New York Developments

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As a reminder, the U.S. Reinsurance Under 40s Group event will be hosting an event at the rooftop of Hotel Indigo on August 26, starting at 5:30.  The rooftop promises great views of New York and an opportunity to network with others in the industry. …
Read More Reminder: Please Join the U.S. Re Under 40s Group on August 26 in New York

Recently, in American Home Assurance Co. v. American Re-Insurance Co., No. 602485/06 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. May 27, 2010), the Supreme Court, New York County (Ramos, J.) granted Defendants’ (the reinsurers’) summary judgment motions, finding that Plaintiffs’(the insurers’) claims were not reasonably within the scope of or arguably covered by its underlying policies with Monsanto.  As such, the reinsurers were not bound to follow the settlement. …
Read More Update: New York State Court Finds that Follow the Settlements Doctrine Does Not Apply

Earlier this year, the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New York (the “IIABNY”) and the Council of Insurance Brokers of Greater New York (the “CIBGNY”) filed an Article 78 petition in New York State Supreme Court in Albany County against the New York Insurance Department (the “NYID”) in order to prevent the mandatory producer compensation disclosure requirements of Regulation 194[1]. …
Read More New York Attorney General Files Response to Article 78 Petition to Prevent the Producer Compensation Disclosure Requirements of Regulation 194; Petitioners Gear Up for Rebuttal

The comment period for the New York Insurance Department’s (“NYID”) Proposed Tenth Amendment to New York Regulations 17, 20 and 20-A (the “2010 Proposal”) came to a close on August 4, 2010.  The 2010 Proposal, which was released for public comment on July 22, 2010, would reduce the amount of collateral that unauthorized reinsurers must post in order for insurers to receive full credit for reinsurance ceded. …
Read More New York Considers Amendment to Credit for Reinsurance Regulation

In a decision by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, AXA Versicherung AG v. New Hampshire Ins. Co., 05 Civ. 10180 (JSR) (S.D.N.Y. 2010), the court held that certain fraud claims were not a matter of contract interpretation and, therefore, not arbitrable under a provision in a facultative reinsurance agreement that provided for arbitration of disputes “arising out of the interpretation of this agreement.” …
Read More Federal Court Finds that Fraud Claim is not Arbitrable

As mentioned in our prior post, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has begun an investigation into the alleged misuse of retained asset accounts by life insurance companies.  This probe started with two of the largest life insurers and has now been widened to include six more.  The latest subpoenas were sent on Friday, July 30th. …
Read More New York Attorney General Office Broadens its Probe into the Life Insurance Industry’s Use of Retained Asset Accounts; Class Action Lawsuit Against Life Insurer Filed

Spurred by media reports alleging deception by some life insurers in their use of retained asset accounts[1] for disbursing death benefits to the beneficiaries of fallen United States military personnel and the apparent lack of oversight by federal and state regulators, New York Attorney General, and gubernatorial hopeful, Andrew Cuomo has issued subpoenas to leading life insurers regarding their alleged “reaping [of] hundreds of millions in secret profits while misleading families into putting benefits into insurer controlled, low yield, potentially risky accounts.” …
Read More Life Insurer Use of Retained Asset Accounts Under Fire by State Attorneys General

In Mt. McKinley Ins. Co. v. Corning Inc., 2010 NY Slip Op 20235 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. June 14, 2010), an insured (“Corning”) moved to compel discovery of reinsurance and reserve information from its insurers, arguing that this information was relevant, material and necessary to its coverage claim.  Specifically, Corning alleged that the reinsurance information sought could be relevant to the insurers’ liability for the asbestos claims at issue (including whether the insurers took inconsistent coverage positions with their reinsurers) and to rebut the insurers’ claims of late notice. …
Read More New York State Court Denies Motion to Compel Discovery of Reinsurance and Reserve Information

A public hearing on August 20, 2010 will explore the possibility of increasing insurance capacity in New York by easing access to unauthorized insurers. The New York State Insurance Department (“NYID”) is soliciting input from the public as it determines whether to revise eligible coverages on the Export List, as set forth in Insurance Department Regulation 41 (11 NYCRR 27). …
Read More New York Insurance Department to Hold Hearing on August 20, 2010 on Whether to Expand the Export List Under Regulation 41