Michigan PIA December Newsletter

Michigan PIA Newsletter - December 2024

Annual Young Insurance Agents Ugly Sweater Party SOLD OUT!

This year's annul YIP Ugly Sweater Party sold out!

Tami Pohl and Jamie Kotzian from West Bend presented the 'Selling in a Hard Market' class and shared many beneficial tips.

The networking and games portion of the event had a great turnout! Everyone enjoyed getting food and drinks from the different food venues at Lansing Shuffle.

Bella Wagasy won the $50 gift card for ugliest sweater with a custom made sweater that featured Scott Shappee's face on it. Five students from Olivet College also attended the event.

West Bend presented the class portion of the event (pictured above).

Winner of the Ugly Sweater Contest, $50 gift card and bragging rights goes to Bella Wagasy (pictured below).

Twinning! (Pictured below from left to right: Tom Anderson from Michigan Insurance Company and Brian Drake from JM Wilson).

Did you know that as a Michigan PIA member you automatically become a member of the Small Business Association of Michigan?

Save money on everyday business expenses and gain access to products and services that help protect your business.

If you have questions or need help accessing your benefits contact Lynn at [email protected] and she'll connect you with our partners at SBAM, they are happy to help!

Click here for more information about SBAM

Live CE Webinars Coming in January!!

What are they, and how do they work?

Webinars are over-the-internet courses conducted in real-time that allow students to receive the highest quality instruction while watching from their own computer, tablet or smartphone. Webinars combine the convenience of online courses with live instruction and interaction with the instructor. Our webinars have a chat box which allows students to ask questions and participate in the course, making for a more dynamic learning experience. Best of all, at the end of the Webinar, there is no test required for CE credit to be earned!

Click on the link below to register.

Click To Register!

Michigan PIA Member Benefit

With instant quotes, an online application process, and case management done for you, Breeze makes it easy to earn competitive commissions and grow revenue by offering top-rated disability insurance to your clients.

Disability insurance fits in perfectly with the other insurance products and financial planning services you’re already providing. The basic sales principals are still in play but a successful DI salesperson also helps clients understand how income protection boosts their overall financial plan.

According to the Federal Reserve, only 48% of American adults have enough savings to cover three months of living expenses in the event they’re not earning an income. Meaning 48% of Americans would benefit from a disability insurance policy.

Breeze provides all of the information and sales support that PIA members need to be successful!

Click here for more information

E&O Exclusive MIPIA Partner

As a Michigan PIA member you have access to E&O Insurance through Agency Insurance & Financial Services. If you are looking for E&O Insurance or shopping for new insurance let Erin Dey and her team give you a quote. They are happy to help! Give them a call at 616-988-4470.

Click here for more information

Exercise Caution When Using the E&S Market

Most agencies would not achieve the success they have without effective and diligent use of the Excess & Surplus Lines (E&S) market. Whether the market is hard, soft, or somewhere in between, it entertains varied exposures and plays a vital role in insuring high property values and risks wanting extremely high liability limits.

Using the E&S marketplace presents some significant challenges and issues that can raise the potential for an increase in the agency’s E&O exposure. It is critical to develop the appropriate processes to handle them. Use these best practices to help address more significant issues:

Click here for entire article

This information should not be taken as legal advice, and any significant changes to your operations should be discussed with your attorney and your E&O carrier. If you have further questions, please contact Agency Insurance and Financial Services

at (616) 988-4470.

MIPIA Advocacy Center

MIPIA Advocacy

Support the Insurance Data Protection Act

PIA has issued an action alert for PIA members to urge their elected representatives to cosponsor and support the Insurance Data Protection Act. Support for the bill is gaining momentum and PIA submitted testimony for a recent House Committee Hearing in support of it.

Encourage your House member and Senators to support this important PIA-backed legislation today!

Click here to take action

MICHIGAN PIA Membership

Not a Michigan PIA member yet? We are excited to bring you annual events in 2023 like CE & Suds, Golf Classic and UnConvention. With membership you receive discounts, ways to help your agency and unique networking opportunities. Email Lynn at [email protected] for more information on how to become a member!

Click here to join

Michigan PIA Member: Referrals

Know someone who is not a member of the Michigan PIA. Refer them to us and we will let them know all about our member benefits, awesome networking events, advocacy programs and our commitment to propel the Independent Insurance System forward.

Click here for more information

Michigan PIA Officers

Your 2023-2024 Michigan PIA President is Nicole Rant. Dominic Giancola is your Vice President, Todd Iannarelli is your Treasurer/Secretary, Greg Schafer is Past President, Erin Dey is your National Director. Scott Shappee, Mark Swieczkowski, and Chad Torley round out the rest of the Board.

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America.National PIA's web address is www.pianet.com.

Michigan PIA Young Insurance Professionals

Pictured above are the Young Insurance Professional Board Members. Pictured left to right: David Wolf, Jordan Burns, Hunter Lattig and Ben Finn. Want to get involved with YIP? Start by clicking here!

Thank You

To Our Allies!

Elite

Premier

Major

Champion

Accident Fund Group
Conifer Insurance
CRC Group
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Grand General Agency
Hastings Mutual
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Michigan Insurance Company
Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Co.
MidPoint Construction
Pioneer State Mutual Insurance Company
Retailers Insurance Company
Safeco Insurance
State Auto Insurance Companies
Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company

Networking

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
CAMComp
SunGlo Restoration
Travelers

Michigan PIA Member Benefits:

There are many reasons to join the Michigan PIA. Here are just a few benefits you receive when you join:

Exclusive access to E&O Insurance
Membership in the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM)
Access to the PIA Branding Program
Backstage pass to Industry Networking Events
Capitol Hill in your backyard with Grass Roots and the PIA Legislative Summit
Discounts on many office services
Any many more

Go to our website to sign up to become a member or call 1-800-836-8842.

Michigan PIA Scholarship Fund:

A scholarship fund has been created to promote the education of students who are pursuing careers in insurance related fields. This fund has been established by the Michigan Association of Professional Insurance Agents (MIPIA).

It is a permanent, endowed fund which will leave a legacy to assist students who are pursuing the insurance field as their career path.

MIPIA contains a membership of civic-minded, small businessmen and women who embody the spirit of entrepreneurial America and form the backbone of our society. They are leaders in their communities, providing personal attention to customers, one neighbor at a time.

The MIPIA has created the scholarship fund through Four County Community Foundation. The Foundation has 119 funds with a wide variety of charitable purposes.

Send a check with "MIPIA Scholarship" in the note section to: Four County Community Foundation, PO Box 539, Almont, Michigan 48003. Your gift will help youth today and forever in their pursuit of a career in the insurance field.

Click to Apply

Michigan Association of

Professional Insurance Agents

PO Box 99579

Troy, MI 48099

Phone: 1-800-836-8842

Message Michigan PIA