News
NICB: Vehicle thefts hit lowest levels in decades
In a new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicle thefts across the United States declined to some of their lowest levels in 2025. A total of 659,880 vehicles were reported stolen nationwide last year, a 23% decrease from 2024. Several states and territories saw substantial year-over-year decreases in their vehicle theft numbers. Washington state experienced the largest percentage decrease of any state with 39% less vehicles stolen in 2025 compared to 2024. Colorado and Puerto Rico followed closely with 35% and 34% declines in vehicle thefts, respectively. In the PIA Northeast footprint, New York state ranked among the top 10 states for total thefts in 2025 (No. 5, 24,206 thefts). PIA Northeast resources: Talk to your clients about car theft, send them “How to keep your vehicle safe from car thieves.”
FEMA order to resume grant program under court order
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened applications for its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program under the order of a federal judge. Through this program, $1 billion is made available for communities to develop projects to build resilience against natural disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. Previously, this programming and its funding were canceled by the former acting leader of FEMA Cameron Hamilton. In December, a federal judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit to overturn the cancellation.
PIACT and PIANJ legislative priorities announced for 2026
PIA Connecticut and PIA New Jersey have announced their respective legislative priorities for 2026. PIACT is concentrating its advocacy efforts to simplify the process for renewing surplus lines insurance policies; to regulate third-party litigation funding; and to establish insurance requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters. PIANJ is concentrating on banning step-down clauses, regulating third-party lawsuit litigation funding, modernizing the state’s surplus lines marketplace and enshrining the rights of producers to assert comparative negligence defenses even if a special relationship is found.
Advocacy
N.Y.: Priority CE carryover bill reported out of New York state Senate Insurance Committee
Legislation that would allow insurance producers to carry forward up to five excess continuing-education credits into their next licensing cycles (S.6122-A) has been reported out of the New York state Senate Insurance Committee. Under current law, producers must complete at least 15 CE credits to maintain their licenses, but credits earned beyond the minimum requirement cannot be applied to future licensing cycle. PIANY strongly supports this bill because it offers flexibility for insurance professionals while also maintaining standards for education.
N.Y.: Assembly passes public adjuster solicitation bill
Recently, the New York state Assembly passed A.9390-B. This piece of legislation would strengthen consumer protection in the immediate aftermath of a property loss by prohibiting public adjusters and their representatives from imitating contact with property owners, occupants or tenants for 48 hours following a damaging event. This bill, if passed, would give time for insurance consumers to process their loss and contact their independent insurance agent to begin the claims process.
N.Y.: New bill could increase state auto insurance prices
PIANY has come out in opposition to A.10524-A and its state Senate counterpart S.9537. If passed, the bill would significantly alter how insurance is underwritten and priced in New York state by introducing broad restrictions on the underwriting and rating factors insurers can use when issuing and pricing motor vehicle policies. The legislation would prohibit, or limit the use of, factors such as age, occupation, education, prior insurance history and certain geographic variables. It also would place strict limits on how territorial data can influence premiums, and it would impose new requirements around rate filings, public disclosures and regulatory oversight. This change would make the pricing system less accurate, and lead to increased premiums.
Technical
What to know about cannabis insurance coverage
The future of the cannabis industry depends on its legalization at state and federal levels, as well as having all the tools that others commercial ventures have access to—including insurance to manage risk. For more information, PIA Northeast members can access Cannabis insurance coverage in the PIA QuickSource library. Looking for more information about cannabis coverage? Access Stirred, not shaken: Coverage for cannabis-infused beverages on PIA Northeast News & Media. Or plan to attend the webinar From Bud to Table (and Tap): Insurance Issues in the Cannabis Industry, taught by Bradford J. Lachut, Esq. It has been approved for CE credits in Connecticut (1 PC), New Jersey (1 GEN) and New York (1 BR, C3, PA, PC). This class is free to YIP members in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.
Educating insurance agents
An in-depth seminar on commercial policies
If you’re looking to become more familiar with commercial policies, plan to attend 2025-2026 CIC CC | Commercial Casualty Institute Webinar. This two-day course will detail the coverage, limitations and exclusions of the commercial general liability policy, the business auto policy and the workers’ compensation and employers’ liability insurance policy. This webinar will be taught by the instructors: Bettye Hutchison, CRM, CIC, CPCU, ARM, CPIA, AAI, TRIP; Michael Kersgard, CIC, CLU; and Steven D. Lyon, CPCU, CIC, CRM, CRIS, AAI, ARM, AIS, MLIS, AFIS, and it will run from April 15-16, 2026. This class has been approved for CE credits in Connecticut (16 PC), New Jersey (16 GEN) and New York (15 BR, C3, PA, PC).
Events
Networking and karaoke night with the NY-YIP
Looking to make industry connections and flex your karaoke chops? Then join the NY-YIP at JT Maxies in Albany on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 8-10 p.m. This midweek meet-up is the perfect opportunity to relax and engage in some casual networking with your fellow insurance professionals—and cut loose with a few rounds of karaoke. Register online today—we hope to see you there!
ICYMI
Another year, another successful Connecticut Convention
Over 300 insurance professionals from the Northeast gathered at this year’s PIA Connecticut Convention from March 19-20, 2026, at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket for an exciting insurance event. Attendees learned from insightful, CE-approved education sessions, found novel business solutions at the sold-out trade show and networked with their fellow peers at events like the lunch and networking receptions. The convention also honored this year’s Awards of Distinction winners, and PIACT and CTYIP elected new officers and directors for 2026-27. PIA would like to extend thanks to everyone who attended: We hope to see you again next year! Plus, watch your PIA publications for more on the convention, including photos.
Were you there? CTYP Welcome | Axes & Accelerators
The day before this year’s PIA Connecticut Convention, CTYIP held its Welcome Reception | Axes & Accelerators event. Over 75 insurance professionals enjoyed go-karting and axe-throwing at the Monza Garage at the Foxwoods Resort Casino. We would like to thank everyone who made this event possible, from the organizers to the sponsors and to the attendees. See photos of the event here. We hope to see you at the next CTYIP event—the CTYIP Golf Open, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Register today.
N.Y.: New DFS ID system launched
The DFS has launched DFS ID, its new secure single sign-on system to access DFS online applications. This change now is in effect, and it requires action from licensees. In addition, the DFS MyPortal login page has been discontinued. The DFS ID is required to access DFS Portal, DFS Connect, LINX, and other DFS systems. This change affects how you log in, and it does not change regulatory or filing requirements.
Register now
Tuesday, April 14, 2026: NY-YIP Albany Networking Night with Karaoke
Monday, April 20, 2026: YIP Education: From Bud to Table (and Tap): Insurance Issues in the Cannabis Industry. To register: Connecticut–YIP Members, Others | New Jersey–YIP Members, Others | New York–YIP Members, Others
Wednesday, April 22, 2026: PIANJ Women’s Leadership Alliance Golf Clinic
Wednesday, April 22, 2026: NY-YIP Buffalo I-Day Welcome
Wednesday, May 6, 2026: NJYIP Golf Open
May 11 | May 18 | June 8: Emerging Leaders Series:Connecticut | New Jersey | New York
June 7-9, 2026: PIANJ | PIANY Annual Conference—Want to sponsor, exhibit or advertise?
Tuesday, June 9, 2026: NJYIP Fun Run at Annual Conference
Tuesday, June 23, 2026: CTYIP Golf Open
Thursday, July 23, 2026: NJYIP Summer Breeze Bash
Monday, Aug. 3, 2026: NY-YIP Annual Golf Open
Save the date
Sunday, June 7, 2026: NJYIP Nitecap at Annual Conference
Thursday, June 25, 2026: PIWA Spring Reception
