Jeff Sullivan, an insurance broker with Hyland, briefed the Avon Town Council on Nov. 6 about the town's upcoming 2026 insurance renewal and industry conditions affecting pricing.

Sullivan said the public-entity insurance market remains challenging and that, while the town has a long-standing relationship with its workers' compensation carrier (IPEP) and positive builder's-risk feedback from Hanover for the Newtown Center site, some carriers were unwilling to provide competitive liability offers. He reported that Travelers' loss-control feedback highlighted several nationwide losses from so-called high-hazard dams; though the town's dam is in good condition, Travelers recommended that the town engage an engineering firm to develop an emergency action plan to reduce future insurer concerns.

Why it matters: the carrier feedback can influence what insurers will offer and what underwriters will require as a condition of coverage. Staff and the council will have to weigh the cost of recommended risk-control work against potential premium impacts.

Key numbers and budget effects: Sullivan said an account-level renewal near 25% is a reasonable expectation given recent loss trends and market conditions. He noted the renewal is priced on multi-year loss history and that increases reflect both higher claim settlement amounts and the town's growth (more vehicles, equipment and people to insure). Council staff said the town had anticipated a renewal increase when preparing the budget and that they will use year-to-date under-spending to cover part of the cost this year; next year's budget reflects a larger reserve for renewal increases.

Other market notes: work-comp costs were reported as improving for the town, with a reduction in the town's work-comp renewal; cyber premiums were reported as near-flat for the coming cycle. Sullivan also noted that some neighboring jurisdictions had been non-renewed (Plainfield) or had sizable increases (Speedway at ~75%), illustrating market dispersion.

Speakers and sources: the briefing was delivered by Jeff Sullivan (Hyland) and introduced by town staff. Council members and staff discussed timing and budgetary implications. Sullivan said final renewal documents and a proposal were expected to be delivered to staff the following week for the Nov. 20 council packet.

Next steps: staff will review firm proposals when they arrive, consider the Travelers recommendations (including a dam emergency action plan) and present the formal renewal for council consideration at the scheduled November meeting.