PIANY thanks its members at start of holiday season

At this time of year, we take stock of all for which we are grateful. PIANY thanks our members and supporters and we wish you and yours a warm and prosperous holiday season.  

Governor signs, vetoes insurance legislation

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed 47 bills and vetoed 41 others Nov. 21. While several of these bills affect the insurance industry, the most pertinent, PIANY’s top-priority certificates of insurance reform bill (A.9590 Morelle/S.6545-A Seward), has yet to be sent to his desk. It is not too late to write the governor to tell him that certificates of insurance pose a problem. If you haven’t already, please do it now. Write Gov. Cuomo a letter on your agency’s letterhead and help PIANY show strong, broad-based support for our certificates of insurance reform bill, and send us a copy. More …  

PIA’s Director of Government and Industry Affairs moderates Scaffold Law Reform Panel Discussion on Insurance

PIA’s Director of Government and Industry Affairs Matthew F. Guilbault, Esq., moderated a panel discussion during the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York’s annual meeting in Albany last week, concentrating on the state’s controversial Labor Law 240 (the Scaffold Law) and its impact upon the insurance marketplace. Guilbault guided the panel comprised of brokers and insurance company representatives, and explored the issues of how the New York market differs from the national market for construction liability insurance; how the market has changed over the years and the reasons for the change; the growing popularity of Labor Law exclusions in policies; the law’s impact upon safety and the advice brokers and agents can offer to their contractors trying to find insurance.   

Register now: MetroRAP, Jan. 29

If you live or work near New York City, you won’t want to miss this year’s Metropolitan Regional Awareness Program, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. Earn valuable continuing-education credits, network with peers, celebrate award and scholarship winners and enjoy a luncheon featuring keynote speaker Thomas R. Kozera, CPCU, chair and CEO of Assured SKCG Inc. For more information or to register, click here.  

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District Office Visits now underway—Have you signed up?

Each year at this time, your association kicks off its District Office Visit Program. Now is the time to reach out to your state legislators to set a time to meet with them before they return to office in early 2015 and discuss important issues to professional, independent insurance agents and their clients. PIANY facilitates these meetings, which take place November through January, and give us a head start on priority issues for the coming session. PIANY will help prepare volunteers with background information and talking points, so you can speak confidently on the most pressing issues. Participation is easy. PIA staff will even attend meetings to support your visit. Interested in participating? Email govaffairs@pia.org or call the Government & Industry Affairs Department at (800) 424-4244.  

During the winter storm season, use PIA’s Storm Info Central

The relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season officially ends Nov. 30, and PIANY reminds its members that winter is coming. PIA’s Storm Info Central offers you one spot for all your winter storm-related resource needs—from the latest updates to QuickSource documents. If there is something you are looking for that you do not see here, contact PIA’s Industry Resource Center at resourcecenter@pia.org or use the Ask PIA button on the PIA website and we will address your specific question.  

DOL clarifies: Employers cannot reimburse employees who participate in health exchanges

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor issued FAQ Part XX11 on the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The FAQ clarifies that employers cannot reimburse employees who participate in a health exchange. What this means for agents: If you are thinking of complying with the PPACA requirements by engaging in this practice, the DOL is aware of this tactic and has given it careful scrutiny.   

FEMA to appeal judge’s order on Sandy claims

As PIA reported last week, there has been a call to address potential widespread manipulation of flood insurance claims of Sandy victims. This week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is appealing Magistrate Judge Gary Brown’s order to release flood insurance documents to determine whether engineers and adjusters conspired to deny Superstorm Sandy claims. More …  

FEMA clarifies loss settlement issues

FEMA has released Bulletin W-14058 to provide clarification in 1.) the application of the Replacement Cost Loss Settlement and Actual Cash Value Loss Settlement provisions; 2.) the use of flood insurance claims proceeds; and 3.) FEMA’s Underwriting and Claims Operation Review Tool.  

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Need a market? Think PIA first

PIA’s MarketBase^TM Program, with more than 2,100 risk categories offered by more than 120 different firms, offers association members the information needed to place those unusual or hard-to-place risks. From our online database to our phone-in and email options, PIA MarketBase^TM is your source for market leads.  

Upcoming PIANY Webinars

PIANY will offer the following Webinars in the next few months: Ethics—Something Worth Pursuing (Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., NYCE: 3BR, C1, C3, LA, LB, LSB, PA, PC); Two-Part Webinar: NY AIP Producer Procedures Course (Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4-5, from 10 a.m.-noon, NYCE: 2 BR, C3, PC, PA, for each part. 4 CE total); The National Flood Insurance Program Revised and Updated (Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m.-noon, NYCE: 2 BR, C3, PC, PA); Top Ten Commercial Lines Endorsements (Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 10-11 a.m., NYCE: 1 BR, C3, PC, PA); Coverage Abbreviations: OCP, K&R, COP/MOP, OCIP/CCIP, KMI (Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., NYCE: 3 BR, C3, PC, PA); Comparing URB Forms to ISO Forms in Commercial Lines (Thursday, Jan. 8, from 10 a.m.-noon, NYCE: 2 BR, C3, PC, PA); Comparing URB Forms to ISO Forms in Personal Lines (Friday, Jan. 9, from 10 a.m.-noon, NYCE: 2 BR, C3, PC, PA); Key E&O Issues that Every Agent Should be Thinking About^{^FF^UM} (Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., NYCE: 3 BR, C3, LB, C1, LSB, LA, PC, PA); Cyber Liability—Why the Need? (Friday, Jan. 30, from 10-11 a.m., NYCE: 1 BR, C3, PC, PA); and Key E&O Issues that Every Agent Should be Thinking About^{^FF^UM}(Tuesday, April 28, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., NYCE: 3 BR, C3, LB, C1, LSB, LA, PC, PA). ^{^FF^UM}—This course has been approved for E&O loss-prevention credit by Fireman’s Fund and Utica Mutual. Call the PIA E&O Department for details at (800) 424-4244. For more information or to register, click here.  

PIANY-YIP Holiday Gathering coming up Dec. 9

Don’t miss the PIANY-YIP’s Holiday Gathering, which will take place Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, at Jewel Restaurant, Melville. This will be the final opportunity to network before the New Year! Representatives from Jocelyn’s Operation Holiday Spirit will be on-site to accept donations. This event is sponsored by CMS LLC. Your registration includes an open bar and light fare.  

P/C small business guide

Running a small business has many challenges. Business owners must try to maximize the financial risks their businesses face. To assist your small business clients, you may want to offer them QuickSource document No. QS31167, which outlines many important facts and coverages they may need, in PIA’s QuickSource library.  

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