WebCE's Weekly Wrap-Up: July 11, 2025
WebCE Staff
By
July 7, 2025
Insurance took the spotlight this week, with headlines examining everything from surging auto premiums and flood exclusions to the wider effects of inflation and legislative proposals. A new NAIC report reveals how dramatically auto insurance costs have risen, while APCIA warns a proposed Michigan bill could disrupt the market. Meanwhile, multiple sources dig into how consumers are scaling back or reassessing coverage under economic stress.
Health care headlines followed close behind. A sweeping Senate bill could reshape Medicaid and ACA marketplaces, potentially raising costs for many Americans and straining hospitals and clinics. New state-by-state data shows how sharply health insurance spending varies, and this week’s podcast breaks down how the new federal budget law could reshape key health programs across the country.
In real estate, a landmark tax reform bill brought big wins for the industry, and this week’s Weekend Wind-Down reminds agents why humor might be their best business strategy during lean times. And for those tracking economic behavior more broadly, insights from FINRA and Guardian Service show how pressures are reshaping major financial decisions—from housing to brokerage hiring trends.
Let’s dive in.
Top Stories of the Week
What Flood Insurance Does and Does Not Cover (AP)
“The rest of us are just rolling the dice, even though experts have long warned that flooding can happen just about anywhere because flood damage isn’t just water surging and seeping into the land — it’s also water from banks, as well as mudflow and torrential rains.”
NAIC Releases ‘2023 Auto Insurance Database Average Premium Supplement’ (NAIC)
“Key highlights from the 2023 Auto Insurance Database Average Premium Supplement include: combined average premiums increased by 14.41% in 2023; in 2023, average expenditures increased to $1,281.60, a 19.21% increase since 2019; and comprehensive average premiums increased by 21.31% in 2023, although comprehensive written exposures only increased 0.38%.”
Map Shows Which States Spend the Most and Least on Health Insurance (Newsweek)
“Inflation has driven up health insurance premiums significantly in recent years, making it harder and harder for Americans to afford proper health care. Being without insurance is even more dangerous, though, as medical debt is one of the most common reasons people file for bankruptcy.”
APCIA claims Michigan bill to cut insurance premiums would ‘disrupt’ auto insurance market (Repairer Driven News)
“The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) is claiming a Michigan bill to cut auto insurance premiums by 10% would “disrupt” the auto insurance market in the state. Senate Bill 328, filed by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-District 15), would also ban insurers from reducing coverage for policyholders because of the price reduction. The bill was filed and referred to the Committee on Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection on May 29. It has not been picked up for discussion.”
How Economic Stress Is Changing Car and Home Buying Decisions (Guardian Service)
A survey of 1,000 Americans on the impact economic stress can have on big purchases—and even downgrading essential protections like insurance.
What to Watch: The Trends for P/C Insurance in 2025 So Far (Carrier Management)
“Insurers will continue to need to adapt to the rapidly evolving economic landscape as they grapple with inflationary pressures and consumers that are increasingly discerning when it comes to pricing.”
Health community reacts to Senate bill impacts on health care (InsuranceNewsNet)
“KFF, an independent source for health policy research, polling and news, reported that the Senate plan would tear federal spending on Medicaid and ACA marketplaces by about $1 billion over the next 10 years, a move that would harm the finances of hospitals, nursing homes and community health centers. Such facilities would have to absorb more of the cost of treating uninsured people — and may force them to reduce services and employees, as well as close facilities.
Republican Megabill Will Mean Higher Health Costs for Many Americans (KFF Health News)
From new Medicaid requirements to curtailing provider taxes, here are five ways the bill, which the Senate passed Tuesday, may affect health care access across the United States.
Landmark Tax Reform Brings Major Wins for Real Estate (REALTOR Magazine)
“These provisions form the backbone of the real estate economy—from supporting first-time and first-generation buyers to strengthening investment in housing supply and protecting existing homeowners,” Shannon McGahn, NAR’s executive vice president and chief advocacy officer, said after the final bill passed the House July 3. “This bill reflects what happens when REALTORS® work together to educate lawmakers and advocate for policies that benefit every American.”
U.S. brokerage business grows: FINRA (Investment Executive)
“The industry self-regulatory organization published its latest industry statistics, which show the number of reps working at FINRA firms edged higher last year to 634,508, up slightly from 628,361 the year before. While the number of reps has climbed for the third straight year, the total remains below levels recorded in 2015 and 2016, when headcount approached 640,000.”
Top Podcast of the Week
“Digesting Trump’s Big Budget Law”
KFF Health News ‘What the Health?’ Podcast
38 Minutes
“President Donald Trump signed his big budget bill into a big budget law in a White House ceremony on July 4, cementing, among other things, billions of dollars in cuts to health programs such as Medicaid. The new law will also reshape rules for the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and other health programs.
Meanwhile, the threat of layoffs continues to hang over the heads of employees at the Department of Health and Human Services, and funding for health-related contracts and grants remains stalled.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Bloomberg News, Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, and Tami Luhby of CNN.”
Weekend Wind-Down
Funny Business: Why Humor is the Unsung Hero of Real Estate Survival
For real estate pros, humor is key to building relationships because it is a communication superpower. From tips on how to use humor to bring levity to tense negotiations to what to say when nothing’s funny, a former professional actor and stand-up comic-turned real estate coach and speaker shows how humor isn’t just a mood booster but a business booster, especially when the market gets lean.