Insurance Gone Wild

Insurance Gone Wild

Insurance Gone Wild,” hosted by Dennis Settlemoir and Stephanie Lencioni, the discussion centers around the intricate and often frustrating world of insurance as it relates to YOU the consumer. Our Motto is ”We are consumers too! And those payments can SUCK!”

  1. Choose Your Discomfort | The Reality of Insurance in 2026

    3d ago

    Choose Your Discomfort | The Reality of Insurance in 2026

    It started as a conversation about insurance... And quickly turned into a therapy session for just about everyone living in 2026. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie tackle the growing frustration many consumers are feeling as prices continue to rise, health insurance becomes increasingly difficult to navigate, and information overload leaves people feeling stuck. From skyrocketing health insurance premiums and shrinking benefits to the constant pressure of being connected 24/7, this conversation explores why so many people feel exhausted—and what can actually be done about it. Along the way, they discuss:  Why health insurance costs continue to rise  The reality behind ACA plans and alternative coverage options  How employers are struggling with massive renewal increases  The concept of "choosing your discomfort" when evaluating coverage  Why information overload is creating decision paralysis  The difference between health insurance and actual healthcare  How consumers and agents are dealing with the same frustrations This episode is less about policies and paperwork—and more about the real-world impact insurance, healthcare, inflation, and uncertainty are having on everyday people. If you've ever looked at a renewal and thought, "You've got to be kidding me," this episode is for you. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – It's Been a Long Year Already 02:09 – Information Overload & Decision Paralysis 04:34 – Protecting Your Family in Uncertain Times 06:11 – Are Insurance Markets Finally Stabilizing? 07:20 – Why Health Insurance Keeps Getting More Expensive 09:16 – Alternatives to Traditional ACA Coverage 10:04 – "Choose Your Discomfort" 11:07 – The Employer Health Insurance Crisis 13:24 – Why People Shut Down When Talking About Insurance 14:38 – We're Consumers Too 17:25 – The Sticker Shock of Health Insurance Renewals 18:40 – Is the Healthcare System Reaching a Breaking Point? 20:19 – Health Insurance vs. Healthcare 22:42 – Why Nobody Knows What to Believe Anymore 23:19 – Living in a 24/7 World 24:24 – Society Is Tired, Confused & Overwhelmed 25:05 – Final Thoughts & Listener Feedback Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

    26 min
  2. The Insurance Loophole Most Property Investors Miss

    May 18

    The Insurance Loophole Most Property Investors Miss

    You set up the LLC.You bought the rental property.You got insurance. So you’re protected… right? Maybe not. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie welcome investment property insurance specialist Todd Burnell to break down one of the biggest mistakes real estate investors make: 👉 Your insurance policy might not actually match your property ownership. And if the deed, LLC, and policy aren’t structured correctly?A lawsuit could expose way more than just the property. Todd explains: Why the phrase “the policy should follow the deed” mattersHow improperly structured LLCs can destroy your liability protectionThe difference between short-term and long-term rental risksWhy some major insurance carriers can’t properly insure LLC-owned homesHow investors are saving thousands by restructuring their coverageAnd why bundling multiple rental homes under one commercial policy can completely change the game The episode also dives into vacant property risks, renovations, water damage exclusions, umbrella policies, and how lowering insurance costs can actually help investors scale faster. If you own investment property—or plan to—this is the kind of episode you listen to before something goes wrong. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome Back & Meet Todd Burnell00:02:04 – The Insurance Problems Property Investors Don’t See00:07:48 – “What’s the Name of the LLC?”00:10:30 – Why the Policy MUST Match the Deed00:14:21 – Property Damage vs. Lawsuit Exposure00:18:01 – How LLCs Actually Protect Your Assets00:21:44 – Short-Term Rentals = Bigger Risks00:24:25 – The One Policy Strategy Saving Investors Thousands00:26:35 – Renovations, Vacant Homes & Coverage Gaps00:29:15 – The Hidden Risk After 60 Days Vacant00:30:29 – The 80% Coverage Strategy Explained00:31:47 – Lower Premiums Can Help You Scale Faster00:35:21 – Final Advice for Property Investors & Landlords

    36 min
  3. Festivus for the Rest of Us… and Insurance Companies | The Airing of the Insurance Grievances

    May 9

    Festivus for the Rest of Us… and Insurance Companies | The Airing of the Insurance Grievances

    It’s time for the annual Airing of the Grievances… insurance edition. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie vent about the thing everyone in insurance secretly complains about: 📞 endless hold times🤖 automated systems that solve nothing📧 underwriting departments that disappear for days📂 claims adjusters who never call back💸 rising premiums with shrinking coverage From fighting phone trees and broken billing systems to commercial underwriting games that make zero sense, this episode is basically therapy for insurance agents… and probably for clients too. Along the way, they break down: Why customer service in insurance feels worse than everHow AI is changing the industry (and not always for the better)The hidden frustrations behind claims handling and underwritingWhy agents are stuck balancing honesty with carrier relationshipsAnd the phrases that magically make claims departments move faster 👀 If you’ve ever yelled “REPRESENTATIVE!” into your phone while trying to fix an insurance problem…this episode is for you. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Festivus for the Insurance Industry00:02:30 – “The Carriers Have Gone Downhill”00:05:41 – The Portal, the Phone Tree & the Endless Waiting00:08:42 – Why Talking to a Human Feels Impossible00:10:22 – AI Customer Service Is Already Here00:13:06 – Billing Problems Nobody Can Explain00:16:36 – Spam Calls vs. Actual Insurance Calls00:19:22 – Claims Adjusters That Vanish Into Thin Air00:23:17 – The Secret Phrases That Get Claims Moving00:25:10 – Commercial Underwriting Games & Delays00:31:23 – Why Health Insurance Keeps Getting Worse00:35:42 – Why Insurance Agents Get Frustrated Too00:40:52 – What’s YOUR Biggest Insurance Grievance? Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

    42 min
  4. Storm Damage Doesn’t Mean a New Roof… Here’s What Actually Happens | Insurance Gone Wild

    May 1

    Storm Damage Doesn’t Mean a New Roof… Here’s What Actually Happens | Insurance Gone Wild

    Storm season is here—and if you think a little wind or hail means a brand-new roof, you might be in for a rude awakening. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie break down what really happens when storms hit your home, your car, and your insurance policy. From wind vs. hail claims to the frustrating truth about partial roof replacements, they unpack the biggest misconceptions homeowners have during storm season. They also dive into why your neighbor getting a new roof means absolutely nothing for your claim, how cheap shingles can cost you thousands later, and why flood risk is way more common than you think—even in the middle of the city. Plus, they cover real-world scenarios like lightning strikes on vehicles, wind-blown debris damage, and the one thing you should always prioritize over your property when things go sideways. If you own a home, a car, or frankly… anything—this episode will save you headaches, money, and possibly a massive insurance mistake. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00:00 – Storm Season Is Here (And It’s Worse Than You Think)00:06:01 – Why Wind Damage Rarely Means a Full Roof Replacement00:10:08 – The Truth About Wind-Blown Rain (And What’s Not Covered)00:11:22 – Your Neighbor’s Claim Means Nothing for You00:14:07 – Tree Damage, Bad Faith Claims & Avoiding Disaster00:17:05 – What Actually Counts as Auto Insurance Coverage in Storms00:21:31 – Cheap Shingles = Expensive Problems Later00:24:07 – Flood Zones Aren’t Where You Think They Are00:27:19 – You Can’t Stop Water… So What Do You Do? Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

    29 min
  5. Apr 4

    The ‘Venison Strategy’ Might Work… Until It Really Doesn’t | IGW Ep 52

    What do a comedian, a fake deer accident, and a totaled car have in common? Apparently… a masterclass in what not to do with your insurance claim. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie break down a viral comedy bit that raises a very real question: 👉 Could you actually fool an insurance company with a “creative” claim? From staged deer collisions (yes… involving venison 😳) to real-life stories of swerving for animals and totaling cars, this episode walks the fine line between hilarious and highly illegal. Along the way, you’ll learn: Why insurance companies care more about what you hit than why you swerved The difference between comprehensive vs. collision coverage (and why it matters more than you think) What a “phantom vehicle” is—and why it rarely works in your favor And why honesty in a claim might save you a LOT more than a clever story ever could Bottom line: It might sound genius… until it turns into fraud. 🎧 Hit play for laughs, real talk, and the kind of insurance advice you didn’t know you needed. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Lighting Problems & Studio Chaos 00:02:29 – The Viral “Fake Deer” Insurance Story 00:05:35 – Swerving vs. Hitting: What Insurance Actually Wants 00:09:36 – Phantom Vehicles & Who’s Really at Fault 00:18:40 – Fraud Stories That (Shockingly) Got Paid 00:24:34 – Commercials, Confusion & Classic Banter Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote! Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/ Call: 817-753-0093

    26 min
  6. Mar 27

    “You Can’t Afford Life Insurance?” Yeah… That’s the Issue | Insurance Gone Wild

    Life insurance gets misunderstood… a LOT. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie break down why life insurance isn’t about “getting rich when someone dies”… and why that mindset is completely missing the point. From the classic “buy term and invest the rest” debate to the controversial topic of life insurance for kids, this episode tackles the real questions people ask—but don’t always understand. They dig into: Why life insurance is actually the most important policy you can have The truth about term vs permanent insurance Why most people fail at “invest the rest” How life insurance can be used for retirement (LIRP strategy) And the uncomfortable—but important—conversation around protecting your family financially This one isn’t just about policies… it’s about peace of mind, discipline, and making sure your family isn’t left scrambling. 👉 Bottom line: Life insurance isn’t about death. It’s about what happens to the people you leave behind. 📞 Have questions? Reach out to the team and build a strategy that actually fits your life. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00:00 – The Most Important Insurance (And Why People Avoid It) 00:02:21 – Biggest Life Insurance Misconceptions 00:07:39 – Term vs Permanent: What Actually Matters 00:13:58 – Life Insurance for Kids (The Most Misunderstood Strategy) 00:18:31 – The Reality of Loss & Financial Stress 00:20:48 – Using Life Insurance for Retirement (LIRP Explained) 00:22:48 – So… Which Policy Should You Choose? Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote! Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/ Call: 817-753-0093

    28 min
  7. Mar 20

    Stump the Chumps: Trivia That Could Cost You Thousands

    d most ridiculous) insurance claims during the holiday season. Spoiler alert: 🎄 Your Christmas tree might be plotting against you 🕯️ Your candles are more dangerous than they smell 🚗 And your neighbors? Yeah… they might steal your Amazon packages From house fires caused by cooking and decorations to burst pipes during cold snaps, and the shocking truth about holiday theft and accidents, this episode mixes humor with the kind of info that could actually save you thousands. They also dive into: Why electronics and designer goods disappear the fastest How holiday travel and alcohol spike car accidents The weird reality behind holiday medical emergencies (yes… food poisoning made the list) And a few stats that will make you rethink leaving your house unattended It’s chaotic. It’s educational. It’s slightly unhinged. And it might just keep you from becoming the next insurance claim horror story. 👉 Listen now and learn how to survive the holidays… with your home (and sanity) intact. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Surprise Guest & “Stump the Chumps” Begins Policy Pete crashes the show and turns it into an insurance trivia game. 04:35 – The #1 Holiday Claim (Hint: It’s Fire 🔥) Christmas trees, candles, and cooking disasters take center stage. 08:34 – Frozen Pipes & Water Damage Nightmares Why cold weather + travel = expensive surprises. 11:46 – Porch Pirates & Holiday Theft Trends What gets stolen most (and why your packages aren’t safe). 15:37 – Holiday ER Visits: Burns, Falls & Food Poisoning Festive fun meets real-life accidents. 18:03 – Car Accidents Spike During the Holidays Traffic, weather, and alcohol = a dangerous combo. 20:54 – The Darkest Holiday Stat You Didn’t Expect A surprising look at New Year’s Day and natural causes. 25:03 – Random Tangents, Family Stories & Wrap-Up Because no episode is complete without a little chaos. Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote! Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/ Call: 817-753-0093

    27 min

About

Insurance Gone Wild,” hosted by Dennis Settlemoir and Stephanie Lencioni, the discussion centers around the intricate and often frustrating world of insurance as it relates to YOU the consumer. Our Motto is ”We are consumers too! And those payments can SUCK!”

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