Author Archives: Norah Hogan

How to Prepare Your Insurance Coverage Before Disaster Strikes

With natural disasters on the rise—from hurricanes and floods to wildfires and winter storms—it’s critical to make sure your insurance coverage is ready before the unexpected happens. Follow these four essential steps to assess and strengthen your protection:

Step 1: Review Your Current Policy
Many homeowners assume they’re covered for all natural disasters, but standard policies often exclude floods, earthquakes, and sump pump backups. Contact your account manager to clarify what your policy includes—and what it doesn’t.

Step 2: Evaluate Your Risk Based on Location
Where you live determines your exposure to specific threats. In New York, that may include flooding, snowstorms, and even earthquakes. Use FEMA’s flood maps and local emergency planning tools to understand your area’s vulnerabilities.

Step 3: Add Supplemental Coverage if Needed
If your current policy lacks protection for certain risks, consider these additions:

• Flood Insurance (through NFIP or private carriers)

• Sump Pump Backup Coverage

• Earthquake Insurance

These can usually be added as separate policies or endorsements.

Step 4: Create a Home Inventory
After a disaster, a home inventory can make filing a claim faster and more accurate. Take photos or videos of your belongings, save receipts, and store this information in a secure place. Need help getting started? Your account manager can recommend easy-to-use templates.

These proactive steps can help you avoid costly surprises and ensure you’re financially protected if disaster strikes.

Honoring the Careers and Retirement of Ann Wittlinger & Gail McCollum

Emerling Floss Murphy & Associates is proud to honor the remarkable careers and well-earned retirements of two exceptional team members: Ann Wittlinger and Gail McCollum. Their years of service, professionalism, and personal warmth have left a lasting legacy on both our agency and the clients they served.

Ann Wittlinger
After more than a decade of dedicated service, Ann Wittlinger, our valued Commercial Lines Account Manager, has retired. Since joining the agency in August 2013, Ann has been a constant source of reliability, knowledge, and positivity. Her journey in the insurance industry began as a Legal Assistant, but her ambition and skill quickly led her to pursue her Broker’s License. Her approachable nature and deep industry knowledge made her a trusted advisor to clients and a respected colleague within the agency.

Ann’s contributions will be missed, but her legacy of excellence continues. Clients formerly under Ann’s care will be contacted shortly to be introduced to their new account manager. We are committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition.

Gail McCollum
In August 2024, we also celebrated the retirement of Gail McCollum, who gave 15 years of dedicated service to the agency. Gail joined us in 2009 as a Commercial Lines Account Manager and stepped into a leadership role in 2021, where she became a mentor and support system for her team. Her in-depth expertise and compassionate leadership were cornerstones of her success and deeply appreciated by both staff and clients.

Now living in Cambria, Gail is enjoying retirement by spending time with her husband, four children, their spouses, and five grandchildren. She continues her involvement in ministry at Community Bible Church in Lockport and finds joy in crafting, gardening, and fishing.

We are deeply grateful to both Ann and Gail for their many years of service and meaningful contributions. We wish them happiness, relaxation, and fulfillment in this next chapter of life.

New York Law Allows Insurance Companies to Waive Pre-Insurance Photo Inspections

A significant update to New York’s auto insurance requirements is now in effect, easing a long-standing burden on drivers and insurance providers alike. As of May 15, 2025, a new state law allows insurance carriers to waive pre-insurance photo inspections—a move widely supported by the industry and consumer advocates.

Previously, New York law required many drivers to complete a photo inspection before obtaining comprehensive or collision coverage. If the inspection was not completed within 14 days of initiating a policy, that portion of coverage would be automatically terminated. The original mandate, enacted in the late 1970s, was designed to curb fraudulent claims by ensuring vehicles were not damaged before being insured.

While the intention behind the rule was sound, many in the industry argued that the law had become outdated. With modern advances such as vehicle tracking technologies, VIN etchings, and improved fraud detection methods employed by special investigation units (SIUs), insurers contend that the inspection requirement no longer serves a practical purpose.

The new law, backed by industry groups such as Big I NY, provides a multi-year window—through October 2027—during which carriers may choose to waive these inspections. Several major insurance companies have already adopted the change, and more are expected to follow.

Supporters of the legislation argue that the change reduces unnecessary inconvenience for consumers and small business owners without compromising the integrity of coverage. They also highlight the benefits of a more streamlined, customer-friendly insurance experience. Those in favor of retaining the old requirements maintain that photo inspections continue to serve as a tool in combating fraud and keeping premium rates manageable.

It is important to note that the new law does not alter any existing policies or reduce consumer protections. Rather, it removes a regulatory hurdle that many believe had outlived its usefulness.

For consumers purchasing auto insurance in New York, this change is expected to simplify the onboarding process and reduce paperwork—offering a more efficient path to securing full coverage.