New Law: Auto Policies To Include Supplemental Spousal Liability Coverage

​A law that took effect January 1 requires all New York automobile insurance policies to include supplemental spousal liability insurance coverage. Insureds may opt out of purchasing the coverage. Big I New York members should prepare now to begin informing their personal and commercial auto insurance clients of this change.The measure, sponsored by former Assembly Insurance Committee Chair Kevin Cahill (Democrat from Kingston,) passed the State Assembly by a vote of 110 to 39 on May 31, 2022. The State Senate approved it the following day by a vote of 60 to 3. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed it into law on December 23 on the…

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New Law Further Restricts Underwriting of Dog Breeds

​A law taking effect in March adds new restrictions to homeowners insurers’ ability to underwrite breeds of dogs residing in a home or apartment. The law, which builds on one that took effect a year ago, effectively requires insurers to provide liability coverage at full policy limits for most dogs regardless of breed.The New York State Assembly approved the bill last March by a vote of 115 to 32, and the Senate followed in May by a vote of 49 to 13. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed it into law on December 15, 2022.Previously, insurers were prohibited from:Refusing to issue or renewCancelling, orSurcharging a rate or…

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Reminder: What You Need To Do For the Cybersecurity Regulation

​We are knee-deep in 2023. This is the time of year when Big I NY gets a lot of questions from members about what they have to do to comply with the Cybersecurity Requirements For Financial Services Companies regulation. Though the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has proposed a number of changes to that regulation, none of them are in effect yet. Therefore, your obligations are the same this year as they were last year. Here are answers to the questions we get most frequently:The agency must complete and submit the online Certification of Compliance to the DFS between now and April…

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