The COVID-19 pandemic has rocked the United States and the sense of security of its citizenry in a way not seen since the tragedies of September 11th, 2001. The insurance industry, like the rest of us, is reacting in real time to the rapidly-evolving business climate, from managing the flow of claims to responding to federal and state-level mandates.
Read More Pandemic Risk Insurance Act – A TRIA-Inspired Model to Backstop the Business Interruption Insurance Market in the Wake of COVID-19
New York, Against COVID-19 Backdrop, Issues Circular Letter Expanding Ability for Insurers to Offer “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) Products
On March 6, 2020, the New York Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) issued Insurance Circular Letter No. 4 (the “Circular Letter”) addressing the ability for insurance companies to offer “Cancel for Any Reason” or “CFAR” benefits in the state. The Circular Letter clarifies the ability for both insurance companies as well as insurance agents to offer CFAR benefits in New York and, while not directly overruling prior guidance, the Circular Letter substantially expands opportunities for insurance companies to offer CFAR coverage in the state in light of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic.
Read More New York, Against COVID-19 Backdrop, Issues Circular Letter Expanding Ability for Insurers to Offer “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) Products
Surplus Lines Insurance: 20 FAQs for 2020
As we embark upon a new decade, the surplus lines insurance market has never been stronger. Growth in specialty products and demand for insurance protection in an increasingly dynamic, technological climate has continued to drive excess and surplus lines business. In many cases, these changes have resulted in a new, “fresh” look at many of the statutory and regulatory standards, restrictions and allowances applicable to surplus lines insureds, brokers and insurers alike.
Read More Surplus Lines Insurance: 20 FAQs for 2020
Top 10 Insurance Laws And Regulations Of The Decade
The insurance industry experienced significant and varied forms of new legislation and regulation during the last decade. Below, we highlight what we view as the top 10 of these legal and regulatory changes.
Read More Top 10 Insurance Laws And Regulations Of The Decade
LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 21): Excess Line Association of New York Publishes “Compliance Advisor” Detailing Applicability of Various Laws to Excess (Surplus) Lines Market
One substantial area of ambiguity that permeates the surplus lines industry throughout the United States relates to the applicability of state law to surplus lines insurance carriers and brokers. This week, the Excess Line Association of New York (“ELANY”) published its “Compliance Advisor” intending, in part, to shed light on applicability of various New York statutes and regulations to the excess (surplus) lines market.
Read More LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 21): Excess Line Association of New York Publishes “Compliance Advisor” Detailing Applicability of Various Laws to Excess (Surplus) Lines Market
LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 19): Bulletin Issued Detailing Robust Surplus Lines Standards in Maine
On November 26th, Maine issued Bulletin 439 (the “Bulletin”) which provides, in granular detail, the criteria for placing insurance through the surplus lines market in the state. The Bulletin has received immediate and substantial attention within the surplus lines industry both for its thoroughness as well as its deviation, in some respects, from the expectations of other states.
Read More LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 19): Bulletin Issued Detailing Robust Surplus Lines Standards in Maine
Developments In State Taxation Of Nonadmitted Insurance
All placements of insurance in the United States are generally subject to state premium taxation, but the responsible taxpayer depends on the type of insurance policy issued. Premium tax is usually payable by the insurer on admitted insurance policies (insurance issued by a carrier licensed in the jurisdiction where the policy is delivered).
Read More Developments In State Taxation Of Nonadmitted Insurance
LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 16): Expert Analysis – Disability Insurance in the Surplus Lines Market and Recent Legislative Updates
The Surplus lines market has traditionally been a method for insurance placement available to property and casualty products only, although states are increasingly opening up other lines of insurance to the nonadmitted market. For example, a growing number of states have either expressly or indirectly allowed for accident and health coverage to be written through the surplus lines market, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners released guidance earlier this year advising the states on how to effectively legislate for the expansion of insurance lines that may be written on a surplus lines basis.
Read More LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 16): Expert Analysis – Disability Insurance in the Surplus Lines Market and Recent Legislative Updates
8 Things to Consider When Buying or Selling an Insurance Agency
Insurance agency acquisitions and deal values are near an all-time high and all expectations are that deal flow in 2019 will match or exceed last year’s numbers. And while reported numbers tend to skew towards larger agency transactions there are many agency deals that involve small, local firms that do not appear in industry reports.
Read More 8 Things to Consider When Buying or Selling an Insurance Agency
LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 15): Mid-Year 2019 Report Shows Impressive Surplus Lines Growth
As reported in the Insurance Journal, the surplus lines industry is expanding at an approximately 13% faster rate than it was during this time in 2018. Stamping offices are indicating that premium has already hit $18 billion, a 12.7% growth over mid-year 2018 reports. All surplus lines service office states except for Nevada have reported a growth in premiums generated by the surplus lines market. Some of the major coverages that are being increasingly written in the surplus lines space and are contributing to this growth are construction, professional and general liability coverages.
Read More LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 15): Mid-Year 2019 Report Shows Impressive Surplus Lines Growth