IRS Challenges and Captive Insurance with Van Carlson

On this episode of the Insurance Guys Podcast, hosts Scott Howell and Bradley Flowers sit down with Van Carlson, founder and CEO of SRA 831B Admin, to dig into the importance of insurance in driving economic prosperity and explore innovative risk management strategies. Scott kicks things off by sharing data linking property and casualty insurance penetration to national prosperity, making a compelling argument for how insurance fuels commerce and helps societies recover from disasters. Van weighs in, emphasizing that without accessible, affordable insurance, prosperity and commerce grind to a halt.

The conversation dives deep into alternative risk solutions for business owners, with Van explaining the 831B tax code and the role of micro-captives in managing otherwise uninsurable or retained risks. He discusses how recent IRS scrutiny has shaped the space and underscores the importance of understanding both insurance and tax incentives to preserve wealth and fuel growth.From branding and technology tips for agencies to the risks and rewards of self-insuring, this episode delivers actionable insights for insurance professionals seeking to provide more value to their business clients—and warns agents to stay informed about emerging risk management tools before their competitors do.