Big I New York Producer Advertising Bill Unanimously Passes Assembly and Senate
Regulatory relief from outdated insurance producer advertising requirements is one step closer to becoming law after the New York State Assembly and Senate unanimously passed Big I New York’s Producer Advertising legislation.
The legislation was introduced in response to a growing number of insurance agents who have been fined by the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) for failing to include an insurance carrier’s location when displaying a carrier logo on their websites.
A.10611-A (Woerner) / S.9403-A (Bailey) amends Section 2122(b) of New York Insurance Law by removing “digital advertisements” from the requirement that insurance agents and brokers include the name of the city, town, or village of an insurer whenever referencing that insurer in advertisements, public announcements, signs, pamphlets, circulars, and cards.
The bill defines a digital advertisement as “any communication delivered by electronic means, including but not limited to a website, text message, email, or chat room, that is intended for the purpose of marketing, solicitation, or dissemination of information related, directly or indirectly, to goods or services provided by the digital advertiser or a third party.”
DFS has been levying fines against agents whose websites displayed carrier logos without complying with the “city, town, village” requirement. In many cases, agents used carrier logos that linked directly to carrier websites, allowing consumers to pay premiums, file claims, or access policy information. Big I New York argued that applying this requirement to digital advertising provides little, if any, meaningful consumer protection, particularly when consumers interact with agent advertising online.
Having passed both chambers unanimously, the legislation now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. If signed into law, it will take effect immediately.
“We’re excited by the swift passage of this insurance modernization legislation and grateful to Assemblymember Carrie Woerner and Senator Jamaal Bailey for sponsoring the bill,” said Travis Wattie, AVP of Government Relations for Big I New York. “This effort was driven by our members who brought this issue to our attention and worked directly with us and their lawmakers to advance the legislation. The speed and unanimity with which this bill moved through the Legislature reflects both the strength of the issue and the effectiveness of member-driven advocacy. It demonstrates the power of grassroots engagement and the impact our members can have when they participate in the legislative process.”
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