CONNER
CONNECTION
WELCOME TO OUR
2025 YEAR IN REVIEW
Stay informed with expert insights on market shifts, risk management strategies, and the latest innovations in commercial, employee benefits, and personal insurance. Our goal is to keep you ahead of the curve with valuable knowledge and updates that matter most to you.
CONNER
CONNECTION
WELCOME TO OUR
2025 YEAR IN REVIEW
Stay informed with expert insights on market shifts, risk management strategies, and the latest innovations in commercial, employee benefits, and personal insurance. Our goal is to keep you ahead of the curve with valuable knowledge and updates that matter most to you.
A MESSAGE FROM BEN & TODD
As we look back on 2025, our hearts are filled with gratitude for our clients, team members, and partners. This year brought meaningful growth and innovation, all grounded in the values Conner Insurance has honored for more than 75 years. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones—from saving millions for the organizations we serve to continuing to build an award-winning culture. As we head into 2026, our commitment remains unwavering: to deliver personalized service, forward-thinking solutions, and exceptional care to every individual and business we support. Here’s to another year of shared success and partnership!
- BEN CONNER, CEO & TODD HUFFORD, COO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
OVERVIEW
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
OVERVIEW
AWARDS
3rd CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS A
BEST PLACE TO WORK IN INSURANCE
We are excited to announce that Conner Insurance has been officially selected as one of the best places to work in insurance for 2025! Conner Insurance has ranked #11 for the Small Employer Category, #15 in the Agents/Brokers Category, and #17 for our overall rank in the Best Places to Work in Insurance Award Program. This honor is a testament to the wonderful team that we have to support our fantastic clients.
BEST PLACES TO WORK FOR WOMEN
2025 FINALIST
We’re honored! Conner Insurance has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for Women. This award reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering workplace where women can thrive and grow.
BEST PLACES TO WORK HYBRID AND REMOTE
2025 FINALIST
Conner Insurance has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for Hybrid and Remote Employees. This award highlights our commitment to flexibility, collaboration, and creating a workplace where employees can thrive—no matter where they work.
3rd CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS A
ROSIE AWARD WINNER
We’re proud to share that we’ve been named a Rosie Award winner for our work on a benefits plan that delivers real impact for employers and employees alike. This recognition highlights our strategic approach to simplifying benefits, improving outcomes, and creating meaningful savings. It’s an honor to be recognized for innovation in a space that touches so many lives.
10th CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS A
BEST PLACE TO WORK IN INDIANA
We are excited to announce that Conner Insurance has been officially selected as one of the best places to work in Indiana for 2025! This honor is a testament to the wonderful team that we have to support our fantastic clients.
HEALTHIEST EMPLOYERS
2025 FINALIST
We’re proud to be recognized! Conner Insurance earned 2nd place in the Healthiest Employers of Indiana awards in the 25–149 employees category. This honor reflects our commitment to promoting wellness, healthy habits, and a supportive work environment for our team.
GROWTH
NEW CONNER TEAM MEMBERS
YEARS IN BUSINESS
SERVICE DAY
COMMUNITY
SERVICE
VOLUNTEERING AT MIDWEST FOOD BANK
This September, our team took a half day to step outside the office and give back to the community. We enjoyed spending the day at Midwest Food Bank to help non-profit organizations such as food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, churches, and other non-profit organizations helping their community.
2025
IMPACT
2025
IMPACT
COMMERCIAL
INSURANCE
We believe that informed businesses make the best decisions when it comes to protecting their assets. Our Commercial Insurance team is committed to helping you understand your coverage options, so you can confidently safeguard your business and employees against unexpected risks. We’re here to ensure your business remains protected and prepared for the future.
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
We truly appreciate your efforts and recognize how much you tried to help us.
You have my full confidence, so just know that I will recommend you to everyone I know looking for commercial insurance. This is why I love Conner so much. Good people who work hard for their customers.
Thanks Christine
I appreciate how responsive you are whenever I need anything.
Karen is fabulous!! She is quick to respond to any questions that I have, or basically anything that I need from her! She's a gem!
COMMERCIAL INSURANCE
MARKET UPDATES
New research from the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) and the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) shows that liability insurance losses are rising far faster than normal economic inflation.
Over the past decade, $231–$281 billion in additional losses have been driven by legal system abuse, including larger jury verdicts, increased litigation, and third-party lawsuit funding. While general inflation has averaged about 3.25% annually, claim severity has risen 7.6% per year, nearly doubling since 2015.
The biggest impacts are being felt in:
- Commercial Auto, where claim severity continues to increase despite fewer claims overall
- General Liability, including product and other liability lines, where losses have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels
These trends help explain why premiums, deductibles, and underwriting scrutiny remain high, even when overall economic inflation appears to be moderating.
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
COLE CHAPIN RECOGNIZED AS MADISON COUNTY'S BEST AGENT FINALIST
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
PATRICK KIRK
SELECT P&C ADVISOR ASSISTANT
EMPLOYEE
BENEFITS
Your employees are your greatest asset, and providing them with the right benefits is crucial for their well-being and your business’s success. Our Employee Benefits team is dedicated to keeping you informed on the best options available to meet the needs of your workforce. We want to help you create a benefits program that attracts and retains top talent while aligning with your company's goals.
SAVINGS THAT DROVE EMPLOYER REINVESTMENTS OF
DRIVING BETTER BENEFITS
THROUGH STRATEGY
Delivering Cost Savings, Better Benefits & a Stronger Long-Term Strategy
In 2025 we partnered with an employer to completely restructure their health plan using our Level-Funded stack with integrated cost-containment solutions. Key accomplishments included:
- Implementing specialty medication sourcing to dramatically reduce high-cost drug spend
- Adding a cancer support program to improve both experience and outcomes
- Enhancing their medical plan by lowering deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums
- Helping the employer reinvest over $150,000 back into employees by lowering contributions across all tiers
The result is a more sustainable benefits program, improved financial predictability, and richer benefits for employees — all achieved through proactive strategy and deep market collaboration.
Securing Flat Costs While Enhancing Access to Care
For another employer, we developed a strategy that allowed them to maintain flat medical costs while adding meaningful new benefits for their employees.
Through strong underwriting relationships and competitive benchmarking, we secured a no-increase renewal tied to implementing Nice Healthcare, an in-home and virtual care solution launching in Central Indiana for 2026.
The employer chose to fully fund Nice Healthcare for every employee, giving their teams convenient access to high-quality primary care — all without increasing their overall benefits spend.
This approach strengthened the benefits offering, supported employee well-being, and preserved the employer’s long-term cost strategy.
HEALTHCARE & BENEFITS INSIGHTS:
NAVIGATING A COMPLEX SYSTEM
Understanding the healthcare system can be overwhelming, but knowledge is the key to making informed decisions. Our latest blogs break down critical issues, offering guidance on optimizing benefits, avoiding costly mistakes, and uncovering the challenges within the system.
- The Life of a Claim: Navigating Care with the Summary of Benefits and Coverage
- Explanation of Benefits: An Essential Part of Managing Healthcare Costs
- Maximizing Employee Benefits with Flexible Spending Accounts
- Managing Healthcare Costs with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
- What Employers Should Know About Direct Primary Care: The HyVee Exemplar Care Model
- NICE Healthcare is Bringing a New Standard of Care to Indianapolis in 2026
BENEFITS MARKET
INSIGHTS
Rising Health Benefit Costs & Plan Design Pressures
- Employers are preparing for significant increases in health benefit costs — projected to be about 6.5 % in 2026, the highest rise in over a decade.
- Health insurance premiums for employer‑sponsored plans have also climbed: average family coverage reached nearly $27,000 in 2025 and continues rising.
- Alongside premium inflation, prescription drug spending — especially expensive therapies — remains a major cost driver. Why it matters: Employers are under pressure to balance budget limits with competitive offerings. Many are adjusting plan design (deductibles/cost‑sharing) and looking to alternative savings strategies.
Holistic Well‑Being & Behavioral Health
- Employers are increasingly prioritizing mental health and behavioral health access, with many looking to eliminate cost and access barriers.
- Cost management strategies are being paired with enhanced access models like no‑cost virtual counseling or integrated care support.
Why it matters: Workforce expectations have shifted — employees value benefits that support overall wellness, not just traditional medical coverage.
Personalization & Flexible Benefit Options
- Employers are seeking benefits that can be tailored to different employee needs, including flexible benefits and varied care delivery options.
- Even as overall costs rise, most employers continue to maintain or increase benefits spend to remain competitive.
Why it matters: Personalization increases perceived value and boosts retention, while also helping employers balance cost and employee expectations.
On‑Site & Near‑Site Clinics — and the New Alternatives
- Employers are expanding on‑site and near‑site health clinics to bring care closer to employees while improving access and outcomes. Clinics now often include preventive care, labs, navigation support, and more — moving beyond basic occupational health.
- Traditional on‑site models can be costly or hard to scale for smaller or remote workforces — that’s where virtual‑first and in‑home care models are emerging.
Virtual Care Alternative — Nice Healthcare:
- Nice Healthcare partners with employers to deliver primary care, mental health, physical therapy, lab services, and prescriptions through a virtual‑first and in‑home model.
- Their model aims to reduce overall healthcare spend while improving the care experience and supporting retention and recruitment.
Why it matters: On‑site clinics remain valuable for certain workforces, but virtual/hybrid models like Nice Healthcare are practical alternatives for companies without the scale or for those with distributed teams.
OUR BENEFITS
REPORT
BENEFITS MARKET
INSIGHTS
Rising Health Benefit Costs & Plan Design Pressures
- Employers are preparing for significant increases in health benefit costs — projected to be about 6.5 % in 2026, the highest rise in over a decade.
- Health insurance premiums for employer‑sponsored plans have also climbed: average family coverage reached nearly $27,000 in 2025 and continues rising.
- Alongside premium inflation, prescription drug spending — especially expensive therapies — remains a major cost driver. Why it matters: Employers are under pressure to balance budget limits with competitive offerings. Many are adjusting plan design (deductibles/cost‑sharing) and looking to alternative savings strategies.
Holistic Well‑Being & Behavioral Health
- Employers are increasingly prioritizing mental health and behavioral health access, with many looking to eliminate cost and access barriers.
- Cost management strategies are being paired with enhanced access models like no‑cost virtual counseling or integrated care support.
Why it matters: Workforce expectations have shifted — employees value benefits that support overall wellness, not just traditional medical coverage.
Personalization & Flexible Benefit Options
- Employers are seeking benefits that can be tailored to different employee needs, including flexible benefits and varied care delivery options.
- Even as overall costs rise, most employers continue to maintain or increase benefits spend to remain competitive.
Why it matters: Personalization increases perceived value and boosts retention, while also helping employers balance cost and employee expectations.
On‑Site & Near‑Site Clinics — and the New Alternatives
- Employers are expanding on‑site and near‑site health clinics to bring care closer to employees while improving access and outcomes. Clinics now often include preventive care, labs, navigation support, and more — moving beyond basic occupational health.
- Traditional on‑site models can be costly or hard to scale for smaller or remote workforces — that’s where virtual‑first and in‑home care models are emerging.
Virtual Care Alternative — Nice Healthcare:
- Nice Healthcare partners with employers to deliver primary care, mental health, physical therapy, lab services, and prescriptions through a virtual‑first and in‑home model.
- Their model aims to reduce overall healthcare spend while improving the care experience and supporting retention and recruitment.
Why it matters: On‑site clinics remain valuable for certain workforces, but virtual/hybrid models like Nice Healthcare are practical alternatives for companies without the scale or for those with distributed teams.
OUR BENEFITS
REPORT
NEW OFFERINGS
BRINGING CARE HOME WITH NICE HEALTHCARE
Nice Healthcare makes it easy for employees to get care at home or virtually — at no cost to the employee. Services include in-home primary care, chronic condition management, preventive care, virtual urgent care, mental health, physical therapy, on-site labs/X-rays, and prescription delivery. Convenient, personalized care that reduces costs and keeps employees healthy.
HANCOCK COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN
We’re excited to offer the Hancock Health Plan, a level-funded group health plan that delivers high-quality care at a competitive price. Offered through Hancock Regional Health, it includes $0 cost for key services like direct primary care, imaging (CT/MRI/PET), hospital stays, outpatient procedures, and childbirth. With flexible plan designs and tiered options, employees can choose coverage that fits their needs, while employers enjoy predictable, manageable costs. Simple, affordable, and accessible healthcare for your team.
HR RESOURCES
POST-OPEN ENROLLMENT SCORECARD
Our Post-Enrollment Scorecard gives employers a clear snapshot of how enrollment performed — including participation, plan selection trends, and engagement insights. It helps identify what worked, what didn’t, and where opportunities exist to improve next year’s enrollment experience.
OPEN ENROLLMENT EMPLOYEE SURVEY
The Post-Enrollment Employee Survey captures real employee feedback on the enrollment process, communication, and benefit understanding. These insights help employers refine their strategy, increase engagement, and ensure employees truly understand and value their benefits.
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
DIANA MILLER RECOGNIZED AS A 2025 BENEFITSPRO ADVISOR OF THE YEAR FINALIST
DIANA MILLER RECOGNIZED AS A 2025 DUBUQUE, IOWA RISING STAR
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
GUY VAHLE
ADVISOR
PERSONAL
INSURANCE
We know that navigating personal insurance can be overwhelming, but staying informed about your coverage options is the key to protecting what matters most. Our Personal Insurance team works closely with you to ensure that your home, car, and assets are covered in ways that best suit your needs. We’re here to help you make well-informed decisions that give you peace of mind and security.
MORE COVERAGE. BETTER PROTECTION.
ANNUAL SAVINGS.
One of our valued clients has been with us since 2021, and over the past few years we’ve navigated a challenging auto insurance market together. Her auto premium climbed from $7,226 in 2022 to $11,106 in 2023, and despite our efforts, rates remained high across the market.
This season, we finally had a breakthrough. We secured her a new carrier with the same coverage at an annual premium of just $2,840.
SAVED ANNUALLY & THE SAME PROTECTION
HOME & AUTO
INSIGHTS
RISING PREMIUMS & COST PRESSURES Homeowners and auto insurance costs continue to climb as insurers adjust to inflation, higher rebuild/repair costs, and more severe weather events. Home insurance premiums rose about 8% nationally in 2025, with much higher increases in high-risk states due to climate-related claims and rebuilding costs. Insurers are also using technology and data to refine pricing and risk assessments.
WHY RATES ARE INCREASING Inflation & Materials Costs: Higher costs for construction materials and labor are pushing claims expenses upward, directly influencing home insurance pricing. Severe Weather & Catastrophes: Natural disasters, including wildfires and storms, continue to drive insured losses and impact regional rate filings. Market Response: While premium growth may slow closer to 4–5% by 2026, overall rates remain elevated as carriers balance profitability and risk exposure.
AUTO INSURANCE TRENDS Auto markets face similar pressures: claim severity — especially for complex and expensive vehicle repairs — remains elevated, which influences rate forecasts. Some carriers are adjusting premiums regionally based on claims trends and regulatory reviews.
WHAT CONSUMERS SHOULD KNOW Bundling Home & Auto: Placing policies through the same agency can still yield savings (often 10–25%) Coverage Review: With regional risk shifting and legislative changes (e.g., wildfire exclusions in certain areas), reviewing coverages — especially disaster protection — is more important than ever. Shopping & Advocacy: Working with a knowledgeable Advisor to compare carriers and coverage options can help manage increases and find the best value.
HOME & AUTO MARKET
UPDATE
HOME & AUTO
INSIGHTS
RISING PREMIUMS & COST PRESSURES Homeowners and auto insurance costs continue to climb as insurers adjust to inflation, higher rebuild/repair costs, and more severe weather events. Home insurance premiums rose about 8% nationally in 2025, with much higher increases in high-risk states due to climate-related claims and rebuilding costs. Insurers are also using technology and data to refine pricing and risk assessments.
WHY RATES ARE INCREASING Inflation & Materials Costs: Higher costs for construction materials and labor are pushing claims expenses upward, directly influencing home insurance pricing. Severe Weather & Catastrophes: Natural disasters, including wildfires and storms, continue to drive insured losses and impact regional rate filings. Market Response: While premium growth may slow closer to 4–5% by 2026, overall rates remain elevated as carriers balance profitability and risk exposure.
AUTO INSURANCE TRENDS Auto markets face similar pressures: claim severity — especially for complex and expensive vehicle repairs — remains elevated, which influences rate forecasts. Some carriers are adjusting premiums regionally based on claims trends and regulatory reviews.
WHAT CONSUMERS SHOULD KNOW Bundling Home & Auto: Placing policies through the same agency can still yield savings (often 10–25%) Coverage Review: With regional risk shifting and legislative changes (e.g., wildfire exclusions in certain areas), reviewing coverages — especially disaster protection — is more important than ever. Shopping & Advocacy: Working with a knowledgeable Advisor to compare carriers and coverage options can help manage increases and find the best value.
HOME & AUTO MARKET
UPDATE
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Amazing. I love Elizabeth she helps and give us the best reasonable quotes, we have saved so much money with this company and I have my auto and home Owner with them
I think they have done a fantastic job with being accessible, knowledgeable, as well as on top of every concern or issue we’ve had
Working with Alyssa was incredibly easy she was able to cut our car insurance almost in half and her homeowners quote bet our old one by over half. It was incredibly easy to work with her and everything was so efficient and smooth.
They are timely professional and offered very great prices.
We were referred to Conner Insurance by our mortgage company and had the pleasure of working with Ashley Brown. Ashley was exceptional. Not only did Ashley help us save over $1000 on our home and auto premiums, but also took the time to explain what we needed for our specific situation. They were also very quick to make changes to our plan when we purchased our new vehicle. I highly recommend Ashley and Conner Insurance to anyone looking for a better insurance plan.
We recently changed our home insurance agency, and it has been the best decision! Brynn has been incredibly helpful throughout the entire process, she takes the time to explain everything in detail, and her responses are always very quick! Highly recommend working with Brynn!
ELIZABETH LA LOND RECOGNIZED AS A BIG I INDIANA DISTINGUISHED CUSTOMER SERVICE FINALIST
ASHLEY BROWN RECOGNIZED AS A 2025 5-STAR PROFESSIONAL
ASHLEY BROWN RECOGNIZED AS TOP 5 FOR INDYSTAR'S BEST INSURANCE AGENT
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
HALEY ROSE
ADVISOR PARTNER
KALYN SHAFFER
ADVISOR ASSISTANT
JESSICA ROTH
ADVISOR PARTNER
ROBERT GONSER
SELECT ADVISOR
EVENTS
RECAP
NEXTGEN
HEALTHCARE SUMMIT
As businesses continue to navigate a rapidly changing digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key driver of transformation and efficiency. This session offered actionable strategies for integrating AI into your organization’s operations to fuel digital transformation and improve overall performance. Attendees gained insights into how AI can enhance decision-making, optimize processes, and create new growth opportunities, all backed by real-world examples. Whether you're focused on improving productivity, streamlining workflows, or fostering innovation, this session equipped you with the practical tools needed to implement AI effectively within your organization and stay ahead in a competitive, technology-driven world.
NEXTGEN
HEALTHCARE SUMMIT - DUBUQUE
In our first NextGen Healthcare Summit in Dubuque, our attendees left with a clear understanding of the root issues within the current healthcare system and, more importantly, with actionable strategies they can implement within their own organizations. Employers learned how to design a benefits plan that delivers cost control, employee satisfaction, and truly high-quality care.
WEBINAR
HOW TO PREPARE, PROTECT, AND RECOVER FROM A CYBER ATTACK
Cyber threats aren’t just an IT problem—they’re a business continuity crisis waiting to happen. Today’s attacks can shut down operations, compromise client data, destroy trust, and trigger costly legal and regulatory fallout. The time to prepare is before an incident happens, because once it does, the clock and your reputation are against you. Join Shawn Flippo-Core Managed, Tyler Thorson-RT ProExec, Jason Starner-Conner Insurance, and Joshua Clark-Conner Insurance to learn how to protect your business.
RISK & RESOLVE
PODCAST
The Risk & Resolve Podcast brings you expert perspectives straight from the top. Hosted by our CEO, Ben Conner, and COO, Todd Hufford, this podcast explores the intersection of leadership, business ownership, and the insurance industry. Join them as they dive into the challenges, strategies, and opportunities that shape the future for leaders navigating an ever-changing world.
OUR FOUNDER:
HENRY CLAY CONNER'S WWII JOURNEY
Step into the extraordinary story of Henry Clay Conner, a man whose survival against impossible odds reads like an epic adventure. Over this seven-part series, we explore Conner’s harrowing journey through the Zimbales Mountains, where daily life meant facing malaria, scorching heat, jungle rot, venomous snakes, and swarms of relentless mosquitoes.
But the danger didn’t stop there. Enemy soldiers put a price on his head, and local villagers who claimed to be allies often betrayed him. Beyond external threats, Conner faced the crushing weight of despair, the agony of burying fallen comrades, the tension of friction among fellow soldiers, and the mental toll of years spent with little hope of rescue.
Yet, in the face of overwhelming adversity, Conner revealed an iron will and a relentless perseverance. Guided by faith from a dog-eared New Testament, inspired by a tattered American flag he vowed to fly at battalion headquarters, and bolstered by an unlikely alliance with a tribe of arrow-shooting pygmy Negritos, he survived nearly three years in the jungle.
This series uncovers not just the trials he faced, but the boldness, ingenuity, and courage that defined him. Each episode brings listeners closer to understanding the character of a man who refused to surrender, and whose story remains a testament to human resilience and unbreakable spirit.
OUR FOUNDER:
HENRY CLAY CONNER'S WWII JOURNEY
Step into the extraordinary story of Henry Clay Conner, a man whose survival against impossible odds reads like an epic adventure. Over this seven-part series, we explore Conner’s harrowing journey through the Zimbales Mountains, where daily life meant facing malaria, scorching heat, jungle rot, venomous snakes, and swarms of relentless mosquitoes.
But the danger didn’t stop there. Enemy soldiers put a price on his head, and local villagers who claimed to be allies often betrayed him. Beyond external threats, Conner faced the crushing weight of despair, the agony of burying fallen comrades, the tension of friction among fellow soldiers, and the mental toll of years spent with little hope of rescue.
Yet, in the face of overwhelming adversity, Conner revealed an iron will and a relentless perseverance. Guided by faith from a dog-eared New Testament, inspired by a tattered American flag he vowed to fly at battalion headquarters, and bolstered by an unlikely alliance with a tribe of arrow-shooting pygmy Negritos, he survived nearly three years in the jungle.
This series uncovers not just the trials he faced, but the boldness, ingenuity, and courage that defined him. Each episode brings listeners closer to understanding the character of a man who refused to surrender, and whose story remains a testament to human resilience and unbreakable spirit.
OUR THRIVING
WORKPLACE
TEAM-ORIENTED
CULTURE
FUN & WELLNESS PROGRAMS
Pet Therapy Days
Relax with furry friends brought in to brighten everyone’s day.
Chair Massages
Unwind and relieve stress with on-site chair massages.
Cooking Demos
Enjoy nutritious cooking demos followed by delicious food for lunch.
Wellness Incentives
Get rewarded for taking steps toward a healthier you through health and wellness programs.
Financial Health Programs
Access resources and workshops to help you build a secure financial future.
Monthly Game Days & Company Lunches
Connect, unwind, and enjoy some friendly competition or just a good meal with colleagues.
Team Appreciation Events
From holiday celebrations to team outings, we make sure every milestone is celebrated and every team member feels valued.
THANK
YOU!
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TRUST!
We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve you and support your business. Your trust and partnership are the heart of our work, and we remain committed to delivering exceptional solutions across Commercial, Employee Benefits, and Personal Insurance.
If you’ve been pleased with our service, we’d be honored by your referral. Helping others navigate their insurance needs and achieve the same great results is what motivates us every day.
Thank you for being a valued client!