According to Statista, a data gathering platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, has some 556 million monthly active users. Whether you’re an independent agent or the head of an agency, having a presence on a platform with more than half a billion active users is...
President announces executive action on AI
At the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel in San Francisco, President Joe Biden made remarks about technological development in the United States before he met with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology on Sept. 27. His remarks focused primarily on...
N.Y.: Call to action: Insurance agents assemble
The 2023 New York legislative session was a successful one for independent insurance agents. In 2023, PIANY saw not one, but two, of the association’s top priorities pass the Legislature! The advocacy of insurance agents, like yourself, has been critical in getting...
Water you mean I’m not covered? Navigate the flood insurance knowledge gap
The summer of ’23 has brought disastrous weather events in almost every region of the country. The Northeast faced record-breaking flooding. Vermont received two months’ worth of rain—more than nine inches—in just a few days. More than 4,000 homes were damaged by...
Explainer: New N.J. credit card surcharge law: What it means for agencies
Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation into law that prohibits businesses, including insurance agencies, from imposing certain surcharges on credit card transactions. What does the new law do? The new law prohibits a business (referred to as “sellers” in the...
Shark attacks: If you’re not with Jason Statham, an insurance policy may be the next best thing
If you are brave enough to have bought a ticket to Jason Statham’s latest action thriller, Meg 2: The Trench, then you might be familiar with what it would be like to take on a band of oversized, murderous sharks and other sea creatures in the pursuit of ocean...
The hard market: Use clear communication
Supporting and leading your employees through this hard market is going to be critical for agency leaders. They will follow your example and most team members want to do a great job. They need to understand what that means to your agency. You may be saying: "My team...
N.J.: ‘Dwelling units’ would be required to have renters insurance if new bill becomes law
New Jersey Assemblymember William B. Sampson IV, D-31, introduced A-5696 on May 18, 2023. This bill would require renters insurance for individuals entering or renewing a lease for a dwelling unit. The legislation defines dwelling unit as any room, or group of rooms,...
The New York City crane collapse of 2023
The iconic New York City skyline is renowned for its dazzling lights, towering skyscrapers—and unfortunately its unsightly construction cranes and scaffolding. On July 26, 2023, a crane—situated atop a 45-story building in Midtown Manhattan—abruptly caught fire and...
It all starts with you: Create powerful, enduring customer connections
Typically, any service provider’s emotional state influences the outcome of that service interaction. Ensuring emotionally positive points of connection are among the best predictors of customer loyalty. Have you considered your insureds’ criteria to evaluate positive...