May 2025 Edition of The Insuror

May 2025 Newsletter

West Virginia State Capitol Building - Charleston_ WV

West Virginia News

West Virginia small business owners struggle to find workers, NFIB report shows

Small businesses in West Virginia continue to struggle to find workers as labor shortages persist, according to the latest job report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The NFIB’s April report revealed that 34% of small business owners had job openings that they could not fill, the percentage is down from March but still the lowest since January 2021.

Nelson takes closer look at revenue collection numbers

State Revenue Secretary Eric Nelson says revenue collection numbers are headed in the right direction with two months left in the fiscal year but there are a lot of moving parts that will impact where the state ends the budget year on June 30. The state reported last week it collected nearly $643.8 million in taxes in April, which is $136 million above the estimate. Nelson said during an appearance Monday on MetroNews “Talkline” the number was higher than expected. He said there are a few reasons why.

Big I On the Hill

Legislation Introduced to Close the TPLF Tax Loophole

Abuse of the U.S. legal system is becoming a larger problem with each passing year, adding considerable costs to the insurance industry, which are ultimately passed along to the consumer in higher premiums.

Big ‘I’ Secures Important Wins as House Passes Tax Package

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which includes significant tax reform. The bill was passed by a slender 215 to 214, with two Republicans voting against the measure and one GOP member voting present.

Historic Number of Tornadoes Wreak Havoc in the U.S.

There were 1,796 confirmed tornadoes in 2024, the second-highest annual count on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center (SPC).

Treasury Suspends Enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act

On March 2, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced that it will not enforce the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and any penalties or fines associated with the beneficial ownership information reporting rule under the existing regulatory deadlines.

P&C Insurance Market Reports Best Underwriting Results Since 2013

The U.S. property & casualty insurance industry reported a net combined ratio of 96.6 in 2024, according to a report from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and Milliman, which is a 5.1-point improvement from 2023 and the best results the industry has seen since 2013.

4 Ways to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a time to spotlight the importance of mental well-being in the workplace. But for business and HR leaders, it isn't just a once-per-year conversation. Workplace mental health and wellness impacts all aspects of a business: performance, culture, retention and the bottom line.

Why the E&S Market Continues to Grow

An estimated 34% of U.S. commercial business is placed in the excess & surplus market, with the U.S. surplus lines market producing more than $115 billion in premium in 2023, according to Amwins' “State of the Market—2025 Outlook." The growth trajectory of the E&S market has been significant over the past six years, with premiums growing by double digits, the report says. Further, what's even more notable is that the market has been growing unabated over the past 20 years.

How Automation And Quote-By-Text Can Help Your Agency Win Big

As a business owner, running your agency is a lot like being the coach of a sports team. It’s about strategically selecting the right tools and teammates to position your agency for success. Just like in sports, a good coach stays informed by watching the competition, learning from their strategies and staying one step ahead to keep the team on track.

6 Phishing Techniques Cybercriminals Use to Scam Businesses

If I wanted to hack your business, I’d start with phishing your employees. The odds would be in my favor because it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to attack someone’s business. And I only need to be right once. Meanwhile, you and your team can’t afford a single mistake.

How Individualized Sales Training Ignites Results

When I first embraced the words “I am responsible,” I was 9 years old—too young to fully understand the weight the words carried. In the wake of my father’s sudden death, I wasn’t thinking about leadership or accountability. I was thinking about how to survive. But even at that young age, I knew someone had to step up. Someone had to take care of the things that mattered, even when it felt impossible. And somehow, I decided that someone was me.

License to Lead: Meet 10 Young Agents 35 and Under

“You have to take a risk if you want to have that type of freedom.” That advice from his father changed Ander Urdaneta’s trajectory.

Urdaneta’s father had been an insurance agent in Venezuela. Urdaneta graduated college with a degree in international business and finance and was planning to go into investment banking, but something was missing.

AN Radio: Switching from Hospitality to Insurance with Jorge Wetenkamp

After working at In-N-Out Burger and at the DMV, Wetenkamp took a job with AAA Insurance when they started offering DMV services. This opened his eyes to the opportunities for career growth and serving the Hispanic community.

BIG I WV LEADERSHIP

Suzette Raines Ashley, President

Ashley Insurance Agency, LLC

Chris Parker, Vice President

Ferrell & Hill Insurance Agency

Anthony Deal, Treasurer

Insurance Centers

Chad Nuzum, Immediate Past President

Hood Insurance Group, LLC

Terri Dodrill, State National Director

McGriff Insurance Services

Brady Campbell, Young Agents Chair

Mountain State Insurance Agency

Traci Nelson, Chief Executive Officer

DIRECTORS

Michael Winter

Bray & Oakley Insurance Agency

Beth Bailey

Bill Bailey Insurance Agency

Mike Cvechko

Cvechko Insurance Services

Charlie Robinson

Assured Partners dba Insurance Systems

Nick Dyer

Blueridge Risk Partners

From the President

Welcoming Summer with Purpose

May is such a unique month; it’s a blend of transition and anticipation. Schools are letting out, families are planning summer vacations, and our communities are coming to life with sunshine and activity. For many of us, this is a time to reset, refocus, and recharge.

But for independent agents, summer also brings opportunity. It’s a great season to reconnect with clients, educate our communities about the value of independent insurance, and make time for both professional development and relationship-building.

Events That Strengthen and Inspire

We’re excited about the slate of events coming up—each designed to connect, educate, and empower our members.

The Women’s Retreat promises to be a rejuvenating and empowering experience. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and grow alongside other strong women in our industry.
The Women’s Luncheon is another opportunity to build community and learn from each other in an encouraging, professional setting.
Our Young Agents Conference is right around the corner and continues to be a favorite event. It offers valuable networking and development for the future leaders of our industry.

Registration for all these events will be distributed soon!

Investing in Our Future Workforce

One of the most exciting initiatives currently underway is the Insurance Academy, a partnership between Big I WV and BridgeValley Community and Technical College. We recently met with our Insurance Academy Advisory Committee to continue shaping the program’s vision and structure.

The academy will offer two critical formats:

Insurance 101 – A 12-week course designed to teach the fundamentals of insurance along with the soft skills essential for a successful career in our industry. This is ideal for onboarding new staff or elevating existing employees.
Licensing Prep – A two-week intensive designed to prepare individuals to take and pass the West Virginia insurance licensing exam.

Both formats are tailored to meet the workforce needs of our agencies while also creating a sustainable talent pipeline. With the insurance industry facing a projected shortfall of more than 400,000 professionals over the next five years, these efforts are not just timely—they’re essential.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of an insurance professional is nearly 60, and 50% of the current workforce is expected to retire by 2028. That means recruitment, education, and training are no longer optional—they're urgent priorities.

Our goal is to have both programs up and running by the Fall!

A Call to Action

As we enjoy the warm weather and slower pace summer often brings, I encourage each of you to take action:

Invite someone to a Big I event.
Consider enrolling a new employee in the Insurance 101 course.
Encourage a prospective agent to take the two-week licensing prep.
Look for small ways to mentor and motivate the next generation.

Our strength as independent agents lies not just in our products—but in our people, our relationships, and our willingness to grow. Let’s make this summer a season of progress for our industry and our communities.

Wishing you rest, fun, and focus this month. You’ve earned it.

Sincerely,

Suzette Raines Ashley

President