News
PIA Connecticut Convention is live—register at the door
The PIA Connecticut Convention is happening now—and there’s still plenty of events that you can attend. This afternoon: PIA National President Ariel Rivera, MBA, CIC, CPIA, will discuss the changes in the insurance industry throughout the years at the Networking Buffet Lunch, which starts at 12:30 p.m. The sold-out trade show will open at 1:30 p.m. You can attend the afternoon education session—The Intersection of AI and Insurance—starting at 3:30 p.m. And, the Networking Reception with DJ Mike Nigretti will begin at 4:30 p.m. Plus, see the convention schedule to see what’s happening on Friday. All you need to do is show up and register at the door. The registration desk is open from now until 4 p.m.
Massive storm system over US devastates communities
Last weekend a massive storm system tore through the Central and Eastern United States, which left communities devastated and left over 40 people dead. This system created a wide variety of natural disasters, which included tornadoes, dust storms, blizzards and wildfires. This storm system was widespread, spanning from Texas to parts of New Jersey and New York. 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 to prepare for severe weather.
N.Y.: State issues warning for flooding from precipitation
Spring means warm weather, which also means more rain, as well as melting snow and ice. On March 14, 2025, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed state agencies to prepare for heavy rain and the potential for localized flooding over last weekend. Make sure your clients are prepared: Have you explained to your clients that flooding isn’t covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy? PIA Northeast members—who are looking for help on how to answer their clients’ questions about flood insurance—can access the PIA Flood Insurance Tool Kit.
Compliance
New Jersey pay-to-play annual disclosure due
New Jersey’s pay-to-play law (P.L. 2005, c. 271 Section 3), requires insurance agencies to file electronic annual disclosure statements by Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Insurance agencies that have received $50,000 or more in the aggregate during the 2024 calendar year—through contracts with a public entity or public entities—must file the annual disclosure statement that lists various political contributions made during the year. The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission expects that there will be a considerable number of agencies that will file statements this year and the commission suggests that those agents who need to file a disclosure statement do it early. For more information about where to file or obtain the necessary forms, see the related article on PIA Northeast News & Media.
Advocacy
Government shutdown avoided, NFIP extended until Sept. 30
Last Friday, Congress avoided a shutdown following the Senate’s passage of a continuing resolution to fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year. Included in the CR was an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program until Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. This latest extension marks the 33rd short-term extension of the NFIP. Its most recent five-year reauthorization expired in 2017, and, in advance of that deadline, the 115th Congress was unable to agree on NFIP reforms, leading to a seemingly endless string of short-term extensions. PIA will continue to work with lawmakers to bolster support for a long-term reauthorization of the NFIP with necessary reforms.
Bill to update N.Y. DMV system reported out of committee
PIANY has long advocated for a more effective and consumer-friendly insurance marketplace. In past legislative sessions, PIANY successfully championed key reforms, including standardizing the definition of windstorm, and banning harmful bait-and-switch tactics. Building on this progress, PIANY now is pushing for a critical update to the New York state Department of Motor Vehicle’s insurance verification system. This week marked an important step, when PIANY-supported legislation (S.5331), sponsored by Sen. Jamaal Bailey, D-36, passed unanimously out of the Senate Transportation Committee. The bill would replace the outdated insurance verification process with a real-time, online system, which would eliminate processing delays that often cause insured drivers to appear uninsured.
Technical
Protecting businesses when floods are more frequent
In a world in which flooding and heavy rain are becoming more frequent, the drainage systems of areas not prone to this kind of weather are struggling to keep up. How can business owners go above and beyond to protect their businesses in the event of inundation or flooding? To learn more about this subject, PIA Northeast members can access Increased flooding elevates business insurance—knowledge and prevention are paramount in the PIA QuickSource library.
Accolades
Enter competition for 2025 Outstanding CSR of the Year
The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance has launched its 2025 Outstanding CSR of the Year. Entry submission must include: an entry form, two letters of recommendation from professional references and 500- to 1000-word essay on how customer service representatives can successfully integrate the latest technology while preserving meaningful client relationships. Nominate or register through the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance by Thursday, May 1, 2025, for a chance to gain national recognition and compete for a cash prize at the national level. Don’t wait—nominate someone today.
Educating insurance agents
Conn./N.J./N.Y.: Brush up on personal automobile policies
The next time that you speak with your insureds about their personal auto policy, make sure that you are up to date with the latest information. Take the 2024-2025 CISR PA: Insuring Personal Auto webinar to stay ahead of the competition. It will feature the instructor Brett R. Hammond, CIC, CPRM, CPCU, ARe, and will run from 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. This course has been approved for continuing-education credits in Connecticut (7 PC), New Jersey (7 GEN, DOBI will award 12 CE credits for licensees in good standing) and New York (7 BR, C3, PA, PC).
Goodwin University and PIA to offer pre-licensing course
Do you have new employees who must earn their property/casualty license? Or, are you a new insurance agent who needs to be licensed? PIA Northeast, through a partnership with Goodwin University, can help. Through an eight-week pre-licensing program, participants will gain hands-on experience through self-study, virtual discussions and shadowing local professional insurance agents—everything needed to put them on track for their p/c state license. The course will run from Tuesday, April 15 to Thursday, June 5, 2025. If you have questions about the program, email Betsy Caraballo, director of Workforce Development for Continuing Education at Goodwin College. More information to follow.
Events
PIACT Legislative Reception brings agents and lawmakers together in Hartford
PIACT held its annual Legislative Reception on March 13, 2025, at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Conn. This event provided an invaluable opportunity for insurance producers from across the state to connect with lawmakers, discuss pressing industry challenges and advocate for meaningful change. The event’s timing couldn’t have been better—it was held the same week that PIACT’s top legislative priority, a bill that would modernize the excess-and-surplus insurance placement process was reported out of committee. This legislative momentum set the perfect stage for a night of engaging conversations about the future of the industry.
Pre Buffalo I-Day Happy Hour, register now
Join the New York Young Insurance Professionals for Buffalo I-Day on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Soho, from 6-9 p.m. Insurance professionals from the area will enjoy drinks and networking before diving headfirst into everything Buffalo I-Day has to offer. Don’t miss out: register today and make new connections.
ICYMI
Major update to CTA enforcement
The Corporate Transparency Act has received major update regarding to its enforcement. The Treasury Department announced on Feb. 27, 2025, that FinCEN would not issue any fines, penalties or take enforcement actions against any companies based on any failure to file or update beneficial ownership information reports pursuant to the current deadlines until a forthcoming interim final rule becomes effective. Then, on March 2, 2025, the FinCEN announced it would not enforce any penalties or fines associated with the BOI reporting rule under the existing regulatory deadlines, and that it will not enforce any penalties or fines against U.S. citizens or domestic reporting companies or their beneficial owners after the new interim final rule changes take effect. The Treasury Department is expected to issue a proposed rulemaking that will narrow the scope of the rule to foreign reporting companies only.
Register now
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
June 8-10, 2025: PIANJ | PIANY Annual Conference—
Interested in sponsoring, advertising or exhibiting? Click here.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025: YIP Fun Run
Tuesday, June 17, 2025: CTYIP Golf Open
Tuesday, June 17, 2025: PIWA Spring Reception
Thursday, July 24, 2025: NJYIP Summer Breeze Bash
Save the date
Sunday, June 8, 2025: NJYIP Nitecap
Monday, June 9, 2025: Deep Dive Live: Tech Tactics
Monday, Aug. 11, 2025: NY-YIP Annual Golf Outing
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025: NY-YIP Albany Fall Soiree
Monday, Sept. 29, 2025: PIANJ with WLA Golf Classic
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025: CTYIP Gala
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025: NJYIP Holiday Reception
