January 14
Northeast PIA Launches ‘Work with an Agent’
The Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont launched “Work with a Professional Insurance Agent/Local is Better” local marketing campaign. This resource offers PIA members in the five states access to informative pieces to promoting their agencies, capitalizing on their local community-centered strengths, with consumer focused materials and consumer content for use in a variety of media. It also illustrates to the insurance-buying public the benefits of an independent agent (i.e., working with someone who can offer insurance choices; who has a unique understanding of his or her clients’ and communities’ needs; and who often can offer the most affordable rate).
Straight Laced
Linda Lacewell has been nominated Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services. She would succeed Maria Vullo in the role. Ms. Lacewell most recently served as Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Governor. In that role, she oversaw Executive Chamber operations, as well as ethics and law enforcement matters. Ms. Lacewell […]
Not to be Ignored: The New I-9 “Smart” Form
Just as employers and HR professionals were beginning to get comfortable with the parameters of the old Form I-9, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rolled out a new I-9, which must now be used. The new Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification is in two versions a “smart” PDF version (which is called “Form I-9”) and a […]
How I See It – 2019 & Forward
Our business is changing. Unless you have been living under a rock you know that already. Change in and of itself is not good or bad. Instead, good or bad is determined by the results of that change. Insurance consumers want speed and simplicity in purchasing and handling their insurance needs. They also want to […]
So What if ACA is Unconstitutional?
By Jane M. Orient, M.D. Stocks of hospital and Medicaid-contracted managed-care companies plunged on the announcement of Judge Reed O’Connor’s ruling that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. Some advisors consider this a “buying opportunity,” expecting that the ruling will be reversed on appeal. This shows who the important stakeholders are. Medicaid managed-care contractors […]
DFS’ Cybersecurity Regulation and the Compliance Deadline
The Department of Financial Services’ (“DFS”) cybersecurity regulation, 23 NYCRR 500 (referred to in this article as the “Cyber Regulation”), became effective on March 1, 2017 with a two-year implementation deadline approaching on March 1, 2019. In a nutshell, the Cyber Regulation is designed to protect consumer data and to defend against security attacks. To […]
Contra Proferentum Does Not Apply to a Clear and Unambiguous Policy
No Coverage Before Policy In Effect People who sue insurance companies seem to forget that an insurance policy is a contract – not an entitlement provided by a government. Insurance contracts must be read as a whole document and all clear and unambiguous terms must be applied as written. In Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company v. […]
MSO Elects Fulton, Makes Staff Changes
MSO, Inc. (The Mutual Service Office, Inc.) is pleased to announce the addition of Karen S. Fulton (pictured right) to its board. Ms. Fulton is the retired President and CEO of ARI Insurance Company (an Amtrust Caompany), and its predecessor, ARI Mutual Insurance Company. She previously served as Vice President and Controller of American Reliance […]
