About PIWA
The Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association of
New York State was created in 1978 as the New York Excess and Surplus
Lines Association Ltd. At the time, the association's purpose was to
exchange information on topics of concern to members, and to communicate
educational data that would make members more effective and efficient
dealing with all forms of insurance, with an emphasis on issues of special
interest to members.
In 1984, the association became the Professional Insurance
Wholesalers Association Ltd. Further revisions to the bylaws expanded
both the mission of the organization and its membership categories,
and refined guidelines covering maintenance of membership, dues, voting,
directors and others. In 1989, the bylaws were changed once more and
gave the organization its current name, the Professional Insurance Wholesalers
Association of New York State, Inc.
Today, PIWA is a trade association representing
New York state insurance wholesalers who serve retail insurance producers
with specialty and excess lines markets. Associate membership is also
offered to specialty insurance carriers with which these wholesalers
do business. The wholesale brokers and specialty companies are afforded
the opportunity to be members of one central organization designed to
address many mutual interests and concerns. PIWA provides legislative
and regulatory advocacy; networking opportunities; continuing education;
industry outreach; and more. Members exchange information of concern
to professional wholesalers and are assisted in being more effective
and efficient for their clients—the state’s retail insurance
producers.
Working with a PIWA member
PIWA wholesalers make a dedicated effort to know the specialty
marketplace and its unique procedures. They place large volumes of specialty
business and have long-term relationships with specialty markets, providing
the retailer with much-needed clout. And PIWA wholesalers subscribe to a
high level of professional standards and a code of ethics.
PIWA members have studied the available specialty markets
and are conversant with the ins and outs of writing business through specialty
and non-admitted companies. They know the markets, and they know the laws
and regulations. Many specialty companies ONLY accept business from licensed
surplus lines brokers.
PIWA members’ awareness of markets, pricing, applications
and underwriting requirements save retail producers time and money, and
provide the best service available to the insurance-buying public. Excess
line licensees will file the necessary affidavits and surplus lines taxes
required by New York state, avoiding penalties for non-compliance of the
laws.
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