News
PIANY’s MetroRAP is happening now
PIANY’s MetroRAP 2026 is taking place now at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel. Insurance professionals are exploring a diverse trade show, learning about how artificial intelligence is changing the face of the insurance industry during panel discussions and networking with fellow insurance MVPs. Former New York Giants Running Back Tiki Barber will deliver the keynote address this afternoon and the Distinguished Insurance Service and Executive of the Year awards will be presented to Steve Diamond (posthumously) and Meryl Golden, respectively. Watch your PIA publications for a write up of this year’s event.
Winter storm covers half the country, $100B in damages
Winter storm Fern brought feet of snow and inches of ice over the weekend, leaving entire states paralyzed in its wake. Fern has been attributed to over 30 deaths so far, caused extensive blackouts in the Southern U.S. and, in a preliminary estimate made by AccuWeather, dealt $100 billion in damage. Every winter, remember that PIA Northeast will keep its members updated on any winter storms that may affect the Northeast through its PIA Storm Info Central. The tool kit has numerous resources that you and your clients can use this winter.
N.J.: Governor signs order to freeze new regulation proposals
Gov. Mikie Sherill signed an executive order that implements a 90-day pause on “the proposal and adoption of new rules and regulations.” The reason behind this proposal, as stated by the governor, is to lessen “red tape” for the benefit of New Jersey residents, and to review current rules and regulations in the pipeline. All state agencies with proposed rule and regulation changes must notify the governor by Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
N.Y.: Meet TED, 2026 edition
Are you familiar with TED? That’s New York state’s Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation budget. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal includes a wide range of ambitious policy initiatives, but buried within TED are several proposals that would have a direct impact on insurance agents, insurers and policyholders.
January consumer content round-up
Have you had the chance to review January’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. This month, your association published the following articles on PIA Northeast News & Media: Stay in tune: Insurance keeps musical instruments safe, Staying safe in your home this winter and Is it covered? Common items that need more coverage.
Compliance
N.Y. Cyber security compliance certification deadline April 15
Those individuals who hold a New York state insurance license—covered entities—including nonresident licensees, have until Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to certify their compliance with the requirements of New York state’s cyber security regulation (23 NYCRR 500) for calendar-year 2025. This filing requirement is for all licensees not covered by another covered entity’s information system. This certification, which is required annually, must be filed via the New York State Department of Financial Services’ web portal. Interested in learning how to navigate 23 NYCRR 500? PIA Northeast has written a series of articles on the topic.
Advocacy
N.Y.: Federal Scaffold Law reform and insurance affordability
For independent insurance agents in New York state, affordability is no longer an abstract concern. It is a daily challenge that shows up in difficult renewals, shrinking carrier lists, and clients struggling to absorb ever increasing premiums. Few laws have contributed more to this problem in the construction insurance market than New York’s Labor Law Section 240 (aka the Scaffold Law). However, proposed federal legislation that would aim to reform how this law applies to federally funded projects could be a meaningful step toward restoring affordability and stability. The Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., would prohibit the use of absolute liability standards on federally funded infrastructure and transportation projects in New York state. Instead, these projects would follow a comparative negligence model that aligns liability with actual responsibility. Importantly, this change does not eliminate liability or reduce worker protections. Workers’ compensation laws remain intact, and injured workers would continue to have access to the legal system. The difference is that claims would be evaluated based on fault rather than imposed automatically.
N.Y.: Proposed public adjuster solicitation bill would strengthen post-loss consumer protections
A new bill proposed in the New York state Assembly aims to protect property owners in the critical moments following a loss by placing temporary restrictions on public adjuster solicitation. The bill (A.9390-A), sponsored by Assemblymember Sam Berger, D-27, would amend the state’s Insurance Law and would ensure consumers have the time and space needed to recover, consult with their insurance agent, and make informed decisions before being approached by third-party representatives. While the bill would not restrict a policyholder’s ability to retain a public adjuster, it would establish a brief pause on solicitation during the immediate aftermath of a loss—a period when property owners often are overwhelmed and vulnerable. From an agent’s perspective, this bill would help preserve a critical window in which agents can assist clients without interference, helping to ensure that early claims handling begins in an orderly and informed manner.
Technical
Business income/extra expense coverage for the lessee
If you have a client who is businessowner and a lessee, and a property loss unrelated to the business occurs in the building that results in lost income, your client may be put in a unique businesses income/extra expense coverage scenario. To learn how to handle these incidents and more, PIA Northeast members can access BIC for the lessee in the PIA QuickSource library.
Educating insurance agents
PIA Northeast offers popular Heartbreaker series
When a relationship is nearing its end, sometimes you must take the plunge and cut things off. This is true in the insurance industry, where there’s policy cancellations, nonrenewals, and outright termination of professional relationships with clients and employees. To know how to navigate break-ups with confidence, join the association for the Heartbreaker Webinar Series on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, taught by PIA Northeast’s Brad Lachut, Esq. Classes include: Breaking Ties: Legal and Practical Steps for Ending Agency and Client Relationships (9:30-10:30 a.m.); Employee Termination: Avoiding EPLI Pitfalls and Legal Missteps (11 a.m.-Noon); and Cancellations and Nonrenewals: What Every Producer Must Know (1-2 p.m.). For more information, log on to the PIA Northeast Education schedule, select your state, and click on the appropriate class.
Take CPIA intro session, get future sessions at a discount
Are you interested in working toward your CPIA designation? Learn more about this highly sought-after accreditation in the course, CPIA Intro Topic: How to Turn Your Technical Knowledge into Dollars, taught by John Fear, CPIA, CISR. This webinar will be held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. This course is not applicable for continuing-education credits. However, participants will receive a discount for this year’s CPIA 1, 2 and 3 courses. To find these courses, view PIA Northeast’s education schedule, select your state, then select the “CPIA” filter in the search tab.
Register now
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026: NJYIP Spring Warm-Up
Wednesday, March 18, 2026: CTYIP Axes & Accelerators
March 19-20, 2026: Connecticut Convention—Interested in sponsoring, exhibiting or advertising?
Wednesday, April 22, 2026: NY-YIP Buffalo I-Day Welcome
May 11 | May 18 | June 8: Emerging Leaders Series: Connecticut | New Jersey | New York
Tuesday, June 23, 2026: CTYIP Golf Open
Save the date
Wednesday, May 6, 2026: NJYIP Golf Open
June 7-9, 2026: PIANJ | PIANY Annual Conference
Sunday, June 7, 2026: NJYIP Nitecap
Tuesday, June 9, 2026: NJYIP Fun Run
Monday, Aug. 3, 2026: NY-YIP Annual Golf Open
