At the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Summer National Meeting in New York, the Surplus Lines Task Force discussed a new Blanks proposal regarding home state direct premium written.  The Task Force notes that the intent of the new Blank is to provide “a basis for state regulators to reconcile broker reported surplus lines premium with company provided information to better ensure that states are receiving the proper amount of surplus lines premium taxes.  Premium taxes on surplus lines premiums are based on the total policy premium and paid by surplus lines brokers solely to the “Home State” of the insured as defined in Section 527 of the Non-Admitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.” …
Read More LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 14): NAIC Surplus Lines Task Force Considers Blanks Proposal for Home State Direct Premiums Written

To date, six states from Michigan to Alabama have adopted versions of the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s model insurance data security law (the “NAIC model”).  The NAIC model generally requires entities licensed or authorized to operate under a state’s insurance laws to develop a cybersecurity program, investigate and report data breaches, and certify compliance with the law to the state’s insurance commissioner.  Connecticut joined the growing list of states that have adopted a version of the NAIC model, buried in a budget bill, when Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act 19-117 (the “Act”), on June 26, 2019, effective in relevant part on October 1, 2020.
Read More Connecticut Adopts Insurance Data Security Law

On July 23, the Financial Services Superintendent Linda A. Lacewell announced the establishment of the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) Research and Innovation Division (the “Division”). Superintendent Lacewell stated, “this new division…position[s] DFS as the regulator of the future, allowing the Department to better protect consumers, develop best practices, and analyze market data to strengthen New York’s standing as the center of financial innovation.”…
Read More New York DFS Announces New Research and Innovation Division

Following her party’s major victory in national elections, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the draft budget of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to the Indian Parliament.  The draft budget includes proposed increases in permitted foreign investment in the insurance sector.
Read More Proposed Increase in Foreign Investment in India’s Insurance Sector

New York Senate Bill S769A (the “Bill”) has failed to move in the New York Assembly despite its passage by the Senate and therefore is unlikely to become law in 2019.
Read More LL Surplus Lines Series (Entry 13): New York Diligent Search Reformation Bill Unlikely to Pass this Year

On Monday, the ‘‘Clarifying Law Around Insurance of Marijuana Act’’ or ‘‘CLAIM Act” was introduced before the United States Senate by Sen. Menendez (D-N.J.). The CLAIM Act, which is cosponsored by Sens. Paul (R-Ky.), Merkley (D-Ore.) and Cramer (R-N.D.), would prohibit a federal agency from (i) penalizing or otherwise discouraging insurers from engaging in the business of insurance with a cannabis-related business, or (ii) otherwise terminating or cancelling the policies of an insurer solely because the insurer engaged in the business of insurance in connection with a cannabis-related business.
Read More Senate to Consider Legislation To Allow Cannabis Businesses to Purchase P&C and Title Insurance

When Congress passed the Federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 in response to skyrocketing insurance premiums being charged for, and the lack of available, commercial liability insurance, a new regime was born.
Read More Common Misconceptions About Risk Purchasing Groups

On June 17, the New York State Assembly passed the Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act, commonly referred to as the SHIELD Act which will be enforced by the New York Attorney General. This SHIELD Act should not be confused with Marvel’s Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division also called S.H.I.E.L.D. The SHIELD Act is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.
Read More New York Jumps on the Data Security Bandwagon