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INSIDE Homeowners Insurance: The National Average Now $2,802 a Year » 6 LexisNexis Risk Solutions: DUIs, Speeding & Distracted Driving UpWestern Alliance » 14 Employees & Employers: Workers’ Compensation Confusion » 26

November 2025 | Published Monthly

Over 130 years of

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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

Homeowners Insurance: The National Average Now $2,802 a Year | 7 The insurance comparison site, TheZebra. com says the annual average for homeowners insurance in the U.S. is now $2,802 a year. While that varies from area to area and state to state, the implication is clear. What the Generations Know about Insurance Coverage: Not Much | 8 The insurance quote service, Guardian Service wanted to know what people know about insurance. What the company found is most consumers think they know a lot about the insurance they purchase. The Hartford Study: U.S. Workers Under Financial Strain | 9 The Hartford’s sixth annual, Future of Benefits Study was released last week. It finds over half of us living paycheck to paycheck. Commercial Rates & Surplus Lines: One Mixed, the Other Up | 10 Hub International released a report looking at commercial insurance rates for the second quarter and, like other firms and organizations releasing similar results, they are mixed. Consumers & AI: We Want Humans! | 12 A not-surprising 80% of insurers have been using AI solutions to assist in the business of insurance. Most companies have found it helpful.

definitely renew their commercial policies with their current insurer. LexisNexis Risk Solutions: DUIs, Speeding & Distracted Driving UpWestern Alliance | 14 We’re approaching Labor Day Weekend. The official end of summer vacation usually ends up with the nation’s highways packed with travelers hoping for one last fun, holiday weekend before we move into Fall. Marshberry to be Bought by Lincoln International | 15 Marshberry has served as an insurance industry advisor company for 40 years. Specializing in insurance distribution, wealth management and as an insurance brokerage. Employees & Employers: Workers’ Compensation Confusion | 23 The law firm, Atticus has done a survey of what employees know about the workers’ compensation system that they, and their employers, make contributions.

PIA NE IA EVENTS Upcoming Events Calendar 2025-26 | 18

TOP STORIES

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE: The National Average Now $2,802 a Year

The insurance comparison site, TheZebra. com says the annual average for homeowners insurance in the U.S. is now $2,802 a year. While that varies from area to area and state to state, the implication is clear. TheZebra.com's David Seider said the company found homeowners insurance rates are going up 8.7% faster than the rate of inflation. Seider said depending on the ZIP code, some consumers are facing double-digit hikes. “Inflation is raising rebuilding and repair costs; a growing number of insurers are pulling back from high-risk areas; and extreme weather events are causing soaring claims,” he noted. “As homes age and climate-driven disasters mount, we expect premiums to continue to rise. On the bright side, consumers now have more tools than ever to advocate for themselves. By shopping around, comparing their options, bundling insurance, and even investing in home resilience improvements, savvy homeowners can limit cost shocks and better protect their coverage in this ever-shifting market.”

More from the report: • Price hikes are caused by a combination of factors like inflation, supply chain disruption, tariffs, extreme weather, natural disasters and government regulation • The highest premiums are in Nebraska and Oklahoma • The lowest premiums are in the state of Hawaii and in Vermont • Hawaii’s rates are a quarter of the national average • Someone with poor credit ratings could pay as much as $7,260 a year • Good credit rates average $2,260 • That’s a 221% difference Source: PropertyCasualty360.com

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

TOP STORIES

WHAT THE GENERATIONS KNOW ABOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE

Not Much

The insurance quote service, Guardian Service wanted to know what people know about insurance. What the company found is most consumers think they know a lot about the insurance they purchase.

Guardian Service personal lines producer, Kara Credle said the Baby Boomers and Generation X did best. Baby boomers had 90% getting a passing grade and 80% of Gen Xers passed the test.

Reality? We don’t know all that much.

When it came to perfect scores, 37% of both generations aced the test.

Guardian Service’s survey found 85% of homeowners claiming they are extremely to moderately confident they know a lot about home insurance. So the company gave them a five question insurance survey and found only 29% could correctly answer all five questions. And these are just basic insurance questions, nothing all that tricky. With 49% of the surveyed saying they are very confident in their insurance knowledge, Generation Z — those born between 1997 and 2012 — are the least proficient of all the generations as 72% of them failed the questionnaire completely. Only 28% passed the test and just 13% answered all five questions correctly. Millennials did better: 58% passed, 25% got all correct.

“A lot of homeowners don’t think too much about their insurance until it’s time to file a claim and they realize they misunderstood what their insurer covers and what they’re left to deal with,” she said. “Policy language can be confusing, and the fine print isn’t always easy to navigate. That confusion can lead to costly surprises. Insurance should offer peace of mind, not uncertainty, and that starts with making the details clear from the beginning.” The most common mistakes that all generations shared: • 68% couldn’t define actual cash value • 25% confused premiums with deductibles Source: PropertyCasualty360.com

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

TOP STORIES

THE HARTFORD STUDY U.S. Workers Under Financial Strain The Hartford’s sixth annual, Future of Benefits Study was released last week. It finds over half of us living paycheck to paycheck. Worse, many of us are seeing our hard-earned savings going away as we use those savings to keep ourselves afloat. • 72% of those surveyed say they are at least somewhat stressed by their household finances • That’s unchanged from the 2024 survey • 33% say financial stress is very, or extremely, high • 53% have seen their savings decrease in the last 12 months • 56% say their financial health is impacting their workplace performance Mike Fish heads up employee benefits at The Hartford. He said most employers say their

workplace benefits include excellent benefits and education, and are more than just a perk. Both employers and employees agree that benefits help improve their financial security. However, getting employees to use those benefits is a challenge. • 75% of employers say the benefits they offer are underused • 34% of employers are adding new benefits this year • 50% are planning to do so in 2026 Fish said even with that, employees appear confused about how to access or use them. He suggests employers find better, more consistent, and more personalized, ways to communicate those benefits to employees. Source: Insurance Business America

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

TOP STORIES

COMMERCIAL

RATES & SURPLUS LINES One Mixed, The Other Up

Hub International released a report looking at commercial insurance rates for the second quarter and, like other firms and organizations releasing similar results, they are mixed. The firm found commercial rates rose 1.8% to 6.5% depending on the line. Some saw renewals with a 20% decrease in rates and others with hikes of 15%. Commercial auto and excess liability pricing is the hardest to predict but they both remain high. • Commercial property rates went from 15% down to 5% up • Catastrophe property rates were flat to down 20% • Private directors & officers rates saw drops of 5% to being up 5% • D&O rates were flat to down 10% • Cyber liability was flat to down 10% Hub’s Mary-Beth Hahn said some clients are using savings on some premiums to buy higher limits on other lines. “Particularly on cyber, some clients may not have purchased it in the past, or maybe they have just a small limit. We’re saying, ‘Why don’t you re-evaluate possible limits?’” she said. Auto liability buyers are having more trouble than others finding rates that aren’t rising. Underwriters are putting them more under a microscope than for other lines. And Hahn says conditions are changing rapidly and that will continue for most lines. She recommends consumers plan early for the next renewal. “Maximize coverage where you can, take a fresh look at the lines like property that had

November 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 10

TOP STORIES

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.

www.guard.com

the increases in the past and make sure your coverages are appropriate,” she said. “Then make sure that the story of the company going into the market is the best that it can be.” While commercial lines are bouncing around, the 15 U.S. surplus lines service and stamping offices reported premiums totaling $46.2 billion in the first half of 2025. That’s up 13.2% from 2024’s first two quarters. For all of 2024, surplus lines premiums totaled $81.64 billion. And that was a 12.1% jump over the 2023 figures. Non-professional lines — general, products liability and aviation — sold the most premiums and accounted for $30.15 billion, an 11.3 increase over 2023. They accounted for 39.9% of all lines.

Property — commercial property, business interruption, commercial packages and stand alone commercial coverages like earthquake, flood, terrorism and physical damages for aircraft — saw an 11% increase with premiums totaling $26.8 billion. Auto liability lines had a 61.1% rise to $3.4 billion. That’s the largest percentage increase of 2024. Auto liability includes policies for auto dealers, commercial auto liability, excess auto liability and garage owners. Sources: Business Insurance, Insurance Journal, and Insurance Journal

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

TOP STORIES

CONSUMERS & AI

We want humans!

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

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

TOP STORIES

“Interestingly, the drop in retention is not solely attributable to higher premiums,” Crewdson said. “In fact, insurers that communicate well and provide a higher level of service can make huge inroads toward keeping customers.” He added that satisfaction is at the same level for both customers seeing a premium increase and customers not seeing one at all. • Client retention dropped significantly on all demographic groups • Client retention for millennials dropped the most, down 12%

SMALL BUSINESS Keeping Your Small Business Clients J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study has good news for their insurers. The study found 55% of those surveyed will definitely renew their commercial policies with their current insurer. While that’s good news, the bad news has it down 6% from the 2024 study. The study is done with commercial insurance customers having 50 or fewer employees. The J.D. Power study rates insurers on trust, prices, product coverage options, the ease of doing business, problem resolution and digital channels. J.D. Power’s managing director of global insurance intelligence, Stephen Crewdson said customer loyalty is being pushed hard by rising premiums. But that’s not the only reason. Crewdson said 16% of customers say a positive service experience will keep them with their current insurer. For many, that matters more than price, coverage, or reputation.

• 16% said good service is the most common reason they stay with an insurer • Good customer service tops price, coverage options and reputation • Communication about rate increases is critical in the retention of customers • Satisfaction for communication on 1,000 point scale is 722 among customers getting an increase and those not • Understanding of getting an increase, and it’s okay, fell 5% Another key in retention is an insurer, agent and agency understanding a customer’s business or industry. Understanding also works both ways: • Understanding a customer’s business or industry improves renewal 37% year-overyear • A customer understanding the policy is a plus 33% • Understanding the reason for an increase is plus 26% • Problem-solving is a 23% positive Source: Insurance Journal

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

TOP STORIES

Speeding tickets ranked major and minor are up. Major tickets are up 29.4% and minor tickets issued rose 35.7%.

LEXISNEXIS RISK SOLUTIONS

DUIs, Speeding & Distracted Driving Up

We’re approaching Labor Day Weekend. The official end of summer vacation usually ends up with the nation’s highways packed with travelers hoping for one last fun, holiday weekend before we move into Fall. The PIA Western Alliance staff, management and boards urge you to drive safely and be careful. The why is easy. LexisNexis Risk Solutions vice president of data science and insurance, Prasanth Kambhatla said distracted driving, speeding and DUIs are rising at a scary rate. And this is across all demographics. Distracted driving rose 68.8% between 2024 and 2025. DUIs for older drivers is up 19% with those aged 36 to 45 increasing 27.4%.

“Carriers are navigating a complex landscape, rising premiums, surging policy shopping and heightened consumer sensitivity to cost,” Kambhatla said. “Violations like distracted driving and speeding are also increasing, including among traditionally lower-risk customers. This dynamic environment demands more than traditional segmentation models. Carriers may need to rethink how they identify and engage risk. Not just to price more accurately, but to retain value-conscious customers.” Breaking things down more, drivers aged 66 to 90 saw the largest increase of distracted driving at 80.3%. Millennials (age 26 to 35) driving distracted is up 77.3% and Gen X drivers (46 to 55) had an increase of 68.1%. DUIs year-over-year, again, had older drivers — age 66 to 90 — with the highest hike at 19%. The second largest increase in DUI driving are the millennials who saw a 6.6% jump. Compared to pre-pandemic numbers, major speeding violations are up 55.5% and minor violations rose 31.2%. Outside of safety issues, what makes this awful is how high auto insurance rates are rising. The national average in 2025 is $2,638 a year, or about $220 per month. That’s $289 more than we spent in 2024, or $24 more per month. The average U.S. household spends about 3.39% of its annual income on auto insurance. Source: PropertyCasualty360.com

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

TOP STORIES

MARSHBERRY TO BE BOUGHT BY LINCOLN INTERNATIONAL Marshberry has served as an insurance industry advisor company for 40 years. Specializing in insurance distribution, wealth management and as an insurance brokerage. The company has issued an announcement that it has been purchased by Lincoln International.

will use Marshberry’s assets to advise private equity companies, those wanting to purchase an insurer or an agency or brokerage, and to assist with consolidating insurance and wealth management. Marshberry has offices in six cities in the U.S. and has three locations in Europe.

Officials of Lincoln Financial say the purchase is to beef up its financial services practice and to expand its advisory services. Lincoln

Source: Insurance Business America

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PIA NE IA EVENTS

Events Calendar 2025-2026

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

Class/Webinar

Where

When

November 4, 2025

CPIA 3: Sustain Success

All States

Live Webinar: 8:30 - 4:15 PM

November 11, 2025

CISR: Insuring Personal Residential Property

All States

Live Webinar: 8:30 - 4:15 PM

November 18-19, 2025

CIC: Commercial Casualty Institute

All States

Des Moines, IA

November 18-19, 2025

CIC: Commercial Casualty Institute

All States

Live Webinar: 8 - 5 PM

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

November 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 18

PIA NE IA EVENTS

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

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

November 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 19

PIA NE IA EVENTS

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

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

"I know this is hard, but is there anyone who might have something to gain from your husband's death?"

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

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TOP STORIES

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

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EMPLOYEES & EMPLOYERS

Workers’ Compensation Confusion The law firm, Atticus has done a survey of what employees know about the workers’ compensation system that they, and their employers, make contributions. Lead attorney Victoria Munoz put it in perspective and said her firm gave people a test. • Just 58% of baby boomers passed the quiz • For Gen X it is 56%

• 27% said it was a negative experience • Only 31% said their work comp claim fully covered their basic needs • 51% said it helped just a little • 71% with a claim struggled to make ends meet and pay for rent, food and bills Source: PropertyCasualty360.com

• Just 54% of millennials answered most correctly • Right at half — 50% — of Gen Z correctly answered questions “One major point of confusion is who actually pays workers' comp benefits,” she said. “Workers' compensation is a no-fault insurance system. Once a claim is approved, it's the employer's insurance company, not the employer, that's responsible for paying benefits.” Only 29% of the survey’s respondents knew that. Here’s more: • Almost half of those surveyed think their job is at risk if they file a claim • 10% say they have applied for work comp • 72% were approved • 11% were denied • 10% are still waiting for a decision • 54% found the process positive November 2025 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 23

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