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.
State laws vary – know the basics so you can help guide your clients. Life is rarely predictable. That’s especially true for new parents or anyone caring for a loved one who is sick or aging. Raising a newborn or caring for loved ones often means taking time off work for doctor’s appointments or taking
COVID leave ends, but NY employees have other options for time off. State-mandated pay and job protection for New Yorkers specifically suffering from COVID-19 or taking care of a child or loved one with COVID is set to expire on July 31, 2025, according to the NY State Paid Family Leave website. Under the law,
Explore 7 states with massive opportunities for employee benefits brokers. When it comes to Paid Family and Medical Leave, statutory programs vary widely across the different states that offer programs. 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
Here’s how insurance brokers can help get the 1989 NYS disability benefits law updated As students across New York State await the end of the school year, insurance brokers specializing in New York State disability benefits have something else on our minds: the proposed increase to NYS disability benefits (DBL insurance). For those of us
Stand out and boost commissions with these secrets from DBL Center Members of The DBL Center team celebrated our company’s ongoing success at a dinner in The Northport Hotel’s restaurant with a few leaders from one of our preferred carrier partners, Lincoln Financial. We all share a love for travel, music, and food, which made
How can insurance brokers help their clients make the right choices? In the past decade, online commerce has reached a point where you can buy everything from cat food to car insurance (and even a car!) online. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should, especially when it comes to big-ticket purchases. It might
New York businesses should be aware of NYS disability requirements. NYS DBL Coverage, or Disability Benefits Law, ensures that employees who are injured, ill, or give birth to a child can take time off without losing all their income. Although disability benefits in New York only pay 50% of an employee’s paycheck—and only up to
Register today for our free webinar on May 20th, 11AM ET – No More Backdating: Learn How to Manage Cancellations and Reinstatements. Imagine a credit card with an unpaid balance that goes back years with no interest or fees. That’s how New York State has handled mandatory short-term disability coverage (DBL), but this time is
If a New York business has out-of-state employees, they should consider a DBL rider to bridge coverage gaps Are you missing opportunities to provide your New York-based clients with DBL riders for their out-of-state employees? Insurance brokers should review their clients’ risk gaps and help fill them in practical, affordable ways. Clients trust their insurance
Have you been watching March Madness? Every year, similar patterns emerge: Experienced teams with hungry players and on-point coaching make it to the Sweet 16 finals and come out on top. If you follow me on LinkedIn, you know I’m a big sports fan. One of my favorite activities is enjoying a game at MSG,
Do employers have to insure workers in other states? When vast numbers of employees began working from home five years ago, only a handful of states mandated Paid Family and Medical Leave. Today, more than a dozen states require most businesses to provide paid family and medical leave for employees. This presents new challenges for
What does this mean for insurance brokers and business owners in New York? In January 2025, New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul rejected a plan to increase benefits for NYS DBL as part of the budget. At the same time, she accepted a proposal for employers to provide Paid Time Off for prenatal care, making