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INSIDE A Survey: Rising Homeowners Insurance » 6 J.D. Power: Independent Insurance Agents Feel Undervalued » 15 Owners, Insurance & the Economy » 24

December 2025 | Published Monthly

PARTNER WITH THETHE HARTFORD, PARTNER WITH HARTFORD, A LEADER IN FLOOD INSURANCE. A LEADER IN FLOOD INSURANCE. The Hartford is one of the largest providers of flood insurance, offering a full-service solution, competitive commissions and a dedicated local Sales Director.

The Hartford is one of the largest providers of flood insurance, offering a full-service solution, Contact Michele Battis,, Sales Director,, at 704-972-5918 michele.battis@thehartford.com.. competitive commissions and a dedicated local Sales Director. The Hartford is proud to be PIA’s nationally endorsed flood insurance provider. Contact Joseph Surowiecki, National Flood Sales Manager at 860.547.5006.

42314A The Hartford is a participant in the federal Write Your Own (WYO) Program, part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). WYO flood policies are underwritten by the federal government and issued, sold, and administered by authorized private insurance companies, including Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest and Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company. Policies are subject to rules, regulations, terms, conditions, and availability of the NFIP. Conditions and limitations may apply, refer to policy terms for details.

42314A

Did you know that PIA’s company council, The PIA Partnership, has conducted nationwide research about the insurance buying preferences of small business owners? The research is encouraging because it found that small business owners strongly prefer independent insurance agents as they make choices in today’s online world. However, the results also serve as a wake-up call that agents must take steps to continue to demonstrate their value and also be more engaged online. PIA and the companies belonging to The PIA Partnership have created a public website that helps agents understand PIA’s findings. PIA members also have access to a private website containing a series of strategies and tools to help them stay ahead of online competition in commercial lines. To access the newest PIA Partnership project, Small Business Insurance & The Internet — The Voice of the Commercial Lines Customer. If you are not a PIA member and want to access all of the tools available through this program, contact us for a membership application or visit us online at www.pianational.org/header-utility-items/join/Join-PIA.

National Association of Professional Insurance Agents 400 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2353 www.pianet.com | membership@pianet.org | (703) 836-9340

A Survey: Rising Homeowners Insurance | 6 Realtor.com did a survey on homeowners insurance and found close to 75% of the 1,000 people it talked to think homeowners insurance could become unaffordable. Insurance Fraud: A Disturbing Survey | 8 The University of Georgia is interested in insurance fraud. The FBI says it’s an issue that, every decade, costs the average family $4,000 to $7,000 in premiums. The Best States to Live in: How Does Your State Rank? | 9 We all know that some states are just better to live in than others. Just how much better, or worse, depends. The consumer website, WalletHub took a look at the 50 states and compared 51 different indicators to determine which states are the best and which are the worst. Special Report: Holiday Travel & Airports | 12 Even though the federal government has “temporarily” solved its budget ills, and air traffic controllers are a happier bunch, airline travel in the U.S. is still sometimes an iffy proposition.

mundane things we humans hate to do. Resume Templates and British Standards Institution (BSI) did surveys of hiring managers around the U.S. and the world. Sleep: A Third of Us are Using Personal Time Off to Catch Up | 23 We’re a tired bunch these days. The mattress manufacturer, Amerisleep did a survey of workers and found over a third of us spend our paid time off (PTO) to recover from exhaustion. Owners, Insurance & the Economy | 24 A survey of business owners from Lance Surety Bonds is rather disturbing. It found that over half of business owners don’t really trust their insurance coverage. If the budget gets really tight and push comes to shove, they’ll drop their insurance policies to save money.

PIA NE IA EVENTS Upcoming Events Calendar 2026 | 20

TOP STORIES

PIA FOR NEBRASKA AND IOWA PIA Association for Nebraska and Iowa is committed to focusing its resources in ways that cast the most favorable light on its constituents. We are dedicated to providing the type of programs, the level of advocacy, and the dissemination of information that best supports the perpetuation and prosperity of our members. We pledge to always conduct ourselves in a manner that enhances the public image of PIA and adds real value to our members.

SUBSCRIBE OR COMMENT Professional Insurance Agents NE IA Attention: Editorial Main Street Industry News 11932 Arbor Street, Ste. 100 Omaha, NE 68144 Email: office@pianeia.com Ph: 402-392-1611 www.pianeia.com The PIA NE IA, Main Street Industry News reserves the right to edit your comments to fit space available. We respectfully ask that you keep the comments to 200-300 words.

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A SURVEY Rising Homeowners Insurance Realtor.com did a survey on homeowners insurance and found close to 75% of the 1,000 people it talked to think homeowners insurance could become unaffordable. Of those surveyed, 88% think they’re going to pay more for homeowners insurance in the future with 42% indicating they’ve already experienced an increase. Company Chief Economist Danielle Hale said over half — 58% — expect to have trouble getting or renewing homeowners insurance in the future. “But these benefits come with an upfront cost that has risen as weather events have become more frequent and impactful, and rebuilding costs climb,” she said. “Homeowners are looking for strategies to lower costs, including adjusting their home searches and potentially short-charging or forgoing coverage altogether.” Sadly, Realty.com said challenges to obtain insurance have forced 33.7% of those looking to buy a home to change where they want to live.

Your homeowners insurance has risen in cost in the last two years: • Definitely applies: 42.1% • Probably applies: 31.3% • Does not apply: 26.6%

• Does not apply: 34.8% You completely changed a strategy of homeowners insurance purchase based on pricing challenges: • Generation Z: 30.5%

You expect to pay more for homeowners insurance in the future: • Definitely applies: 45.2%

• Generation Y: 25.9% • Generation X: 19.9% • Baby boomers: 5.9%

• Probably applies: 43.3% • Does not apply: 11.5% You recently faced challenges PURCHASING homeowners insurance: • Definitely applies: 20.7%

You expanded the initial target geography of where you want to live because of insurance rates, or being unable to purchase insurance: • Generation Z: 32.5% • Generation Y: 32.2% • Generation X: 32.8%

• Probably applies: 27.9%

• Baby boomers: 15.8%

• Does not apply: 51.4% You recently faced challenges RENEWING homeowners insurance: • Definitely applies: 20.1%

You eliminated some desired locations to live because of homeowners insurance issues: • Generation Z: 35.8% • Generation Y: 36%

• Probably applies: 27.5%

• Generation X: 33.2%

• Does not apply: 52.4% If homeowners premiums continue to rise will it become unaffordable: • Definitely applies: 31.2%

• Baby boomers: 25.7% There is no homeowners insurance impact yet, but you expect it will in the future: • Generation Z: 18.5%

• Probably applies: 44.1%

• Generation Y: 19.3%

• Does not apply: 24.7% If costs get too high, will you not purchase, or let your homeowners insurance lapse: • Definitely applies: 23.6%

• Generation X: 23.7% • Baby boomers: 32.2% No change:

• Probably applies: 35.1%

• Generation Z: 15.9%

• Does not apply: 41.3%

• Generation Y: 16%

Are you worried about obtaining or keeping homeowners insurance: • Definitely applies: 27.2% • Probably applies: 38%

• Generation X: 14.9% • Baby boomers: 32.9% Source: Insurance Journal

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 7

TOP STORIES

INSURANCE FRAUD

A Disturbing Survey

The University of Georgia is interested in insurance fraud. The FBI says it’s an issue that, every decade, costs the average family $4,000 to $7,000 in premiums. The university recently looked at data gathered by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. The coalition questioned 1,500 people about insurance fraud and asked them to comment on different scenarios. Will they go along? Will they participate? Or will they ignore the ongoing crime and go about their business? The responses are surprising — and concerning. • 40% of those 25 to 34 said they are okay with the fraud • Just 5% of people 55 and up were okay with the fraud • 38% said would, or might have, committed fraud collected damages from insurers • 22% say they know someone who has done this • 34.3% admit to adding older damages to a current auto insurance claim

Brenda Cude is the lead author of the study and a professor emerita for UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences. “Many people, especially younger people, have an adversarial relationship with insurance companies,” she said. “If you’re pushed into a position of thinking you need to fight, maybe that pushes people into actions that they wouldn’t otherwise consider, especially if they’re not aware that it’s technically illegal. There are lots of major consequences that could come from that.” More incidents that people say they have done, or would do: • 31.2% say they’d leave out information to get better coverage or a lower premium • 30.7% add items to a claim that might not be a part of the incident • 29% give insurers misleading information to get coverage • 28% falsify an address and say they live in an area with lower insurance premiums • 27% purchase insurance after a crash, or an incident • 27.2% file a work comp claim for an injury that didn’t happen at work The study suggests that a solution to the fraud problem and its acceptance among younger people is to note to them that fraud causes rates to rise, and that affects them “A better understanding of insurance underwriting and claims investigation practices would directly affect knowledge and also influence attitudes and behaviors, which are critical as all three are components of financial literacy,” the study concluded. Source: PropertyCasualty360.com

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 8

TOP STORIES

THE BEST STATES TO LIVE IN — HOW DOES YOUR STATE RANK? We all know that some states are just better to live in than others. Just how much better, or worse, depends. The consumer website, WalletHub took a look at the 50 states and compared 51 different indicators to determine which states are the best and which are the worst. The factors include the usuals like housing, income, education and health care.

TOP 5

BOTTOM 5

1. Massachusetts

50. New Mexico

2. Idaho

49. Louisiana

3. New Jersey

48. Arkansas

4. Wisconsin

47. Mississippi

5. Minnesota

46. Alaska

WalletHub analyst, Chip Lupo put it in perspective. “When deciding on a place to move, you should first consider financial factors like the cost of living, housing prices and job availability,” Lupo said. “Many states have strong economies, though, so you should also consider a wide variety of other factors, such as how where you live will impact your health and safety, and whether you will have adequate access to activities that you enjoy. If you have children, a robust education system is also key.”

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 9

TOP STORIES

Lowest housing costs are in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas and Nebraska. Sadly, the four of the bottom-five are the states of California, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon have the highest housing costs.

As for income growth, the states of Idaho and Arizona rank 1st and 2nd. The lowest income growth rate is in the state of Alaska.

Here’s an interesting statistic on insured states. The highest percentage of insured people are in Massachusetts. Number two is the state of Hawaii. The least insured state in the union is Texas.

12. IOWA

When it comes to hours at work, people in Utah work the fewest. The states of Oregon and California are tied for third lowest work hours with Rhode Island and Connecticut. The most worked hours are the state of Alaska. The lowest crime rate in the U.S. is New Hampshire. The highest rate of crime is in the state of New Mexico at 50.

WHERE DOES IOWA & NEBRASKA FALL? Total score: 56.23 Affordability rank: 22 Economy rank: 30 Education & health rank: 20 Quality of life rank: 30

20. NEBRASKA

Total score: 52.89 Affordability rank: 33 Economy rank: 28 Education & health rank: 13 Quality of life rank: 27 Source: WalletHub

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December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 11

TOP STORIES

SPECIAL REPORT

Holiday Travel & Airports Even though the federal government has “temporarily” solved its budget ills, and air traffic controllers are a happier bunch, airline travel in the U.S. is still sometimes an iffy proposition. Data analyzed by SquareMouth Travel found July 2024 to July 2025 found one in four flights run late or are canceled. Disruption rates in some states rise a bit higher and can go as high as 27.3%. As we all know, this kind of trouble leads to missed connections that often require overnight stays somewhere and often many hundreds of dollars in costs.

These are the states with the highest rates of delayed or canceled flights in the country:

1. West Virginia

Percent of delayed flights: 24.9% Percent of canceled flights: 2.5% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 27.3%

2. New Jersey

Percent of delayed flights: 24.0% Percent of canceled flights: 2.5% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 26.4%

3. Virginia

Percent of delayed flights: 22.0% Percent of canceled flights: 1.9% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 23.8%

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 12

TOP STORIES

4. Kansas

5. Montana

5. Florida

6. Arizona

THE REST OF THE TOP 10:

The worst and airports with the most delays in the U.S. are:

Percent of delayed flights: 21.6% Percent of canceled flights: 2.1% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 23.8% Percent of delayed flights: 21.9% Percent of canceled flights: 1.8% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 23.7%

Pennsylvania Alabama Rhode Island South Carolina Iowa

Percent of delayed flights: 17.7% Percent of canceled flights: 0.5% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 18.2% 7. Minnesota 8. Alaska 9. North Dakota 10. California

• Orlando Sanford International, Sanford, Florida

States with the least number of disruptions: 1. Hawaii

Percent of delayed flights: 12.0% Percent of canceled flights: 0.8% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 12.7%

2. Utah

• St. Pete-Clearwater International, Pinellas County, Florida • Aspen Pitkin County Sardy Field, Aspen, Colorado • Palm Beach International, West Palm Beach/Palm Beach, Florida • Newark Liberty International, Newark, New Jersey • Ronald Reagan Washington National, Washington District of Columbia

Percent of delayed flights: 15.0% Percent of canceled flights: 0.6% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 15.6%

• Roanoke Blacksburg Regional, Roanoke, Virginia

3. Idaho

• Punta Gorda Airport, Punta Gorda, Florida

Percent of delayed flights: 17.0% Percent of canceled flights: 0.4% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 17.5%

4. Oregon

Percent of delayed flights: 17.3% Percent of canceled flights: 0.8% Percent of delayed or canceled flights: 18.1%

• Augusta Regional at Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia

• South Bend International, South Bend, Indiana Most of these airports are for leisure-focused routes and seasonal issues and disruptions from weather are quite common. The average delay rate across the U.S. is 21.7%.

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 13

TOP STORIES

Smaller airports are the most vulnerable because they have fewer runways and fewer gates. They also have less flexibility when issues arise.

So how much do flight delays cost those traveling by air? Lots: • Trip cancellation — $5,511

Summer is the worst season for air travel:

• Trip interruption — $2,707

• Percentage of canceled flights: 2.2%

• Missed connection — $458

• Percentage of flights that are delayed or canceled: 27.8%

• Airline delay — $227

• Percentage of delayed flights: 25.6%

Spring is the second worst season for air travel: • Percentage of delayed flights: 20.4% • Percentage of canceled flights: 1.0% • Percentage of flights that are delayed or canceled: 21.4% Winter is the third worst season for air travel: • Percentage of delayed flights: 19.3% • Percentage of canceled flights: 1.9% • Percentage of flights that are delayed or canceled: 21.1% The best season for air travel is Fall:

• Percentage of delayed flights: 14.1% • Percentage of canceled flights: 0.7% • Percentage of flights that are delayed or canceled: 14.8%

The worst month for travel is July with one in three — 30.2% — disrupted. The Independence Day holiday (July 4th) is the worst time to travel in the summer. You would think Winter is the worst time to travel by air. Oddly, it is not. However, December is difficult because of the holiday season. Disruptions hit 21.5%.

• Travel delay — $512 • Baggage delay — $256 Trip cancelations hit the hardest. These include those non-refundable things like prepaid tours, hotel bookings and other flights. Trip interruptions are also quite costly. Then there are missed connections. They average $458 per claim. These are the most expensive states for travel delays. Nationally, the average claim amount is $512:

1. New Jersey

Average delay claim amount: $751

2. Arkansas

Average delay claim amount: $733

3. Oregon

Average delay claim amount: $606

4. Arizona

Average delay claim amount: $582

5. Utah

Average delay claim amount: $569 Source: SquareMouth Travel Insurance

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 14

TOP STORIES

J.D Power breaks that last statistic down by saying independent insurance agents write 61% of all property and casualty policies. Yet... • 25% of personal lines agents say they don’t believe insurers value them as partners • Those agents feeling undervalued are four times more likely to write less business with that insurer • 22% of commercial lines agents say they don’t believe insurers value them as partners

J.D. POWER

Independent Insurance Agents Feel Undervalued J.D. Power’s 2025 Independent Agent Satisfaction Survey reveals some pain in the independent insurance agent ranks. • 56% of personal lines agents say the carriers they use are meeting their foundational needs • 57% of commercial lines agents say carriers they use are meeting their foundational needs Bad but not as bad as how independent insurance agents view their preferred partners. • Just 29% of personal lines insurers are rated top tier • Only 24% of commercial insurers are rated as top tier

Those agents feeling undervalued are seven times more likely to write less business with that insurer Company spokesman, Craig Martin said independent insurance agents are in a very challenging insurance market these days because high rates have more and more people going insurance shopping to save money. “To do their jobs well and continue to effectively match their clients with the right carrier, agents need to understand the carrier’s risk appetite and priorities to align the right customer with the right policy,” Martin said. “Far too frequently, independent agents aren’t getting the critical information they need to be efficient and effective, which wastes time and resources of both agents and carriers.” The survey found both personal lines and commercial lines agents want to work with carriers that make working with them easy. Source: Insurance Journal

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 15

TOP STORIES

ANOTHER IMPACT OF AI

Gen Z Losing Entry Level Jobs

A not-surprising 80% of insurers have been using AI solutions to assist in the business of insurance. Most companies have found it helpful. The auto insurance website, TheZebra. com's Gemma Ros said her firm gave those responding to the survey and choice and found 74% of people want a human being helping them when there is a crisis and not a machine. “Consumers hesitate to trust AI because they feel there is a lack of transparency which causes hesitation around sharing secure data,” she said. “Trust and transparency must be central to how the industry deploys these technologies. Consumers don’t just want faster answers, they want smarter ones. When applied thoughtfully however, AI becomes a powerful ally; not just for cost savings, but

for building long-term trust in a traditionally complex space.” When it comes to managing an insurance policy, 37% feel comfortable having AI help with that but the same percentage isn’t comfortable. The remainder is 27% and they’re unsure. While consumers may not totally trust AI when it comes to a crisis, many will appreciate how it helps keep rates down. • The prevention of fraud: AI quickly spots unusual activity and patterns • Risk assessment: AI can quickly assess data that determines how risky a person is when doing underwriting • Claims: It processes and gathers information much faster than a human Source: PropertyCasualty360.com

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 16

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PIA NE IA EVENTS

Events Calendar 2025-26

For information and to register click here or call (402) 392-1611. Date

Class/Webinar

Where

When

December 2-3, 2025

Ruble Graduate Seminar

All States

Live Webinar: 8 - 5 PM

December 9, 2025

CISR: Other Personal Lines Solutions

All States

Live Webinar: 8:30 - 4:15 PM

January 13, 2026

Eroding: The Personal Lines Implosion and What Happens Next

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 10 AM

January 13, 2026

An Hour with Nicole: Making Sense of Homeowners Deductibles (Once and For All!)

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 1 - 2 PM

January 14, 2026

Commercial Lines Issues After a Huge Storm

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 10 - 11 AM

January 15, 2026

Ethics in Insurance - Protecting the Client and the Agency

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

January 20, 2026

Reasons Personal Lines are Broken (and What to Do About It) NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

January 21, 2026

Personal Lines Issues After a Huge Storm

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 10 - 11 AM

January 22, 2026

Dawn of New Age or End of the World? Emerging Risks That Make You Wonder

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

January 22, 2026

CGL Endorsements That Will Break Your Policy

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

January 27, 2026

Recognizing Fraudulent Claims and the Insureds Who File Them

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

January 27, 2026

Retirement Healthcare Solutions – Medicare and Others

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

January 28, 2026

An Hour with Dave: Rental Cars: Issues, Answers, Horror Stories

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 1 - 2 PM

January 29, 2026

Why Are You Here?! Insurance Issues with the People and Stuff in Your House

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 10 AM

February 5, 2026

Flood: 3-Hour NFIP Training and the Latest Happenings

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

February 5, 2026

Retirement Income Solutions – Social Security and Others

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

February 10, 2026

The Contractor’s Liability Insurance Workshop

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 20

PIA NE IA EVENTS

February 10, 2026

Ethics, Diligence, Success: What Agencies Need to Know

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

February 10, 2026

CPIA 1: Position for Success

All States

Live Webinar: 8:30 - 4:15 PM

February 11, 2026

“Where the H*ll Is My Stuff?” Addressing Supply Chain Exposures with Small Biz Insureds

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 10 - 11 AM

February 12, 2026

Homeowners Endorsements Insureds Don't Want (But Do Need)

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

February 12, 2026

An Hour with Nicole: Personal Lines: Read the %^&* Form!

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 1 - 2 PM

February 17, 2026

Agency Audits: How to Create Efficient, Profitable and Defensible Workflows

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

February 17, 2026

Commercial Property: Claims, Coverages, Consequences

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

February 18, 2026

Fun (and Dangerous) as H*ll: Insuring Small Vehicles and Watercraft

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 10 - 11 AM

February 19, 2026

Blessings and Curses: Emerging Trends from the Perspective of a P&C Claims Pro

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

February 19, 2026

The Contractor’s Property Coverages Workshop

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

February 24, 2026

Just Use Mine: Home, Vehicle and Other Sharing Exposures Insurance Doesn’t Like

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

February 24, 2026

CISR: Commercial Casualty I

All States

Live Webinar: 8 - 4 PM

February 25, 2026

An Hour with Dave: Understanding Ordinance or Law (Because Insureds Still Don’t)

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 1 - 2 PM

February 25-26, 2026

CIC: Commercial Multiline Institute

All States

Live Webinar: 8 - 5 PM

March 3, 2026

Eroding: The Personal Lines Implosion and What Happens Next

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 10 AM

March 3, 2026

An Hour with Nicole: Making Sense of Homeowners Deductibles (Once and For All!)

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 1 - 2 PM

March 4, 2026

An Hour with Dave: E&O: Talking Exposures with an Attorney

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 1 - 2 PM

March 5, 2026

The Eight Mistakes You Won’t Make Again: Commercial Property Edition

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 10 - 11 AM

March 5, 2026

Bad Machines, Evil People: The Latest in Cyber

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

March 10, 2026

Reasons Personal Lines are Broken (and What to Do About It) NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 21

PIA NE IA EVENTS

March 10, 2026

CISR: Insuring Personal Residential Property

All States

Live Webinar: 8 - 4:15 PM

March 12, 2026

Definition of Insanity: Common Home and Auto Exposures We Know Are There & Do Nothing About

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

March 12, 2026

Retirement Healthcare Solutions – Medicare and Others

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

March 18-19, 2026

CIC: Commercial Casualty Institute

All States

Live Webinar: 8 - 5 PM

March 24, 2026

Ethics in Insurance - Protecting the Client and the Agency

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

March 24, 2026

CISR: Other Personal Lines Solutions

All States

Live Webinar: 8 - 4:15 PM

March 25, 2026

Weird Personal Lines Rental Exposures

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 10 - 11 AM

March 25, 2026

CPIA 2: Implement for Success

All States

Live Webinar: 8:30 - 4:15 PM

March 26, 2026

CGL Endorsements That Will Break Your Policy

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 10 AM

March 26, 2026

C-Suite Savior: Mastering D&O, EPL and Other Executive Liability Policies

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 12 - 3 PM

March 31, 2026

Incredible Efficiency: How Farms and Agribusiness Insureds Create Energy and the Risks/Insurance Issues Involved

NE/IA

Live Webinar: 8 - 11 AM

"OK, Whiskers just came down the stairs; just stick to the plan. We distract him with the yarn and catnip, then hit him with the spray bottle! This is what we're trained for, peope! It's go time!"

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 22

PIA NE IA EVENTS

SLEEP

A Third of Us are Using Personal Time Off to Catch Up

We’re a tired bunch these days. The mattress manufacturer, Amerisleep did a survey of workers and found over a third of us spend our paid time off (PTO) to recover from exhaustion.

We do that rather than take a vacation. Rosie Osmun, Amerisleep’s certified sleep science coach gave some statistics: • 43% of millennials use PTO to catch up on sleep • 34% of Gen X does the same • 33% of Gen Z uses PTO to recover • 20% of baby boomers do the same Osmun said rest becoming recovery is a warning sign for both employees and employers.

December 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 23

TOP STORIES

“Many are using their hard-earned PTO to simply get back to baseline rather than enjoy life or recharge creatively,” she said. “This pattern reflects a deeper issue where we’’ve normalized exhaustion as a badge of productivity. But when nearly four in 10 employees are too tired to take a real vacation, it’s no longer just a wellness concern. It’s now a workforce sustainability problem. The most resilient teams will be those whose leaders recognize that rest is part of performance, and not just a pause from it.”

More from the survey: • Philadelphia is the nation’s sleepiest city • 50% of Honolulu, Hawaii adults sleep fewer than 7 hours a night • That’s the highest rate of sleep in all the cities surveyed • 38% of us are interested in a vacation to improve our sleep • 47% of us are willing to pay up to 25% more to attend that sleep retreat “Burnout is so widespread that people are burning vacation days on basic recovery instead of new experiences,” said Osmun. “This shift shows that rest has become a necessity, not a luxury.” Source: PropertyCasualty360.com

OWNERS, INSURANCE & THE ECONOMY A survey of business owners from Lance Surety Bonds is rather disturbing. It found that over half of business owners don’t really trust their insurance coverage. If the budget gets really tight and push comes to shove, they’ll drop their insurance policies to save money. • 55% of those surveyed have skipped buying insurance because it is too expensive

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• 51% would reduce their insurance, or drop it completely, if things get too tight • 10% think having insurance and spending money on it is a total waste Many are just not all that sure about their insurance.

• 15% say they aren’t sure why they even have insurance at all According to the survey, the economy is heavy on the mind of business owners and insurance is sometimes a big expense. The average annual cost of business insurance is $1,355.

• Just 45% say they are somewhat confident in their insurance policy

• 17% say premiums went up last year

• 33% of solopreneurs are not confident in their insurance

• 76% haven’t thought about options other than standard insurance

Understanding an insurance policy often contributes to the lack of confidence in the process for many businesses. • 39% say they have a business insurance policy they don’t understand

• The average rise hit $499

• 55% aren’t familiar with bonding or other insurance alternatives. The survey also noted 58% think an economic downturn is the biggest threat to their business. Source: PropertyCasualty360.com

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