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

With the increased uncertainty around how Insurers can and should respond to the Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”), the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) has issued guidance to (i) all DFS Regulated Entities requesting that all such entities have preparedness plans to address the risks posed by COVID-19; and a call for special report to (ii) all authorized Property/Casualty Insurers requesting such insurers to provide policyholders with information and developments surrounding business interruption and related coverage written in New York.
Read More What Insurers Should Know: New York Department of Financial Services Issues Guidance and Call for Special Report Related to COVID-19

On February 14, 2020, Illinois introduced legislation (SB3783) that would make significant ‎changes in the manner certain surplus lines placements are made in Illinois. Illinois would be the ‎latest state to amend their surplus lines laws and improve efficiency in the placement of surplus ‎lines risks.‎…
Read More LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 22): Illinois Introduces Changes to Surplus Lines Laws Regarding Declinations and Group Policies

Starting June 1, 2020, the Illinois Department of Insurance (the “Department”) will require insurers to submit their corporate governance practices on an annual basis, according to Company Bulletin 2020-01 Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure (CGAD) Filing ( the “Bulletin”) released on February 7th, 2020.
Read More Illinois Department of Insurance to Require Annual Corporate Governance Reports

On February 5th, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont delivered a series of proposals to legislators, including an act ‎concerning captive insurance companies that aims to expand the captive insurance industry, incentivizing captives ‎to relocate to Connecticut.
Read More Connecticut Governor Looks To Amend Captive Insurance Law To Offer New Incentives For Captives

On February 13, 2020, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in ‎Executive/Plenary session passed sweeping changes to its Suitability in Annuity Transactions ‎Model Regulation (#275), potentially greatly affecting the relationship between insurers, ‎producers, and annuity consumers.‎…
Read More NAIC Overwhelmingly Approves Enhancements to Annuity Suitability Model Regulation

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

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

Jon Biasetti (Chicago) led a Locke Lord team representing Oscar, a tech-driven health insurance company, in a joint venture with Cigna, a leading global health service company. Cigna and Oscar will jointly provide fully insured health benefits under the Cigna + Oscar brand to the small group market, and share risk thereon through reinsurance.
Read More Locke Lord Assists Oscar Health in Joint Venture with Cigna