Posts by vgardner@kaia.com

2025 Kansas Agents’ Legislative Day Recap Recap of the 2025 Kansas Agents’ Legislative Day On Tuesday, March 4, independent agents from across Kansas gathered at the Kansas State Capitol for the 2025 Kansas Agents Legislative Day. This annual event provided a valuable opportunity for agents to engage with policymakers, discuss key industry issues, and advocate…

CTA Reporting Requirements Reinstated Independent Agencies Remain Exempt thanks to Big “I” Efforts A recent ruling in a federal court in Texas has reinstated the Corporate Transparency Act’s (“CTA”) reporting requirements.  The reporting requirements have been a moving target for several months as litigation has moved through the legal system. On Feb. 18, 2025, the…

How to Professionally End a Client Relationship Have you found yourself questioning whether it’s possible to “part ways” with a client? Perhaps there are clients whose calls you dread or who consistently present challenges in communication or behavior. You may wonder if it’s appropriate to suggest they find another agent. The Short Answer Yes, it…

2025 Annual Convention Recap The 2025 KAIA Annual Convention took place from February 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita, KS, bringing together a record-breaking 652 attendees for three days of education, networking, and industry recognition. With 21 educational sessions, an inspiring keynote, and a sold-out trade show featuring 84 booths, this year’s event set…

Reviewing Client Files – A Quality Decision for Independent Agencies Reviewing insurance client files is a resource commitment that could save the agency from an E&O claim or losing a good customer. Ensuring proper client file management shows a commitment to quality service, compliance, and data integrity.   Ensuring Accuracy and Up-to-Date Information Client Changes:…

2025 Kansas Legislature Convenes on Monday The Kansas Legislature convenes on Monday, January 13th for its 90-day general legislative session. This will be the first year in the new legislative biennium, which means bills from the 2024 session do not carry over for consideration. We are also entering a session following the election in which…

Cash Balances Are Up – Now What? For an independent insurance agency, strong cash reserves can be a double-edged sword. Having an influx of cash is certainly a positive, but effectively managing the balance between liquidity and returns requires careful strategy and disciplined financial management. With the right know-how, tools and banking partner, agencies can…

What’s In Your Holiday Collection? It truly is the most wonderful time of the year and many of us have a treasured collection of holiday items that we’ve dusted off and put on display for all of our guests to enjoy. As much as I would like to talk about my Hallmark snowman collection, however,…

Recap of the 2024 KS & OK Young Agents Conference: Trailblazing Excellence The 2024 KS & OK Young Agents Conference, titled Trailblazing Excellence, marked a significant milestone as Kansas and Oklahoma Young Agents partnered for the first time to create a larger, more impactful event. With over 150 attendees, the conference provided a unique opportunity…

Is Your Agency Ready For a Tech Upgrade? By Mallory Cornell, MBA, Vice President, Virtual Agency Solutions at the IIAW Determining if your insurance agency is ready to embrace technology involves assessing several key factors. Here are some questions to consider: Current Technological Infrastructure: Does your agency have the necessary hardware, software, and network infrastructure…