News
Trend: Mass shooting insurance rates up as incidents increase
According to a report by the Gun Violence Archive, there have been nearly 300 mass shooting events to date this year in the U.S. As a result, Reuters is reporting that mass shooting insurance rates have jumped up 10% this year. The demand for such insurance, which typically covers victim lawsuits, legal fees, medical expenses, trauma counseling and building repairs, also has been on the rise.
NHID: Report suspected cases of insurance fraud
Recently, the New Hampshire Insurance Department issued a bulletin to remind all insurance licensees that they need to refer suspected cases of insurance fraud to the department’s Fraud Unit. Pursuant to NH RSA 417:28, all licensed insurers and producers in New Hampshire must report all suspected instances of insurance fraud or insurance-related criminal activity to the NHID. According to the bulletin: “This violation of the law is not acceptable and hinders the NHID’s mission to protect New Hampshire consumers. Licensees who fail to comply are subject to administrative action and may be fined and/or barred from conducting insurance business in New Hampshire.”
N.J.: New tool, guide to leave benefits for expecting parents
New Jersey Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo announced a new tool to provide expecting parents guidance about coverage periods for Temporary Disability Insurance and Family Leave Insurance. The Maternity Coverage Timeline Tool empowers parents by providing them a personalized timeline estimate of benefit coverage periods. Developed through a collaboration between the state DOL and Workforce Development and the New Jersey State Office of Innovation, the tool helps expecting parents plan when and how to take their maternity leave. By asking parents a short series of questions, the tool provides start and end dates for leave tailored to their personal situation and preferences.
N.Y.: Labor law exemption for religious organization
Recently, the Appellate Division, Second Department decided in Reinoso v. Han Ma Um Zen Ctr. of N.Y. Inc. that the defendant is entitled to the labor-law homeowner’s exemption even though it is a religious organization. Under the homeowner’s exemption, owners of a one- or two-family dwelling used as a residence are exempt from liability under Labor Law Sections 240(1) and 241(6) unless they directed or controlled the work being performed.
Vt.: Gov. Scott announces DFR leadership appointments
Gov. Phil Scott has appointed Kevin Gaffney as commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation and Emily Brown as the department’s deputy commissioner of insurance. In a press release, the governor said: “Both Kevin and Emily bring incredible experience to their new roles. Their knowledge of the state, the department and the industries they serve will make sure DFR’s reputation for extensive expertise and service continues. Kevin brings a strong balance of industry experience and leadership along with a regulatory discipline that will serve Vermonters well. With Emily’s legal, legislative and regulatory experience, she will be hugely beneficial to the administration’s work to address the many challenges facing the health care system, affordability for Vermonters, and beyond.”
Advocacy
Cannabis safe harbor bill in doubt
When PIA National announced a cannabis safe harbor bill as a 2022 legislative priority again this year, it did not expect the SAFE Banking Act to pass the U.S. House for a third time this Congress and still not make it out of the U.S. Senate. As of now, that’s the situation. Despite bipartisan support from key senators, over 20 governors from both major political parties, and a broad coalition of insurance and business groups, the U.S. Senate has prevented the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act from being included in the final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. The legislation backed by PIA would protect insurance agents and carriers from federal prosecution for doing business with cannabis-related enterprises in states in which such businesses are legal. Nearly every state has legalized cannabis to some degree. PIA seeks to protect independent agents from criminal prosecution for engaging in the sale of insurance to businesses that are legal according to state law.
N.Y.: Upcoming state Senate primaries
Agents Advocacy Coalition is your go-to source for all things politics in New York. That’s why AAC wants to make sure you are ready to vote in the state Senate primaries on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. You can get an absentee ballot or vote during early voting if you can’t make it to the polls on Aug. 23, and you can find out who is running in your Senate district utilizing the candidate look-up tool. For more information, on where to go to vote or how to become a poll worker, check out the Election Info section of the Agents Advocacy Coalition website.
Educating insurance agents
N.Y.: New classes that meet the New York State Department of Financial Services’ new CE requirements are available online and in private on-site sessions.
Is the ethical decision the best E&O decision?
What is the relationship between ethics and the choices we make to protect our agencies against errors-and-omissions claims? Is the best ethical decision always the best E&O decision? PIA instructor Cathy Trischan, CPCU, CIC, CRM, AU, AAI, CRIS, ARM, MLIS, TRIP, will answer these questions and more during E&O Loss Prevention and Ethics–There Is A Connection^UN^FF, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. The webinar will discuss the ethical responsibilities of insurance professionals and the different approaches to decision making. She will look at situations faced by insurance professionals from ethical and E&O perspectives, discussing specific measures that can be taken by insurance professionals. This class has been approved for continuing-education credits in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. ^UN^FF–This course has been approved for E&O loss-prevention credit by Utica National and Fireman’s Fund. Call the PIA E&O Department for details.
Events
N.Y.: Get your golf on with NY-YIP
Join your insurance colleagues out on the golf course on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at the Mill River Club in Oyster Bay, where you can network, cultivate new business contacts, meet new people, and gain more insight into the insurance industry. Reason why you should come: 1. You can play golf on a Monday; 2. You can show yourself—and your agency—off; and 3. You can eat delicious food, win cool prizes and chat alongside your colleagues. Register today. There are sponsorship opportunities still available.
N.Y.: Downstate Insurance Associations’ Annual Picnic
The Downstate Insurance Associations, of which PIANY and NY-YIP are a part of, will host its Annual Picnic Event on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Eisenhower Park (The Scarlet Oak Picnic Area, Parking Field 4), from 2-6 p.m. The catered event will include the following: hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and sausage. There will be pasta salads, corn on the cob, baked beans and watermelon, too. Beer, wine, soda and water will be served. If you will be in the area, plan to attend the event, and meet up with your fellow insurance professionals.
Register now
Thursday, July 28, 2022: NJYIP Summer Reception
Monday, Aug. 1, 2022: NY-YIP Golf Open
Monday, Sept. 12, 2022: PIANJ Golf Classic
Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022: Save the date: PIANH Symposium
