What is the difference between the Agents Advocacy Coalition, the New Jersey PIAPAC and PIA National’s PIAPAC?
PIA Northeast has two state bipartisan political action committees—Agents Advocacy Coalition, the official PAC of PIANY and New Jersey PIAPAC. Each of these supports legislators and candidates from their respective state offices (such as the state Assembly and state...
Weekly Dispatch: Oct. 9, 2025
Government shutdown drags into second week: how is the NFIP affected? AM Best presents a mixed picture of U.S. auto insurance industry. Were you there? PIWA holds panel discussion on wholesale & retail distribution dynamics. Plus, you can read about state-specific industry news, technical resources, education opportunities, upcoming events and information you may have missed in this issue of the Weekly Dispatch.
Panel: The blueprint for success in wholesale business
The Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association held a panel discussion on Oct. 2, 2025, at Markel Insurance in New York City. [PHOTO CAPTION] Foreground: Attendees of the PIWA Panel Discussion. Background: (L-R) PIWA President Robert Farella, Janet Pane, CEO and executive director, ELANY, Kyle Oschell, vice president, Lockton Cos. and Andrew Nigri, property/casualty broker, Sancus Insurance.
You don’t know what’s coming: Proactive relationships can help during worst-case scenarios
I want to talk about cat events. No. This isn’t related to a grouping of our feline friends, rather it’s the term most insurance companies use to describe an area-wide catastrophic weather event—such as the floods that hit Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina, parts of...
Halloween, crime and your insurance
Halloween is almost here, which means trick-or-treaters, fun costumes, lots of candy and, unfortunately, an uptick in vandalism and crime. There are many reasons why crime increases on Halloween. In general, there is an uptick in crime on holidays because people leave...
Weekly Dispatch: Oct. 2, 2025
A government shutdown was not averted: what does this mean for insurance agents? Tropical Storm Imelda has become a Category 1 hurricane. Connecticut has a new online climate mapping risk tool for residents to use. The New York State Department of Financial Services has announced leadership changes. Plus, you can read about state-specific industry news, compliance issues, technical resources, education opportunities, upcoming events and information you may have missed in this issue of the Weekly Dispatch.
Should the United States create a national natural disaster fund?
Trends in the insurance industry have shown that carriers are raising rates, limiting coverages or pulling out of entire markets—often citing catastrophic losses tied to natural disasters. From wildfires in California and tornadoes in the Midwest, to hurricanes along...
Leadership changes at DFS: What insurance producers should know
The New York State Department of Financial Services will see a change in leadership this October. Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris will step down after four years of service. Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed Kaitlin Asrow as acting superintendent, effective Saturday,...
Legislative victory: E&S reform law marks major win for Connecticut’s insurance industry
PIACT achieved a major legislative achievement this session, with the passage of H.B.6981, a long-standing priority for the association and a milestone for the state’s insurance community. H.B.6981 eliminates the outdated requirement that brokers must obtain formal...
What happens if the NFIP lapses? A guide for insurance agents and their clients
With hurricane season underway, and Congress still negotiating a continuing resolution to fund the federal government, insurance agents should be prepared for the possibility of a lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program. Currently, the NFIP is set to expire Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. A short-term flood extension bill has been attached to the stalled CR, raising concerns about what could happen if lawmakers don’t act in time.


