Advocacy

Body: ​​A slew of costly litigation-increasing legislation was vetoed by Governor Hochul in her final legislative acts of 2025. Big I New York was part of a mighty coalition of business and industry groups that urged opposition to multiple trial lawyer priorities.Vetoed bills include:Wrongful death expansion—for the fourth time in as many years. The Governor’s veto memo once again noted concerns about increased insurance premiums and “financial stress” to healthcare systems. (A.6063/S.4423)A prohibition on discussing settlement with a claimant within 30-days of an act, which, according to the Governor, “would interfere with the ability to quickly settle small claims, negotiate settlements even when all parties…

Abstract: This fall, Travis Wattie, Big I NY AVP of Government Relations, spoke at five legislative breakfast events across the state. Body: This fall, Travis Wattie, Big I NY AVP of Government Relations, spoke at five legislative breakfast events across the state. Each of the events—hosted by Big I Central New York, Big I Southern Tier, Big I Suffolk, Big I Tri-County, and Big I Western New York —brought together insurance professionals and state and federal lawmakers for meaningful conversations on public policy issues impacting New York's insurance marketplace.The breakfasts began with a high-level overview of the industry's legislative priorities, which focus on making insurance…

Body: ​ Big I New York Regional Director Eileen Frank and Assistant Vice President of Government Relations, Travis Wattie, recently participated in a series of Affordability Roundtables hosted by the New York State Senate Republican Conference. Their goal: help lawmakers better understand how insurance works and highlight practical reforms to address New Yorkers’ growing affordability challenges. During the Manhattan roundtable, Eileen Frank used a simple but powerful visual to explain the basics of insurance. Holding up a cup, she described premiums as what goes in and claim payments as what comes out. Insurance, she emphasized, is pooled risk—a modern extension of neighbors helping neighbors. But when claims are inflated or…