News
Hurricane Erin lumbers up the East Coast
On Monday, Hurricane Erin began to make its way up the East Coast, bringing dangerous waves and surf along with it. The Category 2 hurricane was not forecast to make landfall, but officials along the Eastern Seaboard issued warnings about storm surge and dangerous, 10-foot waves: the state of North Carolina was expected to be heavily impacted, with a state of emergency declared on Aug. 19, 2025. PIA’s Hurricane Info Central tool kit offers PIA Northeast members one spot for all their hurricane-related resource needs. PIA members also can contact the PIA Industry Resource Center at resourcecenter@pia.org or use the Ask PIA button on the PIA home page to ask a specific question. PIA Northeast members can also access Top 10 insurance tips for hurricane season in the PIA QuickSource library.
Renaissance acquires Cali.-based group Evolution Partners
Renaissance is one of the leading independent insurance agency networks in the United States, and it has recently acquired the California-based membership group Evolution Partners. This is the fourth individual network to join Renaissance and marks its further westward expansion.
Advocacy
PIANJ calls for comprehensive e-bike protections
Last July saw e-bike accidents in the state claim the lives of two riders. Unfortunately, this reflects a growing nationwide trend as e-bikes surge in popularity. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that e-bikes and e-scooters were involved in nearly 250,000 emergency room visits and more than 350 fatalities nationwide between 2017 and 2022. In response, New Jersey lawmakers have begun considering legislation that would require safety courses for e-bike riders. PIANJ also calls for New Jersey lawmakers to establish a comprehensive e-bike insurance framework so that families are financially secure in the event of an e-bike accident.
Technical
Artificial intelligence and claims process automation
Major developments in artificial intelligence technologies have people across many different industries wondering how it can be used in automation solutions: the insurance industry is no exception. As these technologies become more commonplace for independent insurance agents, they must familiarize themselves with them and understand the industry’s history of automation to stay ahead of the competition. To learn more, PIA Northeast agents can access AI: Claims process automation—what agents need to know in the PIA QuickSource library.
Educating insurance agents
Buyer beware! Your clients and rental vehicle contracts
Vehicle rentals may pose unexpected challenges for clients: are they aware of the finer points of the contract they just signed? By taking the course Caveat Emptor! Renting Vehicles: Hired and Non-Owned Autos, you will be well-equipped to help your clients navigate what happens after they acquire a rental. This course will be held on Sept. 16, 2025, from 1-4 p.m., and will feature Steven D Lyon, CPCU, CIC, CRM, CRIS, AAI, ARM, AIS, MLIS, AFIS, as its instructor. This course has been approved for continuing education credits in Connecticut (3 PC), New Jersey (3 GEN) and New York (3 BR, C3, PA, PC).
Events
NY-YIP Golf Open a swinging success; over $4,000 raised for St. Jude
Insurance professionals from the region gathered on Aug. 11, 2025, at Oyster Bay for the NY-YIP Golf Open. Attendees engaged in friendly competition with a scramble golf tournament, followed by dinner, dessert and exciting raffles and contests. Insurance professionals were golfing for a good cause, too: all proceeds for the event were for the benefit of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Over $4,000 was raised for the hospital. View the photo album for the event online.
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.
PIANJ continues to call for state step-down clause bans
PIANJ will continue to advocate for step-down clause bans in New Jersey on behalf of its motorists. Drivers in the state are burdened by step-down clauses in their auto insurance, a loophole which substantially reduces protections in certain common scenarios. PIANJ argues that step-down clauses undermine consumer expectations, create inequitable treatment and punishes responsible behavior. PIANJ believes this practice is unfair, misleading and harmful to consumers, and that’s why the association strongly supports legislation to ban step-down clauses in New Jersey.
N.Y. Senate targets residential property insurance: Your voice is needed
The New York state Senate has issued a sweeping request for information on the state’s residential property insurance market—signaling the start of what could become a fast-moving legislative push to address skyrocketing premiums, shrinking availability and increasing consumer frustration. This request could lead to significant regulatory changes for the New York state insurance landscape. If lawmakers move forward without input from the insurance agents working closest with policyholders, reforms may be misguided or counterproductive, potentially worsening market conditions and limiting carrier flexibility even further. PIANY will submit a formal response to this request, but we need input from our members by Aug. 21, 2025. Late submissions may also be accepted.
Register now
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025: NY-YIP Albany Happy Hour
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025: Autumn in the City: NY-YIP Fall Reception
Monday, Sept. 29, 2025: PIANJ Golf Classic
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025: The CTYIP Spotlight Social | A Fall Reception
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025: A PIANJ WLA Panel: Pursuing (or Pushing) Positive Change
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025: NJYIP Holiday Reception
