
N.Y.: Major legislative milestone: Anti-arson repeal bill passes state Senate
The New York state Senate has passed S.4157—a bill that would repeal the longstanding anti-arson application requirement for property insurance in New York City. This marks the first time the legislation has cleared the Senate, representing a pivotal moment in PIANY’s...

Workplace violence prevention laws are expanding: Here’s what you need to know
Workplace violence is no longer a background issue. It’s increasingly front and center in the national conversation. With frequent headlines about mass shootings and on-the-job assaults, the topic has garnered growing attention from the public and policy makers....

Weekly Dispatch: June 5, 2025
The PIANJ | PIANY Annual Conference at the Hard Rock Casino, Atlantic City, N.J., starts this Sunday—you still can register at the door. A runway at the Newark Liberty International Airport has finished renovations, but it still is experiencing staffing shortages and technical issues. A New York court has ruled that plaintiffs may pursue negligence claims against pet owners. Plus, you can read about state-specific industry news, compliance issues, advocacy updates, technical resources, education opportunities, upcoming events and information you may have missed in this issue of the Weekly Dispatch.

Warm-weather working: how to be safe
If you work outside in the summer heat, it’s vital that you and your employees take care of yourselves to prevent heat rash, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburns and more. Here are some safety tips to protect yourself this summer: No. 1: Hydrate,...

Connecticut Senate passes PIACT-priority E&S reform legislation
In a major win for the insurance industry and Connecticut businesses, the state Senate passed H.B.6981, a top legislative priority for PIACT. This pivotal reform would eliminate the outdated requirement that brokers must obtain declinations from admitted insurers...

PIANJ advocacy win: Public hearing secured on threatening labor rule
PIANJ previously alerted members to a deeply concerning regulatory proposal from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This proposal—N.J.A.C. 12:11—would dramatically expand the state’s interpretation of the “ABC test” for classifying...

N.Y. court expands liability for dog bites: What producers need to know
In a landmark decision with wide-ranging implications for dog bite claims and insurance liability, the New York Court of Appeals ruled in Flanders v. Goodfellow that plaintiffs may pursue negligence claims against pet owners, in addition to strict liability, for...

Flashy pitches: See through the tech pitch
Independent insurance agents everywhere are hearing the same thing: Agencies that are not leveraging technology risk falling behind their competition. While true, the message fails to recognize how time-consuming and difficult it can be to choose the right tech...

Digital tools: Elevate your trade-show presence
Trade shows are loud and fast and often a blur of elevator pitches, tote bags and too many lanyards. To cut through that chaos, you need more than an eye-catching booth. You need precision. That means digital tools—deployed intentionally—that don’t just decorate your...

Weekly Dispatch: May 29, 2025
PIA Northeast’s new partnership helps agents defend against cyberthreats. NOAA predicts an “above-average” 2025 hurricane season in the Atlantic: is your agency prepared? A new bill expanding “ABC tests” in New Jersey could negatively impact the state’s independent insurance agency system. The CTYIP Golf Open still has lunch spots open: register today. The NHID advocates to support a legislative agenda centered on consumer protection and state-based insurance regulation. Plus, you can read about state-specific industry news, compliance issues, advocacy updates, technical resources, accolades, education opportunities, upcoming events and information you may have missed in this issue of the Weekly Dispatch.