News
Print advertising and you: taking your outreach to new heights
Since the advent of the internet, digital advertising has been a big part of daily life. Consumers receive advertising at nearly every available juncture, which includes ads on videos and streaming services, banner ads, embedded videos on webpages and more. However, there is a substantial portion of the online population that is weary of digital advertising and has taken steps to reduce its presence in their browsing experience, usually by using an adblock extension. This is when print advertising comes into play: by supporting your overall advertising efforts with print ads in a magazine or newspaper, you can make a substantial impact on a target audience: independent insurance agents, for instance.
N.J.: Delays, cancellations hit Newark airport due to staffing, tech issues, repairs
The Newark Liberty International Airport has suffered a series of delays and cancellations from numerous compounding issues. These issues include outdated equipment, staffing shortages, runway repairs as well as recent inclement weather. One of the most recent incidents occurred on April 28, when the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control lost all radar and communications with a plane: this communications blackout lasted anywhere from 30 to 90 seconds, jeopardizing the safety of the airport. This incident prompted numerous employees to take stress and trauma leave. With problems mounting at one of the busiest airports in the Northeast, it’s important for independent agents to speak to their clients about travelers insurance in case their flights are delayed, or they are stranded.
Advocacy
PIANY’s anti-arson repeal bill clears state Senate committee
In a unanimous vote, the New York state Senate Insurance Committee has advanced S.4157, which would repeal the outdated anti-arson application requirement for property insurance policies in New York City. The vote marks a significant legislative victory for PIANY and its ongoing campaign to eliminate obsolete insurance regulations that no longer serve consumers. S.4157, sponsored by Sen. James Sanders Jr. D-10, mirrors A.112—previously passed by the Assembly in March—and would fully repeal Section 3403 of the Insurance Law. This action would eliminate a redundant administrative hurdle while preserving strong fraud oversight through the New York State Department of Financial Services’-approved insurer fraud-prevention plans, data analytics and investigative tools. Help make a difference by clicking this link and sending a letter to your state senator, urging them to support S.4157.
N.Y.: Senate committee advances PIA-priority CE carryover bill
The PIANY-supported bill, S.6122, which would allow insurance producers to carry over up to seven continuing-education credit hours into the next licensing cycle, passed the Senate Insurance Committee unanimously. Currently, insurance producers in New York state must complete 15 CE credits every two years—but any additional hours earned are forfeited at the end of the licensing cycle. This bill would offer a smarter, more flexible approach, allowing up to seven excess CE credits to be carried over to the next period. Your association needs your help to get this legislative priority through the Senate. You can help out by clicking this link and sending a letter to your State senator, urging them to support S.6122.
Technical
Why making your websites mobile friendly is a must
People using their mobile devices to search the web is a rapidly growing trend—is your agency prepared to capitalize on it? While it does take some time and work to make your website mobile-friendly, the benefits of doing so greatly outweigh the costs: it means more people will be engaging with your business anywhere they can access the internet. To learn more, PIA Northeast members can access Maximizing mobile: from good idea to must do, in the PIA QuickSource library.
Conn.: WC second Injury Fund assessment remains stable
In the May 2025 Treasurer’s Letter, State Treasurer Erick Russell announced that the Second Injury Fund assessment rate will remain at 2.25% for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The assessment rate for self-insured employers remains at 2.75%.
N.H.: Reporting administrative actions, criminal prosecutions
The New Hampshire Insurance Department clarifies the options available to licensees for reporting formal public administrative actions and criminal prosecutions. Under RSA 402-J:17, 402-D:18 and 402-B:7, all insurance producers and adjusters licensed in New Hampshire must report any formal administrative actions taken against them by another governmental agency within 30 days of final disposition. They also must report any criminal prosecutions in any jurisdiction within 30 days of the initial pretrial hearing. To streamline compliance, licensees may fulfill these reporting requirements by either uploading the relevant documentation to the National Insurance Producer Registry or by mailing the documents to the NHID Licensing Division.
N.Y.: License renewal reminder for excess lines
The Excess Line Association of New York reminds that excess line broker entity licenses (corporation, LLC, or partnership), as well as producing broker property/casualty entity licenses, expire on Monday, June 30, 2025. The DFS no longer mails renewal license applications; renewal applications are available online only. License renewal applications for broker entities are now available through the NY LINX portal on the DFS’s website here.
Educating insurance agents
Fulfilling the implied promises in an insuring agreement
When an insurer and policyholder reach an agreement regarding coverage, it comes with a series of implied promises that must be met. To learn more about your implied duties, register today for the online course, 2024-2025 CPIA 3: Sustain Success, with John Fear, CPIA, CISR. This class will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 8 a.m.-4.pm. This class has been approved for CE credits in Connecticut (1 LRE, 6 PC), New Hampshire (2 Ethics, 5 Gen Ins Prin PROD), New Jersey (7 GEN), New York (7 BR, C1, C3, LA, LB, LSB, PA, PC) and Vermont (7 General).
Events
Harmonize with industry trends at Annual Conference
Get ready to roam the trade-show floor for the best deals at this year’s PIANJ | PIANY Annual Conference, June 8-10, 2025, at the Hard Rock Casino, Atlantic City, N.J. At the packed trade show, you will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge insurance products that will keep you ahead of the competition—the trade show also is the perfect time to expand your network with like-minded professionals. Don’t wait before ticket prices go up—register today and save 20%. Interested in sponsoring, advertising or exhibiting? Click here.
ICYMI
US Senate banking hearing homes in on disaster mitigation
Last week, the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs held a hearing examining the value of disaster mitigation as a means of strengthening the American insurance markets. Witnesses included representatives of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, the Center for Industrial Progress and the Insurance Institute for Building and Home Safety. They also cautioned that proposed cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its insurance programs could increase consumers’ insurance costs. On the eve of the hearing, Senate Banking Committee chair Tim Scott, R-S.C., joined Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, in reintroducing the Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act, which PIA supports. The act would incentivize community adoption of vital flood mitigation strategies and improve the long-term financial solvency of the National Flood Insurance Program, among other benefits.
Register now
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—
Lunch and networking seats still available
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
Tuesday, May 13, 2025: Albany Lobby Day
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
