Tech Connect

August 12, 2026 • 11:00 a.m.

September 9, 2026 • 11:00 a.m.

October 14, 2026 • 11:00 a.m.

November 18, 2026 • 11:00 a.m.

January 13, 2026 • 11:00 a.m.

Connecting Independent Agencies with the Technology That Moves Them Forward

Technology is transforming the insurance industry at an unprecedented pace. Tech Connect is a PIA ongoing educational series designed to help Professional Insurance Agencies stay informed, evaluate emerging solutions, and make smarter technology decisions.

Each session features industry experts, technology providers sharing practical insights on today's most important topics—from AI and automation to agency management systems, cybersecurity, digital marketing and more.

Whether you're exploring new tools or refining your agency's technology strategy, Tech Connect delivers real-world ideas and actionable takeaways you can put to work immediately.

• 1 hour, once a month, no CE
• 11:00am Central Time on 2^nd Wednesday of the month starting on August 12^th
• Free to members and $25 to non-members
• Free to affiliates

Schedule:

August 12: Spot the Gaps: Instant Policy Comparisons with AI

Stop spending hours reading forms line by line. This hands on session walks through a simple, repeatable workflow for comparing policies, quotes, and renewals side by side using AI tools your agency already has access to. Attendees will leave with a comparison checklist they can put to work on their very next renewal.

September 9: Your New Favorite Employee: Putting AI to Work in Your Agency

Forget prompt engineering and magic words. Modern AI works best when you treat it like a smart new team member: give it context, hand it a task, and review the work. We will delegate real agency work live, including summarizing a policy, prepping a renewal review, and drafting client communication, so you can see exactly how a simple conversation turns into finished work.

October 14: Retention Is the New Growth: Client Communication That Keeps Accounts Home

As the market stabilizes, the agencies that win will be the ones clients hear from first. This session covers practical ways to automate renewal touchpoints, proactive reviews, and check-ins without losing the personal voice your clients expect. Walk away with a simple communication calendar you can start using immediately.

November 18: Your Phones Are Talking: Turning Calls into Client Intelligence

Every day your agency has dozens of client conversations, and most of that information never makes it into your management system. This session shows how call summaries, automatic documentation, and phone data can protect you from E&O exposure and make sure nothing a client tells you ever falls through the cracks.

January 13: New Year, New Stack: The Agency Tech Tune Up

Start the year by finding out what your agency is really paying for. We will walk through a quick self audit of software, licenses, and phone systems to uncover duplicate tools, unused seats, and easy wins. Attendees leave with a one page checklist to right size their tech spend.

The conveniences afforded by technology today were unfathomable just a few years ago. Unfortunately, cyber criminals seem to be at the top of the evolutionary chain as evidenced by their ability to constantly reinvent schemes to exploit the latest technologies for personal gain (if only these scumbags would use their talents for good!) In their efforts to keep up with these criminals and protect individuals and businesses from financial devastation, insurance companies are constantly evolving their Cyber insurance policies. This course reviews several of the latest updates to the standard Cyber insurance policy form created by the Insurance Services Office (ISO).

Instructor: Kathy Fraley, CIC, CPIW, CPIA

Rural & Town Agent Seminar

ISO’s New CGL Is Coming – What You Need To Know

Presented by Samuel T. Bennett, CIC, CPRM, AFIS, TRIP, CRIS, CPIA

ISO has introduced a countrywide revision of the Commercial General Liability Coverage Form with a December 2025 edition date, which will be available for adoption by carriers beginning in mid 2026. The importance of the CGL for our clients cannot be overstated. Your understanding of the relevant changes coming with this revision is essential as you work to finance your clients’ risks with proper insurance coverage forms – including the CGL.

Farm Auto Exposures – Effective Use of Insurance To Address Ag Transportation Risk

Presented by Samuel T. Bennett, CIC, CPRM, AFIS, TRIP, CRIS, CPIA

Farm machinery presents a substantial risk for our clients. The policy forms we use can certainly provide coverages necessary for these exposures, but without careful review of the available coverage forms, their many exclusions and conditions can prove problematic. Reviewing how coverages routinely used in the agribusiness market are ‘constructed’ will solidify your understanding of how you can effectively address risks associated with items that move.

Registration:

• $115 PIA Members

• $135 Non-Members

Register before August 10, 2026, to receive the $10 Early Bird Discount!

Don't miss this opportunity to sharpen your expertise, earn CE credit, and connect with fellow insurance professionals serving rural America.

Join PIA and Hartford Flood for this informative webinar as Brian Collins, Flood Sales Support, The Hartford, covers the fundamentals of flood insurance, including policy basics, available coverage options, and practical strategies for incorporating flood into your everyday client conversations.

As an added bonus, Brian will provide an important update on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) just days before its current authorization is set to expire on September 30, 2026. Learn where things stand in Congress, what agents should be watching for, and what potential changes could mean for your clients and your business.

Featured Speaker
Brian Collins
Flood Sales Support, The Hartford

What You'll Learn
Flood insurance fundamentals and available coverage options
An overview of Risk Rating 2.0 and how it impacts clients
Best practices for selling flood insurance with confidence
Marketing strategies to grow your flood book of business
The latest update on the NFIP as the September 30 reauthorization deadline approaches

Exclusive Hartford Flood resources and benefits available to PIA members

Why Attend
Whether you're new to flood insurance or looking to strengthen your existing knowledge, this session will provide practical insights and sales strategies you can put to work right away. You'll also leave with a timely update on the NFIP and what its upcoming reauthorization deadline could mean for your agency and your clients.

A three-hour study to assist the insurance agency in the identification of the professional liability exposure associated with the operation of an agency. During the course of the study, specific exposure areas will be identified and related to the potential financial impact upon the agency.

Available methods to reduce the risk of errors and omissions exposure will be examined. A brief scrutiny of the characteristics of Errors and Omissions policies and the impact of the characteristics upon Errors and Omissions claims payment will be discussed.

Instructor: Kathy Fraley, CIC, CPIW, CPIA

This course aims to educate insurance industry professionals on the essential steps needed to help our clients stay prepared for any type of claim. While we cover a wide range of disaster scenarios, wildfires remain a relatively new and evolving challenge for many agents. This course will provide the necessary tools and training to navigate those challenges with confidence.

Discussion will center upon the interaction of the producer with both the insurance buying public and insurance companies and ensuring their clients who suffer a big loss understand and guide them through the recovery process.

Instructor: Kathy Fraley, CIC, CPIW, CPIA

August 5, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

October 14, 2026 • 12:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

December 2, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

October 7, 2026 • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

December 9, 2026 • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The course will discuss the insurance buyer’s/consumer’s perceptions of the activities and operation of insurance coverages from a legal, ethical standard of care and coverage perspective. Practical inquiry into techniques an agency can use to develop understanding of the ethical responsibilities an agents and agency staff rules and helps maintain quality and productivity of the business.

Instructor: Kathy Fraley, CIC, CPIW, CPIA