Advocacy

Abstract: Big I NY and a coalition of 34 other business organizations urged Gov. Kathy Hochul this week to veto legislation that would lead to skyrocketing wrongful death lawsuit awards and increased insurance costs for all New Yorkers. Body: ​Big I NY and a coalition of 34 other business organizations urged Gov. Kathy Hochul this week to veto legislation that would lead to skyrocketing wrongful death lawsuit awards and increased insurance costs for all New Yorkers.  In a letter to the Governor, the coalition pointed to the severe economic implications that would result from the passage of A.9232B/S.8485B​ (aka Wrongful Death/Grieving Families Act) and the impact…

​Thanks to the advocacy efforts of the Big I NY legislative team and members, Gov. Hochul has signed into law a bill that narrows the Supplemental Spousal Liability (SSL) opt-out to only those policyholders who indicate on their insurance application that they have a spouse.  Big I NY drove conversations with lawmakers around the customer confusion and time-burden of the original SSL opt-out requirement and engaged members in multiple grassroots calls to action urging both the State Legislature and Governor to quickly remedy the issue.  Thank you to those who made their voice heard on this matter and to lawmakers who swiftly addressed the challenges created by…

​​​Last Friday the State Assembly delivered the Supplemental Spousal Liability (SSL) reform bill (A.9407A/S.9021A) to Governor Hochul, giving her 10 days to act.  It's not too late to voice your support for this important legislation by visiting the Big I Action Center and sending the Governor a message urging swift action on the bill. Under current law, policyholders must affirmatively opt-out of the coverage, even if they are unmarried or applying for commercial auto coverage.  The bill exempts unmarried drivers and commercial policies from automatic SSL enrollment, thus removing the opt-out requirement.  Big I NY has been an outspoken advocate for these important changes to the SSL…