PIANY’s 2026 legislative priorities: Building a fairer, stronger insurance marketplace 

As the 2026 legislative session begins in Albany, PIANY is once again advancing practical, meaningful reforms to improve the state’s insurance environment. PIANY’s priorities this year reflect the challenges independent agents are seeing in real time—outdated regulations, unchecked legal system abuses and new risks that demand modern insurance solutions. 

Building on 2025 victories 

Last year marked major advocacy wins for PIANY. The association successfully led the charge to repeal the burdensome anti-arson application requirement in New York City—an outdated regulation that had long created compliance headaches for property owners and agents. PIANY also celebrated the passage of long-sought legislation to regulate third-party litigation funding, establishing vital transparency and fairness in lawsuit lending. These wins demonstrate the real impact of PIANY’s grassroots strength and legislative engagement. 

Now, PIANY is keeping that momentum going in 2026 with a robust legislative agenda. 

Carryover of CE credits for insurance producers  

Producers in New York state must complete 15 hours of continuing education every two years, but the state does not allow excess credits to carry over to the next cycle. This discourages producers from going beyond the minimum. 

PIANY supports a carryover policy, as permitted in neighboring states and other professions, to reward extra effort and promote continued professional development. This change would reduce compliance burdens while enhancing service quality for consumers. 

Cracking down on lawsuit lending abuses 

Despite last year’s progress, work remains to further strengthen oversight of third-party litigation funding. These agreements, when left unregulated, can still exploit plaintiffs with excessive fees and interest. 

PIANY is advocating for additional safeguards and enforcement mechanisms to ensure lawsuit lending practices remain transparent and fair—striking a balance between access to justice and controlling rising legal costs. 

Targeting no-fault and construction site fraud 

Fraudulent claims in New York state’s no-fault system and staged construction site accidents are driving up insurance costs across the board. PIANY supports expanding criminal penalties for those who organize or recruit others into these schemes. 

With construction fraud also exacerbated by New York state’s Scaffold Law, this initiative would reduce losses in both the auto and property sectors, helping to stabilize premiums and protect legitimate claimants. 

Establishing an insurance framework for e-bikes and e-scooters 

Incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters continue to rise, yet there’s no clear insurance structure in place for these vehicles. PIANY is advocating for comprehensive liability coverage requirements to protect operators, pedestrians and other road users. 

This framework is essential for public safety—especially as micromobility becomes a permanent fixture in New York state’s transportation landscape. 

Unifying agent and broker licensing

New York remains one of the few states that require separate licenses for insurance agents and brokers—even though their roles often overlap in today’s marketplace. PIANY supports legislation that would unify the licensing structure in line with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Producer Licensing Model Act. 

A unified license would reduce confusion and administrative overhead—especially for small agencies, without compromising consumer protection. 

A smarter path forward 

PIANY’s 2026 legislative priorities reflect a commitment to creating a more modern, equitable, and efficient insurance marketplace. These reforms would protect consumers, support agents, and address systemic problems that drive up costs. 

Get involved 

PIANY needs your voice and engagement to move these efforts forward. You can: 

• Join the District Office Visit Program; 

• Support the Agents Advocacy Coalition; and 

• Share updates from PIA Northeast and amplify our message. 

Together, we can shape a better future for New York’s insurance industry.