News
California’s Madre fire expands, 62% contained
On July 2, a wildfire ignited in San Luis County, Calif.: the wildfire quickly exploded over the next few days, covering roughly 80,000 acres. The fire, according to the LA Times, prompted the evacuation of 200 people and threatened 50 structures by July 6. In addition, the fire is threatening the Carrizo Plain National Monument, which houses several endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species. According to the California Department of forestry and Fire Protection, the fire is 62% contained as of July 9, 2025. You can find more content related to fire risks on PIA Northeast News & Media, including The year-round wildfire season: Help your clients manage a possible new threat and Fire and water damage coverage essentials.
Texas floods claim lives, cause billions in damages
Over the July 4 weekend, over a foot of rain deluged the Guadalupe River and Texas Hill Country, triggering extreme flash flooding. So far, the floods have claimed over 100 lives, with nearly 200 people still missing: Kerr County suffered the brunt of the fatalities, with Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp, losing 27 campers and counselors. AccuWeather estimates that, on top of the human cost, the total damage and economic cost of the floods are between $18-$22 billion: this includes homes, business, supply-chain disruptions, losses due to power outages and road closures and more. Because most homes don’t carry flood insurance, the financial impact for the flood’s victims is almost certain to deepen. 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. There is also consumer content from PIA Northeast News & Media that can be sent to clients, such as Water you mean I’m not covered? Navigate the flood insurance knowledge gap and Come hell or high water, homeowners need to understand flood insurance.
Vermont updates its Climate Action Plan
On June 23, the Vermont Climate Council adopted the updated Vermont Climate Action Plan. As required by the 2020 Global Warming Solutions Act, the plan identifies actions to reduce greenhouse gas emission and help Vermont prepare for the impacts of climate change, such as increased rain and heat. The initial Climate Action Plan was adopted in 2021 and must be updated every four years.
Compliance
CID updates flex-rate filing guidance
The Connecticut Insurance Department has issued Bulletin PC-92-25 to clarify and update the rules for personal-lines insurance rate filings under the state’s flex-rate filing provisions. Flex rating allows insurers to adjust rates for personal-lines insurance without prior approval from the CID, as long as the changes meet certain thresholds—though there are exclusions. While the bulletin doesn’t significantly affect day-to-day operations, it provides clarity on how rate changes are implemented: be aware of these changes in case clients come with questions about premium increases. This updated guidance applies to filing submitted on or after June 30, 2025.
CID provides guidance for flood policy disclosures
Last Connecticut legislative session, PIACT opposed a bill that would require insurance producers to send written flood insurance disclosures to consumers—including signed acknowledgments from every applicant for homeowners or renters insurance. Meanwhile, S.B. 9, which proposed that carriers take on this responsibility instead, passed with amendments recommended by PIACT. Recently, the CID issued guidance for this new responsibility carriers must undertake.
Advocacy
PIA priorities signed into law
On July 4, President Donald Trump signed into law key PIA policy priorities, delivering a significant victory for independent insurance agents. This includes the making permanent of the 20% qualified business income passthrough tax deduction, which was set to expire by the end of 2025; the reinstatement of an annual administrative and operating inflation adjustment for crop agents beginning with the 2026 reinsurance year; as well as the removal of a 10-year moratorium on AI regulation.
Technical
Explaining community associations and insurance
Generally, communal associations fall in three categories: there are cooperatives, condominiums and homeowners’ associations. Members not only share the common facilities, but they also share the risks that go with their ownership and operation. This also means the insurance portfolio of the association is of vital concern to each member, since each member retains the ultimate risk of the group. For more information on communal associations, PIA Northeast members can access One for all and all for one (community associations) in the PIA QuickSource library.
Conn: Online pay options available for FAIR Plan
Connecticut FAIR Plan policyholders now have the option to pay their premium via credit card or ACH bank transfer: this option is online only. Credit card payments will assess a nonrefundable fee equal to 3.5% of the transaction amount. ACH payments will assess a nonrefundable $5 flat fee per transaction. Checks also will continue to be accepted by mail. Full premium payment must be received before coverage becomes effective.
N.Y.: CPAP estimator and calculator released
The New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board’s redesign of the New York Construction Classification Premium Adjustment Program will be effective for eligible policies on and after Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. The Rating Board has released two online applications—the CPAP Estimator and CPAP Calculator—and those applications now are available for use on the Rating Board’s website.
Educating insurance agents
N.Y.: Sexual harassment prevention training course
Routine sexual harassment prevention training is mandatory for all employers in New York state. If you need to take this training, you can register for the New York Sexual Harassment Prevention Training:it will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 10-11 a.m. This course will be led by PIA Northeast Director of Government & Industry Affairs Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., and it is not eligible for CE credits. Each participant will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the webinar. Training must be completed every year in New York state.
Events
A summer evening with NJYIP in Highlands
Get ready for an evening of networking and opportunities at the NJYIP Summer Breeze Bash. This event will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Proving Ground, in Highlands, N.J. This modern dining retreat is located just along the waterfront. Registration includes three hours of networking, appetizers and open bar. Don’t miss out: register today to make new connections and enjoy a relaxing evening along the Atlantic.
Happy Hour with NY-YIP in Buffalo
Meet NY-YIP for a relaxing summer evening of fun and games at Buffalo RiverWorks, the city’s premier waterfront destination for boating, sports, live music and more. Network with new acquaintances and old friends for a relaxing evening of summer games. This event will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. Registration is free, but please pre-register so we can plan ahead. This event will be a cash bar. Register today: we hope to see you there!
ICYMI
Market trends survey is now live: make your voice heard!
PIA Northeast needs your input for the Market Trends Survey. 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.
N.Y.: Legislative wrap-up, part two
PIANY made numerous accomplishments in the 2025 New York state legislative session. However, not all of PIANY’s ambitious proposals made it to the finish line. These initiatives included licensing reform, excess line efficiency, e-bike safety and workers’ compensation fairness: several bills were designed to simplify processes, enhance consumer protections and bring New York’s insurance framework into better alignment with national standards. Despite strong industry backing, including from PIANY and increasing legislative attention, these initiatives faced a variety of roadblocks—from partisan gridlock to cost concerns—and ultimately stalled in committee.
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
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025: NY-YIP Albany Happy Hour
Monday, Sept. 29, 2025: PIANJ Golf Classic
Save the date
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025: NY-YIP Albany Fall Soiree
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025: Autumn in the City: NY-YIP Fall Reception
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025: CTYIP Spotlight Social | A Fall Reception
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025: NJYIP Holiday Reception
