The New York state legislative session concluded last week. It was a session that started like no other and ended like virtually every other session previously. The COVID-19 pandemic was ever-present during this legislation session—it impacted not only what business...
During the 2021 New York legislative session, PIANY advocated for passage of S.6028/A.6877—sponsored by Sen. Neil D. Breslin, D-44, and Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, Jr., D-96, respectively—which would allow insurance companies to make photo inspections of...
New York insurance producers are no strangers to electronic delivery of insurance documents—during the COVID-19 pandemic, sending documents electronically became the easiest and safest way to connect with clients. However, certain legal restrictions in the state...
PIANY held its quarterly Regional Advisory Council meetings, which included a special Spring Into Advocacy event, May 18-28. The Spring Into Advocacy meetings were town-hall style, and they allowed independent agents to hear from their local legislators, and ask them...
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, D-23, represents Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Ozone Park and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. Audrey I. Pheffer—Pheffer Amato’s mother—held the same Assembly seat for 25 years. After Pheffer Amato’s...
PIANY priority legislation to address and curtail the issue of bait and switch in the auto insurance market has been reported out of the New York state Assembly Insurance Committee (23-0). The legislation, A.1809, would prohibit insurance carriers from rerating...
Legislation to streamline the process of placing commercial policies in the excess-lines market has passed the New York state Senate (63-0) on May 24. The bill (S.498A) would simplify the excess-lines affidavit that producing brokers must complete as part of the...
While I was looking at appliances in Home Depot this week, an announcement throughout the store warned shoppers that any house built before the 1970s still may have lead-based paint on the walls and posing a risk to residents. This risk extends to many houses across...
The New York State Department of Financial Services has taken the first step to amend the continuing-education requirements for insurance producers. What’s new? The DFS is proposing that all licensees be required to take at least: One hour of insurance law One hour of...
PIANY leaders met with their congressional representatives and staffers from the offices of 10 New York representatives from May 11-13. These meetings were part of PIA National’s PIA Advocacy Day. Discussions focused mainly around four key issues: flood insurance,...