Hard market refers to a high demand for insurance and a decreased desire to insure. A soft market marks the opposite, when the demand for insurance coverage and competition in the market is minimal. The COVID-19 pandemic caused global economic hardship. The U.S. is...
N.J.: Compulsory handgun liability insurance bill signed into law
Legislation that will require owners of handguns who carry in public to purchase liability insurance has been signed into the law. As previously reported, the Legislature worked quickly to pass this new law, P.L. 2022, C.131. Originally, the legislation was introduced...
Reduce damages and payouts: Monitor for leaky toilets
When it comes to leaks in the bathroom, prevention is just as important as conducting a timely repair. Most property owners do not have time or expertise to periodically check every toilet for minor leaks or damage, so they end up paying more on water and sewer bills....
N.Y.: Amendment to dog breed law signed
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed A.9284-A on Dec. 16, 2022. It closes a loophole in the law by prohibiting insurers from excluding, limiting, restricting or reducing coverage on homeowners insurance policies based solely on insureds owning specific breeds of dogs....
‘Tis the season … to think of your insurance
The end of the year can be full of hustle and bustle, that it can be easy to forget about the insurance implications that come around this time of year. Don’t forget to talk to your professional insurance agent about your insurance coverage needs on the following...
N.J.: Get in front of renewal increases with your clients; PIANJ offers sample letter
Across the country, the insurance-buying public has seen sharp premium increases when their homeowners and automobile insurance policies are being renewed. In many cases, premiums are outpacing claims and expenses, as well as rising higher than inflation. The rules...
Letter to the editor: It’s time to fix windstorm coverage in N.Y. insurance policies
Dear Editor, As we look at the damage caused by Hurricane Ian in Florida and South Carolina—and prepare for the possible damage caused by Hurricane Nicole—we say our prayers and think about how New Yorkers would fair in this type of disaster. The answer lies within...
Stated amount coverage: What clients need to know, what you need to tell them
Insuring on a stated amount basis usually offers little benefit to the insured. From the insured's perspective, a few things can go wrong when the stated amount fails to exactly equal the cash value of a property at the time of loss. One predicament your insureds...
No nightmares this Halloween
You’ve spent weeks preparing for Halloween. Pumpkins are carved. Bowls of candy sit near the front door. Costumes are donned. However, is your homeowners insurance ready? Do you know the answers to the what-ifs? What if a child falls on your walkway and the parents...
N.J.: Introduced bill would require liability insurance for handguns
Legislation was introduced in the New Jersey Legislature this month that would require certain gunowners to carry liability insurance. The bill (A-4769/S-3214) would require any person in the state who carries a handgun in public to maintain liability insurance...