The Accel Advantage: Insurance and Financial Services

In this episode of the Accel Advantage Podcast, Corey Rekers sits down with financial advisor Scott Durscher to break down the essentials of estate and succession planning, especially for business owners and farm families.From real-life stories growing up in rural Iowa to practical strategies using wills and trusts, Scott explains how poor planning can lead to costly delays, family conflict, and even the loss of a business.You’ll learn: The difference between a will and a trust Why probate can be expensive and time-consumingHow revocable trusts help avoid court involvementWhat business owners need to know about continuity planningHow to prepare for incapacity, not just death If you own a business, a farm, or simply want to protect your legacy, this episode will help you understand why having a plan in place is critical and how to get started. #EstatePlanning #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessOwners #Trusts #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #FarmSuccession #SmallBusiness #LegacyPlanning Chapters00:00 Welcome to Accel Advantage00:30 Meet Scott Durscher02:15 Farm Roots & Real Estate Planning Stories04:30 Who Needs Estate & Succession Planning?05:45 Wills Explained: How They Work07:45 The Downsides of Probate08:45 Trusts 101: What Is a Revocable Trust?09:45 Key Benefits of Trusts (Privacy, Speed, Control)10:45 Business Continuity Planning Explained11:30 Avoiding Family Conflict in Succession12:20 Planning for Incapacity13:05 Why Most People Delay Estate Planning13:50 The Peace of Mind of Having a Plan14:30 Final Thoughts & How to Get StartedCheck out our website: ⁠⁠⁠acceladvantage.com⁠⁠⁠and accelwealthmanagement.comFollow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠TikTokYoutubeAccel Wealth ManagementFacebookLinkedinInstagramYoutube Keywords: Estate & succession planning, Wills vs. trusts,  Probate, Revocable trusts, Business continuity planning, Family business transitions, Farm succession, Incapacity planning, Protecting legacy

Welcome back to The Accel Advantage, powered by TheAccel Group and Accel Wealth Management. In this special one-year anniversary episode, host Corey Rekers is joined by Co-President Josh Budke and a panel of Accel leaders to break down the biggest trends shaping businesses in 2026.From cybersecurity and AI risks to shifting insurance markets, rising healthcare costs, and evolving retirement strategies, this episode delivers a comprehensive look at what business leaders need to know right now. The team also shares actionable insights on employee benefits, financial planning, and how organizations can stay resilient in an increasinglycomplex environment.Whether you're navigating insurance renewals, exploring AIin your operations, or planning for long-term financial success, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you make smarter decisions for your business.Check out our websites:⁠⁠⁠acceladvantage.com⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠accelwealthmanagement.com⁠⁠⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, insights, andupdates!Chapters00:00 Celebrating One Year of The Accel Advantage00:58 Navigating Business Risks in 202605:52 Understanding Insurance Market Rate Changes12:05 Preparing for Insurance Renewals12:50 The Impact of AI on Business13:59 Emerging AI Risks & Security Concerns15:01 Managing Business Risk with AI18:40 Practical Uses of AI in Business20:48 Trends in Personal Lines Insurance22:03 Why Personal Insurance Costs Increased23:34 Ways to Save on Home & Auto Insurance25:55 Navigating Employee Benefits Challenges26:10 Key Employee Benefit Trends for 202630:07 Funding Strategies for Employers31:53 Understanding Employee Needs in Benefits34:19 The Future of Workplace Benefits36:03 Retirement Plan Trends & Innovations44:10 Personal Investing & Financial Planning Trends46:52 Market Outlook for 202647:52 What Investors Should Focus On48:35 Advice for Young Investors51:09 Key Takeaways & Business Strategy Insights52:51 OutroKeywordsbusiness trends 2026, artificial intelligence, cybersecurityrisk, insurance market trends, commercial insurance, personal insurance,employee benefits, healthcare costs, self-funding, retirement planning,financial planning, investing strategies, wealth management, businessresilience, risk management, employee retention, workplace benefits, AI inbusiness, economic outlook, leadership strategy 

In this episode, dealership insurance experts Ethan Thompson and Kaleb Admire share their insights on insuring car dealerships, risk management strategies, market trends, and innovative tools like parametric insurance to help dealers protect their assets and optimize their insurance programs.Check out our website: ⁠⁠⁠acceladvantage.com⁠⁠⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Chapters00:00 – Introductions to Ethan and Kaleb03:45 – Breaking the “Price-Only” Dealer Stereotype04:44 – Insurance as Capital Protection (Not a Commodity)10:20 – State of the Insurance Market (2026 Outlook)13:01 – Property Trends & Weather Risk in the Midwest15:13 – Rising Deductibles & Risk-Sharing Shift20:26 – EV Charging Stations & Hidden Property Risks21:56 – Parametric Insurance Explained27:13 – Emerging Threat: Transport Fraud34:27 – Umbrella Policies & Nuclear Verdict Risks39:27 – Driver Controls & MVR Best Practices42:22 – Final Advice for Dealership OwnersKeywords: auto dealership insurance, risk management,market trends, parametric insurance, garage insurance, wind-hail deductibles, transport fraud, driver control, umbrella coverage, insurance strategies

In this episode of The Accel Advantage podcast, host Corey Rekers welcomes special guest John Tatum, VP – Construction Business Unit Lead from UFG Insurance, to discuss insurance insights for contractors. Corey and John are also joined by Accel business insurance advisors Chandler Lamm and Jonathan Patterson. They dive into a market update on the construction industry, key attributes of a strong construction company, the importance of choosing a specialist broker, and more. With real-life stories and scenarios, this episode is filled with great tips and knowledge from some of the best in the business!Check out our website: ⁠⁠⁠acceladvantage.com⁠⁠⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Check out UFG’s website: ufginsurance.comChapters00:00 Introductions toJohn, Chandler, and Jonathan05:32 Market Update inthe Construction Industry11:59 Attributes of aStrong Construction Company12:51 Building aCulture of Safety14:34 Stories for theInsurance Company17:30 The Two Cs:Communication and Complacency19:27 Choosing theRight Broker or Advisor21:14 Story:Specialization Changing the Game25:39 Key Takeaways forContractorsKeywords: construction industry, risk management, insurance, market update, safety, underwriting, data centers, insurance for contractors, business insurance

Welcome back to The Accel Advantage Podcast! This one’sfor all the entrepreneurs and hustlers. In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Rachel Lee, Director of Commercial Lines PBU at The Accel Group, to discuss essential insurance coverages for local and Main Street business owners. Racheland host Corey Rekers explore common misconceptions about business insurance, share real-world stories, and chat about specific tips and tricks for various industries. Tune in now, and if you own a local business, reach out to [email protected] for your quick, no-pressure review!Follow us on social media for more tips and tricks!The Accel Group:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Accel Wealth Management:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Main Street Business Insurance02:15 Understanding Common Insurance Misconceptions05:32 Myth #1: Debunking General Liability Myths09:43 Myth #2: I Don't Need Cyber Liability13:42 Myth #3: Auto Liability16:19 Myth #4: Workers' Compensation - 1099 vs.Independent Contractors18:49 Real-World Example22:29 Myth #5: Professional Liability24:56 Final Thoughts and Resources for Local BusinessOwners Keywords: business insurance, Main Street business, localbusiness, insurance misconceptions, general liability, cyber liability, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, professional liability, small business owners, insurance coverage

In this episode, Stacie Brass and Michele Krueger discuss moving forward after emotional financial trauma and setbacks, particularly in the context of divorce and loss. They emphasize the importance of budgeting, rebuilding financial safety nets, acknowledging the reset, and the need for preparation and planning. The conversation is an important one that highlights practical steps for recovery and support. Thank you for listening! If you’re searching for a financial advisor to help you through a tough time financially, visit accelwealthmanagement.com or give us a call at 319.365.8611.Check out our websites: ⁠⁠https://www.accelwealthmanagement.com/⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠https://acceladvantage.com/⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!Accel Wealth Management: ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠The Accel Group:⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:00 Navigating the Loss of a Spouse06:31 Avoiding Hasty Financial Decisions09:00 Divorce & Financial Trauma11:29 The Financial Reset After Divorce14:04 Rebuilding Financial Independence16:31 Preparation, Takeaways, and Ongoing Support18:13 Conclusion & DisclosuresKeywords: financial trauma, divorce, financial recovery, financial trauma healing, wealth management, financial planning, emotional support, financial advisor, financial independence, budgeting

Welcome back to another episode of The Accel Advantage, powered by The Accel Group and Accel Wealth Management. Today, host Corey Rekers, Partner and President of Property & Casualty Insurance, and Taylor Bierl, Employee Engagement Specialist, discuss the critical importance of engagement and company culture. They explore the definition of employee engagement, challenges and barriers, and actionable strategies for leaders to implement. No matter the industry or size of your company, this episode is a must-listen to enhance employee satisfaction and retention at your organization! Check out our websites: ⁠⁠⁠⁠acceladvantage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠accelwealthmanagement.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Accel Wealth Management:⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:21 Taylor's Journey into Employee Engagement03:00 Engaging Employees in Remote Work Environments06:04 Keeping Top Talent Engaged07:38 Investing in Leadership08:29 Trust, Autonomy, Purpose, and Core Values09:54 Why Employee Engagement Matters13:03 Barriers to Creating an Engaged Culture & How To Drive Results15:14 Leadership Buy-In for Engagement Initiatives16:38 Quiet Quitting & Signs of Disengagement18:06 Practical Steps for Employee Engagement18:48 Feedback Mechanisms21:03 Future Trends22:15 Encouragement for Employers & ConclusionKeywords: company culture, employee engagement, remote work, leadership, employee feedback, trust, employee retention, engagement strategies, organizational success

In today’s episode of The Accel Advantage podcast, host Corey Rekers, Partner and President of Property & Casualty Insurance, is chatting with Kara Roeder, Director of Benefits Operations at The Accel Group, about impactful leadership. Kara discusses her journey, leading oneself, and leadership of the mind, body, and spirit. She also shares examples from her work and provides practical tips for professional development. It’s an insightful conversation you don’t want to miss, and that’s The Accel Advantage!Check out our websites: ⁠⁠⁠acceladvantage.com⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠accelwealthmanagement.com⁠⁠⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Accel Wealth Management:⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction to Impactful Leadership & Kara Roeder03:30 Kara's Journey to Leadership06:15 Leading Yourself07:31 Leadership of the Mind: Fixed to Growth Mindset10:50 Growing Together12:34 Leadership of the Body: Body Language15:05 Leadership of the Spirit: Matching Leadership with Your Values and Beliefs15:51 Creating a Purpose Statement and Personal Code of Ethics18:33 Practical Steps for Leadership Development21:56 ConclusionKeywords: leadership, body language, personal development, leadership journey, self-reflection, accountability, professional growth, corporate, leadership development, growth mindset

In this episode of The Accel Advantage Podcast, host Corey Rekers, Partner and President of Property & Casualty Insurance, sits down with Ryan Hervey, JD, Investment Adviser Representative, to unpack the three biggest barriers business owners face when planning for retirement, estate needs, and business succession: difficulty, time, and cost.Ryan shares real-world examples, strategies for efficient and effective planning, all the moving pieces that are part of the process, and more. Whether you’re a business owner, an executive, or simply planning your personal estate, this episode will give you the clarity and motivation to take the first step toward protecting your legacy.Check out our websites: ⁠https://www.accelwealthmanagement.com/⁠ & ⁠https://acceladvantage.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!Accel Wealth Management: ⁠Facebook⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram⁠The Accel Group:⁠Facebook⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram⁠Chapters00:00 Intro & Meet Ryan Hervey, JD02:07 Understanding Obstacles in Business Succession Planning04:52 Barrier One: Difficulty06:09 The Role of Spouses in Succession Planning08:38 Efficient Planning Strategies10:57 The Importance of Legacy in Planning11:48 Barrier Two: Time15:22 Basic Estate Planning for Non-Business Owners17:06 The Human Element in Financial Planning19:48 Barrier Three: Cost23:58 How To Get Started with Financial and Business Succession Planning27:39 Conclusion28:36 Outro and DisclosureKeywords: financial services, business planning, estate planning, succession planning, retirement planning, financial advisor, business owner

Welcome back to another episode of The Accel Advantage podcast, powered by The Accel Group and Accel Wealth Management. Today, host Corey Rekers, President of Property & Casualty Insurance, is joined by Brett Walker and Ryan Greiner from The Accel Group’s crop department to discuss the current landscape of agribusiness insurance. As farmers themselves, Brett and Ryan discuss the importance of disaster payments and deadlines while also diving into the various products available to farmers. Chances are you might not even know they exist, and they could be saving you and your farm a lot of headaches. Tune in as we discuss it all because this isn’t your grandpa’s crop insurance coverage – it’s better!Check out our websites: ⁠⁠⁠acceladvantage.com⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠accelwealthmanagement.com⁠⁠⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Accel Wealth Management:⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction00:45 Meet Brett02:10 Meet Ryan03:15 Farmers By Trade03:58 Understanding Disaster Payments for Farmers08:51 Updates on ARC and PLC Programs10:31 Exploring Crop Insurance Options11:24 SCO and ECO12:57 Margin Protection, SCO, and ECO14:26 The Right Blend of Products & Coverage15:43 MCO16:30 Key Dates for Farmers to Remember19:44 Private Crop Products20:18 Additional Insurance Services for Farmers23:05 Livestock Insurance24:08 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKeywords: agriculture, agribusiness, crop insurance, disaster payments, ARC, PLC, SCO, ECO, margin protection, coverage options, farming deadlines, insurance services

In this episode, Nick Thompson, JD, Director of Legal and Operational Strategy at The Accel Group, joins host Corey Rekers, President of Property & Casualty Insurance, to discuss the complexities of buying insurance. He's discussing everything from 'gotchas' in a policy to the role of risk transfer to coverages you should consider. Through real-life examples, he illustrates the potential pitfalls in the insurance buying process and offers insights on how to strategically manage insurance budgets. Buckle up - you'll likely hear some new terms today, but Nick's here to explain them in a way that's easy to understand. That's the Accel Advantage! Thanks for listening.Check out our websites: ⁠⁠acceladvantage.com⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠accelwealthmanagement.com⁠⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Accel Wealth Management:⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction to Nick & a Lawyer’s Perspective on Risk02:40 The Importance of Education in Insurance Buying04:41 Understanding Risk Transfer in Contracts07:36 Additional Insured Endorsement09:13 Lawsuits and Claims09:48 Waivers of Subrogation: Protecting Your Business13:02 The Benefits of a Knowledgeable Broker14:14 Strategic Insurance Tips for Business Owners16:40 Liability Coverage18:29 Personal Insurance20:38 Considering Uninsured Motorist Coverage22:35 The Value of Independent Agents in Insurance23:10 ConclusionKeywords: insurance, risk management, business insurance, legal, insurance policies, claims, insurance agents, risk transfer, personal insurance

In this episode of The Accel Advantage podcast, host Sara Sladky (The Accel Group) and guest Stacie Brass (Accel Wealth Management) are diving into wealth management. They discuss everything from the importance of financial literacy, the evolving role of employers in financial education, pooled employer plans (PEPs), and the significance of financial planning to when individuals might consider seeking professional help. With Stacie’s 30+ years of industry knowledge and experience working with families, plan sponsors, and more, this is a conversation with actionable insights and answers to your questions you won’t want to miss. After all, you make financial decisions every day – so why not make them smarter? That’s the Accel Advantage!Check out our websites: https://www.accelwealthmanagement.com/ & https://acceladvantage.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!Accel Wealth Management: FacebookLinkedInInstagramThe Accel Group:FacebookLinkedInInstagramChapters00:00 Introduction to Financial Wellness01:42 The Importance of Financial Literacy04:02 Evolution of Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans05:34 Understanding Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs)08:37 Navigating Financial Planning and Choosing Advisors10:45 The Role of Financial Advisors14:00 Pros and Cons of Hiring a Financial Advisor16:00 Recognizing When to Seek Professional Help17:33 Finding the Right Financial Advisor18:50 Costs and Fees19:43 Transitioning Between Financial Advisors20:59 Final Thoughts and EncouragementKeywords:401(k), retirement planning, financial planning, wealth management, financial wellness, fiduciary, pooled employer plans, financial literacy, employer-sponsored plans, financial advisor, PEPs

In this episode of The Accel Advantage podcast, host Sara Sladky and guests Josh Budke, President of Benefits and Financial Services, and Jared Deines, Employee Benefits Advisor, are here to discuss all things employee benefits. They break down financing and administration of employee benefits plans, trends they are seeing in the workforce, and important considerations for business leaders. If you’ve ever asked yourself, ‘What is partial self-funding? How important are benefits to my employees, and can I afford them? How do I find out what my employees are interested in?’, you’re in the right place. Thanks for listening!Check out our websites: ⁠acceladvantage.com⁠ & ⁠accelwealthmanagement.com⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:⁠Facebook⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram⁠Accel Wealth Management:⁠Facebook⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction to Employee Benefits01:57 Understanding the Importance of Employee Benefits04:17 Financing Employee Benefits Programs09:09 Funding Employee Benefits Plans & Culture11:03 Technology in Employee Benefits Administration14:08 Employee Education16:50 Exploring Additional Employee Benefits Trends22:23 Key Takeaways for Employers24:19 ConclusionKeywords: employee benefits, insurance, employee retention, benefits administration, technology in benefits, employee benefits programs, total compensation, level funding, group benefits

In this episode of The Accel Advantage podcast, host Sara Sladky and guests Ethan Thompson, Corey Rekers, and Josh Budke discuss the Accel Advantage, which is what you gain from working with us. At The Accel Group, we emphasize client-centric communication, specialization in insurance services, being independent, and more. Thanks for listening!Check out our websites: ⁠acceladvantage.com⁠ & ⁠accelwealthmanagement.com⁠Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:⁠Facebook⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram⁠Accel Wealth Management:⁠Facebook⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Instagram⁠Chapters00:00 The Accel Advantage: Understanding Our Mission01:18 Regional Powerhouse with Local Service04:59 Specialization in Insurance Services11:36 Diverse Product Offerings14:36 The Benefits of Being Independently Owned17:53 Conclusion

Welcome to The Accel Advantage podcast, where we discuss insurance and financial services! In our first episode, you’ll meet our host Sara Sladky, who is joined by The Accel Group’s leaders, Corey Rekers and Josh Budke, as we discuss our mission, history, and the importance of being a privately held independent agency. We also share our personal stories about how we got into insurance, the significance of community involvement, and the value of providing clients with a range of insurance options. Whether it’s business insurance, employee benefits, or retirement plan consulting, we’re here for you. That’s the Accel Advantage!Check out our websites: acceladvantage.com & accelwealthmanagement.comFollow us on social media for more tips, tricks, and fun!The Accel Group:FacebookLinkedInInstagramAccel Wealth Management:FacebookLinkedInInstagramChapters00:00 Introduction to The Accel Advantage Podcast03:43 Personal Journeys in Insurance07:42 The Importance of Insurance and Financial Services14:05 Introduction to The Accel Group and Our Mission16:35 The History of The Accel Group and Our Foundations18:14 Understanding the Role of Independent Insurance Agencies20:01 The Importance of Being a Privately Held Agency21:54 Community Engagement and Local Influence22:25 Conclusion

Tune in to The Accel Advantage, powered by The Accel Group and Accel Wealth Management!