GO BIG - 9/16-18 - Thursday Night Rooms Still Available  

There is still time to register for the Go Big Annual Conference, which will be held next week. There are discounted rooms available at the new Snoqualmie Hotel and Casino on Thursday night.

• get a professional photo from our photographer.
• find a new market or tech vendor at the SOLD OUT trade show.
• learn about: how agencies and carriers responded to the Spokane wildfire, effectively selling in this soft market; OIC and WA Fair Plan's newest initiatives; legislative issues facing agents; the art of influence and persuasion; and using AI to maximize sales.
• network with your fellow agency owners, producers, account managers, underwriters and marketing reps.

Free NFL Weekly Pick - Season Starts Wednesday

There is still time to sign up for this year’s NFL Weekly Pick Contest, which is again being sponsored by IIABW's Young Agents, AMWINS Access and People Premium Finance. Click here to sign up at no cost. Then, take a couple minutes each week to guess the winners of all NFL games for a chance to win cash - $1,400 in total prizes available! GO SEAHAWKS!

WA Workers’ Comp Costs Highest in US

Washington’s workers’ compensation benefit costs per covered worker remains the highest in the country.

• Benefit costs in Washington were $875 per covered worker, with the next highest in California ($781 per worker). As a share of covered wages, benefit costs in Washington were second highest, at 0.99%
• From 2019 to 2023, covered wages in Washington saw the 11th largest increase in the country and total benefit costs grew by 17% — the third largest percentage increase.

OIC 9/14 Wildfire Claims Workshop 

The OIC is holding a workshop for wildfire survivors in Spokane navigating the insurance claims process on Sept. 14. Workshops are recorded and will be available to watch online. 

Aon Buys USI for $17B

Aon, the third-largest insurance brokerage, is buying USI, the 10th-largest U.S. broker with $3 billion in annual revenue and 10,500 employees. The acquisition will enhance Aon’s presence in the U.S. middle-market segment.

Free AI Webinars On Demand

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. 

• AI for Independent Agencies: The Real Story
• Prompting: How to Actually Talk to AI
• How AI Search is Redefining Trust in the Insurance Buying Journey
• AI Governance: Protecting Your Agency & Your Clients
• AI for Growth: Measuring the Real Impact of AI
• Your AI Customer Service Rep
• AMS Providers Panel on AI
• Claude in the Agency: A Live Working Demo

Big I AI Use Policy

• 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. 

• AI Case Studies - real examples of how independent agencies are putting AI to work! 

Labor Costs Drive Reconstruction Cost Increase

Total reconstruction costs increased 4% from last year, which is down from 2024. Residential reconstruction increased by 3.8% and commercial reconstruction costs increased 4.1%. While material costs remained largely stable, labor costs continued to be the primary driver of reconstruction cost inflation. 

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.

CPCU Society Cyber & AI Risk Symposium 10/27

The Pacific Northwest CPCU Society will hold a Cyber & AI Risk Symposium on October 27, 2026 at the Bellevue Club. Explore emerging cyber threats, AI risks and opportunities, cyber insurance, digital resilience, and the changing regulatory landscape.

Big I Social Media Best Practices Webinar 9/9

On September 9 at 9 am PST, you can participate in a free interactive webinar on how agents can leverage social media to increase visibility, build trust, and strengthen audience engagement. Learn best practices for using LinkedIn and Meta, balancing organic and paid content, creating newsworthy posts, and turning a single piece of content into multiple social media opportunities.

US-Canada Tariff Dispute Impacts Claims Costs 

The U.S. has announced 50% tariffs on $20 B of Canadian goods and Canada is imposing retaliatory tariffs. This will impact claims costs, supply chains, trade credit, business interruption, and other insurance exposures tied to bilateral trade. In spring 2025, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association estimated that tariffs then in place could add approximately $30 - $61 billion to personal auto claim costs over 12 months.

Meta Agrees to Pay Up to $17B

Meta agreed to pay up to $18B in landmark settlements to resolve allegations from 47 US states that the company deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to encourage compulsive use among young users. Under the agreement, Meta is required to pay the states $12B over 10 years, which will increase to $17B if other platforms also agree to similar safety terms and settlement payouts.

Washington will receive $237M from the settlement, and could receive $339 million over the next 10 years if other social media companies come to similar agreements. These funds will pay for attorney costs and fund continued enforcement of consumer protection laws, as well as for programs that address the mental health impacts of youth social media use.

25% off Big I CE Webinars

Save 25% with code Summer2026 (use code at checkout) on over 50 webinars,