Weekly Dispatch: March 5, 2026

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March 5, 2026

News

AM Best: Winter storm losses bite into Q1 2026 earnings

In a new commentary from AM Best titled “Losses From Winter Storms to Carve Into 1Q 2026 Earnings,” AM Best anticipates that Winter Storms Fern and Hernando will produce above-average insured losses for the quarter. Fern’s impact was concentrated in the southern United States, while Hernando primarily impacted the Northeast. The commentary found that Hernando affected more commercial and residential values compared to Fern, which could cause losses to be material.

N.H.: Judge orders Granite State to resume vehicle inspections

Recently, as reported on by PIA, the New Hampshire legislators voted to suspend the state’s vehicle inspection program, as well as not renew the contracts with Gordon Darby, the vendor which supplied the equipment. This has caused complications between the state, insurers and insureds. The Keene Sentinel has reported that New Hampshire has lost another round in a federal lawsuit that would force the state to preserve its program.

N.Y.: TED Part DD: Rewarding risk reduction

In PIANY’s ongoing series examining the insurance-related proposals in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation budget, the latest installment examines Part DD. This proposal would require insurers to offer at least one actuarially appropriate premium discount for specific mitigation measures in residential and certain commercial property policies. This includes prevention measures for losses from theft, fire and water damage.

Compliance

Conn.: Retirement plan law changes for 2026

As Connecticut continues to implement its retirement security framework, significant legal changes taking effect in 2026 will impact employers throughout the state. The state will enforce compliance more actively for eligible employers, expand coverage under the program and adjust the program’s default contribution rate to comply with federal law for those who enrolled on or after July 1, 2025. To prepare for the new enforcement rules, employers must review current retirement offerings, register and enroll if needed and update internal human resource and payroll procedures.

Advocacy

PIACT supports transparency in premium billing notices bill

In a public hearing held by the Connecticut Insurance and Real Estate Committee, PIACT expressed its support for H.B.5373—An Act Concerning Premium Billing Notices for Personal Risk Insurance Policies. PIACT supports the provisions in the bill that would require personal lines policy-premium billing notices to include contact information and provide policyholders, upon request, with a plain-language explanation of premium increases.

PIANY supports insurance reforms in executive budget

In a hearing before the Joint Budget Committee, PIANY testified in support of the property/casualty insurance reforms contained in New York state Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget. PIANY expressed its support for Executive Budget reforms improving transparency, risk-mitigation discounts, fraud prevention, and litigation standards to enhance affordability and availability of p/c insurance for all New Yorkers.

N.Y.: Assembly passes PIANY priority CE carryover bill

The New York state Assembly passed A.6652-B, legislation that would allow insurance producers to carry forward up to five excess continuing-education credits into their next licensing cycle, on Feb. 26, 2026. The bill is a top legislative priority for PIANY, and it represents a practical step toward modernizing the state’s CE requirements for licensed professionals. The bill has a Senate companion, S.6122-A, sponsored by Sen. Jamaal Bailey, D-36. PIANY expects the Senate Insurance Committee to consider the measure in the coming weeks.

N.Y.: Newly introduced bills would introduce insurance transparency, rate reform

Two new bills from Sen. James Skoufis, D-42, would impact the state’s property/casualty insurance marketplace. Both bills feature changes with regards to transparency and accountability, but they have different approaches and carry distinct implications for insurers, agents and policyholders. S.9277 would focus on data collection to better understand litigation trends. And S.9281 would increase consumer insight into rate changes while also restructuring how rates are approved.

Technical

Holding customers accountable as an independent agent

One common frustration that independent insurance agents face is a lack of customer accountability, leading to errors-and-omissions issues down the road. However, this can be mitigated with litigious documentation, saving independent agents a headache and closing off any E&O exposures. To learn more, PIA Northeast members can access Are you holding your customers accountable? in the PIA QuickSource library.

Educating insurance agents

Do you need your NYAIP certification?

Before insurance agents can submit applications to the New York Automobile Insurance Plan, they must complete a New York state-approved course on the NYAIP’s procedures. To help agents comply with this requirement, PIA Northeast offers NYAIP Producer Producers Course, in English and in Spanish. The Spanish-language version of the course, NYAIP Curso de Procedimientos para Productores, will be taught on Tuesday, March 11, 2026, by Leslie Driscoll. The English-language version of the course will be taught on April 10, 2026, by Mishell K. Magnusson, CIC, CISR, CPIA, AAI, FIPC. Both classes were approved for CE credits in New York (4 BR, C3, PA, PC). For additional dates, check the PIA Education schedule.

Events

Conn: Two weeks until convention—keynote speaker is PIA National president

There’s only two weeks left until this year’s PIA Connecticut Convention at Foxwoods Resort Casino from March 19-20, 2026. This year’s networking lunch will feature PIA National President Mark Suhr, CIC, CPIA. He will share his insights on how much the insurance industry has changed over the years. PIACT also will celebrate this year’s PIACT Awards of Distinction winners; Agent of the Year Joseph Krar from Joseph Krar & Associates; Community Service Award winner Stephen Todd from Brooks, Todd & McNeil; Company Representative of the Year Robert Dunn from Hanover; and Legislator of the Year Rep. Kerry Wood, D-29. Avoid higher prices at the door by registering online. Guarantee your spot at this year’s exciting convention—register now.

NJYIP Warmup gets agents excited for spring

Spring is almost officially here—over 60 insurance professionals celebrated the end of winter with NJYIP at the NJYIP Spring Warm-Up Insurance Mixer last week at the Brickhouse Tavern in Princeton, N.J. Agents enjoyed great food, drink and each other’s company throughout the evening. This event was made possible thanks to the attendees—especially the new faces—and the sponsors for the events. The photo album for the event can be found online.

ICYMI

N.Y.: Kemper withdrawal from state preferred market approved by DFS

PIANY has been notified directly by Kemper that the New York State Department of Financial Services has approved the company’s plan to withdraw from the preferred home and auto insurance market in New York state. This action follows Kemper’s previously announced 2023 decision to exit its preferred personal lines business nationwide, written through the Kemper Personal Insurance brand. Kemper reports that it worked closely with regulators to ensure a seamless and compliant withdrawal from the New York state market. Help for PIA Northeast members. PIANY has developed a client communication template, information on market withdrawals in New York state, and a FAQ on the withdrawal from Kemper.