|
New Big I Free 'Find an Agent' Service
The new TrustedChoice.com launched earlier this month, features a refreshed consumer-facing agency locator designed to connect insurance shoppers with independent agents. Every Big “I” member agency is automatically included at no cost, but your agency administrator must review and update your profile information to ensure consumers can find the right coverages and services your agency offers. With thousands of shoppers visiting the site each day, now is the perfect time to make sure your listing puts your agency's best foot forward. If you aren’t able to update your profile, email Trusted.Choice@iiaba.net for support.
High Profile Supreme Court Races
This year, seven Washington State Supreme court candidates have already raised more than six figures. Washington Supreme Court races rarely attract much money or attention. In 2022, three justices ran unopposed and two candidates raised less than $27,000 combined.
While these races are officially nonpartisan, the endorsements, donor networks, and political coalitions emerging around candidates increasingly reflect broader divisions shaping debates over taxes, labor, public safety, and the role of state government. Most expect that the Washington’s new millionaires tax will eventually be decided by our state's Supreme Court.
Comm. Kuderer to Chair Child Care Work Group
Commissioner Patty Kuderer has been selected to chair the NAIC new Child Care Insurance Working Group to address the insurance issues facing childcare services providers, including group foster homes. Our OIC published a report on this issue last year on the availability and affordability of insurance for child-placing agencies (CPAs), group foster homes (GFHs), childcare centers, and family home childcare providers. The report focused on liability coverages, which include professional liability insurance, sexual abuse coverage, and excess/umbrella coverage.
OIC Podcast on the Wildfire Prepared Homes
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety is now offering its Wildfire Prepared Home designation in Washington, which will help homeowners in areas with a high wildfire risk make their homes more insurable. A recent OIC Answers Podcast provides more details on the program.
OIC: More Transparency in Property Protection Classification
The OIC recently published a report on property protection classification standards and recommends modernization and transparency for the Washington Survey & Rating Bureau (WSRB). WSRB collects public data about fire departments, municipal water supplies, and emergency communications to generate protection class ratings from 1 (highest) to 10 (lowest). The OIC wants communities to know more about how classifications are calculated and how they can improve their rating scores.
JD Power Carrier Satisfaction Survey
The Big I and JD Power have teamed up to capture your experience with the insurers you work with and how satisfied you are with them in a number of areas. Your feedback will only be used for research purposes, and no one will contact you as a result of completing the survey. Those who complete the survey will receive a $25 e-gift card and a complimentary summary report of the study. For more information, click here.
Progressive Is Biggest Auto Insurer
Progressive is now the biggest private passenger auto insurer. S&P GMI estimates Progressive’s U.S. private auto insurance direct written premiums totaled $70 billion, compared to State Farm’s $69 billion—marking the first time since World War II that State Farm hasn’t been at the top.
State Farm Reduces Agent $ - Hiring Opportunities?
State Farm told its 19,000 agents through a pre-recorded video it is making the following changes to their compensation:
- terminating all existing contracts with agents and moving to a single contract. Base commission compensation could fall 35-40%.
- ending deferred compensation and retirement enhancement for long-term production and retention of a book of business.
- eliminating health insurance for agents and their spouses.
- ending Medicare supplement support to retired agents of $4,800 per couple.
22% Rate Increase Individual Health Plans
Thirteen health insurance companies have requested an average rate change of 22% for Washington state’s 2027 individual health insurance market from the OIC. 280,000 people in Washington do not receive health insurance through their employer so buy coverage from the individual market. 250,000 shopped through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which was down 13% from 2025 after Congress failed to renew the Enhanced Advanced Premium Tax credits.
NFIP Changes Proposed
The FEMA Review Council submitted its final report to President Trump with recommendations for overhauling disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The NFIP recommendations included reducing “Write Your Own” (WYO) compensation. The Big I is against this proposal and will continue to educate lawmakers about the importance of agents’ role in the NFIP program.
Free AI Training from Big I
The Big I Agents Council for Technology has created Agency AI Labs - a free, live and on-demand learning program designed to help independent agency staff. Register once and access everything throughout the year. Sessions are held at 11 am PST and can be viewed afterwards on demand.
- June 9 – AI for Independent Agencies: The Real Story Cut through the noise and understand what AI actually means for independent agencies today.
- June 16 – Prompting: How to Actually Talk to AI Learn practical techniques to get better, more useful results from AI tools.
- June 17 - How AI Search is Redefining Trust in the Insurance Buying Journey See how AI search shapes insurance decisions and agency credibility.
- June 23 – AI Governance: Protecting Your Agency Understand the risks, policies, and guardrails agencies should have in place.
- June 30 – AI Workflows & Use Cases for Agents Explore real-world examples of how AI can streamline agency operations and workflows.
Big I Risk Management Resources: E&O Guardian
E&O Guardian is the online Big I agency E & O risk management resource website designed to provide members key information and tools to mitigate agency E&O. Some items are restricted to Swiss Re policyholders only (letters, disclaimers, auditing tools and the Mergers & Acquisitions Guide), but many of the resources are accessible to all IIABW members, including customizable procedures manual, declination forms, checklists and the Book Roll Handbook.
IIAB of Spokane Golf Tournament 8/20
The Big I of Spokane will hold their annual golf tournament on August 20 at the Liberty Lake Golf Course. For more information and to register, click here.
Big I of King/Snohomish Self Defense Class
IIAB of King & Snohomish will host a Self Defense Class on June 18 from 3-5 pm in Bellevue. For more information, go to www.iiabkc.org.
US P&C Growth to Slow in 2026
According to a report by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and Milliman,
- U.S. P & C insurance industry will see underlying growth decrease 3.7% for the first half of 2026. The industry grew 1.6% in 2025.
- The industry’s net combined ratio (NCR) for 2025 was the lowest in more than 10 years.
- General liability and commercial auto were the only major lines above 100.
- Personal auto was 91.8, down 3.5 points from 2024.
- Homeowners was 88.1—the lowest in over a decade.
Tesla Insurance- Growth and Losses Up
Tesla’s insurance operations premiums grew 41% last year, with their total direct premiums at $1.4 billion. But the direct loss ratios for Tesla Insurance Co. exceeded 115 the last two years. The California Department of Insurance has threatened to fine and suspend the certificate of authority Tesla Insurance Co. for their claims handling.
CA FAIR Plan 30% Rate Increase
The California FAIR Plan will raise rates by an average of 30%, with homeowners in wildfire-prone areas seeing hikes of 50% - 200%. It insures 670,000 homes, with a total exposure of $724 billion - up 230% in less than 2 years.
Trusted Choice Marketing Reimbursement
The Trusted Choice Marketing Reimbursement Program helps agencies offset the cost of marketing activities that help grow your agency. Get back up to $1000 from multiple vendors or sources - digital marketing, TechCompare vendors and marketing education.
Big I Hires Helps Agents Find Top Talent
Take advantage of the free limited-access account option, exclusive for Big I members. CHECK IT OUT
Big I July Social Media Content
The July Social Media calendar includes content on: business liability, summer, and auto theft. Download ready-made graphics that you can post throughout the month and some templates in Canva that you can customize.
25% off Big I CE Webinars
Save 25% with code SPRING (use code at checkout) on over 50 webinars,
| 
