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VIENNA, W.Va. (WTAP) - Groups across West Virginia coordinated Tuesday to help West Virginians sign up for health insurance for the third annual Cover WV Day.
Organized by the West Virginia Primary Care Organization and West Virginia Navigator, Cover WV Day is a statewide annual initiative where community organizations help uninsured residents navigate the process of enrolling in health insurance through Medicaid or the Health Insurance Marketplace.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Public Service Commission is being asked to approve Appalachian Power’s purchase of two renewable energy projects outside the state to meet the energy demands of its customers inside the state.
If approved, bills would go up less than half a percentage point (.42 percent). The average customer would pay about 70 cents more a month.
Appalachian Power said it wants to continue to build its renewable energy portfolio because its larger customers are seeking more renewable options.
GHENT, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey joined with state tourism treasurer Chelsea Ruby and local ski officials at Winterplace Ski Resort in Raleigh County Monday to celebrate the new ski season.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey
He says West Virginia is a premier destination for skiers on the east coast.
“There’s no better place to celebrate the winter holiday season, and quite frankly, the ski season than right here in West Virginia,” Morrisey said Monday.
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The Hill has once again recognized Big “I” President & CEO Charles Symington as one of the nation’s top trade association lobbyists in Washington, D.C., with the Big “I” standing as the only property & casualty insurance agents group named to the 2025 list.
Also honored was Progressive’s Head of Government Affairs, Jim Dodrill—the only honoree from a Fortune 100 insurance company and the only representative from West Virginia—making this a proud moment for our state and the insurance industry.
Washington D.C.- President Donald Trump issued an executive order last Thursday that seeks to restrict the ability of states to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). This action is the latest salvo in the increasingly contentious debate about whether and how best to regulate this quickly evolving technology.
The order is consistent with the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce regulatory compliance burdens and costs for AI developers and users; avoid a patchwork of potentially inconsistent state laws; and ultimately establish a uniform and minimally restrictive regulatory framework for AI.
US Department of Labor to conduct targeted review of potential fraud in Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance program
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced it will conduct a targeted review of Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Program using an onsite specialized UI strike team following recent discoveries of widespread fraud in the state’s benefits programs.
In a letter sent to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the department noted concerns that recent reports of fraud, waste, and abuse might compromise the integrity of their UI program. The discoveries span several benefits programs, including Minnesota’s Federal Child Nutrition Program, Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention Autism Program, and Housing Stability Services Program.
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Trusted Choice AI Toolkit
The Trusted Choice AI Toolkit is a resource created for independent agents navigating the evolving marketing landscape. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for marketing helps empower agents to elevate client interactions, fine-tune communications, and more.
Download the Trusted Choice AI Toolkit here!
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Public relations is more than press releases and media headlines—it’s about building relationships, shaping perception and telling your story in a way that earns trust and builds credibility. As an independent insurance agent—whether you’re a solo practitioner, a small business or a growing large agency—strong PR can help you connect with your audience, protect your reputation and stand out in a crowded world.
When it comes to winning an account, too many producers give up after the first “no.” They stop calling, stop emailing, stop showing up—and someone else wins the account. But in sales, the first “no” rarely tells the full story.
Here are five tips to effective follow-up that every producer needs to know:
1) Don’t take the first “no.” Gatekeepers exist to protect decision-makers’ time, not to make decisions for them. When you let a gatekeeper end the conversation, you’re allowing someone who can’t say “yes” to stop you from ever reaching the person who can. It is simply feedback that you need a different angle in.
2) Be respectfully persistent. There’s a fine line between persistence and pestering. And mastering that balance is what separates elite prospectors from everyone else. Persistence signals professionalism. It shows you care enough to keep showing up. But it has to be respectful. Badgering people every day or using pressure tactics is the fastest way to burn bridges.
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Nearly five years after the 2021 deep freeze in Texas that resulted in widespread power outages and killed 246 people, according to the Texas Tribune, independent insurance agents can help their homeowners clients take the lessons of that event to the heart of their communities: Winter preparedness is not optional, even in areas that don’t traditionally experience freezing weather.
For small and midsize independent insurance agencies, 2026 is the best and the hardest time to market a business. The industry is steady, technology is smarter and customers are always within reach. Yet, staying visible in a nonstop digital world takes more energy than ever.
Everywhere you turn, there’s another promise of an easier way to grow your marketing: a new artificial intelligence (AI) content generator, a turnkey social media calendar or a platform that posts for you while you sleep. The tools keep multiplying. The time to use them doesn’t.
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On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we chat with Dallas Ross, agent at Timmco Insurance.
Like many others, Ross was born into the insurance industry and always knew the industry was where she belonged. Right out of college, she landed a job in insurance sales, but after two years, she discovered her true passion wasn’t selling—it was serving clients, supporting them, and fostering long-term relationships.
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Declaration of Independents:
Kelley Carter
President
Choice Insurance Agency, Member of Choice Financial Group
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Communication is the name of the game in the challenging coastal insurance
market—and Carter, a communication and business major, has applied that wholeheartedly.
“We’ve leaned into trying to find the right balance between utilizing technology and applying a human touch with our clients,” she says. “Artificial intelligence (AI) is a huge conversation in the insurance space right now, and we are very tech-focused, but are adding in that empathetic human touch: Why are these changes happening? How are they impacting you? What resources can we offer you?”
In October, she stepped into the role of division president for Choice Insurance Agency in Virginia Beach, where she looks forward to continuing its success as one
of the top-growing brokerages in the country.
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Agency, Career and Coastal Growth With Kelley Carter
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we chat with Kelley Carter, president of Choice Insurance Agency, member of Choice Financial Group, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Carter kicked off her career by working for several years in agency marketing roles, helping her understand how marketing strategy is essential to accelerating agency growth. In October, she was appointed division president of Choice Insurance Agency, where she is focused on sustaining and expanding its position as one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the country.
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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
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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
| | A Letter From Our President | | | |
Dear Members,
As we wrap up another year, I hope this message finds you well and that 2025 has been a successful one for you, your teams, and your agencies. I also hope you and your loved ones have enjoyed a joyful Christmas season filled with peace, reflection, and time spent with those who matter most. As we look ahead, I am excited about the opportunities the new year brings and am confident that 2026 will be an outstanding year for Big “I” West Virginia and our members.
Looking ahead to the new year, I encourage you to mark your calendars for Big “I” Day at the Capitol on January 20–21, 2026. This event is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together as an association, connect directly with our lawmakers, and advocate for the issues that matter most to our industry and the clients we serve. Your presence and participation help amplify the voice of independent agents across West Virginia.
As we embark on 2026, I strongly encourage all members to get involved in the Association—especially in the legislative process. Your voice truly matters, and your engagement strengthens our collective impact. Whether you are a long-time member or new to Big “I” WV, there are countless opportunities to participate, contribute, and make a difference.
It has been a great honor serving as President of Big “I” West Virginia. Thank you for your continued support of our Association and for the vital role you play in your communities.
Together, we can ensure another successful and impactful year for Big “I” WV, and I look forward to working alongside you in the year ahead.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
Warm regards,
Suzette Raines Ashley
President, Big “I” WV
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