PUBLISHER’S NOTE
It’s hard to believe that I have been involved in the
insurance industry and serving independent agents for
the better part of 23 years. As
businesses grapple with economic
losses resulting from the COVID-19
pandemic, our industry has been
put under the spotlight. Certain
industries, such as restaurants, have
questioned how pandemic related
losses of income aren’t covered
by existing business interruption
policies and COVID-19 related litigation is mounting.
Unfortunately, the nature of predictable and quantifiable
risk doesn’t lend itself to insuring virus and bacteria
(pandemic) related losses in the traditional marketplace.
Other solutions must be created to offer customers a longterm,
sustainable coverage option.
While customers may be frustrated with the insurance
industry, I’ve never been more impressed. What other
industry sells its products to consumers before knowing
its ultimate expense and profitability? Throughout the
pandemic, many insurance carriers have supported
consumers with premium credits on business lines that
have experienced reduced exposure from stay-at-home
orders and offer extended premium payment terms.
As agents, you helped communicate these benefits to
consumers. What other industries are doing this? Sure,
some companies have been contributing to social causes,
but can you imagine them voluntarily giving back 15%
of their overall profitability for several months during the
pandemic? Our industry and the people that work in it are
unique, and we will continue to offer products that protect
lives and assets that consumers have worked a lifetime to
build.
In this issue, we review how KAIA has served members
during the 2020 membership year. We also say thank you
to those who participate in KAIA’s Industry Partner program
and share some of their perspectives on the pandemic.
Finally, we provide readers with information on the Kansas
insurance marketplace with the latest data from the AM
Best Company.
KIA&B
Kansas Insurance Agent & Broker
July/August 2020 • Vol. 25, No 4
OFFICERS OF KAIA
President :
Kristy Wilson | kwilson@kellermaninsurance.com
President-Elect:
Doug Smart | doug@smart-ins.com
VP/Treasurer:
JoErin Stuteville | joerin@elliottinsurancegroup.com
Secretary/Assistant Treasurer:
Lucas M. Raleigh | lucas@releighinsurance.biz
National Director:
Cindy Hower | chower@kellermaninsurance.com
Immediate Past President:
Lee Gleason | lgleason@kfsa.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Zone I Director:
Shawn Myers | Smyers@kellerlleopold.com
Zone II Director:
Bryan Schmitz | bryanschmitz@sbsins.com
Director-at-Large:
Brock Elliott | Brock@elliottinsurancegroup.com
Director-at-Large:
Austin Renn | austin@rennandcompany.com
Director-at-Large:
Kevin Campbell | kcampbell@unitedagencyks.com
Young Agents Chair:
Josh Goodman | josh.goodman@hwins.com
KAIA STAFF & CONSULTANTS
Executive Director: Dave Hulcher
Vice President of Finance: Shannon Bower
Vice President of Member Experience: Joan Sutton
Vice President of Agency Services: Elizabeth Smoller
Legal Counsel: Will Larson
E&O Program Administrator: Barb Wise
Marketing & Communication Manager: Chrissey Breault
Prof Development & Events Manager: Karlyn Judd
Office Coordinator: Barb Cobuluis
Account Managers: Valerie Dunnam & Carolyn Rouse
KAIA Lobbyist: Dan Murray
Stay humble, kind and thankful,
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