News
CID commissioner testifies for the NAIC
On Sept. 17, 2025, Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner and National Association of Insurance Commissioners Past President Andrew N. Mais testified on behalf of the NAIC at a U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance hearing. The subcommittee met to discuss reauthorizing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which is set to expire at the end of 2027. In his testimony, Mais highlighted the value of proactive planning and the importance of TRIA in ensuring that insurers can provide affordable commercial terrorism coverage. Read Mais’ written remarks here, and watch his testimony here.
September consumer content round-up
Have you had the chance to review September’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: Why is my premium increasing?, Can your insurance company ‘blacklist’ certain car models? and Tips for cleaning up household hazardous waste after a storm.
N.J.: Lyft fined $19.4M in driver misclassification case
Lyft has submitted $19,435,087.06 in payments to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s unemployment, temporary disability, family leave insurance trust funds and workforce development funds after an audit found that the ride-share company improperly classified over 100,000 drivers as independent contractors—depriving them of crucial safety-net benefits by failing to make required contributions from 2014 to 2017.
Advocacy
Advocacy Day 2025: PIA Northeast goes to Washington
Independent insurance agents from across the United States gathered at the nation’s capital on Sept. 17, 2025, for PIA’s National Advocacy Day—a cornerstone event at which agents share their expertise and perspectives with lawmakers as crucial insurance policies are debated. PIA Northeast was strongly represented at Advocacy Day, with delegates bringing both experience and leadership to Capitol Hill. PIA National’s agenda consisted of many high-priority topics, including the repeal or reform of the Federal Insurance Office, the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program, preserving agents’ role in flood insurance and New York state’s historic Scaffold Law. See photos of the Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York representatives.
Technical
To clients: Make the most of a home improvement plan
For your clients, home improvement is no easy task. It’s potentially time-consuming, expensive and even dangerous. Before your clients dive into such a project, they must make sure everything is in order—especially their insurance coverage. For more information on how to guide your clients through a home improvement project, PIA Northeast members can access Home improvement in the PIA QuickSource library.
Flood changes take effect Oct. 1, 2025
In June, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued Bulletin W-25003, to announce upcoming changes to the National Flood Insurance Program effective Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. These updates will be reflected in the next NFIP Flood Insurance Manual update, expected in October 2025. If you have questions, Contact PIA’s Industry Resource Center at (800) 424-4244 or resourcecenter@pia.org for assistance with your flood-related questions. Also, don’t forget that you have access to PIA’s Flood Insurance Tool Kit, which offers technical information, WYO resources and more.
NHID guidance: Medicare Advantage market changes
Commissioner David J. Bettencourt of the New Hampshire Insurance Department recently issued a letter to insurance producers about the upcoming changes in the Medicare Advantage market. His goal is to outline the changes so that insurance producers can communicate these differences to their clients as early as possible. That way consumers will have the guidance they need to make the most informed decisions about their Medicare options.
NJCRIB files 4.3% reduction in rates
The New Jersey Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau submitted a filing to the Department of Banking and Insurance to seek a 4.3% decrease in the overall premium and rate level effective Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. If approved, this would be the tenth year in a row without an increase. Additionally, the filing proposed several Manual amendments, such as changes to experience and retrospective rating values, as well as the transition from two (e.g., 0.00) to three (e.g., 0.000) decimal places for Rates and Excess Elements.
Educating insurance agents
Online education with WebCE, right at your fingertips
PIA Northeast has partnered with WebCE to provide you with on-demand access online classes to further your career as an independent insurance agent. For over 25 years, WebCE has served 1.5 million online courses each year to over one million professionals nationwide in a variety of industries. Through WebCE, PIA offers courses on prelicense exam preparation, continuing education, certifications & designations and onboarding & development. These classes can be ordered at your convenience, and you’ll receive your results in a timely fashion. To find the online classes that you need for your professional career, visit the course catalog today.
Emerging E&O issues and recent court cases
Most errors-and-omissions claims against agents and brokers are not because they have done something wrong, it’s because they can’t prove that they did not. Register for Emerging E&O Issues and Recent Court Cases^AZ ^UN with Steven D. Lyon, CPCU, CIC, CRM, CRIS, AAI, ARM, AIS, MLIS, AFIS, to learn about some of the emerging E&O issues and recent court cases facing insurance agents and brokers. You also will learn how to develop the internal and external procedures necessary to avoid falling short of the standard of care required by the courts. This course has been approved for CE credits in Connecticut (3 PC), New Hampshire (3 Producer PROD), New Jersey (3 GEN) and New York (3 BR, C3, PA, PC). ^AZ ^UN–This course has been approved for E&O loss prevention credit by Allianz and Utica National.
ICYMI
N.Y.: Revised WC loss costs take effect Oct. 1
In May, the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board submitted an application to the New York State Department of Financial Services for an overall loss cost decrease of 13.2%. The DFS approved the application as filed, with an effective date of Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. For a summary of all these changes, PIA Northeast members can access New York workers’ compensation ratings—2025 in the QuickSource library, and see the related article on PIA Northeast News & Media.
Register now
Monday, Sept. 29, 2025: PIANJ Golf Classic
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025: PIWA panel discussion: Wholesale & Retail Distribution Dynamics
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025: The CTYIP Spotlight Social | A Fall Reception
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025: PIANJ Deep Dive Live: Behind the Verdict: How Litigation Trends Are Driving Insurance Costs
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025: A PIANJ WLA Panel: Pursuing (or Pushing) Positive Change
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025: Virtual Event with PIA National CEO Mike Skiados
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025: NJYIP Holiday Reception
Save the date
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025: NY-YIP Buffalo Bills Tailgate
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026: PIANY MetroRAP
