News
New report examines needs of Gen Z employees in agencies
Positive cultures and more flexibility are key for insurance agencies to attract and motivate Gen Z employees, says a new report from PIA National. The report, Winning@Work, is based on interviews with Gen Z employees, and was developed by PIA’s Young Agents Committee in partnership with The PIA Partnership, the organization’s carrier council. Gen Z workers want agency cultures that enable them to perform meaningful work and offer opportunities to give back. Flexibility also is paramount, and it’s not limited to work-at-home arrangements. According to the reports findings, Gen Zs say they’re also motivated by flexibility in job approaches and responsibilities, dress codes, office environment, and goals and objectives. Access the full report here.
The insurance implications of hoarding
Hoarding has entered the public’s consciousness thanks to the many reality TV shows about the subject (albeit in a highly dramatized fashion). As an independent insurance agent, there’s a nonzero chance that you may have a client who hoards, or that you will have a client who does so in the future. Knowing how to address the needs of a client who hoards is valuable information for an agent—learn how to do so here.
NFIP Direct system migration, blackout period
As part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s ongoing efforts to enhance and streamline the systems that support flood insurance processing, National Flood Insurance Program Direct is migrating to a new system, with the go-live date set for Monday, April 7, 2025, at 8 a.m. (EDT). To prepare for this transition, there has been a system blackout period, which started on March 28, 2025. During the blackout period, insurance producers will not be able to: process endorsements or renewals; generate quotes; or submit or manage claims. Policyholders also will lose access to their online portals. Normal access and processing are expected to resume on Monday. For immediate assistance during the blackout, producers can contact the Flood Mapping and Insurance Exchange at (877) 336-2627.
Compliance
N.J.: New DOBI bulletin sets guardrails on AI’s role in insurance
On Feb. 11, 2025, the Department of Banking and Insurance issued Bulletin No. 25-03 to clarify how artificial intelligence may be used in insurance operations within the state. The message is clear: while innovation is welcome, consumer protection remains paramount. If you’re using AI systems—from underwriting and pricing, to claims and fraud detection—you must ensure those systems comply with existing laws—especially those addressing unfair trade practices and discrimination. The DOBI highlights its alignment with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Principles for AI, which emphasizes fairness, accountability, compliance, transparency and robustness.
N.Y. Cyber security compliance certification deadline approaching fast
Those individuals who hold a New York state insurance license—covered entities—including nonresident licensees, have less than two weeks to certify their compliance with the requirements of New York state’s cyber security regulation (23 NYCRR 500) for calendar-year 2024. This filing requirement is for all licensees not covered by another covered entity’s information system. This certification, which is required annually, must be filed via the New York State Department of Financial Services’ web portal by Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Interested in learning how to navigate 23 NYCRR 500? PIA Northeast has written a series of articles on the topic.
N.Y.: Policy cancellations and nonrenewals guidance
When the personal and commercial insurance market tightens, agents and brokers often become the frontline for answering client questions about nonrenewals, midterm cancellations and rate hikes. Fortunately, New York Insurance Law Sections 3425 and 3426 offer detailed playbooks on how commercial policies must be handled—protecting policyholders and offering a consistent framework for insurers. For personal lines, click here; for commercial lines, click here.
Advocacy
Conn.: Dog breed bill reported out of committee
A bill (S.B.1386) that would preserve insurers’ ability to assess risk based on individual dog behavior—rather than on breed stereotypes—while ensuring that homeowners and renters maintain meaningful coverage and agents and brokers avoid errors-and-omissions issues, has been reported out of Insurance and Real Estate Committee. Importantly, the advanced bill includes all the technical corrections proposed by PIACT in the testimony on the bill, which would ensure that the legislation is both effective and enforceable. PIACT continues to advocate for balanced, transparent insurance practices and remains an active voice in legislative discussions that impact both policyholders and the broader insurance market.
PIANJ priority lawsuit-lending transparency bill introduced
In a strong step toward tort reform, New Jersey lawmakers have introduced legislation (S-4374/A-5566), which would bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the fast-growing world of third-party litigation funding. The bills, sponsored by Sens. John McKeon, D-27, and Joseph Lagana, D-38, and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, D-29, would require full disclosure of any third-party litigation funding agreements in civil cases, including alternative dispute resolution proceedings and administrative hearings (excluding workers’ compensation). For insurance producers and policyholders, this bill represents a clear move to address escalating legal costs that continue to drive up insurance premiums. Here’s a breakdown of the key provisions.
How New York can hit the brakes on staged accidents
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed that staged crashes are on the rise—particularly in downstate areas like Long Island. According to the Insurance Information Institute, this kind of fraud adds $100 to $300 per year to the average auto policy. That’s not just a financial nuisance—it’s a systemic issue that’s putting lives at risk—and pushing affordable insurance further out of reach for New Yorkers. For insurance professionals, these fraudulent claims don’t just inflate loss ratios—they threaten the trust and financial stability of the no-fault system. But there is a smart, targeted solution on the table: S.5232/A.3851, a bill currently before the Codes committees in both chambers, which would finally crack down on the ringleaders behind these orchestrated crashes.
N.Y.: New Assembly bill would address infamous ‘Scaffold Law’
Recently, a bill (A.5811) has been introduced in the New York state Assembly, which would shine a light on how insurers handle liability coverage under the state’s infamous “Scaffold Law” (Labor Law Section 240). This law holds property owners and contractors absolutely liable for height-related injuries to construction workers, regardless of fault. Under this bill, insurers that provide liability coverage for Scaffold Law-related claims would be required to file detailed annual financial and claim-related data with the New York State Department of Financial Services.
N.Y.: New videos on priority legislation released
Bradford J. Lachut Esq., PIANY director of government & industry affairs, has produced three videos covering PIANY-priority legislative issues. These videos include: an overview of the CE carryover bill, the advancement of the anti-arson bill and an overview of PIANY’s legislative priorities for this session.
Technical
Misconceptions about flood insurance—how to dispel them
Did you know that flooding ranks as the No. 1 natural peril in the United States, and it is getting more intense and frequent with time? However, between 85%-95% of property owners don’t own flood insurance, leaving them exposed to this growing threat. The good news is, as an insurance producer, you have an active role in changing this statistic. To learn more about this subject, PIA Northeast members can access Clear up flood insurance misconceptions—be the adviser who helps clients prepare in the PIA QuickSource library.
Actual cash vs. replacement cost values
New home ownership or damage caused by natural disasters often sparks conversations with your insureds about the difference between actual cash value versus replacement cost values. Recent consumer advisories, such as the one issued by the New Hampshire Insurance Department, also may bring this topic to the forefront of your clients’ minds. You can help them make informed decisions about their insurance needs, and PIA can help you. PIA Northeast members can access Replacement cost coverage: A wise investment, which they can share with their clients.
Educating insurance agents
Insurance quiz—Test your working insurance lines knowledge
Put your knowledge of insurance lines to the test in the webinar Insurance Quiz—Testing Your Personal and Commercial Lines Knowledge with Steven D. Lyon, CPCU, CIC, CRM, CRIS, AAI, ARM, AIS, MLIS, AFIS. This session will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. It will examine some of the most commonly used ISO forms and endorsements, and shed new light on coverages and exclusions that often are missed by many experienced insurance professionals. This webinar has been approved for continuing-education credits in Connecticut (3 PC), New Jersey (3 GEN), New York (2 BR, C3, PA, PC) and Vermont (3 General).
Goodwin University and PIA to offer prelicensing 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 prelicensing 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 April 15–June 5. If you have questions about the program, email Betsy Caraballo, director of Workforce Development for Continuing Education at Goodwin College. Register today.
ICYMI
Proposed tariffs threaten to raise auto insurance
If you have been paying attention to the news or global trade, the word on everyone’s mind right now is tariffs, or the taxes levied on imported goods. President Donald Trump has adopted tariffs in a bid to protect the United States’ interests—however, in the United States, tariffs fall on the importer, not the exporter. This means that there will be knock-on effects for the goods targeted—which include increased auto insurance premiums.
Register now
April 15–June 5, 2025: Goodwin University, PIA: prelicensing course
April 21, 2025 | May 15 | June 9: Emerging Leaders Series—Connecticut | New Jersey | New York
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
