Blogs

The NAIC Model Bulletin: A Compass for Ethical AI In Insurance

By William Buebendorf posted 7 days ago
By Josh Hammerquist, FSA, MAAA, Vice President & Principal, Lewis & Ellis and Muhammed Gulen, Esq., Vice President & Legal Consultant, Lewis & Ellis The “NAIC Model Bulletin: Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems by Insurers” issued by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) outlines an ethical framework for AI deployment in the insurance industry. This bulletin delineates ethical boundaries and regulatory standards for AI systems, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination. For carriers, the bulletin serves as a guide to navigate the complex landscape of AI integration, impacting how insurers ...

Incubator Labs Are Disrupting the Insurance Marketing Game

By William Buebendorf posted 7 days ago
By Bethany Ramos, Marketing Copywriter, FM Engage Marketing teams are notoriously busy—and often behind. It’s no wonder testing slips through the cracks. Between juggling projects and introducing new products, there’s barely time to breathe, let alone conduct the kind of multivariate testing that can save time and money by accurately directing each campaign. When there aren’t resources available for testing, busyness can come at a cost. No Time to Test? 3 Reasons to Outsource to an Incubator More than ever, insurance companies are relying on outside agencies—or incubators—to test. Here’s why: 1. Cut costs and save time. ...

A “6G” View of the Workforce

By William Buebendorf posted 7 days ago
By Alex Morales, CAE In today’s work environment, the definition of ‘diversity’ has grown beyond a description of background. The Harvard Business Review recently published1 that some workplaces are reporting up to six generations present in their workforce, from octogenarians who have postponed retirement to the Generation Alpha interns who are the newest members just entering the workforce. With nearly 3 million employees in the United States, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2 , the insurance industry is not insulated from the diversity of multiple generations in the workplace. Even if you don’t quite have all six generations in your current ...

Separating Value from FOMO: Why Old Processes on New Tech is Not the Solution

By William Buebendorf posted 7 days ago
By Chuck Johnston, Insurance Technology Strategist, Johnston Digital Ventures, LLC Recently, I spoke at a PIMA conference about the current state of InsurTech. A recurring theme was the executive Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) on the strategic advantages AI and other new tech can bring to our industry. Insurance still has an undeserved reputation for being technically backward when there is a strong desire to embrace new tech as the next driver of strategic advantage. Despite the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence and the promise of open systems enabled by APIs, technology alone doesn’t guarantee a competitive edge. It must be paired with innovative business ...

Designing Insurance for Every Generation: Why Life Stages Matter

By William Buebendorf posted 7 days ago
Key Takeaways: Insurance needs are shaped by lifestyle factors like career, family structure, and financial priorities, not just generational categories. Millennials and Gen Z prioritize digital-first experiences, ethical business practices, and embedded insurance solutions. Insurers must balance self-service digital tools with human support to meet a diver se customer base. AI-powered insights enable tailored coverage that adapts to individual behaviors, increasing trust and retention. Insurance needs are as unique as the people buying them ...

Digital Insurance: How to Harness the Power of Affinity Distribution

By PIMA Admin posted 8 days ago
Digital Insurance: How to Harness the Power of Affinity Distribution By Ann Dieleman (March 20, 2025) With 49% of U.S. adults unable to pay bills and one-third reporting they do not feel financially secure, achieving financial protection has become more urgent than ever. Rising economic pressures, from unpredictable markets to increasing healthcare costs, have highlighted the limitations of traditional insurance in meeting modern financial needs. An affinity distribution model offers a powerful alternative, evolving from niche group coverage into a tailored approach that addresses the unique, long-term financial goals of communities. Read more ...

Reflecting on 50 Years of Progress and Possibility in Affinity Leadership

By William Buebendorf posted 8 days ago
Fifty years ago, PIMA was founded on the strength of relationships and a shared belief in the power of affinity. That belief helped buil d programs, partnerships, and , ultimately, a community. A community where members learned from each other, challenged each other, and pushed the industry forward together. This year, as PIMA mark s its 50th anniversary, it also entered a new phase shaped by shifts in technology , consumer behavior, and member expectations. Leading the organiz ation through this time of reflection an d transition was Kelly Abeles, someone whose career has mirrored the complexity and evolutio ...

Navigating the Evolving Insurance Regulatory Landscape

By William Buebendorf posted 04-09-2025
State regulators are reinforcing their authority over insurance oversight, introducing new rules that impact everything from AI-driven underwriting to climate risk assessments. For insurers, adapting to this regulatory momentum isn’t just about compliance — it’s about maintaining trust, streamlining operations, and staying competitive in a rapidly shifting market. At the recent PIMA Legislative & Regulatory Update, industry experts unpacked key regulatory developments shaping the future of insurance. This blog breaks down the most critical takeaways and what they mean for insurers navigating the complexities of state oversight. ...

Lessons in Building Long-Term Success in the Affinity Industry

By William Buebendorf posted 03-26-2025
Kevin Garvin has spent more than 30 years in the affinity industry, building a career that has spanned major shifts in technology, consumer expectations, and business models. From his early days at Aon to his leadership at Gallagher, he has seen firsthand what separates companies that thrive from those that fall behind. These experiences ultimately led him to serve as PIMA President in 2022, where he had the opportunity to help guide the association through a changing industry landscape. And through all of those changes, one thing stood out above all: relationships are at the heart of affinity. “When I started in the industry in 1989, the affinity ...

Lessons in Building Stronger Leaders and a Stronger Affinity Market

By William Buebendorf posted 03-26-2025
When Chris Burke stepped into his role as PIMA President in 2021, the world was still in flux. Eighteen months into the pandemic, businesses were grappling with uncertainty, and industries that relied on in-person relationships—like the affinity market—had to find new ways to connect. For Chris, the challenge was about more than just keeping business moving. It was about proving that affinity was both surviving and evolving through this transformation. "You want to talk about hurdles and embracing change out of the gate?" he says. "I was sitting with an ice storm, literally with Wi-Fi going in and out every 45 minutes, no heat, ...

Lessons in Leading Through Change While Leaving a Legacy of Innovation and Trust

By William Buebendorf posted 03-26-2025
When Liz Sheehan became PIMA's fifth female president in January 2020, she stepped onto the stage with a clear mission to help the association evolve beyond a conference-driven organization into a year-round resource for its members. What she didn't know at the time was that just months later, the world would shut down. Leading through a global crisis is not something most PIMA presidents have faced. The affinity market was already undergoing regulatory shifts, consumer expectations were changing, and then, suddenly, businesses had to figure out how to stay connected in a world that had gone entirely remote. For Liz, that challenge wasn't ...

Mastering High-Stakes Conversations: How Insurance Leaders Can Navigate Emotionally Charged Discussions with Confidence

By Stephanie Arteaga posted 03-18-2025
Learn wh y insurance leaders must master emotionally charged conversations. Discover four pillars for effective leadership skills in tough talks. Avoid common pitfalls in leadership communication styles . Turn difficult conversations in business into grow th opportunities. C onversations are rarely just con versations for insurance leaders . They’re balancing acts—tightropes stretched between policy changes, regulatory pressures, and emotionally charged interactions with teams and stakeholders. One misstep can send ripples through an organization, ...

Lessons in Evolving Affinity Insurance Through Innovation and Trust

By Stephanie Arteaga posted 03-17-2025
Few people understand the importance of trust in the affinity industry better than Dan O'Brien. Having spent his career in the affinity space, he has seen firsthand how trust, innovation, and adaptability have shaped everything from product development to long-term partnerships. Consumers need to trust that their coverage will be there when they need it. Carriers and brokers need to trust that their partners will deliver. For decades, PIMA has built a community where members can rely on one another to navigate an evolving industry, with trust serving as the foundation for every connection. However, it hasn't always been smooth ...

Lessons in Affinity Marketing, Innovation, and the Power of Relationships

By Stephanie Arteaga posted 03-17-2025
When Bill Suneson stepped into the role of PIMA President in 2017, the industry was being rewritten in real time. Insurtech had moved from a concept to a concrete reality, challenging legacy players and redefining how insurance was distributed, marketed, and embedded into everyday transactions. At the same time, PIMA was undergoing its own transformation, facing leadership changes and an evolving value proposition in a rapidly modernizing industry . Bill remembers the weight of these transformations well. "When I was President, that was the year that we were going through a leadership change. The executive director of 10-plus years ...

Lessons in Navigating Crisis, Growth, and the Future of Affinity

By William Buebendorf posted 02-21-2025
The affinity insurance market has always been about more than just policies— it ’ s about people. It ’ s built on trust, relationships, and a shared commitme nt to se rving others. That ’ s what drew Dave Armstrong to PIMA, and it ’ s what kept him en gaged as he moved from member to board member to PIMA president. A 20-year veteran of AIG, Dave spent his career leading in spaces where relationships made all the difference. He joined PIMA ’ s board in 2014, and by the time he became president in 2019, he had built a deep appreciation for the people who made PIMA what it was . “ It ’ s great to work ...

PIMA Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Redesigned Website

By William Buebendorf posted 02-18-2025
CHICAGO ( February 18, 2025) – To celebrate its 50 th anniversary , PIMA has unveiled a redesigned website to emphasize its commitment to the affinity market. S ince 1975, PIMA has been a hub for industry executives to establish thought leadership, cultivate relationships, and grow business. Reflecting on the 50th anniversary milestone, the updated website prioritizes affinity-focused resources and delivers enhanced value for current and prospective members. Looking to the future of affinity, PIMA has introduced a new Affinity Market page . This section provides an ...

Lessons in Leadership, Life, and Letting Humanity Shape Business

By William Buebendorf posted 01-31-2025
Alan Zink’s path into the affinity insurance market wasn’t typical, but it was undeniably impactful. His journey began in Columbus, Ohio , in 1969 when he co-founded American Insurance Administrators, a company that would embody his innovative approach to business. Reflecting on his early days, Alan recalls, “ I have a story that was very different from anybody else's of stumbling bass-ackwards into a business, an industry, that I knew nothing about except how to spell it,” he says with a laugh. With a degree in industrial management and a minor in marketing, Alan approached the industry with fresh eyes. “ I was, ...

PIMA Announces 2025 Board of Directors

By William Buebendorf posted 01-31-2025
CHICAGO (January 31, 2025) – The PIMA membership elected its 2025-2026 Board of Directors on January 29, 2025, at the Annual Meeting. The 2025 Board of Directors are: Executive Committee: President – Kelly Abeles, Prudential Financial President-Elect – Sean Cox, First Administration & Consulting Treasurer – Avery Smith, Kelsey National Corporation Secretary – Lance Dordick, Farmers Insurance At-Large Director – Jean-Marie Lovett, Bindable Immediate Past President (ex-officio) – Pamela Moy, AMA Insurance PIMA Executive Director (ex-officio) – Ann Dieleman Directors: Sharon Alford, VSP Shane Canfield, ...

Lessons in Leading Through Change and Shaping the Future of Affinity Insurance

By William Buebendorf posted 01-21-2025
Lessons From a Young Leader in a New Era Jim Lars o n ’ s jou rney wit h PI MA s tart ed a t it s ve ry b egin ning , ba ck i n 19 75 , when a s mall gro up o f in dust ry l eade rs g athe red in C hica go t o co n fro nt a r ap idly evo lvin g af fini ty i nsur ance lan dsca pe. Long bef ore he b ecam e PI MA p r esi dent in 2006 , Ji m fo und hims elf at t he c ente r of a m o vem ent that wou l d g o on to shap e th e af fini ty i nsur ance ind ustr y fo r g e nera tion s. “ I wa s j u st a kid ...

Lessons in Leading Through Change and Building a Stronger Community

By PIMA Admin posted 12-23-2024
As PIMA gears up for its 50th anniversary, we had the privilege of speaking with Carl Adamek, a long-time member and former president, whose journey offers a unique window into the organization's evolution. From navigating generational shifts in leadership to embracing groundbreaking technological advancements, Carl's story highlights the challenges and opportunities that have shaped both PIMA and the affinity insurance market over the years. When Carl Adamek attended his first PIMA meeting in 1990, the affinity insurance industry was on the brink of a seismic shift. The leaders who had laid the foundation for the industry were beginning to retire, making ...