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When Can a Homeowners Policy Be Cancelled for ‘Willful or Reckless Acts or Omissions’?

​Question from a Big I New York member: We have a client who has a homeowners policy with [Carrier X], which was not supposed to be renewed by the carrier due to a 1/1/2020 loss involving "under-age drinking".  The policy was due to be non-renewed at its March 4th, 2021 expiration date. On February 5th, 2021, the underwriter notified us that the policy was inadvertently renewed; however, a mid-term cancellation will be issued for "Increase In Hazard" surrounding the 1/1/2020 loss.  A copy of the Cancellation Notice is attached. I'm concerned about the legality of this.  Is a carrier allowed to mistakenly renew a policy when…

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Are Insurance Workers Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine?

​​Question from a Big I New York member: Do you know if insurance workers are eligible for the COVID vaccine coming March 17th? Answer: The state's guidance isn't all that clear. The website states: Beginning March 17, the following essential workers are eligible:Public-facing government and public employeesNot-for-profit workers who provide public-facing services to New Yorkers in needEssential in-person public-facing building service workersThere is no explanation of what that last one means. However, the phrase “public-facing building service workers" sounds to me like custodial type workers. That conclusion is backed up by the news release the governor issued the other day: Under this new expansion of eligibility, the following essential…

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No Coverage For Loss Caused By Rolling Stones

[embedded content] ​"​And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills 'Til the landslide brought me down ..."​​-- Stephanie Lynn (AKA Stevie) Nicks, American singer/songwriter​Here in the Empire State, we generally don't have to worry much about earthquakes. New York gets some seismic activity, but it's usually minor and certainly not on par with what our fellow citizens in the midwest and west must contend with. But does that mean we shouldn't be concerned about the ubiquitous earth movement exclusions found in personal and commercial property insurance policies? A couple in Colorado has learned the hard way that there are different kinds of earth movement losses, and their experience could…

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