Industry Roundup: April 29th

New York Warns of Supply Chain​ Attack Dangers in Recent SolarWinds ReportThe next great financial crisis could come from a cyber attack. At least, that's according to New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent Linda Lacewell in a statement regarding DFS' recent report outlining its investigation into the SolarWinds attack. The report summarizes the attack, the response by DFS-regulated companies and key measures to prevent future events of a similar nature.​Insurance 'The Final Safety Net' in Cyber​ Risk ManagementCyber insurance can serve as “the final safety net" for your agency in the worst-case scenario that something happens to you. It cannot act as…

Continue ReadingIndustry Roundup: April 29th

Monumental Victory for Agents: Big I NY Wins Lawsuit Appeal Against New York State DFS

​Today, we achieved a monumental victory for independent insurance agents with a unanimous ruling that the controversial “best interest” standard (the first amendment to Regulation 187) for life insurance and annuities imposed by the NYSDFS is unconstitutionally vague. While other member associations backed down over the course of this fight, Big I New York has continuously challenged the amendment since November 2018.[Read the complete text of the ruling] “Today’s ruling is a victory, not just for the state’s independent insurance agents and brokers, but for our customers,” said David MacLachlan, CPCU, Big I NY Chair of the Board. “This regulation has been virtually impossible for brokers to meaningfully comply…

Continue ReadingMonumental Victory for Agents: Big I NY Wins Lawsuit Appeal Against New York State DFS

Max Weekly Workers Comp Benefit Going Up on July 1

​The New York State Workers Compensation Board has announced that the maximum weekly Workers Comp benefit will increase in July. The new maximum weekly benefit will be $1,063.05. Under New York Workers' Compensation Law, the maximum weekly disability benefit must be adjusted every year on July 1 to equal two-thirds of the statewide average weekly wage. According to the announcement, the New York State Department of Labor recently reported to the state Department of Financial Services that the average weekly wage in 2020 was $1,594.57.The new maximum applies to workers' compensation claims with dates of injury during the period from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. The current…

Continue ReadingMax Weekly Workers Comp Benefit Going Up on July 1