News / Events

Vizance Makes the Largest Wisconsin Employee Benefits Firms List – Again!

Aug
10
2021
The Milwaukee Business Journal published their annual list of Largest Wisconsin Employee Benefits Firms. Vizance moved up from last year’s spot on the list. In 2020, Vizance was recognized as the 13th Largest Employee Benefits Firm in Wisconsin. This year, Vizance moved up to be the 12th largest firm on the list, out of 22 total firms in the state. The rankings are established by the number of associates in the employee benefits division at each firm. Click here to see the complete list from Milwaukee Business Journal.

Valeri Agency Joins Vizance

Jul
02
2021
Vizance recently announced that Kenosha-based Valeri Agency, Inc. will join Vizance, Inc. effective July 1, 2021. Valeri Agency has been a leader in the insurance industry since 1959, offering business insurance, employee benefits, and personal lines insurance to their valued clients. Valeri Agency believes that insurance is a profession as well as a business, so their associates are always on the leading edge of insurance trends and technology in order to provide the best service for their clients’ needs. Jeff Valeri, an owner of Valeri Agency, said: “There were other routes we could have gone when deciding who to partner with, but we chose Vizance because of their alignment in philosophy and way of doing business. Vizance is a community agency, and over the past few years have become a great option for other community agencies to join with them. They realize the importance of continuing our presence in the Kenosha community, and look to support and grow the integral relationships we’ve built and developed over the years.” Vizance, founded in 1978 and headquartered in Hartland, Wisconsin, is a privately-held independent agency offering a broad portfolio of insurance, including risk management, employee benefits, and financial service solutions for businesses and individuals. The agency has been named as one of the area’s “Top Workplaces,” “Fastest Growing Firms,” and “Best Places to Work” by local media sources. Vizance has joined with several

Matt Weimer Joins Vizance as Director of Employee Benefits

Jun
21
2021
Vizance extends a warm welcome to Matt Weimer as our Director of Employee Benefits! Matt will be overseeing the strategic direction of the Employee Benefits team, while providing oversight and leadership to the group. Matt comes with a wide range of experience from working in multiple positions at Diversified Insurance Solutions to being an Account Executive at Willis Towers Watson, working with companies that had anywhere from 6 – 6,000 associates. What motivates him is being able to solve his clients’ challenges and find the best solution for them based on their unique needs. “The energy, openness, and opportunistic vibe at Vizance is apparent. Everyone I met with knew what the organization stood for and understood the direction going forward.” We are excited to have Matt contribute to those Vizance vibes and look, think, and move forward together!

Vizance Recognized as Top Workplace and One of Area’s Largest Independent Insurance Agencies

May
14
2021
  The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently released its annual list of Top Workplaces, and Vizance is listed as #18 on the “Small Companies” list. Vizance was one of a very small number of independent insurance agencies on the list. Additionally, the Milwaukee Business Journal published its annual list of Largest Area Independent Insurance Agencies today. Vizance is number 6 on the list, up from number 7 last year. This list includes our locations in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties. Vizance was also recognized in the top five insurance agencies that have the most offices in the seven-county Milwaukee area.

Vizance Highlighted in Donegal Newsletter

May
06
2021
Vizance was recently honored to be featured in Donegal's newsletter. Donegal is carrier partner of Vizance's, and the article highlights some of the key points in Vizance's history. Donegal Article about Vizance  

David Insurance Agency Joins Vizance

Dec
27
2020
Vizance recently announced that Racine-based David Insurance Agency, Inc. will join Vizance effective January 1, 2021. Founded in 1950, David Insurance has focused on providing businesses and individuals with exceptional service and expert advice for 70 years. The David Insurance team of associates will continue to operate under the David name from their offices in Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Sister Bay. Agency Principals Chris Antonneau, Jon Antonneau, Dan Antonneau, and Steve Chomeau will continue with the organization as partners in the new entity. “By partnering with Vizance, we are joining an agency with the foundation of a firm built to last and committed to being leaders in associate loyalty and client relationships. As our team evaluated a partnership, it was extremely important that a partner not only brought additional resources for clients but was also singularly focused on and committed to the insurance business with an operating model of regional leadership. We are very excited that we are joining a firm incredibly well positioned for the future,” said David Insurance President Chris Antonneau. Vizance has joined with several other Wisconsin-based independent agencies, including Valley Insurance Associates in 2017, Sparks Insurance in 2018, the Diedrich Agency in 2019, Hornick Insurance Services in 2020, and Risk Management, LLC in 2020. “We have known and admired the team at David Insurance for many years, and we are excited about the prosp

COVID-19 Relief: Extension of COBRA Due Dates

Oct
01
2020
Earlier this year, the Department of Labor and Treasury Department (the “Departments”) issued a Final Regulation extending certain due dates under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).  The guidance, intended to provide relief for participants impacted by COVID-19, essentially suspends the COBRA election and payment deadlines during the declared National Emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The guidance issued by the Departments and the administrative considerations for employers in complying with the extension of the COBRA due dates can be found here.

DOL Revises FFCRA Paid Leave Rules

Sep
18
2020
The Department of Labor has issued a revised final rule (the “Revised Rule”) under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  The Revised Rule, issued in response to a recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, reaffirms, clarifies and revises parts of the Department’s August 1, 2020, rule interpreting the paid leave provisions of the FFCRA.  Click here for more information.

School ReOpening and FFCRA Paid Leave

Sep
18
2020
As September approaches school districts throughout Wisconsin are announcing their re-opening plans.  The plans, which vary widely across counties and even among school districts within the same county, range from fully virtual to all students physically present to hybrid plans combining in-person and virtual learning.  Employers should understand how these different re-opening plans affect the employers’ obligations and employees’ rights to paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  Read here for more information.

Top Workplaces and Fastest Growing Firms

Jul
27
2020
Vizance was recently named to two highly-regarded Milwaukee-area lists: Top Workplaces and Fastest Growing Firms. The Top Workplaces list is based upon associate feedback, and recognizes organizations that demonstrate drivers of associate-focused cultures. The Fastest Growing Firms list recognizes a limited number of organizations that have recorded high percentages of growth over the previous three years. Vizance is extremely appreciative of our associates and clients for their loyalty and dedication. Thank you for your support!