
February 2025

Market Outlook 2025: Why Independent Agents Are Essential
By Diane Delaney As we look ahead to 2025, the high-net-worth personal lines insurance market offers a mix of cautious optimism and ongoing challenges. While there are signs of stabilization in certain areas, the same industry concerns continue to impact insurers and clients. Severe weather events, a complex regulatory landscape, rising reinsurance costs, and increasing […]

Shock to the System
Defendant Found “Not Liable” for Worker’s Electric Shock Claim Defendant Found “Not Liable” for Worker’s Electric Shock Claim Here is a surprise for WC professionals: a New York appellate court upheld a finding of no liability for the defendant on a worker’s claim for alleged injuries from a static electrical shock. Mario Saraiva allegedly suffered […]
XS Brokers Appoints Scott Burns to Lead New Cyber Insurance Division
XS Brokers (XSB), an independent insurance underwriting and wholesale brokerage group, has announced the creation of a new product division for Cyber Liability to be led by Scott Burns, Senior Vice President. “At XS Brokers, it is crucial that we stay ahead of the evolving needs of our retail clients. Cyber Liability has emerged as […]
How Insurance Agencies Can Start Adopting AI in 2025
As the insurance industry evolves, the idea of independent insurance agencies and brokerages embracing artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s become a necessity to stay relevant. In fact, according to Agency Forward, 79% of principal agents planned on adopting AI by 2025 (Source: Agency Forward). Because most agencies are leveraging the usage […]
American InsurTech Council and InsurTech Association Announce Strategic Alliance to Shape the Future of Insurance Technology
The collaboration aims to drive innovation in insurtech and regulatory policy The American InsurTech Council (AITC) and the InsurTech Association (ITA) have announced the creation of a new strategic alliance to help shape the direction of how insurance carriers use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related digital technologies. By merging their expertise and resources, AITC and […]
PIWA, NESLA merger expands outreach throughout the Northeast
GLENMONT, N.Y.—The Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association and the New England Surplus Lines Association have merged. This merger recognizes the importance of the role of wholesalers in the insurance industry, and it will combine the strength of two excess-and-surplus wholesalers associations into one unified front. PIWA is a professional association that represents insurance wholesalers who serve […]
Manhattan “on the Rocks” as Businesses Onerous Ice Congestion Pricing
New Tolling Program Debate: a Curse or Blessing For Small Businesses, Commuters & FHV Drivers After a lot of bumps in the roads, lawsuits-after-lawsuits and protests for and against it, the New York City, has, of late, embarked on the long-waited congestion pricing, brushing aside the elevated costs of living of the people from all […]
New York State Bar Association Recognizes Three Judges for Commitment to the Court and Community
By Jennifer Andrus The New York State Bar Association is honoring Judge James P. Murphy of Onondaga County, Judge Lawrence S. Knipel of Kings County and Justice Douglas J. Hayden of Nassau County at the association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. The three judges will receive the Outstanding Jurist Award for their contributions to […]
NYSIF Launches Innovative Program
Invites Technology Innovators to Reimagine Delivery of Insurance Products The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF), the state’s largest non-profit workers’ compensation insurer, has launched the Insurance Innovation program. NYSIF is committed to staying at the forefront of the technological capabilities that enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and support innovation within insurance product development. NYSIF has […]