Advocacy; Industry News

​An endorsement to the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Homeowners insurance program, which Big I New York initially proposed, has been approved by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS). The form gives homeowners coverage for damage to underground utility service lines. It will allow you to offer better protection against very expensive losses to your Homeowners clients.Since 2012, Big I New York has been a member of the Mid-America Insurance Conference,  a forum where independent agents, trade association staff, and representatives of industry standards-setting organizations discuss topics such as property-casualty coverage, rules, forms, and other technical aspects within the industry. ISO, the National Council on…

​A New York State law enacted last year prohibits businesses from making unsolicited telemarketing phone calls during a state of emergency. Consequently, insurance agents and brokers should avoid making these calls during the present COVID-19 state of emergency. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo declared a statewide state of emergency on March 7, 2020. It remains in effect until September 7, 2020. The law passed both chambers of the New York State Legislature unanimously last June and was signed by Gov. Cuomo on December 18. It amended the existing general business law pertaining to telemarketing. The law prohibits a business or its employees (supervisors are responsible for…