News
Take your business to the next level at MetroRAP 2026
MetroRAP will commit to providing you with the tools you need to become an MVP of a rapidly evolving industry. Come join PIANY and collaborating insurance associations on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel for valuable industry insights, bold trade-show innovations and much more. This year, there will be two panel discussions: the first Game-Changer: Using AI to Become an Insurance MVP will discuss how insurance professionals can use artificial intelligence to enhance their business. The second session, Beyond the Firewall: Emerging Exposures in Cyber & AI will focus on how insurance carriers are adapting policy wording to address increased AI use, and how insurance professionals can help clients navigate these exposures. At the annual trade show, you can explore cutting-edge products and solutions from some of the finest exhibitors in the industry. Finally, our Keynote/Awards Lunch isn’t something you’re going to want to miss: in addition to honoring the recipients of the Distinguished Insurance Service and Executive of the Year awards, MetroRAP will feature the former New York Giants Running Back Tiki Barber as the keynote speaker. Barber will share his strategies on staying motivated and becoming an MVP for your insurance business. With all this, MetroRAP 2026 will be an unforgettable experience: register now and save 15%. Sponsor, exhibit, or advertise here. Separate registration required for the NY-YIP MetroRAP Welcome Reception on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.
AM Best: Personal lines insurance segment outlook stable
AM Best is holding its market segment outlook on the U.S. personal lines segment at stable. In a new report from the agency titled, Market Segment Outlook: U.S. Personal Lines Insurance, it found positive trends, like carriers in the segment remaining focused on “protecting solid levels of risk-adjusted capitalization” to achieve profitable results and maintain sufficient liquidity. These are offset by negative trends, including high loss cost severity, severe weather activity, uncertain economic conditions and increasing levels of market competition.
CID commissioner retires, successor nominated
Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner Andrew N. Mais retired from his position on Nov. 28, 2025. Gov. Ned Lamont nominated Josh Hershman, CEO of Immigrant Life Insurance Company of America and former deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the CID, as Mais’s successor. Hershman will serve in the role in an interim capacity beginning Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, then Lamont will submit his formal nomination to the General Assembly for its consideration at the start of the 2026 regular session in February. PIA thanks Commissioner Mais for his years of service to the insurance industry, and we look forward to working with interim Commissioner Hershman.
Vt.: Appeal submitted for appeal of disaster declaration denial
Gov. Phil Scott submitted a formal appeal of the denial of Vermont’s request for a federal disaster declaration following a devastating storm on July 10, 2025. Vermont submitted the appeal on Nov. 21. According to Scott, the state found more damage that wasn’t included in the initial submission. The state estimates that the storm caused over $1 million in Sutton, Vt., alone, and over $1.8 million damages statewide. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will review the appeal: upon completing the review it will be sent to President Donald Trump, who will approve or deny the request.
Compliance
NHID: New bulletin reinforces fraud reporting obligations for health carriers, producers
The New Hampshire Insurance Department issued a new bulletin reminding all New Hampshire licensed health carriers and producers regarding the reporting of suspected fraudulent billing activity by health care professionals. Previously, the department issued guidance on this matter in 2022, and it reinforces the department’s expectations of full and timely compliance with all reporting obligations under state law. Last month, PIANH sent a formal letter to the department urging it to investigate carrier practices that appeared to undermine fair competition and consumer access in the Medicare insurance market. The NHID responded swiftly and issued a bulletin affirming that this conduct—if verified—may violate New Hampshire law.
Technical
Why D&O liability coverage is a must for clients on a board
When you serve clients who sit on a board of directors, including not-for-profit organizations, directors-and-officers liability coverage is a must. Their role could open them up to certain civil suits, and homeowners or personal umbrella liability policy may not completely cover them. To learn more about why you need to consider D&O liability for these kinds of clients, PIA Northeast members can read Is D&O liability covered under a homeowners policy? in the PIA QuickSource library.
Accolades
PIA Northeast honored by Utica National with ‘Affiliate of the Year’ award
PIA Northeast’s Director of Sales Stephanie Smith, CISR, CPIA, and President & CEO Jeff Parmenter, CPCU, ARM, CPIA, attended the Utica National E&O State Sales & Appreciation Conference last October at the Ford Center at the Star in Dallas, Texas. At the event, Smith accepted—on behalf of PIA—the Utica Affiliate of the Year award, which is given to affiliates that excel in the following categories: collecting new errors-and-omissions premiums; increasing total E&O written premiums; attracting new business; and keeping loss ratios below 29%. PIA also received awards for Most New Business Written and Largest Increase in Submissions, as it had the highest increases in those two categories.
PIA National and PIANJ Past President Keith Savino recognized by ACORD
Keith Savino, the past president of PIA National and PIANJ, won a 2025 ACORD Community Leadership Award. Each year, ACORD recognizes organizations and individuals who have “demonstrated outstanding achievement in ACORD implementation and advocacy” in various categories. The ACORD Community Leadership Award is presented to those who best demonstrate leadership in “areas of [ACORD] Standards development, advocacy, volunteerism and/or implementation,” and who guide the insurance industry toward greater clarity in the sharing of insurance data.
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.
Conn./N.J./N.Y.: Tackling critical issues for commercial clients
Mark your calendar for the two-day webinar, 2024-2025 CIC CML | Commercial Multi Line Institute Webinar. The instructors for this webinar include Robert Ford, CIC, CISR, CPIA, CLCS, MLIS; Bettye Hutchison, CRM, CIC, CPCU, ARM, CPIA, AAI, TRIP; and Mark A. Palinkas, CIC. It will be held from Dec. 10-11, 2025. This webinar will help commercial clients navigate critical issues, including crime coverages and endorsements, cyber security exposures and coverages, businessowners policies and more This course was approved for continuing education credits in Connecticut (16 PC) and New Jersey (16 GEN). It was submitted for CE approval in New York.
Events
Friendsgiving fun with PIANH: were you there?
Just before Thanksgiving, PIANH held its very own Friendsgiving: insurance professionals across the state gathered for the PIANH Symposium on Nov. 20, 2025, at the exclusive One Hundred Club in Portsmouth, N.H., for a cozy evening of business and celebration. Professionals were able to enjoy festive food, drink and each other’s company in a warm, relaxed setting. They could speak comfortably about business and form new connections that can last a lifetime. This year’s Symposium was a fantastic experience for everyone—and we hope to see you at the next one.
Register now
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026: CTYIP Holiday Social
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026: NY-YIP MetroRAP Welcome Reception
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026: PIANY MetroRAP —Interested in sponsoring, exhibiting or advertising?
Save the date
March 19-20, 2026: Connecticut Convention
June 7-9, 2026: PIANJ | PIANY Annual Conference
