The colloquial term “bait and switch” is used to describe when an insurance company verifies an insurance applicant’s driving history after the applicant has paid the premium on a personal auto policy. Legislation that would ban this harmful practice passed the state Senate Insurance Committee today.
The bill, S.5764A, would require that insurance companies verify drivers’ history before binding a personal automobile insurance policy. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Neil Breslin, D-44, who serves as chair of the state Senate Insurance Committee.
Companion legislation A.4668, sponsored by state Assembly Insurance Committee Chair David Weprin, D-24, passed the state Assembly last month.
Learn more about the bait-and-switch issue here.
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If you want to get involved with PIANY’s legislative and advocacy work, there are many ways to engage with the association:
- participate in PIANY’s District Office Visit Program;
- become a member of Agents Advocacy Coalition; and
- watch your PIA Northeast publications and PIA Northeast’s social-media channels for important New York updates, and share them with your followers.

Theophilus Alexander
Theophilus W. Alexander has served in both houses of the New York State Legislature. He worked as a legislative analyst for Hon. New York State Sen. Samra G. Brouk, D-55, and he served at the New York State Assembly, as a policy analyst with New York Assembly Program & Counsel. Theo received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y.