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You’re In Control

​By: Carey Wallace Over the past 18 months, we have experienced the highest interest rates since 2000, with them peaking at 7.08% in November of 2022. Over one-third of the independent insurance agencies in the U.S. anticipate a change in ownership in the next two years, which means that over 13,300 agencies will transition ownership according to the 2022 Agency Universe Study. Many agency owners plan to transition their ownership to family, children, or a current partner, and if a bank loan is involved the change in interest rates can have a significant impact on the price of their agency and their retirement. Now more…

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Court Authorizes NYS DFS to Liquidate UPC’s New York Assets, Handle Claims

​A Manhattan court has granted the New York State Department of Financial Services' request to be appointed as ancillary receiver of United Property & Casualty Insurance Co. (UPC.) The order enables DFS to liquidate the insurer's New York assets and resolve claims that may be insured under its policies. If you have clients who were insured by UPC, you should advise them now that they have until Feb. 27, 2024 to submit claims.As we previously reported, Florida-based UPC was declared insolvent earlier this year by the Florida Department of Financial Services. A court appointed the Florida department as the insurer's receiver, giving it authority to…

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ACORD Changes NY Auto Insurance Forms

​Industry standards-setting organization ACORD has revised four personal and commercial automobile insurance forms to reflect a recent change in state law. The revised forms are for use on and after August 1, 2023. You should expect to see them in your ACORD Advantage subscriptions or agency management systems over the next few months.As we previously reported​, a law taking effect on August 1 will require every personal and commercial auto liability policy to include "supplemental spousal liability coverage" unless the insured specifically rejects it. Under current law, the insured has the option to add the coverage. After August 1, the insured will have the option…

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