News
How to best prepare for the next pandemic
COVID-19 is not the first communicable disease to reveal just how susceptible the world still is to severe impact from germs. Modern medicine had seemingly veiled society from diseases like polio, tuberculosis, and influenza. However, even today we see outbreaks of these diseases. Clearly, it is foolish to assume that we have conquered disease and even the spread of it. Your clients may not know they may need to purchase additional insurance to cover their businesses or events in a post-pandemic world. Take the time to talk with them about all their insurance needs, and show them the value of working with a professional insurance agent.
Conn.: Don’t miss out on the Connecticut Convention taking place in the insurance capital of the world
Answer: A popular event with insurance professionals, hundreds of agents, company representatives, exhibitors and other insurance industry professionals from across Connecticut. Question: What is the Connecticut Convention? This year, the event will be held March 23-24, 2023, at Hartford Marriott, Downtown Hartford. It will be a chance to catch up with old friends and make new business connections while attending events designed to maximize your exposure to people, products and services. The only thing missing is you. Sign up today! Sponsorship, exhibition and advertising opportunities are available, too.
Conn.: Governor launches site to combat supply-chain issues
Gov. Ned Lamont launched a new online platform connecting all Connecticut manufacturers and suppliers in a single searchable solution last week. The platform is called CONNEX Connecticut, which is a free online platform that provides one-stop access for manufacturers in the state to connect with each other, find local suppliers, discover new business opportunities, and manage their supply chains.
N.Y.: State recovers $7.3 million in stolen vehicles and parts
Gov. Kathy Hochul last week announced that the Department of Motor Vehicles has recovered $7.3 million in stolen vehicles and parts for New Yorkers. Across the nation, there has been an increase in stolen vehicles. Now is a good time to urge your clients to lock their car doors and remind them that they may be able to earn a discount on their car insurance premiums if they have features, such as: visible or audible devices (e.g., alarms, brake or wheel locks), or if they install a vehicle immobilizer (e.g., fuse cut-offs or ignition and fuel disablers).
N.Y.: State to offer $3 million in grants in East Buffalo
Gov. Hochul recently announced that applications will be available for the East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program from now through Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. The $3 million program will provide grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible small businesses in a designated area of East Buffalo to help largely minority-owned establishments rebound from the social and economic impacts of the mass shooting at a Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue earlier this year. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation–New York will administer the program on behalf of Empire State Development. Eligible businesses can submit pre-applications. For more information on the program, including eligibility and FAQs, click here.
Advocacy
PIA announces legislative priorities at federal, state levels
The PIA National Government Relations staff has reviewed PIA’s past policy positions and Congress’s current priorities, and in consultation with PIA members across the country, it has developed its 2023 Policy Priorities. While the association identifies top priorities for the year, PIA works to promote the interests of our independent agent members, wherever those interests take us. For this legislative session, PIA National will focus on crop insurance, flood insurance, the Cannabis Safe Harbor, customer data privacy, and more. At the state level, PIACT, PIANH and PIANY have released their legislative agendas for 2023. New Jersey’s legislative year continues, and so do PIANJ’s priorities.
Have you ever wondered about the legislative process?
Many people—if not all—have seen the Schoolhouse Rock I’m Just a Bill video, about how a bill becomes a law in the U.S. The video gives an overview of the legislative process. But, have you ever wondered about the work that goes into how a bill becomes law, or how a bill gets introduced in the first place? PIA Northeast has put together a series of articles to help explain the ins-and-outs of the legislative process. PIANY has created a five-part series that starts with Part I: How an idea becomes a bill. And, PIACT has created The Connecticut lawmaking process. If you’ve ever wondered about how advocacy works in the states in PIA Northeast’s footprint, PIA Northeast has a seven-part series that starts with Part I: How to be an advocate with PIA. If you have any questions about any of these articles, or are interested in becoming more involved with PIA Northeast’s advocacy initiatives, email the PIA Government & Industry Affairs Department.
PIANY continues its work to repeal N.Y.’s antiquated arson law
Currently, state law requires insureds in New York City to complete an anti-arson application if they want their property to be covered from damage caused by fire or explosion. Under the law, completing the anti-arson application is mandatory for all property insurance policies. It must be completed annually, and failure to complete the application results in the cancellation of the underlying insurance policy. In the more than 40 years since the law went into effect much has changed. The need for the anti-arson requirement was made irrelevant by legislation enacted in the 1990s, which required insurers to file fraud-prevention plans with the New York State Department of Financial Services regarding how insurers intend to detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent insurance activities. Recognizing the need to remove the antiquated anti-arson requirement from New York City, PIANY supports A.2811/S.3547. The legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal, D-27, and Sen. James Sanders Jr., D-10, which would do just that by completely repealing New York Insurance Section 3403.
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.
Conn./N.J./N.Y.: Sign up to earn CE on personal lines solutions
Instructor Robin Federici, CPCU, AAI, ARM, AINS, AIS, APIW, will lead a webinar CISR OPLS: Other Personal Lines Solutions, on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. This course will examine coverage exclusions and limitations in the most current ISO Homeowners 3–Special form and the ISO personal auto policy. Participants will learn to address exposures created by business activities, the ownership or use of recreational vehicles and watercraft, and the need for additional coverage through personal umbrella liability and catastrophe coverage. Federici will cover topics including: business activities of personal lines, unique exposures to in-home businesses, types of loss, risk management considerations, and methods of insuring exposures. The course also will cover potential exposures to personal lines if clients have recreational vehicles and watercraft. This class has been approved for continuing-education credits in Connecticut (7 PC), New Jersey (7 GEN), and New York (7 BR, C3, PA, PC).
ICYMI
N.Y.: Photo inspection included in governor’s budget
Following the disappointing veto by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul of PIANY’s top legislative priority—which would have made photo inspections optional in the state—PIANY has been working tirelessly to include this issue in the governor’s executive budget. PIANY is excited to announce that those advocacy efforts have paid off. The governor released her Executive Budget last week and the photo inspection bill was included. This is great news for New York consumers, as we are one significant step closer to eliminating this outdated requirement. Be a part of the grassroots campaign to get this law passed.
Register now
March 23-24, 2023: Connecticut Convention—want to sponsor, exhibit or advertise?
Wednesday, April 19, 2023: Save the date: NY-YIP/PIA Pre Buffalo I-Day Event
Thursday, April 27, 2023: Save the date: Long Island RAP
Monday, May 1, 2023: Save the date: NJYIP Golf Open
June 4-6, 2023: Save the date: Annual Conference hosted by PIANJ and PIANY
Tuesday, June 6, 2023: Save the date: NJYIP Fun Run
Tuesday, June 20, 2023: Save the date: CTYIP Springfest Golf Outing
Monday, Aug. 7, 2023: Save the date: NY-YIP Annual Golf Open
Monday, Oct. 2, 2023: Save the date: PIANJ Golf Classic—40th Anniversary
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023: Save the date: Capital RAP
