Having a safe BBQ with the right coverage
Oh no, not the macaroni salad! Poisoning the guests at the BBQ you host seems like a nightmare, but you won’t have to worry if you plan ahead, and you make certain insurance and safety considerations prior to the event. Make sure to have homeowners or renters...
DFS adopts uniform hurricane definition following PIANY advocacy victory
The New York State Department of Financial Services has finalized a regulation establishing a standardized definition of “hurricane” for homeowners insurance policies statewide—marking a significant win for consumer clarity and policy transparency. This action...
Weekly Dispatch: Aug. 7, 2025
New bill introduced to Congress to examine wildfire risk in the country. Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance disclosed a June data breach in a filing with the California Attorney General’s office. PIANJ files comments to oppose the new ABC test rule that threatens the independent insurance agency system. New Jersey and New York rainfall prompts state of emergency declarations. Plus, you can read about state-specific industry news, advocacy updates, technical resources, education opportunities, upcoming events and information you may have missed in this issue of the Weekly Dispatch.
PIANJ pushes back against threat to independent insurance agents
PIANJ has submitted formal comments in strong opposition to a proposed rule by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development that would expand the application of the ABC test for determining independent contractor status under state labor laws...
Tighter underwriting, economic uncertainty challenge New England’s insurance agents
New England’s independent agents are experts at adapting to a playing field that’s constantly changing, and the current state of the market will surely test their resolve in months to come. As 2025 dawned, rates had stabilized in most lines, even if carrier appetite...
Weekly Dispatch: July 31, 2025
Allianz Life suffers significant data breach, affecting the majority of its 1.4 million customers. Gallagher Re issued a climate report for the first half of 2025, which found there was $84 billion in insured losses due to natural disasters. The New Jersey Department of Labor is posing a new rule that would change how independent insurance agents are classified: speak out now. New cyber security legislation goes into effect in New York state. Plus, you can read about state-specific industry news, compliance issues, advocacy updates, technical resources, education opportunities, upcoming events and information you may have missed in this issue of the Weekly Dispatch.
Protect your independence—Speak out before Aug. 6
The New Jersey Department of Labor is proposing a sweeping new rule that could disrupt how independent insurance agents do business fundamentally. The proposed regulation expands the ABC test—the legal standard used to determine whether a worker is an...
The top benefits to offer to retain talent
The war for talent isn’t slowing down. In fact, a recent Gallup study showed more than half of respondents are actively exploring new job opportunities. So, how do you retain top talent in a market in which employees are rethinking where, how and why they work? The answer lies in offering benefits that meet today’s expectations. Overall, employees tend to prioritize two things: health care and flexibility. However, a well-rounded benefits package also includes mental health, financial stability, time off and growth opportunities.
AI helps families plan for long-term care
Planning for long-term care always has been one of the most emotionally complex and financially uncertain parts of preparing for retirement. Many families delay the conversation until they’re in crisis, often leaving limited options and a heavy burden on loved ones. But artificial intelligence is starting to change that, offering a smarter, more personalized way to think about long-term care planning, and providing independent agents with new tools to help their clients prepare with confidence.
When carriers request commissions back: understanding chargebacks, contracts and agent protections
In the world of insurance sales, few things surprise independent agents more than a commission chargeback—especially when it’s requested years after the original transaction. While these occurrences may seem arbitrary or unfair, they often are rooted in the fine print...
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