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Agency Dues Renewal Due
IIABW sent out Agency member dues invoices earlier this month. If you are an agency principal or main contact and DID NOT receive your dues renewal via email from IIABW, please hit 'reply' to this email. We appreciate your support of the Big I and we look forward to collaborating with you in 2027.
Successful GO BIG Annual Conference - With Pictures
IIABW’s GO BIG Conference was held at the Snoqualmie Casino Hotel recently. Click here to view pictures from the event. We had a great turnout, a sold-out tradeshow of vendors, seminars on timely topics and fun networking events.
IIABW President Reid Ekberg of Pilkey Hopping and Ekberg handed over the leadership of the association to incoming President Nick Brewe of Gallagher in Redmond. Your new President-elect is Drew Hodgson of Western Insurance in Spokane and Secretary Treasurer is Hans Eskelsen of WaFd Insurance Group in Stanwood.
IIABW presented the following awards:
- Young Agent of the Year: Blake Sumner of Travelers
- Industry Person of the Year: Mary Lemon of CIG
- Agent of the Year: Hans Eskelsen of WaFd Insurance Group
- Don C. Burnam Lifetime Achievement: Pat Otter of Otter Insurance/HUB
News from the OIC
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OIC Wildfire Recovery Toolkit - provides guidance to navigate insurance, trusted resources, local recovery events, etc.
- The NAIC has created the Life Insurance Policy Locator, a free tool that helps beneficiaries find unclaimed policies.
- 12 health insurers have been approved to sell individual health plans in Washington’s Exchange in 2027 for an average increase of 22%. 250,000 Washington residents bought individual health plans through Washington’s Exchange, 13% fewer than a year before, as a result of Congressional cuts to Enhanced Premium Tax Credits.
- The OIC continues to host in-person wildfire claims workshops on the second Monday of each month in Spokane , with video recordings available online afterwards.
- The OIC's most recent podcasts: Health insurance rates and how the OIC reviews them; What we learned at the Spokane Disaster Assistance Center; What goes into an auto insurance policy; How we review home and auto insurance rates
OIC’s Claim Handling Rule Takes Effect 10/18
The OIC new claims rule goes into effect 10/18:
- Establishes timelines and documentation requirements for communication, investigations, denials, and payments.
- Sets detailed standards for auto damage and total loss claims.
- Requires insurers to explain denials, provide policy references, share valuation reports, disclose data sources used for the valuation.
- Strengthens your right to access your own claim file.
Initiative 645 Repealing the Income Tax
Washington voters will decide Initiative 645 this November, which would repeal the state’s new “millionaires tax” - a 9.9% tax on annual individual income above $1 million beginning in 2028. The political environment for repeal is difficult. The argument that the ultra-wealthy should pay more toward public services has significant political traction. The ballot structure is also confusing with voters who want to repeal the tax must vote YES.
IIABW fought against the “millionaires tax” last session because it will impact many small- and medium- businesses structured as pass-through entities (S-Corps, partnerships, LLCs).
A lawsuit is working its way through the state courts which argues the tax is unconstitutional because it violated a 1933 court decision, labeling income as property.
AWB Election Endorsements
The Association of Washington Business (AWB) has made the following endorsement for the November election:
- In favor of Initiative 645 which would repeal the income tax
- Supreme Court candidates: Scott Edwards, Position 1, Sean O’Donnell, Position 4, Dave Larson, Position 5
- Legislative candidates: candidates in 50 legislative races.
4.9% Increase in Workers’ Comp
The Department of Labor & Industries has proposed an average 4.9% increase in the cost of workers' comp next year - the sixth increase in a row. Even with all these increases, the program is still is not covering claims costs so it continues to use reserves to cover the difference. Workers’ compensation benefit costs in Washington continue to be the highest in the country.
Issues With Medicare AI Program in WA
Medicare launched an AI-enabled prior authorization program in six states, including Washington. The program’s denial rate was 53% in its first three months in Washington. The Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction program (WISeR) uses third-party tech companies to approve or deny requests for medical services using AI and the companies receive a portion of the money they save Medicare.
$600M Insured Losses From Washington Fires
The industry is projecting $600 million in insured losses to date from this year’s Washington wildfires. The Spokane Complex Fire burned 10,000 acres and destroyed 900 structures. 5,300 properties that sustained at least some damage, of which 96% were single-family residences with a reconstruction cost value of $1.9 B.
California New Wildfire Smoke Damage Law
California has enacted new requirements for investigating, testing, and restoring homes affected by wildfire smoke. AB 1795, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, establishes the nation’s first enforceable standards for handling smoke-damaged homes.
NFL Weekly Pick Winners
Congrats to the recent weekly winners of the NFL Picking Contest, which is being sponsored by IIABW's Young Agents, AMWINS Access and People Premium Finance: Joseph Johnson of North Town Insurance, Kent Bergstedt of HUB and Derek Weber of Duane Weber Ins. Inc. Click here to sign up at no cost for a chance to win cash - $1,400 in total prizes! GO SEAHAWKS!
Let the Big I Quote Your E & O
IIABW has been selling E & O insurance for 50 years and would like the opportunity to quote your policy.
- The quickest way to get a quote for your agency’s E&O is to complete a short Application. We can also give you a quote off your renewal application in most cases – contact us at EandO@wainsurance.org.
- Markets: 20+ Markets – both admitted and non-admitted “A” rated carriers
- Risk Management Tools: E&O Guardian with checklists, declination form templates, E&O audit, website reviews, risk management webinars & premium credits!
- Education: live webinars to earn CE credits and 10% – 15% premium credit on your E&O insurance.
How About IIABW Quote Your EPLI & Cyber?
While we are quoting your E & O coverage, also let us quote your EPLI and Cyber policy.as well!
New Cascadia Fault Research
New modeling from federal scientists shows that a major rupture of the Cascadia Subduction Zone could produce a magnitude 9 earthquake, a tsunami and also drop Washington’s coastline by 7 feet.
Travelers Seminar & Lunch - Bellevue 10/21
Travelers Insurance will be hosting a free seminar entitled “Risk. Regulation. Resilience. Responsibility. Addressing the Availability and Affordability of P&C Insurance" at the Bellevue Club on October 21. The luncheon begins at 11:30. This symposium will examine the many factors that are impacting the availability and affordability of insurance: rising tort costs, fraud, climate and weather changes, coupled with economic inflation, aging infrastructure and other trends.
CPCU Cyber Conference 10/27 in Bellevue
The Pacific Northwest Chapter of CPCU, in partnership with IIABW, will be hosting a one-day event featuring expert insights, emerging cyber risk trends, and valuable networking with leaders in risk, insurance, AI and cybersecurity. Please join us October 27, 2026 at the Bellevue Club. 6 CE have been approved by the OIC. For more information and registration, please go to: PNWRiskLeaders.org
IIABKC Volunteer Event 10/21
The Big I of King and Snohomish Co will hold a volunteer event at the Food Lifeline in Seattle on Wed 10/21 9-11am.
WA Work Force Statistics
Washington Labor Department data shows:
- 62% of workers had jobs or were actively looking for one – which is the lowest rate in 50 years.
- Washington's annual labor productivity growth rate was 3% 2007 - 2025, outpacing every other state.
- Washington’s unemployment rate is 5%.
Marketing Reimbursement Program
Big I member agencies have access to up to $1,000 toward their marketing efforts to help grow their agency’s reach, build brand awareness and connect with their audience in new ways.
How Does Your Personal Umbrella Compare?
Use the RLI vs. the Competition flyer, to compare your umbrella with IIABW’s endorsed umbrella partner RLI. IIABW's endorsed and administered RLI Standalone Personal Umbrella features:
- AM Best ‘A++’ (Superior)
- Limits up to $5 million, which are stackable
- Excess UM/UIM
- New drivers accepted – no age limit
- Up to one DWI/DUI per household allowed
- Self-underwriting application ,
- E-signature and online payment options
- 15% Commission on new business
For more information, contact IIABW’s Ridge Ostling or go to our website.
Big I Articles
Cover Your Clients' 'Toys' with Big I Alliance
Big I Alliance Blue has options through Foremost, Liberty Mutual, National General, Progressive and Chubb for:
- Recreational Vehicles
- Marine
- Motorcycles
- Snowmobiles
- Jet Skis
- Camping Trailers
Free AI Webinars and AI Use Policy
- The Big I’s ACT, Agents Council for Technology, has created a webinar series to help demystify AI for agency staff. So far, 8 webinars are available on demand by clicking here.
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NEW Sample AI Acceptable Use Policy - explores key AI-related E&O, privacy, security, and intellectual property considerations, along with practical mitigation strategies. It also includes a customizable AI Acceptable Use Policy template to help establish clear guidelines for staff.
25% off Big I CE Webinars
Save 25% with code Summer2026 (use code at checkout) on over 50 webinars,
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