Kansas becomes the eighth state outside of Florida to adopt the platform, joining Colorado, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming, which all came aboard in 2025. Alabama and Montana joined SLIP + in January 2026. •
INDUSTRY NEWS
KANSAS MARKETPLACE HEADLINES
KAIA MEMBER GREEN HELPS PITT STATE BUSINESS STUDENTS
Voyage Insurance Group Owner & CEO and KAIA member Brannon Green recently spoke with Pittsburg State University ' s Kelce College of Business Business Management Majors. They discussed business, the insurance industry, and life after college.
KINGREY-KELLUM INS. ACQUIRED BY RYAN-DITTMAN INSURANCE
Ryan-Dittmann Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Pittsburg, Kansas, has announced the acquisition of Kingrey-Kellum Insurance Agency in Baxter Springs, a partnership rooted in shared values of personal service and community commitment.
“ Kingrey-Kellum has served the Baxter Springs area for decades, and we take the responsibility of continuing to serve these customers seriously. We look forward to building strong relationships and expanding the mutual resources available through our partnership”, said Wally Wilson, President of Ryan-Dittmann Insurance.“ Our goal is to support what has already been built here – not replace it. We are committed to continuing the personal, local service this community expects and deserves."
LIBERTY MUTUAL SETS SAFECO END DATE AT 4 / 25
Beginning April 25, 2026, Safeco personal lines sold through independent agents will be marketed under the Liberty Mutual brand. In a release, Liberty Mutual stated, " This change brings greater national brand recognition to help you close more business, while policies, coverages, underwriting companies, contracts, and commissions remain unchanged – and it will deliver a smoother customer experience."
RUTH WRIGHT RETIRES FROM KAIA
It is with a mixture of immense gratitude and bittersweet hearts that we announce the retirement of Ruth Wright, our Membership Engagement Specialist.
Ruth joined KAIA in 2022 and quickly became one of the most recognized and cherished voices of our organization. Whether you called in with a question or attended one of our events, there ' s a good chance Ruth was the warm, upbeat presence who made your experience feel like home. Her enthusiasm for serving our members has been nothing short of infectious.
Before joining KAIA, Ruth built an extensive and distinguished career in the insurance industry – a background that gave her a deep appreciation for the work our members do every day and allowed her to connect with them in a genuinely meaningful way.
Ruth ' s positive spirit, dedication, and genuine care for every member she encountered have left a lasting mark on KAIA and on all of us who had the privilege of working alongside her. Please join us in celebrating Ruth and wishing her well as she steps into this new chapter. Please reach out to Patrick on our team with any questions or pending business needs.
SLIP + REQUIREMENT FOR SURPLUS LINES FILINGS NOW IN EFFECT
As reported by Insurance Business magazine, The Kansas Department of Insurance now mandates the use of SLIP + for reporting and payment of all surplus lines premium taxes in the state. A 3 % surplus lines tax and a 0.175 % SLIP + transaction fee will apply to all policies effective on or after January 1, 2026.
Kansas becomes the eighth state outside of Florida to adopt the platform, joining Colorado, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming, which all came aboard in 2025. Alabama and Montana joined SLIP + in January 2026. •
MARCH / APRIL 2026
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