After graduating from Boston University in 2002, Michael Cohen spent several years in the film and television industry, working as a producer, writer and stand-up comedian. Licensed to sell insurance at the age of 18, Cohen entered the family business full time in 2005 and brought the experience of the entertainment industry to The DBL Center.
Nine years later, he became a member of the prestigious Friars Club in NYC, where he found a way to blend his passion for the arts with his day job to assist with the growth of The DBL’s Center’s General Agency, which he is proud to say has more than doubled since he came on board.
Are you showing your clients the love they deserve? With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you might be thinking of ways to create a romantic and memorable experience for your significant other or maybe the whole family. Luxury experiences, or even experiences that feel luxurious but don’t cost a lot, are trending in 2026.
Oregon still ranks first for PFML, but newcomer Minnesota isn’t far behind. New York became a forerunner in Paid Family Leave when the program was introduced in 2017. Written as a rider to the state’s mandatory DBL benefits, New York PFL delivered generous payouts, which were much higher than the state’s statutory disability leave. Nearly
Which states have been naughty and which ones have been nice? Here’s what insurance brokers need to know going into 2026. Breaking news: The DBL Center has heard from inside sources that New York lawmakers will receive a hefty helping of coal in its stocking – and nothing more – from Santa Claus again this
It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but PFML brings more opportunities than ever in the New Year… Hang onto your sleigh bells, friends, it’s going to be a bumpy ride in 2026. But there’s good news ahead, too. Full Support to Help You Earn More Maximizing your revenue potential with Net Revenue Tracker Dashboard.
Be Kind. Stay Connected. Grow with us. As people rush to Amazon for the best Black Friday deals, a lot of shoppers don’t realize Saturday is Small Business Saturday. American Express introduced the initiative in 2010 to raise awareness around supporting local business owners and, by its second year, in 2011 the Small Business Administration
No tricks, just treats, (and no surprises!) with our Net Revenue Tracker. As the end of October rolls around, you might be stocking your home with candy. Maybe you’re hoping to leave the office early on Halloween to take your own children trick-or-treating Friday afternoon. But an eerie deadline looms for all insurance brokers: end-of-year
As your clients review their benefits for the new year, they need broker guidance. US workers have shifted from post-pandemic-era “job hopping,” where they changed roles frequently to secure better pay and benefits to “quiet-quitting,” where they stayed at their current role but did just enough to not get fired. And if they did get
Plus… important deadlines for brokers. Between 10% and 28% of workers across the US freelance or earn a portion of their income from gigs. Whether they’re hanging out a “consultant” shingle to share years of hard-earned advice or driving for Uber, they deserve the same benefits as W-2 employees. Full Support to Help You Earn
DBL forms insurance brokers need and how to get them When a business writes a private disability insurance and Paid Family Leave policy in New York, they need to show proof of coverage through an approved carrier. Form DB-120.1 shows that proof of coverage for a private policy. But brokers can’t issue the form; it
Serve an even larger market in New York with this stand-alone benefit. Gig workers, independent contractors, and others with “alternative arrangements” for their main job make up roughly 10% of the total US workforce, according to the most recent US Department of Labor statistics. Other reports, including a recent infographic from freelancer platform Upwork, found
Based on commonly accepted actuarial principles, the Superintendent has determined that the premium rate for Paid Family Leave benefits for coverage beginning January 1, 2026, shall be increased by +11.31% compared to the premium rate applicable for calendar year 2025. The 2026 PFL rate will be set at 0.432% of an employee’s wages each pay