The recent tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis has left families and communities grieving. On August 27, 2025, a shooter opened fire during a back-to-school Mass, killing two children and injuring 18 others, most of them young students. The violence unfolded in a sacred space tied closely to education, underscoring the vulnerability of both schools and places of worship.

As insurance professionals, our first response is not about coverage — it is about compassion. The families, parishioners, and staff of Annunciation are enduring unimaginable pain. Their loss is a reminder that, at its heart, our work is about helping communities prepare for and recover from the most difficult moments.

The Human Cost Comes First

Every child, teacher, and family member impacted is more than a statistic. They are individuals whose lives were interrupted by an act of violence during what should have been a hopeful start to a school year. For those in the insurance field, acknowledging this humanity is vital. Conversations about preparedness should always begin with empathy and respect for the people behind the policies.

Why Schools and Churches Face Unique Risks

The Annunciation shooting highlights how schools and faith-based organizations often serve as gathering spaces for children, families, and vulnerable populations. These environments carry distinctive risks:

• Open and accessible spaces – Churches and schools are designed to welcome people, making security more challenging.
• High concentrations of children – Large groups of young students may be present at the same time, amplifying the impact of an attack.
• Emotional and community ties – Incidents in these spaces ripple far beyond the immediate victims, affecting entire neighborhoods and school systems.

The Role of Insurance in a Broader Safety Strategy

While insurance cannot prevent violence, it plays a critical role in helping organizations recover and continue serving their communities. Traditional protections — such as general liability for lawsuits and property or business interruption coverage for damaged facilities — offer some financial relief, but they are not designed to address the unique realities of an active assailant event. In fact, traditional commercial insurance packages often exclude or severely limit coverage for these incidents. Even when coverage is triggered, it rarely delivers the immediate, no-fault resources that organizations and victims urgently need. This is where specialized active assailant coverage steps in. These policies go beyond reimbursement, offering rapid crisis response, victim support, and organizational continuity measures that standard policies simply don’t address. Endorsements may include access to counseling services, crisis management teams, and risk assessment tools — all designed to help organizations navigate the aftermath of violence with speed, care, and resilience.

Guiding Clients with Sensitivity

Insurance agents serving schools and religious organizations can approach these conversations in ways that feel supportive rather than transactional:

• Position coverage as preparedness – Frame policies as one piece of a comprehensive safety and continuity plan.
• Highlight supportive resources – Many carriers offer access to mental health counseling, security consultants, and community outreach services in addition to financial coverage.
• Be present beyond policy sales – Clients value agents who check in after incidents, advocate for quicker claims processing, and connect them to resources.

Standing Beside Communities

The Minneapolis shooting is a stark reminder that tragedy can strike even in spaces meant for learning, worship, and peace. For insurance professionals, the takeaway is not about selling more policies — it is about ensuring schools and churches are not left alone to face the aftermath. By combining empathy with expertise, agents can help these organizations prepare for risks while honoring the people and missions they serve.

How Starfish Specialty Insurance Can Help

In times when communities are left vulnerable, having the right protection in place can make a meaningful difference. Starfish Specialty Insurance offers Active Assailant Insurance designed to provide both immediate response and long-term support after a violent event. Their coverage protects organizations from economic loss and liability and delivers urgently needed assistance to victims and families, including death benefits, counseling services, medical care, and funeral expenses.

With no deductibles, broad protection for crisis response, public relations, property damage, and business interruption, Starfish helps schools, faith communities, and other organizations navigate the aftermath of unthinkable events with compassion and stability. To learn more, visit the Starfish program page.  

Stay informed and ahead of the curve — explore more industry insights and program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.

What does it really take to sell a Managing General Agency? At this year’s Target Markets Mid-Year Meeting, founder Jeremy Hitzig had the honor of moderating a powerhouse panel on “The Art of Selling a Managing General Agency.” This session brought together seasoned executives who have lived through the deal process, offering rare, unfiltered insights into timing, preparation, and life post-sale. From navigating NDAs and due diligence to choosing the right buyer and managing employee communications, this panel covered the hard truths and strategic decisions involved in preparing your business for a successful exit. Key takeaways included:

• Why having 2–3 years of runway is crucial
• How to clean up your financials and agreements
• The trade-offs between strategic vs. private equity buyers
• Why running the business and selling it are two full-time jobs
• And the #1 mistake MGA owners make during the process

Jeremy’s leadership on this panel reflects our broader philosophy at Starfish Specialty: whether building or selling, success is in the preparation, the people, and the long-term vision. Watch the full panel replay here: https://www.targetmkts.com/national-meeting-archives/item/4389-2025my-the-art-of-selling-an-mga

Starfish Specialty is proud to announce the launch of STAFFprotect, a groundbreaking Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) product tailored specifically for the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) and Staffing Industry vertical. Designed to address the unique challenges faced by these industries and their clients, STAFFprotect delivers a robust and comprehensive mono-line Master Program solution that redefines EPLI coverage in today's marketplace.

Key Features of STAFFprotect Coverage

STAFFprotect sets itself apart with unparalleled features and benefits, ensuring seamless and comprehensive protection:

• Separate “PEO” and “Staffing” Insuring Agreements: Tailored provisions and definitions to support the specific needs of each industry.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Coverage solutions designed to address downstream exposure for PEO clients and Staffing Firm customers.
• Auto “Nose” and “Tail” Features: Innovative policy features that prevent gaps in coverage for both incoming and outgoing clients.
• Access to ePLace Risk Mitigation Services: Unlimited, full access to industry-leading resources included as part of the policy premium.
• Non-Auditable Policy: Provides a clear, fixed cost for clients.
• Minimum SIR and Premium: $15,000.

Who Is STAFFprotect Designed For?

STAFFprotect was created for sophisticated PEOs and Staffing Firms looking for a transparent, customized EPLI solution for themselves and their clients. This product offers affirmatively tailored coverage that addresses industry-specific exposures, making it a one-of-a-kind offering in the EPLI marketplace.

Comprehensive Coverage for Employment-Related Losses

STAFFprotect covers a wide range of employment-related risks, including but not limited to:

• Wrongful termination, harassment, and workplace bullying
• Employment-related misrepresentation, libel, slander, and defamation
• Negligent supervision, hiring, and retention
• Sexual harassment, retaliation, and workplace violence expense
• Wage and hour defense, immigration claims, and negligent evaluation

Coverage Availability and Limit Options

STAFFprotect offers flexible coverage options, including limits up to $5,000,000 for:

• Employment Practices Liability for PEOs, Staffing Firms, and their clients
• Third-party discrimination (optional for Named Entity and PEO clients)
• Workplace violence expense, wage and hour defense, and immigration claims extensions (for Named Entity only)

Automatic "nose" and "tail" features further enhance the policy's flexibility, ensuring continuous protection for PEO clients.

A+(XV) Rated and Backed by Great American

STAFFprotect is underwritten on A+(XV) paper and includes in-house claims handling by Great American, offering clients peace of mind with a trusted and reliable partner.

Supporting Risk Mitigation with ePLace Services

In addition to comprehensive coverage, policyholders gain unlimited access to ePLace risk mitigation services, providing essential tools and resources to proactively manage risks and prevent claims.

Learn More About STAFFprotect

STAFFprotect is the ultimate EPLI solution for PEOs and Staffing Firms seeking customizable, transparent, and comprehensive coverage. For more information, contact the Starfish Specialty team at STAFFprotect@starfishspecialty.com. This innovative product reaffirms Starfish Specialty's commitment to providing cutting-edge insurance solutions that meet and exceed the needs of its clients in dynamic and evolving industries.

In a world where organizations increasingly face risks from violent attacks, Active Assailant Insurance has become an essential safeguard. Starfish Specialty's newly launched Active Assailant Program provides businesses and institutions with financial, operational, and emotional protection in the face of these unforeseen events. With comprehensive coverage designed to fill the gaps left by traditional policies Starfish’s Active Assailant Insurance program is at the forefront of this evolving market, ensuring resilience in the aftermath of a crisis and filling gaps in traditional liability policies.

Starfish Specialty can deliver a quote in just minutes through its streamlined broker platform. Competitive pricing and comprehensive coverage ensure that businesses and institutions have immediate access to the protection they need. “Our mission is to make comprehensive coverage more accessible and efficient than ever before,” says Karl Seebacher, Program Manager for the Active Assailant Program.  Seebacher emphasizes, "This coverage is not just about financial recovery—it's about helping communities heal and businesses continue operating. In times of crisis, we want our clients to focus on recovery, not red tape."

Real-World Examples of Coverage Activation

High-profile incidents in the news highlight the necessity of such protection. Consider the following scenarios:

1. Educational institutions: A high school faces an active shooter situation, leading to physical damage, emotional trauma, and business interruptions. Starfish's policy provides immediate victim benefits, such as medical and counseling expenses, and funds for temporary relocation, ensuring the school's operations resume swiftly
2. Healthcare facilities: A violent attack in a hospital affects patients and staff. The policy covers not only medical expenses for victims but also temporary security enhancements, public relations services, and business interruption costs
3. Retail establishments: A retail store experiences a violent threat resulting in a government-mandated closure. Starfish’s coverage for denial of access compensates for lost income during this period

Why Starfish Specialty's Coverage Stands Out

1. Immediate support: Unlike standard General Liability insurance, which only triggers after legal liability is determined, Starfish’s policy starts providing benefits on day one with no deductible
2. Comprehensive victim benefits: Beyond the obvious medical and counseling support, the policy offers rehabilitation expenses, lump-sum payments for disability, and funeral costs, ensuring victims and their families receive holistic care
3. Business continuity: Starfish helps businesses quickly resume operations by covering temporary relocation costs and business interruption losses—even in the absence of physical damage
4. Proactive crisis management: The inclusion of 24/7 crisis response services and public relations support allows organizations to focus on recovery while experts handle logistics
5. Flexible coverage extensions: Optional endorsements provide protection for off-premises incidents involving employees and students, addressing threats during business travel or school events

A Shield for Communities

Seebacher notes, "In crises, the key to recovery is swift action. Our policy empowers organizations to meet immediate needs, rebuild trust, and restore normalcy with comprehensive support." This sentiment reflects the program's broader mission: to protect not only assets but also the lives and livelihoods of those impacted.

A Call for Preparedness

Whether you're a small business, a healthcare facility, a church, or a school, investing in Active Assailant Insurance is an act of foresight and responsibility. It protects against economic trauma, ensures legal safeguards, and demonstrates a commitment to the safety and well-being of your community.

For more details about the program, visit Starfish Specialty Insurance or email Karl Seebacher at kseebacher@starfishspecialty.com