Weekly Dispatch: Dec. 18, 2025

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December 18, 2025

News

Happy holidays from PIA Northeast

PIA is wishing you a very happy holiday. No matter the season, we’ll bring you the information your business and clients need, the way you want it. The PIA Northeast Weekly Dispatch will be on hold until after the New Year, and will resume publication on Thursday, Jan 8, 2026. Our offices will be closed from Dec. 24-26, 2025, and from Jan 1-2, 2026. While you wait for our return, you still can access industry-specific updates on PIA Northeast News & Media, and on PIA Northeast’s Facebook, LinkedIn and X social-media channels.

A.P.: Federal judge orders FEMA to restore canceled disaster mitigation funding

A Massachusetts federal judge ordered the Donald Trump administration to restore billions of dollars canceled from the Federal Emergency Management Association’s Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities program, siding with 22 states and the District of Columbia that sued over the cancellation. This program helped communities with projects to harden infrastructure and improve resilience against climate change threats. The administration halted $3.6 billion in funding awarded, but not paid, and would not award $882 million in grants for the following fiscal year.

N.J./N.H.: NAIC names N.J. and N.H. commissioners as Northeast Zone officers

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners elected the 2026 slate of NAIC zone officers during its 2025 Fall National Meeting. The New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance Commissioner Justin Zimmerman and the New Hampshire Insurance Department Commissioner D.J. Bettencourt were named as the chair and vice chair of the Northeast Zone, respectively. The newly elected officers will assume their duties on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.

N.Y.: Attorney general secures settlement from Hyundai, Kia

New York Attorney General Letita James joined a bipartisan coalition of 35 other attorneys general in securing up to $9 million and critical reforms from car manufacturers Hyundai and Kia for failing to install proper anti-theft technology in their vehicles. PIA Northeast has previously provided reporting on Kia and Hyundai reaching this settlement. Under the settlement, Hyundai and Kia will pay up to $4.5 million to consumers whose cars were recently stolen or damaged, pay an additional $4.5 million in penalties to the states, and take a range of measures to protect customers’ vehicles from theft.

December consumer content round-up

Have you had the chance to review December’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: Keeping your presents safe this holiday season with the right coverage, How traveler’s insurance can protect you this winter and Update your personal home inventory for renters insurance.

Advocacy

N.Y.: Bill to limit use of credit history in employment decisions delivered to governor

A bill—S.3072—that would prohibit the use of an individual’s consumer credit history in employment decisions, has been delivered to Gov. Kathy Hochul for review. The bill is intended to promote fair hiring practices by limiting how personal financial information can be used in the workplace. For employers and small businesses, the bill signals increased attention on how hiring and employment decisions are made. If signed into law, businesses may need to ensure that credit information is not requested or considered during employment screening—reinforcing the importance of reviewing hiring practices to stay aligned with state requirements.

N.Y.: Bill prohibiting dog breed restrictions vetoed

Gov. Hochul has vetoed legislation (S.364) that would have prohibited insurers from imposing restrictions on renters insurance policies based solely on the breed—or mix of breeds—of a dog owned or harbored by the policyholder. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-12, was intended to help renters secure coverage regardless of dog breed, and would have addressed concerns about breed-based underwriting practices. With the veto, New York state law governing renters insurance underwriting remains unchanged. While the governor signaled openness to continued discussion, any changes to how dog breeds are treated in renters insurance would require new legislation in a future session.

Technical

How to handle the risks associated with home sharing

When clients share their homes as B&B operations, that means they open themselves to a greater number of exposures. As an independent insurance agent, how do you provide the best coverage for them when underwriters might not have an appetite to take on such a risk? For more information, PIA Northeast members can access Home sharing means risk sharing in the PIA QuickSource library.

Auto minimum limits in New Jersey increase Jan. 1, 2026

As previously reported by PIANJ, P.L. 2002, c.87 was signed into law on Aug. 5, 2022, which amended existing law to increase the minimum limits of liability, uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist insurance coverage required in New Jersey automobile insurance policies. The act increases minimum insurance coverage requirements in two phases, and the second act is Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, which will increase the minimum limits of liability for per person coverage to $35,000, and per occurrence coverage to $70,000. PIA Northeast members can access a sample letter to assist agents in notifying their clients in the PIA QuickSource library.

Accolades

John Danka honored in SONJ Hall of Fame

John Danka, a long-time and active member of PIANJ and Special Olympics New Jersey, was inaugurated at the SONJ Hall of Fame for his contributions to both organizations. Danka has been a staunch advocate for SONJ for over 40 years, and he was a driving force behind the PIANJ Golf Classic and the YIP Fun Run—to date, the Golf Classic and the Fun Run have raised over $5 million for Special Olympics New Jersey.

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.

Get the last credits you need this year with WebCE

Do you need to get in some last-minute continuing-education credits before the year ends? 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.

Events

The MetroRAP trade show will keep you on the cutting-edge

As an insurance professional, you need the latest business solutions and products to outpace your competition. When you explore PIANY’s MetroRAP trade show this year, you’ll find exactly what you need from a diverse range of vendors to become the MVP of your business—and the industry. Don’t miss out on these golden opportunities: MetroRAP will be held on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel. Register now and save 15%. Sponsor, exhibit, or advertise here.

Join NJYIP for its Ugly Sweater Party

It’s time to dust off your favorite ugly holiday sweater and have some fun with NJYIP for its Ugly Sweater Party on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at the Horseshoe Tavern in Morristown, N.J. Join us for a cozy winter gathering where you can catch up with your colleagues across the insurance industry. You’ll get to enjoy an open bar, appetizers and light dinner, with music provided by DJ Ray Sikora. Also, get ready for some friendly competition with another set of ugly sweater contests and prizes! Register for the Ugly Sweater Party today!