Weekly Dispatch: Feb. 26, 2026

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February 26, 2026

News

Late-February winter blizzard slams Northeast

Winter is almost over but it’s going down swinging. A powerful winter blizzard brought feet of snow and hurricane-force winds across the Northeast from Sunday night to Monday evening. This prompted state of emergency declarations and commercial travel restrictions in multiple states, including those in PIA’s five-state footprint: Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. New Hampshire and Vermont did not declare states of emergency but did receive some snow, with most of it accumulating in the southern portions of the states. 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.

NAIC issues strategic priorities for 2026

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has adopted new strategic priorities for 2026. This is in response to an evolving insurance marketplace and risk landscape. These strategic priorities include enhancing capital and investment frameworks; enhancing data architecture and analysis; increasing climate resilience through regulation and mitigation; and leading on AI development. According to the NAIC these priorities will continue to support the insurance industry’s state-based system.

N.H.: Vehicle inspection program suspended—its impacts on agents, policyholder

New Hampshire’s vehicle inspection program is suspended. This comes from a vote by the state Legislature earlier this year. Gordon Darby, the vendor that supplies the testing equipment, filed a lawsuit claiming that this change violates federal law, but the New Hampshire Executive Council declined to move forward with the contract for emissions testing equipment. This leaves New Hampshire with no mechanism to conduct inspections, leading to questions regarding duty of care for independent insurance agents and how drivers can keep themselves safe.

PIANJ Deep Dive: The challenges ahead for agents, brokers

Mark Crites, a partner at Reagan Consulting, provided expert-level insights at the PIANJ Deep Dive: The Insurance Agency Playbook: Trends, Talent & the Road Ahead held on Feb. 12, 2026.During this discussion, he offered a wide-ranging and candid assessment of the challenges agents and brokers, from slowing organic growth and shifting investor expectations to talent pressures and the accelerating role of technology. Read more about his presentation here, or view the video of the event here.

February consumer content round-up

Have you had the chance to review February’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: Rodents, insurance and you: how is your coverage? and Nobody’s home—but you still need insurance.

Compliance

N.Y.: New DFS ID system launched

The New York State Department of Financial Services has launched DFS ID, its new secure single sign-on system for accessing DFS online applications. This change is now in effect and requires action from licensees. In addition, the DFS MyPortal login page has been discontinued and DFS ID is required to access DFS Portal, DFS Connect, LINX, and other DFS systems. This change affects how you log in and does not change regulatory or filing requirements.

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

Conn.: PIACT recommends technical fixes for dog breed bill

PIACT has offered technical fixes for a Connecticut bill that proposes limitations on when insurance carriers can take adverse underwriting actions, specifically with regard to homeowners insurance and the breed of the service or therapy dog owned by the homeowner. PIACT is concerned about potential loopholes in the legislation, and the association recommends the same suggestions it offered for last year’s version of the bill: to clarify that insurers cannot reduce or exclude coverage based solely on a dog’s breed in these specific circumstances.

N.Y.: FRAUD Act would targets staged accidents, protects honest policyholders

A new proposal in Albany, sponsored by Insurance Chair Assemblyman David Weprin, D-24, would target fraud in the state. A.10224, known as the Fraudulent Claims Reduction and Unlawful Deception Act or FRAUD Act, would establish enhanced criminal penalties and enforcement mechanisms to deter staged construction site accidents and fabricated motor vehicle collisions. These kinds of fraud are some of the most costly and troubling. For independent agents, carriers, contractors and policyholders, this legislation would represent a meaningful step toward restoring fairness and accountability in the system.

N.Y.: New bill to create framework for aerial imagery in homeowners underwriting

A new bill introduced in the New York state Senate would provide guardrails for how aerial images may be used in homeowners insurance underwriting. This bill arose from concerns that these images are solely used to justify underwriting decisions, even though the photos could be outdated, low resolution, taken from misleading angles or require additional context. This bill would remedy this issue by requiring notice, limiting the age of imagery, mandating documentation and ensuring opportunities for remediation and appeal.

Technical

Customer service centers and making your business stand out

Integrating a customer service center into an agency’s business can spark some concerns, such as cost effectiveness or a lack of control over customer relationships. However, this isn’t always the case: you can make customer service centers a powerful tool that gives you an advantage over your competitors. For more information, PIA Northeast members can access Customer service centers can help your agency in today’s competitive market in the PIA QuickSource library. For more information about navigating the hard market, log on to PIA Northeast News & Media, and click the Hard Market tag.

In rehabilitation: Columbian Mutual Life Insurance

Columbian Mutual Life Insurance Co., faced years of financial strain, including pressure on reserves and challenges affecting its overall condition. A 2021 proposed transaction with Constellation Insurance Holdings did not close. On Aug. 13, 2024, the Supreme Court of New York, Broome County, placed CML into rehabilitation, appointing the New York State Department of Financial Services’ superintendent of financial services as rehabilitator. Under Special Deputy Superintendent David Axinn, operations were stabilized, and strategic partners were solicited. In November 2025, JAB Insurance US Holdings Inc., signed a purchase agreement to acquire CML and CLIC as the centerpiece of the proposed Plan of Rehabilitation. An Order to Show Cause seeking court approval was filed in December 2025, with an Amended Order in February 2026 updating the hearing date and objection deadlines.

In liquidation: Midland Insurance Co.

Midland Insurance Co., a former multiline insurer placed into liquidation in 1986, has primarily faced long-tail asbestos, environmental and toxic tort claims. The liquidator has largely completed administration of the estate, positioning the estate for wind-down. Approximately $440.7 million has been distributed to Class Two claimants, representing a 25% pro rata distribution, supported by about $566.7 million in reinsurance recoveries. As of Dec. 31, 2024, the estate reported roughly $401 million in assets against $1.67 billion in liabilities, leaving insufficient funds to pay claims below Class Two. The sole remaining impediment to final distributions and closure is an unresolved Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act claim asserted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which must be resolved before a federal release can be obtained. In October 2025, the DFS, acting through former Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris as liquidator, filed an interim report detailing the liquidation’s status. The court approved the report, authorized continued payment of administrative expenses, and granted related relief. An amended order increasing the referee’s hourly fee was later approved, signed on Jan. 7, 2026, and entered by the County Clerk on Feb. 11, 2026.

In liquidation: Executive Life Insurance Co. of New York

On April 16, 2012, the Supreme Court, Nassau County, approved a restructuring agreement and liquidation plan for Executive Life Insurance Company of New York, submitted by former New York Superintendent of Financial Services Benjamin Lawsky. Under the plan, ELNY’s remaining assets were transferred to Guaranty Association Benefits Company. In December 2025, the Supreme Court, Nassau County, signed an Order to Show Cause for approval of an Assumption Reinsurance Agreement among GABC, Pacific Life Insurance Co., and its subsidiary Pacific Life & Annuity Co., with a return date of Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

N.Y.: TED Part CC and the state’s personal lines segment

New York’s Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation budget proposals contain several insurance-related measures that could affect the personal lines marketplace of the state. This includes Part CC, which would create a statutory benchmark loss ratio for homeowners insurance. The implementation of this measure could create regulatory uncertainty in the marketplace and trigger an adverse response from insurers—such as greater selectivity, nonrenewals and potential market withdrawals.

N.Y.: Electronic submission for RFA-2 forms effective March 2026

The New York state Workers’ Compensation Board is implementing electronic submission of the Request for Further Action by Insurer/Employer (or Form RFA-2). The board will not accept or act on paper RFA-2 forms submitted by insurers/employers, effective Friday, March 20, 2026. Additionally, the board’s current legacy RFA-2 web form also will become obsolete. The movement to an electronic submission process is part of the board’s larger effort to reduce reliance on paper forms and streamline its processes.

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.: The fundamentals of strategic planning

Independent insurance agents must acquire and improve upon a variety of skills to guarantee success in their industry. The webinar 2026-2027 CIC AM | Agency Management Institute Webinar^AZ ^UN will teach you how to apply management theories, methods and procedures necessary to operate a successful insurance agency. This webinar will be held from March 4-5, 2025, with instructors Brian Bartosh, CIC, LUTCF; Bruce M. McCreadie, CIC, CPIA, AAI; and Mark A. Palinkas, CIC. This course has been approved for continuing-education credits in Connecticut (13 LH, 3 LRE, 3 LRE, 13 PC), New Jersey (3 ETH, 13 GEN) and New York (15 BR, C1, C3, LA, LB, LSB, PA, PC). ^AZ^UN—This course has been approved for E&O loss prevention credit by Allianz and Utica National.

Events

Conn.: Early bird rates are about to expire—register now to avoid higher prices!

This year’s PIA Connecticut Convention is less than a month away. On March 19-20, 2026, insurance professionals from the region will gather at Foxwoods Resort Casino for two days of networking, education and fun. One thing you can’t miss is this year’s trade show. It will feature dozens of vendors offering solutions to your most pressing business needs. As a reminder, early bird rates for this year’s convention end on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Don’t let this opportunity slip by: register today and save 15%. Interested in sponsoring, exhibiting or advertising?

ICYMI

Risk retention placement reports due March 15

New York State Insurance Law Section 5904 requires producers placing New York state business with risk retention groups not chartered in the state to report this business by Sunday, March 15, 2026. To comply with New York State Insurance Law Section 5904(c), if such business has been placed, the producer of record is required to report this information on the Statement of Business Placed with Risk Retention Groups not Chartered in New York form. PIANY provides members with form and additional guidance in Producers’ annual report—March 15: risk retention group placements, which is found in the PIA QuickSource library. Please note that although the form is available online, it is not yet electronically fillable. As such, it must be printed and mailed to the New York State Department of Financial Services, State of New York, Excess Line Unit, One State St., New York, NY 10004-1511.