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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Momentum Building: Big I NY Photo Inspection Bill Passes the Assembly

​On Wed​nesday, the New York State Assembly passed our bill to make CARCO inspections optional at the discretion of insurance carriers. We thank the bill sponsor, Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski (D, Rockland) for his leadership on this top-priority issue.This is a historic and important step forward. The bill has never before passed either chamber. The vote is the culmination of years of hard work. You called, you emailed, you met with lawmakers. Together we made the case, and the Assembly has listened. Now, the bill must pass the Senate, then be signed by the Governor. Tell your Senator to support this critical bill today!We are pulling out all the stops…

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