News
National Volunteer Week is April 20-26: PIA Northeast thanks its generous volunteers
PIA Northeast is the premier trade association for independent insurance agents in the Northeast—all thanks to the time, unbeatable knowledge and never-ending service of its members and volunteer boards. On behalf of the entire staff at PIA, we thank each and every PIA volunteer for their generous contribution to the insurance industry.
Report: Market conditions create opportunities in surplus lines
AM Best has issued a press release regarding its recent report on the U.S. surplus lines market. The agency found that premiums generated by nonadmitted insurers that comprise the U.S. surplus lines market continue to increase, underscoring the potential growth opportunities being generated from market pressures in the property/casualty segment. The contributors to the growth include lines of business directly experiencing turbulence post-COVID-19 from macroeconomic pressure. PIA Northeast members can read more about current trends in the E&S marketplace in the May issue of PIA Magazine, which should be out soon.
April consumer content round-up
Have you had the chance to review April’s consumer content offered by PIA Northeast? Our consumer content provides an excellent conversation starter when it comes to introducing different types of insurance or business practices to your clients. Last month, your association published the following articles on its news site: gauging how much coverage a homeowner needs—a discussion of actual cash value vs. replacement cost value, the insurance needed to cover a film set and the coverage ride-hailing delivery drivers need to do their job safely.
N.J.: Wildfire explodes in size, burning over 8,500 acres
Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency on April 23, 2025, due to the active Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County. The fire has rapidly grown in size since it ignited on April 22, covering 8,500 acres and threatening over 1,000 structures. According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service the fire is only 10% contained so far. PIA Northeast has previously covered the impacts of wildfires and how it relates to insurance in Wildfire and business interruption coverage and The year-round wildfire season: Help your clients manage a possible new threat.
N.Y.: Discovery laws to combat organized retail theft
Gov. Kathy Hochul stood with business leaders and District Attorneys on April 16, 2025, to call for essential changes to New York’s discovery laws, which would amend reforms passed in 2019. These proposed reforms are part of Hochul’s ongoing efforts to combat organized retail theft in the state. For those interested in the topic, PIA Northeast has covered the state’s attempt to mitigate organized retail theft and its implications for insurance. Vermont also has passed laws further criminalizing retail theft.
Vt.: New DFR commissioner appointed
Gov. Phil Scott has appointed Kaj Samson as the newest commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation. Samsom brings more than 14 years’ experience in state government to his current role, including various positions at the DFR and as Tax commissioner in the Scott administration from 2017-19. Prior to this appointment, he served as chief auditor with the National Life Group. PIA looks forward to working with Commissioner Samson on all insurance related matters for independent agents.
Advocacy
N.J.: Comparative negligence protections for producers
Insurance producers in New Jersey face a unique and often unjust legal hurdle: they’re sometimes barred from asserting a key legal defense known as comparative negligence. However, PIANJ is championing a legislative effort to change that. This initiative would ensure that insurance producers are treated like virtually every other civil defendant in the state: able to defend themselves by demonstrating shared responsibility when clients allege professional mistakes—particularly when courts determine that a “special relationship” exists between the producer and the client. As it stands right now, New Jersey courts have never clearly defined what constitutes a special relationship. This legal gray area creates inconsistency and uncertainty. In some cases, producers are allowed to use comparative negligence; in others, they aren’t. The result? A patchwork system in which insurance professionals are sometimes held to a different, higher legal standard than their clients.
Technical
Let push notifications take your marketing to new heights
Almost everyone in the United States own a mobile phone—a majority of these phone owners have smartphones, which provide them with all the information they need with a few taps of the screen. These phones can receive push notifications, messages or notices that appear right on a smartphone’s screen—even if its phone’s display is off, and the device is stashed away in a pocket or purse. For insurance agents, smartphones and push notifications can be a powerful tool to communicate with their audiences. For more information, PIA Northeast members can access Your agency needs a little push—take advantage of marketing micro-moments with the power of push notifications in the PIA QuickSource library.
Accolades
CTYIP seeks nominations for many accolades
The 2025 CTYIP Annual Gala is only a few months away: do you know a professional or agency that has made a tremendous impact on the independent insurance ecosystem in Connecticut? Then nominate them today for one of the following awards: Lifetime Achievement, CTYIP of the Year, CTYIP Director of the Year, CTYIP Carrier Professional of the Year, CTYIP Supporter of the Year and CTYIP Technology of the Year. Learn more about each award—then nominate someone! The nominations deadline is Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, and the CTYIP Annual Gala will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025—save the date.
NY-YIP seeks nominations for Professional of the Year
Do you know an active NY-YIP member who demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and excellence in the insurance industry and values the importance of the independent agent? If so, nominate the individual for the NY-YIP of the Year award! The nomination deadline is Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The winner will be announced at the annual NY-YIP Golf Open on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025—save the date.
Educating insurance agents
Back-to-back webinars: Ethics and the NFIP
Get ready for a full afternoon of insurance education with instructor Mishell K. Magnusson, CIC, CISR, CPIA, AAI, FIPC. On Thursday, May 1, 2025, she will lead Ethics and Professionalism from 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., and NFIP—What is a Flood? from 3-4 p.m. The former course will provide guidance for an agent’s ethical responsibilities, while the latter course is a basic agent training course for Federal Emergency Management Agency agent certification. Ethics and Professionalism has been approved for CE credits in Connecticut (1 LRE), New Jersey (1 ETH) and New York (1 BR, C1, C3, LA, LB, LSB, PA, PC, TIA). NFIP—What is a Flood has been approved for CE credits in Connecticut (1 PC), New Jersey (1 NFIP Flood) and New York (1 BR, C3, PA, PC). The classes satisfy New York state’s mandatory one-hour requirement per licensing period for flood insurance and ethics and professionalism, respectively.
Events
Hit the greens with your industry peers at the NJYIP Golf Open
Are you looking for a way to have fun and network with your fellow insurance professionals? Then be sure to attend the NJYIP 33rd Annual Golf Openat Galloping Hill Golf Course, Kenilworth, N.J. It will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This event will bring together members and industry colleagues for an 18-hole, scramble-format tournament and an opportunity to cultivate new business contacts. With extended networking opportunities during dinner, even nongolfers benefit. Don’t miss out: register today! Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Register now
Wednesday, May 7, 2025: NJYIP Golf Open
May 15 | June 9: Emerging Leaders Series—Connecticut | New Jersey | New York
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
