Albany Update: Anti Arson Application Repeal Bill Passes Assembly

​On December 12, the NYS Assembly passed Big I NY-supported legislation to eliminate an unnecessary ​burden on customers by repealing the anti-arson application statewide. Section 3403 of the Insurance Law requires the completion of an “anti-arson application" for people seeking property insurance for fire or explosion to complete. If a policyholder fails to complete this application, which is required upon initial application for insurance and on each subsequent renewal of the policy, the insurer must cancel the policy. Technology has advance dramatically since the application was first required, and the law has outlived its usefulness. Insurance companies today are required by law to have fraud prevention plans, which are filed with…

Continue ReadingAlbany Update: Anti Arson Application Repeal Bill Passes Assembly

New Insurance Disclosure Law: Changes Soon, Confusion Now

What Happened:On December 31st, Governor Hochul signed the “Comprehensive Insurance Disclosure Act"​ (CIDA) on the condition that the legislature would swiftly pass several changes to the bill, referred to as “chapter amendments." The bill as signed​ requires, among other things, defendants in a lawsuit to automatically disclose all insurance information, including the policy application, within 60 days of answering for new actions and by March 31, 2022 for all pending actions. The chapter amendments agreed upon by Governor Hochul and the legislative leaders would exempt the policy application from automatic disclosure. These amendments are expected to be passed soon, but at the time of writing…

Continue ReadingNew Insurance Disclosure Law: Changes Soon, Confusion Now

Membership Means Market Access

Without competitive insurance markets, your agency can't grow and get to the next level. We know the more markets your agency can easily access, the better your chances of writing and retaining business, so we have made market access an integral part of your membership. In 2020, we made the investment to be a part of Independent Market Solutions (IMS) and, since that time, we have grown market availability in New York to include 10 participating carriers that offer personal, commercial, and various specialty lines. IMS programs are designed to give agencies of all sizes the opportunity to gain carrier appointments as IMS sub-producers. Certain insurance markets…

Continue ReadingMembership Means Market Access