News
Infrastructure series: IIJA’s clean water initiatives
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 represents a significant step toward modernizing the United States’s infrastructure, with a strong focus on improving water systems. Among its key provisions is the allocation of funds aimed at eliminating the use of lead pipes and ensuring access to clean, safe drinking water for all communities. These initiatives are not only vital for public health, but they also carry long-term implications for the insurance industry, which include reduced liability, the creation of new products, regulatory changes and more.
More winter weather expected soon in the Northeast
The Northeast was hit by a major storm over the weekend of Feb. 8-9, 2025. This resulted in several inches of precipitation and adverse driving conditions across the region. Even more storms are expected throughout the rest of the month, bringing additional snow and freezing rain along with it. Every winter, remember that PIA Northeast will keep its members updated on any winter storms that may affect the Northeast through its PIA Storm Info Central. The tool kit has numerous resources that you and your clients can use this winter.
E-bike regulation in N.Y.: New bills introduced
E-bikes and e-scooters have become an essential part of New York state’s transportation network, offering a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative to cars. Yet, their growing presence on the streets also has sparked debates over safety, liability and regulation. In response, state lawmakers have introduced a series of bills that would establish clearer rules for these vehicles. While each proposal takes a slightly different approach, the legislative efforts center around three key areas: to where and to whom the laws apply, whether riders should be required to carry insurance, and whether e-bikes and e-scooters should be subject to registration and inspection requirements like cars and motorcycles. Three bills represent different perspectives on these issues, shaping the future of how New Yorkers ride.
Advocacy
PIA urges Congress to protect crop insurance funding
Earlier this week, PIA, along with a coalition of fellow crop insurance stakeholders, sent congressional leaders a letter to urge them to protect crop insurance from funding cuts in Fiscal Year 2026 budget and appropriations process. Despite the critical role crop insurance plays in protecting farmers from natural and economic disasters, and its value in supporting rural economies, presidents of both parties typically try to cut crop insurance funding using the budget and appropriations process. PIA is continuing to advocate for the protection of the crop insurance program this year, and the association will remain vigilant against any attempts to cut the program during the forthcoming Farm Bill reauthorization process.
Conn: Flood disclosure law proposed
Connecticut lawmakers have introduced a new bill to increase transparency around flood risk and improve climate resilience—S.B.1245—“An Act Establishing a Resilient Connecticut Strategy.” One of the most notable provisions of the bill would require insurance producers and surplus-lines brokers to provide a written flood insurance disclosure to applicants for personal risk insurance policies. If passed, this bill would bring significant changes to how flood insurance is disclosed to consumers and the role insurance producers play in that process.
PIANY legislative watch: key bills for this session
PIANY is actively tracking key legislation in the 2025-26 session that could impact the insurance industry. PIANY has put together a roundup of the bills the association is watching—grouped by PIANY priorities, and other important industry-related legislation. This includes bills for criminalizing staged construction accidents, updating how insurers notify New York State Department of Financial Services, and prohibiting insurers from increasing auto premiums based on age for policyholders 60 and older and more.
N.Y: C-MAP chapter amendment to include additional properties
The beginning of New York’s legislative session is defined by revisiting bills that didn’t pass and adding “chapter amendments” to the bills that did. One notable chapter amendment passed by the Legislature on Feb. 6, 2025, directly impacts insurance agents and homeowners along the Hudson River. A.425/S.771, sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Otis, D-91, and Sen. Shelley Mayer, D-37, expands eligibility for the Coastal Market Assistance Program, which should allow more properties to qualify for coverage.
Technical
N.H.: Home location discrimination prohibited
The New Hampshire Insurance Department has reaffirmed its longstanding prohibition against insurers canceling, refusing to issue or declining to renew homeowners insurance policies solely based on geographic location. In a letter, the NHID underscored that New Hampshire law expressly forbids discriminatory underwriting practices while permitting insurers to consider legitimate risk factors in determining premiums. According to RSA 417-B:2 and RSA 417:4, VIII(e), New Hampshire law explicitly prohibits insurers from basing underwriting decisions on factors such as age, residence, race and military service. While insurers are allowed to consider location-based risk factors—such as a property’s proximity to fire services—state law clearly stipulates that coverage cannot be denied purely on the grounds of location.
Educating insurance agents
Take the first steps to earn your TRA certification
The Trusted Risk Advisor Certification Program is designed for agents and brokers who want to take their careers to the next level. To earn the certification, you must complete all four sessions of the TRA program in order. Agents who complete the TRA program are granted a lifetime certification. The first online course for the TRA Certification Program is Goodbye, Agent and Broker. Hello Trusted Risk Advisor. It is set to run from Feb. 17-28, 2025, with its finale on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. This course has been approved for 5 NYCE credits, applicable to BR, C1, C3, LA, LB, LSB, PA, PC licenses. It’s also approved for 5 GEN NJCE credits.
Connecticut Convention: CE-approved courses with experienced instructors
There’s a lot to look forward to at this year’s PIACT’s Annual Convention—March 20-21, 2025. While you enjoy the venue—the Foxwoods Resort Casino—don’t forget to take full advantage of the salient education courses. Two classes will be taught by John Fear, CPIA, CISR: Emerging Risks: Autonomous Vehicles, Short-Term Rentals, Rideshares & Drones, and The Intersection of AI and Insurance. Christopher Weldon Esq., Winget, Spadafora & Schwartzberg LLP, will lead Errors & Omissions: An Agent’s Ethical and Legal Obligations^UN^AZ. Each class has been approved for CE credits in Connecticut, for full class descriptions, click here. Don’t miss out on these valuable classes: register today and save 15% for the Connecticut Convention. If you are interested in sponsoring, exhibiting or advertising, click here. ^UN^AZ—This course has been approved for E&O loss-prevention credit by Utica National & Allianz. Call the PIA E&O Department for details.
ICYMI
Exposures on the premises of your insured’s home
On your insured’s property, there are plenty of financial exposures laying in the wait—from dead trees falling on the neighbor’s property to slips-and-falls. Homeowners insurance policies do provide protection from lawsuits that arise from accidents, but there are excluded premises—and if there are excluded premises, what is included? For more information, PIA Northeast members can access Homeowners premises liability coverage in the PIA QuickSource library.
Register now
Tuesday, March 4, 2025: NJYIP Swing and Connect
Wednesday, March 19, 2025: Connecticut Convention Welcome Reception
March 20-21, 2025: Connecticut Convention—
Interested in sponsoring, advertising or exhibiting? Click here.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025: NY-YIP Pre I-Day Happy Hour
Wednesday, March 26, 2025: Buffalo I-Day
Wednesday, May 7, 2025: NJYIP Golf Open
Thursday, May 22, 2025: PIANJ Women’s Leadership Alliance Pickleball Tournament and Networking
Save the date
Thursday, March 13, 2025: PIACT/CTYIP Legislative Reception
June 8-10, 2025: PIANJ | PIANY Annual Conference
Tuesday, June 10, 2025: NJYIP Fun Run
Tuesday, June 17, 2025: CTYIP Golf Open
Thursday, July 24, 2025: NJYIP Summer Breeze Bash
Monday, Aug. 11, 2025: NY-YIP Annual Golf Outing
