News
Reuters: Trump administration abandons the defense of ‘noncompete’ agreements
In reporting from Reuters, the Trump administration announced it will abandon the legal defense for noncompete bans, which had been adopted by the previous Biden administration. In 2024, the U.S. Justice Department filed motions in federal appeals courts in New Orleans and Atlanta to appeal two separate rulings from federal judges that put a temporary hold on the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on noncompete agreements. PIA Northeast has covered the federal government’s attempt to ban noncompete agreements.
PIANY elects new officers; Bartow president
Jason Bartow, AAI, CPIA, TRA, of Dix Hills, N.Y., was elected president of PIANY at its annual business meeting on Sept. 10, 2025. Bartow is commercial lines executive vice president of Eugene A. Bartow Insurance Agency Inc., and Jebb Brokerage Inc. In addition, the following new officers will lead PIANY in 2025-26: President-elect: Michael Loguercio Jr., producer for BELFOR Property Restoration in Middle Island. First Vice President: Jorge Hernandez owner of North Franklin Brokerage Inc., in Hempstead. Vice President: Eric Cohen, the CEO/managing director of Benefit Quest Inc./Eric Cohen Insurance in New York City. Treasurer: Ed Chadwick, Jencap Specialty Insurance Services in Buffalo. Secretary: Justin Fries, CIC, CPCU, CPIA, the owner of Garber, Atlas, Fries & Associates in Oceanside. Immediate Past President: Richard Andrews, LUTCF, owner/principal of the Andrews Agency Inc., Ithaca. See photos here.
NY-YIP installs 2025-26 officers and elect directors
NY-YIP elected officers for 2025-26 during its annual business meeting. The NY-YIP officers installed were: Peter Conte of Honig, Conte, Porrino Insurance Agency in New York City will serve as president; Matt Davoult of AFCO Direct in Garden City, will serve as vice president; Harriet Thomas of United States Liability Insurance Co., in Greenfield, will serve as vice president; Jay Greene will serve as treasurer; and Natalie Golubski of Jencap Group in Buffalo, will serve as secretary. Scott Richards of Hilltop Strategies in Huntington Station will serve as immediate past president. The following individuals will serve as directors with terms expiring in 2027: James Butler of RT Specialty in Scarsdale; Peter Conte of Honig, Conte, Porrino Insurance Agency in New York City; Rachel Shipper of Prime Coverage Corp., in Jericho; Harriet Thomas; and Denny Wu of Wu Advisors in Oakland Gardens.
PIANY names Glass Committee Chair of the Year
The Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc., named Marshall Glass, CPIA, Committee Chair of the Year at this year’s annual business meeting. Glass is regional manager for Ironpeak in Astoria, N.Y. This award recognizes the time and effort agent volunteers give to help guide the association and implement programs to benefit its members. Glass has been an active PIANY board member for nearly 10 years. Currently, he is conference chairperson of the association’s Education and Conference Committee. Glass also is a member of the Agency Operations, Carrier Relations and Industry Affairs Committee and he is a member of the Membership, Benefits Services & Communication Committee. He is a member of the New York Young Insurance Professionals, an organization dedicated to the professional and personal growth of newcomers to the insurance industry. It is an affiliate of PIANY.
Technical
U.S. p/c insurers’ combined ratio improves
Verisk and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association reported half-year underwriting gains for the property/casualty insurance industry, which are estimated to be $11.5 billion (an improvement over the $3.8 billion net underwriting gain through midyear 2024). Despite persistent headwinds, the industry maintained underwriting profitability through midyear 2025, driven by more adequate premium rates and investment gains. Insurers wrote $472 billion in premiums during the first half of this year compared to $464 billion during the same period in 2024, while policyholders’ surplus increased slightly to $1.08 trillion (from $1.07 trillion).
How to gently shut the door on a claims-reporting policy
When you must close on claims-reporting (and reported) policies, think of it like shutting a door: if you do it gently, there’s minimal risk of injury for everyone involved. The language of these policies can result in your client paying premiums for two policies but receiving no coverage. To learn more and avoid scenarios like these, PIA Northeast members can access Please don’t slam the door shut in the PIA QuickSource library.
Conn: WC disability benefit adjusted Oct. 1
The Connecticut State Labor Commissioner has determined that the estimated average weekly earnings of all employees in Connecticut effective Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, has increased from $1,654 to $1,716. Therefore, the maximum compensation rate for total disability and decedents’ dependents is now $1,716 for injuries occurring on or after Oct.1, 2025. The maximum compensation rate for partial disability is equivalent to the average weekly earnings of production and related workers in manufacturing in Connecticut, which the commissioner has determined to increase from $1,191 to $1,220 effective Oct.1, 2025.
Educating insurance agents
Conn./N.J./N.Y.: Last call: Learn the basics of life, health and retirement contracts
Are you looking to expand your skillset as an independent insurance agent? Why not start by breaking into life and health? You can learn the basic characteristics, provisions, and riders found in most life, health, and retirement contracts in the course 2024-2025 CIC LH | Life and Health Institute Webinar. It will run from Sept. 17-18, 2025, with Richard Goolsby, CIC; Mark A. Palinkas, CIC; and Darrin Rankin, MBA, CIC, CPIA, AIS, as instructors. Register today before it’s too late. This class has been approved for CE credits in Connecticut (16 PC), New Jersey (16 GEN) and New York (15 C1, LA, LB, LSB).
Events
Enjoy autumn in New York for the NY-YIP Fall Reception
Say goodbye to summer and bring in autumn with the NY-YIP for this year’s Fall Reception. It will be held at The Dean in New York City’s Garden District on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Once you register, you’ll have access to the open bar, light appetizers and the opportunity to network with some of the brightest emerging industry leaders, all in a stylish metropolitan setting. Don’t wait: register today.
Join us at the PIANJ Golf Classic for SONJ
PIANJ will hold its 42nd annual Golf Classic to support Special Olympics New Jersey: SONJ provides programs for thousands of New Jersey children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Join us and your colleagues for an 18-hole scramble tournament at New Jersey’s Maplewood Country Club on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. If you don’t golf, that’s no problem: you can register for the Cocktail Hour & Dinner Only ticket. Don’t miss out on golfing for a good cause: register today.
IICF’s Month of Giving begins in October
Every PIA member knows community service is a cornerstone of the professional independent agency. However, that is rarely recognized when media or others discuss insurance. Help PIA and the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation quantify and publicize our industry’s enormous community contribution. Once again, this has become a monthlong event. If you have a team that would like to participate in an IICF project this October, fill out the IICF team form.
Register now
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025: PIA Advocacy Day
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025: Autumn in the City: NY-YIP Fall Reception
Monday, Sept. 29, 2025: PIANJ Golf Classic
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025: PIWA panel discussion: Wholesale & Retail Distribution Dynamics
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025: The CTYIP Spotlight Social | A Fall Reception
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025: A PIANJ WLA Panel: Pursuing (or Pushing) Positive Change
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025: NJYIP Holiday Reception
Save the date
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025: PIANJ Deep Dive Live: Behind the Verdict: How Litigation Trends Are Driving Insurance Costs
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026: MetroRAP 2026
