Albany Update: Big I NY Meets With DFS Leadership, Advocacy Week(s) Recap

​On Thursday, the Big I NY Board of Directors met with senior leadership of the Department of Financial Services, including My Chi To, Executive Deputy Superintendent for Insurance, Sumit Sud, Senior Deputy Superintendent of Insurance, and Ellen Buxbaum, Director of Producer Supervision. Both DFS and Big I NY expressed an interest in working collaboratively to promote the health of the state's insurance industry and protect consumers. We thank the DFS for their interest in partnering with industry stakeholders, and look forward to working with the Department on the issues that are most important to independent agents and our customers.​On Friday, Independent Agents Advocacy Week(s) concluded, wrapping up…

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Albany Update: Advocacy Week(S), Budget Deal Reached, Priority Excess Lines Bill Passes Senate

Agents Advocacy Week(S)This week, Big I NY member agents from across the state descended on Albany (virtually) to urge lawmakers to support several pro-consumer bills. Agents urged members of the Senate to co-sponsor our bill to make auto photo inspections (CARCOs) optional at the discretion of insurance carriers. This bill recently passed the Assembly for the first time ever, and we are ramping up the pressure to pass the bill through the Senate before the end of session in June. Our agents also urged for the passage ofbills to eliminate the 30-day notice to withdraw from the State Insurance Fund, eliminate the diligent effort requirement when placing…

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Your Clients Might Not Have Enough Rental Reimbursement Coverage

​Persistent supply chain problems are creating shortages of some auto parts, and that could mean some of your clients will be underinsured when they have to rent cars to subsitute for one that's been damaged.A recent article on TheDrive.com described the problems in vivid detail:Back in early December, Ed Kim was involved in a minor fender bender. He took it straight to the body shop recommended by his insurance company, and the mechanic told Kim that they have such a backlog that they couldn’t even look at his car for a month and a half. Luckily, the damage was minor, and the car was still…

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