To view in your web browser or for a printable version: https://www.pia.org/COMM/email/weekly/20200319NY/weekly.html |
| ||
|
|
March 19 2020 |
 |
 |
Gov. Cuomo responds |
||
Amid an exponentially growing crisis, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is making an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. So far, he signed a paid family leave law on March 18, 2020. The new law protects New Yorkers by making sure they continue to get paid while they are quarantined because of the disease. To learn more about New York’s new paid family leave law, access QS31418 in PIA’s QuickSource library. Furthermore, at a press conference this morning, Cuomo ordered a density reduction in the workforce, which means businesses can have no more than 25% of their workforce in-office at one time—there is an exception for essential personnel (e.g., medical and emergency professionals)—effective Friday, March 20, 2020. To learn more about adaptation and insurance coverage in relation to these changes, access QS91007 or QS31417. Also at the press conference, Cuomo stated that, due to potential financial hardship caused by the pandemic, there will be 90 days of mortgage relief, during which mortgage payments will be waived. Included in this relief: no negative reporting to the credit bureau, grace periods for load modifications; no late payment fees or online payment fees; postponing or suspending foreclosures; and all overdraft, ATM, and credit card fees shall be waived. Attorney General Letitia James also announced that state debt collection is suspended temporarily.
Additionally, Cuomo issued an executive order on March 16, 2020, which delays village elections statewide until the Tuesday, April 28, 2020, primary. Cuomo also met with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont—the three officials agreed to order all bars and restaurants to transition to take-out or delivery service only, and to close gyms and movie theaters—Pennsylvania later joined this coalition. In these four states, there shall be no social gatherings of more than 50 people. In New Jersey, legislation (A-3844) that would require carriers to provide coverage for COVID-19-related business interruption claims was reported out of the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee.
This is just some of the recent news regarding COVID-19, and to help keep you updated on the latest information about COVID-19, PIANY has posted news from the state and national levels in one location on its website. PIA members, who have questions about coronavirus and coverage issues, can contact the PIA Industry Resource Center via email or phone (800) 424-4244. Free to PIA members: Additionally, PIANY will host a Webinar—Coronavirus: What You Need to Know Right Now, which is free to PIA members and taught by PIA Northeast Director of Government & Industry Affairs Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., Monday, March 23. PIA has added a second class from 1-1:30 p.m., because the 11-11:30 a.m. class is full. And, don’t worry about changing election dates—PIANYPAC has you covered and will keep you updated, in your PIA publications, and on social media. |
 |
N.Y. cyber certification filing deadline extended |
||
The deadline for licensed entities to file their cyber security compliance certification has been extended from Wednesday, April 15, 2020, to Saturday, May 30, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Licensed entities can file this certification via the New York State Department of Financial Services web portal. For more information on New York’s cyber security regulation, take a look at PIA’s Privacy Compliance Central Tool Kit, which contains NYSDFS’s FAQ and several additional Ask PIA FAQs. |
|
TAG Solutions offers PIA-member discount on cyber security compliance tools Learn what AVYST can do for your agency |
||
|
On-site WC audits temporarily suspended |
||
In light of the public health threat posed by the coronavirus, the NYDFS temporarily has suspended the requirement that insurers conduct on-site physical payroll audits. Accordingly, and until this temporary suspension is lifted, insurers may conduct payroll audits by alternative means. See the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board’s Bulletin R.C. 2507. |
 |
 |
|
|
Paid sick leave signed |
||
President Donald J. Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R.6201) today. The bill provides emergency paid leave for workers and benefits for families, including free COVID-19 testing, covering the costs of eligible emergency room visits, doctor fees, and supplements the food-assistance program. The program will take effect within 15 days of the signing, and will extend through the end of 2020. To learn more about the act, access QS91003 in PIA’s QuickSource library. To find out who is eligible to take paid sick leave per the new paid family leave law, access QS91006. |
|
Introducing PIA’s new agency hiring program |
||
PIA National is introducing Winning@Talent, an independent insurance agent’s guide to hiring, motivating and retaining the best agency employees. The program features three parts in which agencies learn how to find and recruit new talent, and even more importantly—keeping the talent. Learn more about Winning@Talent here. |
|
Ask PIA: |
||
Q. A client’s son started working for a pizzeria because he was temporarily laid off due to the COVID-19 crisis. The pizzeria requires him to use his own car for deliveries. Does he have coverage, while using his car to deliver pizza, in the event of an accident? A. The current ISO Personal Auto Policy states that there is no coverage for an insured’s “ownership or operation of a vehicle while it is being used as a public or livery conveyance.” Pizza delivery is not a good fit under these terms, and so courts around the country have prohibited this exclusion from precluding coverage for the delivery of pizza. Here is more information about using a personal vehicle for pizza delivery. As a PIA member, you have access to the entire Ask PIA library of frequently asked questions and expert answers by PIA’s technical staff. |
|
Sexual harassment prevention training required for employees who do business in New York and Connecticut |
||
New York and Connecticut state laws require most state employees to complete sexual harassment prevention training. New York employees are required to complete this course annually, and it is available from PIA in the form of an online webinar on Tuesday, April 21, 2020; Wednesday, May 20, 2020; and Thursday, June 11, 2020. Employees in Connecticut must take a mandatory training course by Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in order to comply with a new law. You and your employees must comply with this new law if you do any business in Connecticut. PIA also provides this training in the form of an online webinar. Dates for the Connecticut webinar include Wednesday, April 8, 2020; Monday, May 18, 2020; and Tuesday, June 23, 2020. |
 |
 |
|
PIANY education: |
||
Looking for quality education classes or the New Employee Orientation Series? PIANY offers a wide range of education sessions on salient topics, including the following open courses: Coronavirus: What You Need to Know Right Now (Monday, March 23, PIA Webinar, NYCE: N/A); E&O Loss Prevention and Ethics–There is a Connection^FF^UN (Tuesday, March 24, PIA Webinar, NYCE: 3 BR, C1, LA, LB, LSB, PA, PC); N.Y. and the Legal Implications of Cyber Security (Thursday, March 26, PIA Webinar, NYCE: 2 BR, C3, PA, PC); Employment Practices Liability (Tuesday, March 31, PIA Webinar, NYCE: 3 BR, C3, PA, PC); and Business Exposures for the Personal Lines Insured (Friday, April 3, PIA Webinar, NYCE: 1 BR, C3, PA, PC).^FF^UN–This course has been approved for E&O loss-prevention credit by Fireman’s Fund and Utica National. Call the PIA E&O Department for details.For more offerings, see the complete education schedule. |
|
The dangers in trucking |
||
One of the most dangerous jobs—with a reported fatality rate of 28 deaths per 100,000 full-time-equivalent workers—is trucking. However, trucking isn’t only dangerous for the truckers. Read more here. Looking for more ways to help keep your insureds safe and avoid claims? Take advantage of your PIA member benefit, Circle of Consultants, to speak with—or refer your clients to—a consultant about loss control, risk management or any one of nearly 200 topics. Call the Industry Resource Center at (800) 424-4244 or submit an online request. |
|
COVID-19 and UberEATS |
||
Many restaurants have been ordered to close their doors to diners, but UberEATS quickly is becoming an alternative means for these eateries to continue serving their valued customers. The app allows restaurants to offer take-out services—even if they never have offered delivery or take-out before now. If your clients who own restaurants want to take advantage of UberEATS, they need to fill out an interest form. Once approved, customers will be able to order from their favorite restaurants via the UberEATS mobile app, and restaurants will be able to have their food delivered to their customers—effectively keeping them in business. To learn how a personal auto policy would respond to this service, access QS90942 in PIA’s QuickSource library. |
|
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. You have received this email because you are a valued member or affiliate of PIA and because we believe this information will be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive ANY email communication from PIA click here. |