

Customized Learning

A tailored learning platform featuring personalized learning paths, custom dashboards, and agency-branded tools to support professional growth.

Reporting And Tracking

Access detailed reports to track learning progress, assessments, and achievements with certificates awarded upon course completion

Live Monthly Webinars

Engage in expert-led webinars on technical insurance topics, workflow mastery, professional development skills, and more!

Professional Support

Agency Manager Permissions include tools to monitor course progress, manager user access, and customize training programs through a dedicated dashboard.

Mentor Program

One-on-one sessions and quarterly group meetings provide personalized guidance for new account managers to build knowledge and excel in their careers.

Hiring & Learning Tools

Identify top talent with unlimited hiring assessments for personality, cognitive ability, and motivation. Plus, access an extensive library of courses tailored to every career stage. u

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Company Briefs

BBSI Opens Nashville Branch Office, Expanding Its Southern Presence

Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI) (NASDAQ: BBSI), a leading provider of business management solutions and one of the largest professional employer organizations (PEO) in the U.S., announced it has opened a physical branch location in Nashville, Tennessee.

This expansion further strengthens BBSI’s national presence and underscores the company’s commitment to supporting small and mid-sized businesses across the Southeast.

“There’s no better place than Nashville, a city built on creativity and hustle, for BBSI to take the stage,” said Jason Williams, BBSI’s Vice President of Market Development. “Our goal is to help local entrepreneurs find their rhythm for long-term success, backed by the full strength of BBSI’s expertise.”

The new branch offers BBSI’s full suite of services, including HR consulting, payroll administration, risk mitigation, workers’ compensation, health benefits, and strategic business consulting. Combining the high-touch support of local teams

with the power of a national network and a robust technology platform, BBSI helps business owners focus on what they do best: running their companies.

“Opening a Nashville branch continues our strategy of building localized support for clients,” said Gerald Blotz, BBSI’s Chief Operating Officer. “This expansion is another step toward ensuring that every business, regardless of size or location, has access to the people-focused expertise BBSI is known for.”

To celebrate, BBSI hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Nashville branch on January 13, 2026. The event featured

Company Briefs

remarks from company leadership and local business partners, followed by networking opportunities with Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce members and the local business community.

Jeff Phelps, a seasoned executive with more than two decades of Human Capital Management experience, will lead BBSI Nashville. His passion for building strong teams and helping businesses grow will drive BBSI’s expansion into Tennessee and the development of a thriving Nashville market.

Arlington/Roe Named one of Indiana’s 2026 Best Places to Work

Arlington/Roe was recently named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Indiana. This marks the 21st edition for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce initiative and the second year in a row that Arlington/Roe has earned this distinction. The company is one of only four insurance agents/brokers in the state to be named.

“We are honored and grateful to receive this distinction,” said President & Chief Operating Officer Andy Roe. “This recognition would not have been possible without our hardworking associates who make Arlington/Roe such a wonderful place to work. We are proud of our company culture, which values honesty, integrity and trust.”

The statewide survey and awards program is designed to evaluate participating organizations and honor those with the highest levels of employee satisfaction and engagement in the workplace.

The rankings will be announced at an awards ceremony on May 13, 2026, and then published in the Indiana Chamber’s BizVoice® magazine after the event.

W. R. Berkley Corporation Names Ryan Miller President of Berkley Southeast

W. R. Berkley Corporation today announced the appointment of Ryan Miller as president of Berkley Southeast. The appointment is effective immediately.

Mr. Miller has more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience in commercial insurance operations, underwriting, and field management. He most recently served as senior vice president and chief field operations manager at a large, regional carrier with accountability for growth, profitability, and operational excellence. He has spent his entire career working to provide customers across the southeastern United States with solutions for their commercial insurance needs, and brings a unique skillset comprised of local knowledge, local relationships, and a passion for exceeding customer expectations to Berkley Southeast.

Commenting on the appointment, W. Robert Berkley, Jr., president and chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, said: "We are pleased to welcome Ryan to Berkley Southeast. He is a proven leader with deep operational expertise and a disciplined approach to underwriting and profitable growth. Throughout his career, he has consistently delivered strong results while building high performing teams and trusted relationships with distribution partners. We are confident Ryan will be a great addition to Berkley Southeast’s management team as they continue to serve this important market."

Travelers Launches Industry-Leading Agentic AI Claim Assistant Developed with OpenAI

The Travelers Companies, Inc. today announced the launch of AI Claim Assistant, an industry-leading solution developed using OpenAI model capabilities and APIs. The fully agentic intelligent voice service uses advanced language and speech recognition technologies to handle customer claim calls. This capability is initially being used with customers who are calling to file an auto damage claim and will expand to additional lines of business and a broader set of claim interactions over time. The launch reflects Travelers’ commitment to disciplined innovation and its strategy of combining advanced analytics, AI and human expertise to deliver superior customer outcomes through a more efficient process.

“The technology behind our AI Claim Assistant is remarkably dynamic and responsive, and early customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Nick Seminara, Executive Vice President and Chief Claim Officer at Travelers. “This innovative service provides our customers with a claim filing experience that’s convenient, efficient and effective.”

Education Calendar

The Insurors of Tennessee offers education opportunities to member agents across a wide range of insurance specialties that satisfy individuals at many different experience levels. If you are looking to further your career, seeking a professional designation, or need to satisfy continuing education requirements, check out the variety of courses available. Additional course options and details of each class can be found at www.bigitn.org under "Education" or by contacting Nick Field at nicholas@bigitn.org or 615.515.2606.

Register for CISR & CIC at www.insurors.org under education. Classes with (*) have option for in person or webinar event.

CISR

4/2 Insuring Personal Residential Property Webinar

5/7 William T. Hold Seminar Webinar

6/25 Commercial Casualty 11 Webinar

7/16 Insuring Personal Auto Exposures Webinar

8/13 William T. Hold Seminar Webinar

9/10 Agency Operations Webinar

11/12 William T. Hold Seminar Webinar

12/10 Insuring Commercial Property Webinar

CIC

4/22-23 Agency Management

5/20-21 Commercial Property

8/26-27 Commercial Caualty

*Nashville

*Nashville

*Nashville

Additional courses for designation programs are offered on-demand at your own pace and as live webinars.

The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Website: www.nasba.org. Advanced Curriculum Rating = 20 CPE Credits. For more information regarding administrative policies such as complaint and refund, please contact our offices at 800-633-2165.

Additional Courses

Additional courses are available On-Demand and as Live webinars at the IIABA Virtual University *check the VU site for course offerings, CE and pricing (independentagent.com/vu)

From The National Alliance (www.scic.com)

Choose from the following programs CIC, CRM, CISR, CPRM, CSRM, Dynamics, RGS, MEGA, PROFOCUS, WTH, Intro, Producer School, Ethics, Flood and other. Choose by topic, location, delivery method and/or date.

From The Institutes (ceu.com/customer/insurors-tn ) Insurors of Tennessee has partnered with CEU, powered by The Institutes, to provide you with relevant and convenient online insurance continuing education (CE) courses. Through our partnership with CEU, you will enjoy a 35% discount on any of CEU’s relevant, practical courses when you log in. More than 150 course topics.

ABEN Webcasts

(insurors.aben.tv)

The below are examples of the webcast classes that are available at insurors.aben.tv. View website for more.

Company Briefs

OpenAI stood out for its rigor, reliability and enterprise-grade security. Travelers selected OpenAI’s models and Realtime API after extensive testing and benchmarking to ensure the strongest possible technology at scale.

“Travelers has built one of the most sophisticated agentic voice implementations capable of consulting, advising and supporting customers through the full complexity of a claim conversation,” said Olivier Godement, Head of Platform Product at OpenAI. “We’re thrilled to support Travelers as they expand their platform and services with AI-powered experiences like these.”

Travelers’ AI Claim Assistant provides the same natural, friendly and comprehensive service customers expect from a live agent – guiding them from consultation through claim submission. The assistant can provide relevant policy information, answer related questions and help customers make an informed decision about filing a claim. The assistant also customizes notifications to keep customers updated throughout the process, then seamlessly transitions them to a digital experience where they can upload photos, initiate appraisals, schedule repairs, reserve rental cars and manage other essential tasks.

This streamlined service accelerates claim initiation while allowing Claim professionals to focus on resolutions. Customers can speak with a live specialist at any point. Call center employees are being trained and repositioned to more strategic roles in a deliberate upskilling program that Travelers plans to continue as technology evolves.

Erie Insurance named to Newsweek’s 2026 list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women

Erie Insurance has been named to Newsweek’s 2026 list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women, recognizing employers that foster positive work environments and advancement opportunities for women. The recognition, presented by Newsweek in partnership with Plant-A Insights, is based on survey responses from nearly 90,000 female employees nationwide and evaluates factors including gender equity, fairness, inclusion and overall workplace experience.

“For more than a century, ERIE has been committed to building a workplace rooted in respect, opportunity and integrity,” said Karen Skarupski, senior vice president of human resources at Erie Insurance. “Being recognized among America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women reflects our continued focus on creating an environment where women can grow professionally, contribute meaningfully and feel valued.”

Meetings- Mark Your Calendars

Big I Legislative Conference

April 22-24, 2026

Big I Tennessee Day

June 4, 2026

Big I Education Convocation

September 29 - October 2, 2026

Big I Fall Leadership

September 30 - October 3, 2026

Young Agents Leadership Institute

October 2 - October 3, 2026

The Weston Downtown Washington, DC

Insurefest 2026

October 13 - October 16, 2026

Bridgewater Place

TN

Baltimore Inner Harbor Baltimore, MD

MD

Baltimore Inner Harbor Baltimore, MD

JW Marriott

Company Briefs

Erie Insurance has also been recognized on other Newsweek lists, including America’s Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging and Community 2026 and America’s Best Customer Service 2026.

MEM Invests $3.4 Million in Safety Grants to Drive Significant Reduction in Workplace Injuries and Claims

MEM reached a significant milestone in its relentless commitment to workplace safety: awarding over $3.4 million in safety grants to policyholders. Over the past 8 years, proactive interventions funded by grant money have had a tangible impact on the well-being of more than 15,000 employees, driving down workplace injuries.

Nearly half of the 476 safety grants awarded specifically target strain injuries, demonstrating a focus on addressing one of the most common challenges facing workers today. Additionally, MEM has dedicated nearly 24 percent of grants to combat slips, trips, and falls, further enhancing safety in work environments.

“Safety grants are an exceptionally powerful and effective tool,” stated MEM President and CEO Roger Walleck. “Coupled with the expertise of our safety and risk services team, they foster an environment where businesses and employees achieve remarkable outcomes.”

The results speak for themselves: data over the past 9 years reveals that employers who leverage the MEM Safety Grants program achieve an estimated 96% to 100% reduction in claims and claims costs in areas where safety grant measures are deployed.

MEM’s Safety Grant program provides financial reimbursement for the purchase of approved products and equipment that can reduce or eliminate injuries and illnesses.

All MEM policyholders, regardless of size or past claims, can apply for matching grant funds of up to $10,000 per calendar year to boost safety initiatives. In 2025, the program expanded to offer safety grants to policyholders outside the state of Missouri, including those in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Tennessee. The MEM Safety and Risk Services Team works with employers to help ensure proactive measures are in place to prevent accidents and minimize the likelihood of workplace incidents. Claims prevention has always been a goal of the program, and that is one of the reasons employers who have not experienced a workers compensation claim are encouraged to apply. The program provides valuable insights for policyholders facing similar risks.

“When policyholders find success with safety solutions, we are able to share those success stories with other businesses in similar industries, which can encourage them to implement comparable safety measures to achieve those same results,” said Tisha Greco, MEM’s Resource and Support Center Manager. “This not only boosts efficiency but also enhances safety for employees.”

LUBA Workers’ Comp rated “A-

Excellent”

by A.M. Best Company

LUBA Casualty Insurance Company announced today that A.M. Best Company has reaffirmed the company’s Financial Strength Rating of “A- (Excellent).” The reaffirmation reflects LUBA’s consistent operating performance, prudent financial management, and long-term stability as a leading regional casualty insurance carrier.

“Maintaining an A- (Excellent) rating reinforces the strength of our organization and the disciplined approach we take to the financial and underwriting decisions we make to support our policyholders,” said Steve Werner, Chief Financial Officer of LUBA. “This recognition reflects the commitment of our team and the trust our agents and policyholders place in us.” The rating affirmation underscores LUBA’s strong balance sheet, conservative underwriting philosophy, and focus on sustainable growth, all of which support the company’s ability to serve independent agents and employers with reliability and confidence.

“I am extremely proud of our team for the consistency and care they bring to their work every day,” stated Werner. “This reaffirmation recognizes not only our financial strength, but the service culture we’ve built—one that puts agents, employers, and injured workers at the center of our business.”

LUBA provides workers’ compensation coverage to approximately 6,100 policyholders across 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. With more than three decades of experience, LUBA continues to strengthen its regional presence while remaining grounded in sound financial practices and a customer-first mindset.

As the world’s oldest and most authoritative rating agency, A.M. Best’s Credit Ratings are benchmarks for measuring the financial strength of insurers, as well as the credit quality of their obligations. Four primary factors dictate the rating scale: operating performance, balance sheet strength, business profile, and enterprise risk management (ERM). u

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What's New on Agency Nation Radio?

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

Setting a New Standard for Women in Insurance with Marissa Winkelman • Episode 502 • March 11, 2026 • 26 minutes

Meet Marissa Winkelman, managing partner of Webb + Winkelman in Grove, OK. Winkelman entered the insurance industry in 2012 as a receptionist at Webb Insurance and quickly realized the role wasn’t the right fit. After transitioning to a back-office position, she focused on learning the business and working her way up. By 2023, Winkelman became a managing partner of the rebranded Webb + Winkelman Insurance Company, aiming to build a culture where women can thrive. Two years later, she earned the Outstanding Female Agency Principal honor in the Liberty Mutual 2025 Agent for the Future Awards. “I’m hoping to change the standard for working moms in our industry,” Winkelman says. “That’s really the goal in an industry that used to be so male-led and male-centered.”

tools exist—it’s about how technology impacts profitability, staffing, risk and long-term sustainability,” Connors notes. The discussion explores how agencies of all sizes are navigating change management, evaluating new tools and balancing AI with the human touch. From direct bill reconciliation and AI-powered call summaries to policy checking and workflow automation, Siegel and Mellars share real-world examples of what’s working and what agencies should focus on in 2026. .

Hiring Smart: How Independent Agencies Can Compete for Talent • Episode 501 • February 25, 2026

Jennifer Becker, Big “I” executive director of research and education, is joined by Claudia St. John, founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors. During the episode, they explore how small independent insurance agencies can compete with large corporations for talent; whether artificial intelligence (AI) is helping agencies address staffing shortages or simply adding another layer of complexity; and what agency owners must do to attract the next generation of professionals. “Very few people have everything you’re looking for. Every agency has to figure out how to develop and grow talent. Everybody who has experience started somewhere—someone taught them,” she adds.

Agency Leadership in the Age of AI: Kicking Off the ACT 2026 Tech Trends Report • Episode 500 • February 18, 2026

In this special kickoff episode tied to the release of the “2026 Big ‘I’ Agents Council for Technology Tech Trends Report,” Kasey Connors, executive director of the Big “I” Agents Council for Technology (ACT), is joined by Andy Siegel, president of Siegel Insurance, and Michael Mellars, President and COO of Legacy Risk Solutions and members of the ACT National Committee. Together, they unpack what made 2025 a turning point for the insurance industry, from the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to a broader mindset shift that brought technology into leadership-level business conversations. “Technology moved from the back office into leadership conversations. It’s no longer about what

Why Hire An Intern: Students Share Their Insurance Industry Experiences • Episode 498 • January 28,2026

Host Johanna Holling, volunteer relations program manager at Invest, chats with three insurance industry interns and Invest scholarship winners: Blake Bartos, a finance and risk management student at Florida State University; Ben Graham, a math student at Stanford University; and Rhania Suarez, an accounting student at the University of Central Florida. Together, they share their firsthand experiences interning in the insurance industry and how meaningful internship programs can lead to full-time careers.

Tools For Success With Will Canterbury • Episode 497 •

January 14, 2026

Meet Will Canterbury, owner of The South Insurance Agency in Nolensville, TN. At 17, Canterbury launched his own lawn care business serving notable clients. After college, he worked in political offices while pursuing music in Nashville. When those paths didn’t fit, he pivoted to roles in wholesale furniture and copier sales—experiences that ultimately led him to follow long-standing advice from his uncle, an Allstate executive, and build a career in insurance. “My goal is to build a regional brand synonymous with insurance,” Canterbury says. “I want a licensed agent in every state within our logo’s border, aiming for significant market share in the Southeast.” Throughout the episode, Canterbury discusses the tools and software he and his agency use to drive success. He also shares his hiring process to ensure the right fit. u

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

INESSES

MidSouth partners with select retail agencies across its service footprint. The company is always seeking opportunities to grow in ways that are sustainable and mutually beneficial.

+ Serving clients across fifteen states with expansion into additional states planned.

+ Experienced underwriters who take the time to understand your risk.

+ Professional claims handling that protects the employer and employees.

+ A Exceptional Financial Stability Rating® from Demotech, Inc.