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.
Is a New York DBL increase actually happening? Find out how you can make a difference. The DBL Center chided the state of New York and Governor Kathy Hochul in a holiday season post last year. As the latest budget passed, the state, once again, failed to increase required short term disability pay beyond the
“Struggling is hard because you never know what’s at the end of the tunnel.” Comedian Don Rickels In our latest post at The DBL Center, we took a lighthearted look at one of CEO Michael Cohen’s passions: stand-up comedy. We bet you didn’t realize how much insurance brokers and comedians have in common, including our
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. Some Valentine’s traditions include homemade, heart-shaped ravioli or heart-shaped pizza. These heart-shaped options of popular food may cost more than the regular versions, but it’s worth
The day is approaching. As of January 1, 2026, Minnesota will become the first Midwest state to introduce a mandatory paid family and medical leave program. Similar to programs that have rolled out up and down the Eastern seaboard and in the northwestern states of Colorado and Oregon, Minnesota employers must help fund benefits that
Learn the advantages of writing Delaware PFML through The DBL Center Employer contributions for Delaware’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program went into effect January 1, 2025, with benefits beginning in 2026. The program provides paid time off with up to 80% of wages, up to $900 per week in 2026 and 2027 for
The DBL Center is your wholesale general agency, helping your clients save money and rolling those savings into enhanced ancillary benefits – all year long! With Black Friday and Cyber Monday right around the corner, beginning Friday, November 29, 2024, everyone is looking for the best deals. Amazon, Walmart, Costco, and Target, all the way
Insurance brokers: Help your clients with answers to their important questions about NY SDI benefits. As an insurance broker serving New York State and beyond, you probably have clients with questions about filing claims for required disability insurance or paid family and medical leave. As your full-scale, white-glove insurance wholesaler, The DBL Center seeks to
Here’s what brokers in New Jersey need to know about TDI and FLI in the new year The state of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce development has announced changes to its required Temporary Disability Insurance program, and a premium increase for Family Leave Insurance (FLI) in New Jersey. After waiving the employee contribution
The DBL Center can help your clients navigate the process of filing form DB 450. For most insurance brokers in the New York area, disability insurance represents a small piece of your book of business. You probably make more money from health, life insurance, and other benefits. As a required benefit, DBL gives you a
Here’s how insurance brokers can help employees and employers save money with Group Life vs. Individual Life Insurance It may not surprise those of us in the insurance industry who are constantly attuned to employees’ benefits needs, but a new study from Talker Research revealed that 59% of Americans would rather spend $15 a month
Plus: 3 reasons your insurance clients should privatize Paid Family Leave in New York now. As typically happens this time of year, the New York State Department of Financial Services announced the new PFL Premium/EE contribution rate for next year. The state has increased the premium to a contribution of 0.388% of an employee’s gross
Today, Android and iOS users, alike, can enjoy the convenience of having cancellations, renewals, and commissions at their fingertips. In September 2020, The DBL Center announced the launch of our Broker Dashboard: Net Revenue Tracker in The App Store for iOS (iPhone and iPad) users. It could not have come at a better time, as