Insurance Gone Wild

The Annual Insurance Hunger Games: AKA Open Enrollment

Tis the season for… open enrollment! Dennis and Stephanie dive into the thrilling, gut-wrenching world of health insurance like it’s the season finale of a reality show you didn’t know you were starring in. From why every employer seems to pick the most random renewal dates, to why your “perfect plan” doesn’t exist (sorry), they break down the madness with humor, sarcasm, and a sprinkle of “I told you so.”
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll probably check your deductible halfway through. Whether you’re an employee wondering why your premiums rival your mortgage, or a business owner trying to keep your sanity (and your staff), this episode will make you feel slightly better about it all.
Call it therapy, call it education — just don’t call your agent without listening first.
Chapters:00:00 - We Switched Seats (and Immediately Regretted It)02:00 - Why Is Open Enrollment Always When You’re Broke?03:40 - The Government Picked These Dates for Fun05:20 - January 1st: New Year, Same Deductible07:00 - Health Insurance: More Complicated Than Dating Apps09:20 - The Myth of the “Perfect Plan” (Spoiler: It Doesn’t Exist)10:05 - When Your Premium Costs More Than Your Mortgage12:00 - Agents Who Send You 100-Page PDFs and Call It “Service”14:00 - “My Kid Turned 26 — Now I’m Poorer, Somehow”16:00 - The 2026 Contribution Crisis (a.k.a. Why Everything Costs More)18:30 - Call Your Agent (Unless It’s Dennis — He’s Busy)21:00 - Politicians, Subsidies, and Other Scary Words22:40 - Accountants Are Terrifying (Ben Affleck Approved)23:30 - Shameless Plug and Final Thoughts
Would you like me to also write the YouTube description and SEO tags version (with hashtags, tone, and formatting for upload)? That version typically helps boost discoverability and click-throughs.Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild
Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

Don’t Google Your Insurance—Just Ask Us

Dennis and Stephanie take the show live—and it gets delightfully weird, wonderfully useful, and wildly honest. From “can you insure a dominatrix?” (spoiler: yes) to small-biz health plans that actually make sense, they bust clickbait myths, decode the 60–65 pre-Medicare maze, and share real ways to cut premiums without upping your risk. Expect shrinkflation in policies, deductible-reimbursement hacks, wind/hail payouts that don’t require filing a claim, and the maddening truth about medical billing vs. cash pay. It’s practical help wrapped in humor—with one legendary six-banana intermission.
Contact: contact@IGWPodcast.com • 817-753-0093Hosts: Dennis & Stephanie
Chapters
00:00:00 - Lights Up, Mics Hot00:01:52 - Audience Q: “Fake Body Parts?”00:03:35 - So… Can You Insure That?00:04:38 - From Corporate to Startup: Small-Biz Health 10100:07:01 - Taxes & Contributions Without Tears00:08:26 - Clickbait & Commission Myths00:11:00 - The 60–65 “Purgatory” Window00:14:05 - Insurance Shrinkflation Is Real00:15:28 - Grocery Prices & Premiums00:18:12 - The Six-Banana Intermission00:20:30 - When Your Doc Bills Like Crazy00:28:12 - Pay Less, Risk Less: Deductible Reimbursement00:32:40 - Hail Yes: Parametric Payouts00:33:47 - Rapid-Fire Q&A & Wrap
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Health Sharing: Holy Moly or Holy Smokes?

Dennis brings the pop quiz, Stephanie brings the receipts, and together they turn “wait, is this even insurance?” into your new favorite game show. They spar over health sharing vs. traditional plans, why “contribution” isn’t just a bougie word for premium, how faith-based commitments actually work, and when pre-existing conditions really are… pre-existing. Stephanie even vows to ditch her employer plan (spicy), Dennis wrestles with “appendectomy” (adorable), and somehow they map out how small businesses can save real money without summoning an HR demon. If you’ve wondered whether a $400 stipend can cover a whole family, why maternity waits a year, or whether your weekly “mom juice” voids coverage (it depends, breathe), this episode is wild, witty, and weirdly practical. 
Questions or snark? contact@IGWpodcast.com • 817-753-0093.
00:00 - Pop Quiz, Hotshot: Health Sharing 10100:01 - Stephanie’s Confession: I’m Breaking Up with My Plan00:03 - Not Insurance on Purpose (And Why That’s Good)00:05 - Deductible-ish: What “Annual Household Portion” Really Means00:08 - ACA Flashback and the Penalty Loophole00:09 - Contributions, Not Premiums00:10 - Networks? Kinda. Open Access? Yep.00:11 - Pre-Existing: What Actually Triggers a “No”00:13 - Lifestyle Clauses: Tobacco, Tequila, Truth00:15 - The Real Reason Families Switch: Cost00:18 - Strict vs. Sane: Do No-Alcohol Plans Save Money?00:19 - Community Share: A Million One-Dollar Lifelines00:20 - Plot Twist: A Homeowners “Sharing” Program?!00:22 - What’s Not Shared: Keep Your Dental Cleanings00:22 - Baby on Board: Why Maternity Waits 12 Months00:23 - Claims By Any Other Name: “Sharing Requests”00:26 - Law of Large Numbers, But Fun00:27 - Group Hack: Mixing Sharing with Traditional00:30 - Employer Math That Slaps: $400 That Works00:32 - Education Beats Confusion00:33 - Faith Statements, No Hoops00:35 - HR Corner Case Solved and the Mic Drop Outro
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Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

EPLI: Because “Please Don’t Sue Me” Isn’t a Strategy | Insurance Gone Wild

Dennis and Stephanie stumble out of an HR presentation and straight into the wonderfully litigious world of Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI). Between Dennis’ Ozarks charm and Stephanie’s “that really chaps my ass” energy, they skewer the myth that “we’ll just hire a lawyer” is cheaper than having coverage. From wrongful termination to TikTok-inspired “pranks,” vendor side-eye, retaliation, wage & hour landmines, and why endorsements are the dollar-store version of a real policy—this episode is your slightly sarcastic, very practical tour of why EPLI belongs in every business’s toolkit. Think of it as paying a retainer for an attorney you hope you never need… except it actually shows up.
Chapters
00:00 - Names Are Hard, Lawsuits Are Easy02:00 - EPLI 101: The “People Problems” Policy03:30 - Workers’ Comp vs. EPLI: Bruises vs. Beef05:10 - Wrongful Termination & The “Any Lawyer Will Do” Delusion07:20 - Defense Costs: Six-Minute Phone Call, Four-Figure Bill09:40 - The Attorney Scavenger Hunt (Deadline Edition)12:50 - Insurance = Retainer You Hope You Never Need15:00 - Harassment Happens (Yes, Even From Vendors & Customers)19:00 - Failure to Promote: Everybody’s Mad, Someone’s Suing20:30 - Hostile Work Environments & Bathroom Bottle Rockets (Please Don’t)22:10 - TikTok Pranks → Viral Regret → Hello, EPLI24:00 - Wage & Hour: “Sometimes Excluded” = Sometimes Your Problem26:00 - Retaliation: Report It, Get Shunned, Get Litigious27:20 - Privacy & HIPAA: Double Whammy, Triple Advil28:10 - Endorsement vs. Standalone: Don’t Bring a Butter Knife to a Lawsuit29:20 - Limits & Cost: How Offensive Are You (Kidding… Mostly)33:10 - Plaintiff Attorneys Love Settlements—Get Coverage Anyway34:30 - The Sermon: Get the Damn Coverage35:10 - Wrap: Questions, Coffee, and Contact Info
Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild
Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

Approved or Denied: The Policy Doesn’t Distinguish for Stupidity

Dennis and Stephanie play Approved or Denied? with the weirdest claims on earth: a cow swan-dives onto a sedan, toilets go boom, a burglar sues after face-planting through a skylight, and a very good boy eats a very expensive diamond. Along the way you’ll learn why comprehensive isn’t just for deer season, when liability saves your bacon (and your neighbor’s fence), and how one stray golf ball can turn your windshield into modern art. It’s chaotic, educational, and—somehow—still makes you want to check your endorsements.
Questions or horror stories? contact@igwpodcast.com • 817-753-0093New here? Follow, rate, and send this to the friend who thinks raccoons can’t pick locks.
Chapters 00:00 - Beverage Underwriting & Ground Rules02:29 - Holy Cow: Comprehensive Meets Gravity06:56 - Boom Boom Room: Toilets, Backups & Semantics09:17 - Skylight Burglar: Settlement Over Principle15:28 - ’Til Ash Do Us Part: Volcano vs. Wedding18:10 - Donkey on Moonshine: Animal Damage 10119:02 - Haunted House, Unhaunted Policy20:15 - Space Junk, Real Checks22:32 - Windy Yard Chaos & Liability MVP25:15 - Dog Ate My Diamonds (Schedule Your Jewelry)27:08 - Barbecue Kaboom: Fire Is a Covered Peril27:54 - Smoothie vs. Smartphone28:26 - Fore! Glass Confetti & Who Pays First30:03 - It Depends (And That’s the Point)
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Stats That Punch Back: Health, Life & Auto by the Numbers

Medical bills that still bankrupt people who have insurance. Life insurance everyone swears is “too expensive” (until they actually check). Auto claims that hit faster than a Dallas hailstorm. In this spicy, stats-soaked episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie drag the numbers into daylight and make them behave. You’ll hear why “I’ve got coverage” can still end in a five-figure out-of-pocket faceplant, how much folks wildly overestimate life insurance (spoiler: a lot), and why urban drivers meet deductibles like they’re old friends. It’s equal parts wake-up call and cheat sheet—snark included—so you can stop letting fine print and averages run your wallet. Bring your questions, park the shame: confusion is normal, surprises are optional.
Chapters
0:00 — The $9,100 Plot Twist: Why “covered” still goes bankrupt4:13 — Dental Vacation: When Mexico beats your deductible5:14 — Witch-Doctor or Science? The chiropractic rabbit hole6:50 — Policy Years, New Year, New Deductible - same wallet 11:10 — Billing in the Shadows: “Let’s not name names”12:24 — Life Insurance Myth-Busting: Twenty bucks and grown-up math16:21 — Millennials vs Gen X? Cash-value curiosity and exposure19:15 — Claims vs. Reality: City life, storms, theft, and glass25:58 — Why Agents Keep Winning - and the internet taps out Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild
Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

Live at Dos Amores — Rates Up, Margaritas Downed, Expectations Managed

Broadcasting from the fiesta-friendly confines of Dos Amores in Hurst, Texas, Dennis and Stephanie take insurance out of the cubicle and into the cantina. With restaurant manager Jesús popping in between karaoke nights and Tejano Saturdays, this live episode leans into real questions from real people—why your premium jumped when you did nothing, whether bundling is a BOGO or a bozo move, and how a broke 21-year-old is supposed to insure anything except their anxiety.
Come for the consumer-first straight talk; stay for the lovingly sarcastic therapy session on health insurance, the myth of “it gets cheaper at 25,” and the eternal truth of the industry: it depends. Agents vs. algorithms, homeowners’ sticker shock, deductible hacks—Dennis and Stephanie cut through the jargon with jokes, receipts, and just enough cynicism to keep it honest. BYO queso.
Chapters
0:06 – Dos Amores Turns OneJesús on parties, pop-ups, and why your insurance talk pairs well with micheladas.
5:37 – The “No Script, All Sauce” PhilosophyDennis & Stephanie explain why authenticity beats homework (and no, they don’t make up numbers).
9:01 – Agents vs. The Internet Cage MatchWhy clicking “Buy Now” often buys you…less. Coverage gaps, claim pain, and grown-up supervision.
17:05 – “I Didn’t File a Claim—Why Did My Rate Rise?”Pool math, AI gremlins, and the law of large numbers ruining date night.
23:30 – Insuring College Kids Without Selling a KidneyYoung drivers, sky-high premiums, and what actually helps.
27:20 – Bundle Joy or Bundle Jail?When combining policies saves money—and when it’s just a hostage situation.
29:41 – North Texas Homeowners: Please BreatheWhy “down” isn’t a direction rates recognize (and how to survive renewals).
35:23 – Minimal Assets, Minimal Limits?The broke-but-driving question, answered with nuance (and a reality check).
39:41 – One Policy to Rule Your Rentals?Consolidation vs. asset protection: which headache would you like today?
40:41 – Health Insurance: Abandon All Hope (Kidding…Mostly)Marketplaces, subsidies, copays, and why “disruption” is code for “you’ll feel this later.”
Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild
Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

Medicare vs. Medicaid: Untangling the Alphabet Soup of Health Insurance

Confused about Medicare, Medicaid, and all the alphabet soup in between? You’re not alone—and that’s exactly why Dennis Settlemoir and Stephanie Lencioni are here to break it all down.
In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie cut through the jargon and dive into what really separates Medicare from Medicaid. With their signature humor and honest takes, they’ll help you understand who qualifies, what the different “parts” cover (A, B, C, D…yes, it’s a lot), and why timing your enrollment matters more than you might think.
Whether you’re approaching open enrollment, helping a parent make sense of their options, or just trying to figure out how the government managed to make health insurance even more confusing, this episode has you covered.
⏱️ Chapters
0:00 – Open Enrollment Banter and Introductions
1:43 – Medicare vs. Medicaid: Who Qualifies and Why It Matters
5:55 – Breaking Down Medicare Parts A, B, and D
9:53 – The Penalties You Don’t Want to Pay (Part D Enrollment)
12:15 – Humor and Headaches: Why Health Insurance Feels Impossible
13:48 – Medicare Advantage vs. Supplement Plans Explained
18:48 – The Obamacare Effect on Medicare and Healthcare Perception
24:41 – Enrollment Strategies and Real-Life Scenarios
28:02 – Wrapping Up: Where to Go for Help
Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild
Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

The One Big Beautiful Mess: Health Insurance Gets Wild

What happens when Congress names a law the One Big Beautiful Act? Spoiler: it turns into one big beautiful mess for health insurance. In this episode, Dennis (yes, the man with the hats) and Stephanie (the one who actually keeps things sensible) dive headfirst into the new legislation shaking up healthcare.gov, subsidies, and the future of insurance in America.
From subsidies vanishing faster than free donuts in the office kitchen, to millions potentially losing coverage, Dennis and Stephanie break it all down with humor, storytelling, and the kind of honesty you wish your insurance agent had when they sold you that “too good to be true” policy.
This episode has it all: politics, healthcare chaos, Olympic-sized pools owned by subsidy gamers, and why your premium might skyrocket just in time to ruin your 2026 vacation fund.
Grab your coffee (or something stronger) and get ready to laugh, groan, and actually understand what’s happening in the wild world of health insurance reform.
⏱️ Chapters
0:00 – Welcome to the Wild SideDennis brags about his hats, Stephanie rolls her eyes, and the duo set the stage for breaking down the One Big Beautiful Act.
4:03 – Subsidy Sticker ShockWhy millions on healthcare.gov might see their premiums jump 25–100%—and why Dennis thinks that’s scarier than his tax bill.
6:40 – The Welfare Workout PlanStephanie explains the broken system, Dennis tells a story about a guy with a mansion and a free ride, and everyone agrees Medicaid math makes no sense.
9:47 – Enrollment Gets UglyNo more auto-renewals. Get ready to fill out paperwork like it’s 2005 again.
14:44 – Coverage Loss: The Domino EffectUp to 12 million could lose coverage by 2034. Plus: debt, worse outcomes, and why Stephanie is side-eyeing the whole system.
15:44 – State vs. Feds: Who Really Knows Best?Dennis rants about little economies, Paris, Texas vs. Paris, France, and why states might need more control.
19:18 – Health Insurance: The Living OrganismThe law is changing faster than Dennis changes hats. Spoiler: it won’t stop anytime soon.
21:19 – Alternatives: Sharing, Concierge, and ShrinkflationFrom health sharing plans to $100-a-month doctor memberships, the duo explore creative ways people are dodging the insurance machine.
26:49 – Wrapping the Wild RideInsurance is complicated, people are frustrated, and Dennis and Stephanie remind you why they started this podcast in the first place: to make sense of the nonsense (and make you laugh while doing it).
👉 Resources & Contact:📧 contact@igwpodcast.com📞 817-753-0093
Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild
Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

Coverage vs. Cost – The Commercial Insurance Debate

When it comes to protecting your business, is “cheaper” really better? In this lively episode, Dennis and Stephanie pull back the curtain on commercial insurance, breaking down the real risks of cutting corners and the hidden gold inside endorsements and classifications that too many business owners overlook.
They mix insider expertise with humor, real-life scenarios, and a little tough love, leaving you both informed and entertained. Whether you’re a small business owner, a startup dreamer, or someone who just wants to avoid costly insurance mistakes, this one’s for you.
👉 Don’t just skim your policy. Listen up, laugh a little, and learn a lot.
📌 Key Takeaways
Coverage vs Cost: Don’t let “cheap” trick you into gaps you’ll regret later.
Classifications Matter: One wrong box checked could sink your claim.
Endorsements are Everything: Ever heard of CG 2010 and CG 2037? You will now.
Review, Rinse, Repeat: Regular policy reviews = fewer surprises.
Talk to Your Agent: Ask the awkward questions—it’ll save you money and headaches.
💬 Notable Quotes
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.” — Dennis 
“For every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. The same goes for insurance policies.” — Stephanie 
“The premium tells me how deep to dig into their current policy.” — Dennis 
⏱️ Chapters & Links
1:22 — Podcast Chaos & Studio Adjustments3:28 — Texas A&M’s Buc-ee’s Store9:15 — NFL Preseason & Fantasy Football19:45 — Password Fails & Funny Names19:59 — Baseball Standings & Struggles25:24 — Aliens, TV Shows & Movies32:22 — Beatles Anthology & Cowboys Drama36:04 — ESPN App Woes41:27 — Godzilla, Criterion & More47:16 — Reboots & Casting News56:54 — Dinosaurs in Vietnam?!1:00:52 — Film Reviews Galore1:10:48 — Wrestling Tech Glitches1:16:08 — Broadcast Shifts & Retirements1:19:46 — Wrestling Drama & Baby News1:24:32 — Wrexham Football Journey1:29:39 — Podcast Community Updates1:32:43 — Sponsor Spotlight: CBD House of Healing & Sunset Lounge DFW
📞 Resources
📧 Email: contact@igwpodcast.com📱 Call: 817-753-0093
🔥 Tune in, laugh along, and leave knowing more about your business insurance than you ever thought you wanted to. Because at the end of the day… wild things happen, and coverage matters.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWildinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancegonewildwhere to listen: https://insurancegonewild.podbean.com/
Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093