News
PIANY priority anti-arson bill signed into law
For the third consecutive legislative session, PIANY saw its top legislative priority become law. Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed A.112/S.4157, a bill that repeals the outdated anti-arson application requirements in New York City, the last municipality in the state where the application was required. With the bipartisan passage of this bill, New York City joins Buffalo and Rochester by repealing its outdated anti-arson application requirement, aligning the city with statewide best practices and modernizing its insurance laws. PIANY extends its gratitude to the bill’s sponsors and the insurance agents statewide who contacted their legislators to support this bill.
Cybersecurity in the insurance industry
This is your reminder that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month: it’s more important than ever to stay on top of the latest issues facing the insurance industry with PIA Northeast’s seven-part series that examines the most recent cyber security regulation. Insurance agencies and companies hold vast amounts of sensitive information, from policyholder data to financial information, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Beyond the immediate financial implications of a cyberattack, there’s the enduring damage to an agency’s or an insurer’s reputation. As a reminder: Any agency doing business in New York state must comply with the New York State Department of Financial Services’ cyber security rules.
Carrier outreach: How agents navigate the shifting market
The personal-lines insurance market in the Northeast has been anything but predictable. From underwriting volatility to shifting policy terms, agents are facing a landscape that demands agility, insight and support. Policy terms are tightening, too. Maintenance coverage is fading, deductibles are rising and price-sensitive clients often are left choosing the least expensive option—sometimes at the expense of adequate protection. Yet amid all this, there’s a glimmer of hope. Recently, PIA Northeast’s Director Government & Industry Affairs Bradford Lachut Esq., spoke with a group of personal-lines employees from Hanover Insurance to discuss the volatile market.
N.Y.: Gov. vetoes insurance definitions bill
Gov. Hochul has vetoed S.4963/A.1572, legislation that would have required the New York State Department of Financial Services to establish standardized definitions for commonly used terms in personal- and commercial-lines insurance policies. PIANY successfully opposed the measure, warning that it would destabilize long-standing legal interpretations and impose costly regulatory burdens across the industry.
Compliance
Conn.: Workers’ Comp. Commission online form submission
Effective Oct. 1, 2025, the Workers’ Compensation Commission now accepts the submission of certain forms and documents electronically through its enhanced GovQA System. The updated system streamlines the form submission process and makes it more convenient for everyone involved. However, electronic filing is not required. Parties still can file forms by mail (certified mail when required), fax or hand-delivery.
Technical
Extra coverage in the face of natural disasters
The Northeast faces a wide variety of natural disasters. It’s affected by earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, blizzards and more. That’s why it’s important for professional insurance agents to strive to provide the most comprehensive coverages to their customers by providing more than just the basics. For more information, PIA Northeast members can access It’s the end of the world as we know it … and I feel fine in the PIA QuickSource library.
N.Y.: DFS issues warning for third-party cyber security risks
The recent Amazon Web Services outage made clear what happens when your cloud provider goes down: websites crash, backend systems freeze and clients are left wondering what’s going on. For insurance agencies, these disruptions aren’t just inconvenient—they’re a wake-up call. That’s why the New York State Department of Financial Services just issued new guidance on managing cyber security risks tied to third-party service providers. If you are a PIA member, be sure to make full use of the organization’s resources to assess risk, document oversight and strengthen your cyber security posture: don’t wait for the next outage to discover your vulnerabilities.
Accolades
PIA’s Company Representation Survey: Congratulations to our four winners
PIA Northeast would like to congratulate the following individuals for winning the drawing from our recent PIA Northeast Company Representation Survey: Nicholas Dager, Gagne & Dager Insurance Agency DBF Micnicaly Insurance LLC, Merrimack, N.H.; David LaManna, Empire Insurance Network LLC, Thomaston, Conn.; Frank MacCormack Jr., MacCormack Agency, Secaucus, N.J.; and Eustace L. Greaves Jr., Bridge Insurance Agency, Brooklyn, N.Y. Agents still can complete the personalized survey that was sent to them in the mail a few weeks ago. After its completed, it should then be returned to PIA’s Industry Resource Center. It can be emailed to resourcecenter@pia.org, faxed to (888) 225-6935 or mailed to PIA, P.O. Box 997, Glenmont, NY 12077-0997. If you need another copy to update, contact PIA’s Industry Resource Center at resourcecenter@pia.org.
CTYIP honors awards recipients
CTYIP honored two insurance professionals who received CTYIP’s highest distinctions at the CTYIP Fall Reception on Oct. 16, 2025. Karen Orton, CPIA, who is a senior underwriter for A.I.M. Mutual Insurance Cos., Burlington Mass, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement award. The award recognizes those who show their commitment to the high standards of professionalism, networking and service to the insurance industry. Malorie Leone, underwriter 1 for Atlantic Casualty in Glastonbury, Conn. was honored with the Young Insurance Professional of the Year award. This award honors those who exemplified their commitment to professionalism, networking and service and whose efforts have enhanced PIACT’s Young Insurance Professionals organization.
Educating insurance agents
Quality education. PIA Northeast offers CE-approved designation programs. Find out more, and see the upcoming schedules, for the CIC, CISR, CPIA, CRM, CPRM and TRA designations.
Becoming the best team player you can be
Do you want to be an indispensable team player no matter where you land in the insurance industry? Understanding the dynamics of whatever organization you belong to will give you the confidence you need to interact with colleagues and customers. To learn more, attend the webinar 2024-2025 CISR AO: Agency Operations^AZ^UN led by Mishell K. Magnusson, CIC, CISR, CPIA, AAI, FIPC, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. This course has been approved for continuing-education credits in the following states: Connecticut (6 LH, 1 LRE, 1 LRE, 6 PC), New Jersey (1 ETH, 6 GEN: CISR Designees: DOBI will award 12 CE credits for each full of the license term that the designation is made in good standing) and New York (7 BR, C1, C3, LA, LB, LSB, PA, PC, earn one additional NYCE credit with a passing grade on exam) ^AZ^UN–This course has been approved for E&O loss prevention credit by Allianz and Utica National.
Events
Industry insights from agents across the country
Join PIA National CEO Mike Skiados, MBA, CAE, and CEO and President of WSRB Karl Newman for the exclusive virtual event, What I Learned Across America. This event will be held online on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, from 2-3 p.m. With Newman as host, Skiados will share leadership lessons and industry insights he learned from agents across the country. The event will focus on Skiados’ insights on leadership, the role of independent insurance agents and the future of the insurance industry. Register for this event today.
Were you there? CTYIP Fall Harvest Reception
CTYIP hosted its Fall Harvest Reception at Anthony’s Ocean View on Oct. 16, 2025. Over 80 insurance professionals from the region celebrated the fall season by networking with their colleagues over great food and warm conversations. PIA would like to thank everyone who helped to make this event possible: we hope to see you again at the next event. You can view photos of the event online.
Deep Dive Live: Social inflation, litigation trends and what’s driving insurance costs
Social inflation is impacting your clients and your bottom line—you are not alone. To address this issue, PIANJ hosted a recent Deep Dive Panel titled Behind the Verdict: How Litigation Trends Are Driving Insurance Costs. The panel examined what is currently driving social inflation, as well as the impacts of third-party litigation funding. The panel was moderated by PIA Northeast’s Director of Government & Industry Affairs, Bradford Lachut, Esq., and featured a host of industry experts, including: Alexia Cruz, Esq., senior vice president and claim general counsel at Travelers; Adam S. Guziejewski, president of Katz Government Affairs; and Lydia Barbara Bashwiner, Esq., general counsel at Otterstedt Insurance Agency.
ICYMI
FEMA: New flood insurance manual in effect—NFIP still lapsed
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released its updated flood insurance manual, which went into effect on Oct. 1, 2025. Changes include new documentation that must be provided for certain buildings, an additional notice to policies to contact the agent if the information is not current and more. Agents can find the full manual with all of its changes online. The current government shutdown has delayed the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program—PIA continues to support a long-term reauthorization as opposed to its attachment to short-term continuing resolutions. In the meantime, PIA Northeast has created a guide for agents and clients regarding the NFIP’s lapse.
Register now
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025: A PIANJ WLA Panel: Pursuing (or Pushing) Positive Change—SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025: Virtual Event with PIA National CEO Mike Skiados
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025: NY-YIP Buffalo Bills Tailgate
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025: NH Symposium: Friendsgiving—Want to sponsor the event?
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025: NJYIP Holiday Reception
Save the date
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026: CTYIP Holiday Social
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026: NY-YIP Pre-MetroRAP Reception
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026: PIANY MetroRAP
