Insurance brokers know that DBL stands for “Disability Benefits Law,” which provides statutory New York State short term disability insurance to qualifying workers through employer-funded benefits packages.
But here at DBL Center, we love a good play on words.
We want to remind our brokers that this year, more than ever, the “DBL” in DBL Center stands for “Don’t be late.”
That is, don’t be late paying your NY DBL (STD) premiums and delay your commissions because clients haven’t remitted their disability premiums on time.
Pay the DBL Premiums or Face Steep Fines
Since the NY State Workers Compensation Board no longer allows DBL and PFL carriers to backdate policies after non-payment, employers could face steep penalties for lapses in coverage.
Fines can range from $100 for a first offense up to $2,500 for failing to comply with the law three times within five years. Key executives, including the president, treasurer and secretary, can be held personally liable for these penalties.
They might also be held responsible to pay the full amount of any claims paid by the special fund for disability benefits during the time of non-compliance, according to the WCB.
It’s not a chance any smart business owner wants to take, but, often, they just don’t know the law.
What Your Clients Should Understand About NYSDI
New York state disability insurance (NY SDI) offers partial wage replacement for part time and full time employees for an off the job injury.
The paid family leave benefit provides partial wage replacement for workers caring for a newborn, or within the first year of an adoption or fostering event, or to care for a loved one with serious health conditions.
In your role as an employee benefits broker, you can educate your clients on the laws and ensure their benefit plans include all required disability and family leave coverage. You can also suggest enriched DBL as an option to provide workers with more than the state minimum of coverage.
Layoffs Like We Haven’t Seen Since 2020
Business owners face many unique challenges in 2025, from increased tariffs and supply chain challenges that raised the cost of doing business to the growth and prevalence of generative AI. Meanwhile, a struggling economy with persistent inflation looms, leaving lingering uncertainty in the air as we approach the end of the year.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an employment consultancy, published a “job cut” report in July 2025 that showed a 29% increase in job cuts from the prior month, and a 140% increase year-over-year compared to July 2024, Fortune reported.
Meanwhile, human resource professionals complain of a talent gap, where there are many Americans out of work, but HR execs and recruiters can’t fill roles with the right people. At the same time, smart and talented workers are vying for positions but can’t find suitable roles.
Are You Leaving Commissions on the Table?
As we continue to struggle with these challenges, one thing insurance brokers shouldn’t have to worry about is whether or not their clients have paid their premiums accurately and on time.
With job cuts running rampant, it’s likely your book of business is changing rapidly. Your clients trust you to help them stay on top of keeping their policies in force and up to date.
Yet, it’s a fact of life. Employers face cancellations due to non-pays, bookkeeping errors, and other lapses that can delay your commissions.
Whatever your client’s situation, if they have an in-force NYS DBL policy or enriched DBL, they owe the premium amount due – and you deserve your commission. These state disability insurance policies provide critical income protection for employees, and timely premium payments ensure everyone stays covered and compliant.
We’re More Than Your DBL Agency, We’re Your Back-Office Staff AND Bill Collector
DBL Center is here to remind your customers “don’t be late,” on their DBL payments. Through our powerful Broker Dashboard: Net Revenue Tracker, we can track renewals, cancellations, and non-pays.
Then we send those emails and make those uncomfortable calls reminding your clients their New York state DBL payment is due to their insurance carrier, ensuring no lapse in coverage. We use the utmost tact, and will get that bill paid so you can collect your commission.
And if a company has gone out of business? We’ll adjust the Broker Dashboard records to reflect that. No more wasted time on out-of-business companies.
Tracking Lives After Layoffs
Many customers might have NYS DBL premium payments due, but not understand the amount owed due to a change in their overall employee head count. If their bill does not reflect the new number of lives, we’ll recalculate the total amount due, taking into account each employee’s average weekly wage to ensure accurate premium and benefit amounts.
And, again, get that bill paid so you can collect your commission.
Free Up Your Time to Grow Your Business
When you help your clients purchase NY disability insurance through The DBL Center, we serve as your back-office staff to manage your accounts. That frees you up to do what you do best, which is sell insurance – even in a struggling economy.
With access to our Broker Dashboard: Net Revenue Tracker, you’ll always know what you’re earning at a glance. You can track accounts ready for renewal, cancellations, and commissions. The Broker Dashboard helps you stay on top of it all – and The DBL Center team is here to help you manage it.
As I said in this video interview from a few years back, the year is more than half over. Halloween is just around the corner and before you know it, we’ll be closing the books on 2025 and hoping for better things ahead.
Now is the time to start planning for 2026. What will your book of business look like? Are you putting the time into insurance sales or chasing down premium payments? Let us help so we can all look forward to a better future.
FAQs
What happens if a business owner pays New York State disability insurance (NYS DBL) premiums late?
If an employer misses payments on their New York State Disability Insurance (NYS DBL) or Paid Family Leave (PFL) policies, the state no longer allows carriers to backdate coverage after a lapse. This can result in steep fines, coverage gaps, and potential personal liability for company officers. The DBL Center helps brokers track non-pays and follow up with clients to avoid these penalties — and protect your commissions.
How can insurance brokers track DBL and PFL commissions more efficiently?
The DBL Center’s Broker Dashboard: Net Revenue Tracker simplifies commission tracking by showing renewals, cancellations, and non-pays at a glance. Brokers can quickly identify accounts that need follow-up, saving time and ensuring faster commission payments. It’s like having a back-office team dedicated to your success.
Why is it important for employers to keep state disability insurance and benefit plans up to date?
Accurate, current state disability insurance and benefit plans protect both employers and employees. Premiums are based on employee headcount and average weekly wage, so layoffs or new hires can change the premium amount owed. The DBL Center helps brokers recalculate these figures and update billing with the insurance carrier, keeping clients compliant and policies in force.
