ALBANY, N.Y.—The Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc., applaud Gov. Kathy Hochul for signing legislation to update the state’s antiquated photo inspection system. The law, which was a top priority for PIANY during the 2023 legislative session, will allow insurance carriers to submit a waiver to the New York State Department of Financial Services to make photo inspections optional for certain auto insurance customers.
The law (A.3172-A/S.5889), which will give customers relief from needing to locate and to commute to an available photo inspection site to obtain a photo inspection, takes effect 180 days from today.
“We applaud Gov. Hochul, for her swift action in signing this law and we thank Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-96, and Sen. Neil D. Breslin, D-44, for their exceptional leadership in getting the respective bills passed in the state Assembly and Senate,” said PIA New York President Gary Slavin, CLTC, CIC. “We also thank the numerous PIANY members who contacted their legislative representatives to educate them about this important legislation. This will be a time saver. Now the insurance-buying public will no longer need to risk losing their physical damage coverage on their personal auto policies because they were unable to find an inspection site, or to make an appointment within the allotted time frame.”
The legislation’s swift passage through the state Assembly and the state Senate—the bill passed in the Senate days after it was reported out of the Senate Insurance Committee—combined with the governor’s signature signaled the level of support and commitment this measure had from state leaders. In fact, Hochul included this legislation in her budget bill.
PIANY members advocated for the insurance-buying public by participating in grassroots campaigns to advocate for the passage of this law during each stage of the legislative process.
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PIA New York is the premier professional association for independent insurance agents, working to advance the needs of its members and be a leading voice in the insurance industry. PIANY provides members with the very best education, information, advocacy, and business tools possible.