News
PIA Market Trends Survey 2025 goes live
PIA Northeast is conducting its annual Market Trends Survey, and we need your input. This short, eight-question market survey helps us understand what you’re really experiencing—and ensures your voice is heard where it matters most. This is your opportunity to help guide the association’s advocacy efforts, and inform the conversations association leadership has with lawmakers, regulators and other industry professionals—and by extension, the direction of our industry. Once you’re finished, please share the survey link with the rest of your agency team and encourage them to take it, as well. To see the results from previous years’ surveys, PIA Northeast members can click here.
Extreme heat descends across the plains, Northeast
Earlier this week, a large heat dome was present through the plains and Northeast, causing temperatures to soar to over 100 degrees in some places. For the Northeast, Connecticut activated its Extreme Hot Weather Protocol from June 22-25, leading to the dissemination of information on cooling centers in the state. New York state declared a State of Emergency on June 22 for 32 counties in response to severe thunderstorms and the extreme heat. Heatwaves like these are more common and more intense due to climate change: speak with your clients about protecting themselves from the heat—especially those who work outside—and heat-related knock-on effects.
June consumer content round-up
Have you had the chance to review June’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 PIA Northeast News & Media: Warm-weather working: how to be safe, Sewer backup insurance and you and The pool is open—but is it safe?
Advocacy
PIA urges Senate passage of policy priorities
As the U.S. Senate prepares to take up the spending bill this week, PIA urges the passage of key policy priorities that will empower agents and provide for a stronger, safer insurance market for consumers. PIA strongly supports these important provisions and urges their passage by the Senate. The legislation included provisions making permanent the 20% qualified business income passthrough tax deduction presently available to eligible S corporations. Additionally, the reconciliation bill provides for the reinstatement of an annual administrative and operating inflation adjustment for crop agents. Ask your senator to support these key priorities by clicking here.
Update: PIANJ-backed litigation funding bill advances in Senate
There’s been a major update for a PIANJ-supported third-party litigation funding bill. S-4374, which calls for transparency and accountability for third-party litigation funding in the state, has been reported out of the Senate Commerce Committee—with amendments. PIANJ has long recognized that unchecked third-party litigation funding is one of the underlying drivers of soaring insurance premiums. By supporting S-4374, PIANJ is advocating for a more transparent and accountable legal environment—one that helps rein in rising insurance costs without compromising access to justice. To learn more, PIA Northeast members can access What is third-party litigation funding? How it works and its impact on insurance in the QuickSource library.
PIANY’s 2025 legislative recap: wins and future advocacy
The 2025 New York legislative session concluded last week, and PIANY advanced several long-standing priorities, secured meaningful wins, and set the foundation for continued progress. PIANY’s most important victories came in the anti-arson application repeal, the establishment of real-time auto insurance verification and consumer litigation funding reform. Other priority issues were not passed before the end of the session, but the association will be able to pick back up on its work once the new session begins. With major wins on the books and more work ahead, PIANY’s success depends on continued engagement from members like you: let’s keep it going.
Technical
A cyber security survival guide for independent agents
Recently, the insurance industry just got a loud knock on the door. Carriers like Erie Insurance, Philadelphia Insurance Cos., and AFLAC are all reportedly grappling with the fallout from major cyberattacks—likely launched by the hacker group known as Scattered Spider. These events serve as a powerful reminder that even if your agency isn’t the one breached, you’re still in the blast radius. These recent breaches are a warning shot: cyberattacks are no longer a distant risk. By taking proactive steps, your agency can stay resilient—no matter who gets hit next.
The importance of multifactor authentication
The recent industry-related cyberattacks have highlighted the need for stronger protocols to protect your agency’s data. Multifactor authentication adds a layer of security by requiring users to provide two forms of identification before they can access to a system, information, etc. And, now, insurance agencies that do business in New York state—or that work with insurance companies that do business in the state—may see an increase in in the usage of MFA. Starting on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, the New York Department of Financial Services cyber security regulations will take effect for Class A companies. Take additional steps to protect your agency and your clients. For a quote for cyber liability insurance for your agency or brokerage offered through PIA Northeast, click here. Plus, PIA Northeast’s partnership with KnowBe4 provides PIA members with exclusive discounts on a platform dedicated to improving organizational security culture, and to reducing human risk. For more information, PIA Northeast members can click here.
Consumer guidance for fire risk and insurance protection
In your clients’ home, fire risk is year-round. House fires can spring from unexpected sources, and it’s best if your clients understand their homeowners or renters insurance coverage. One insurance department in PIA Northeast’s five-state footprint issued a document which outlines the most common risks that could spark a home fire, strategies to prevent them, the importance of keeping home inventory and guidance for homeowners and renters to regularly review their insurance policies. The full consumer document, Protecting Your Home from Fire: Reducing Fire Risk and Strengthening Your Insurance Protection, is available here. You can find more consumer content related to fire risks on PIA Northeast News and Media, including The year-round wildfire season: Help your clients manage a possible new threat and Fire and water damage coverage essentials.
Knowing how to cover your client’s watercraft
There are plenty of types of watercraft that insureds can own. This includes canoes, jet skis, sailboats and more. You’re more than likely to get calls from your insureds about the possibility of covering their brand-new (or new-to-them) watercraft: why not shore up your knowledge about the subject? For more information, PIA members can access Options for covering watercraft, in the PIA QuickSource library.
Educating insurance agents
Valuable insights at the online 2025 Ruble Graduate Seminar
If you have yet to attend a Ruble Graduate Seminar, you will have the chance to do so soon. From Aug. 6-7, 2025, attend the Ruble Graduate Seminar online, from the comfort of your office or home. This seminar will feature four topics: there’s Cutting Edge Insurance Issues—which will identify emerging risks on a client’s business, agency or organization—and Understanding Occurrence and Claims-Made Triggers—a review of the occurrence and claims-made forms and examine the difference in coverage triggers—with Steven Lyon CIC, CRM, CPCU, ARM, AAI, AFIS, CRIS, AIS, MLIS. The other two topics are Business Auto Policy Endorsements Why and Why Not—which offers an in-depth look at endorsements that modify the Business Automobile Coverage form—and The What, Where and Why of Insurance Fraud and the Ethical Applications for Today—a deep dive into the world of insurance fraud—with Bettye Hutchison CIC, CRM, CPCU, ARM, CPIA, AAI, TRIP. This event also will feature Mark Palinkas, CIC, as educational consultant for the two-day event. This seminar has been approved for continuing-education credits in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. For detailed CE information in New Hampshire and Vermont, contact The Alliance at (800) 633-2165.
Events
CTYIP Golf Open 2025 a huge success with a sold-out tournament
This year’s CTYIP Golf Open was a major success—agents gathered at the Lyman Orchard Golf Club for a full day of golfing, networking, food and fun. Notably, this year’s tournament was sold-out, with 144 golfers playing 18 holes in a scramble format. PIA would like to thank everyone who was able to attend, as well as the event’s sponsor, Union Mutual: you all helped make this event possible. For a photo album of the event, click here.
Register now
Thursday, July 24, 2025: NJYIP Summer Breeze Bash
Thursday, July 24, 2025: NY-YIP Happy Hour in Buffalo
Monday, Aug. 11, 2025: NY-YIP Annual Golf Open—Call for nominations
Monday, Sept. 29, 2025: PIANJ Golf Classic
Save the date
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025: NY-YIP Albany Fall Soiree
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025: CTYIP Fall Networking
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025: NJYIP Holiday Reception
