NU Online News Service, May 12, 9:16 a.m. EDT

A meeting of New York legislators and insurance industry groups led to no solution of coastal property owners' insurance issues, but may have underscored divisions between agents and insurers, said persons attending the meeting.

The session between lawmakers and industry representatives was called yesterday, by Assemblyman Joseph J. Morelle, D-Irondequoit, Brighton and Rochester, and Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Albany, both the leaders of their respective insurance committees,

Their announced purpose for the meeting in Albany was to discuss coastal property issues.

Representatives of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York and the Professional Insurance Agents of New York brought up items that they say are bound to cause confusion for homeowners should a major storm strike the area, while at the same time touching on the issue of coverage availability for residents.

Kathy Weinheimer, senior vice president of industry relations for the IIABNY and N. Stephen Ruchman, past president of the PIANY, said the meeting was an open fact finding forum where they and at least one company representative discussed the challenges that coastal property policyholders are facing and what should be done to remedy the situation.

Ms. Weinheimer said that while property owners can obtain insurance, there are problems in certain areas, especially Long Island, where homeowners are forced to purchase their coverage on the excess and surplus lines market because standard line is not available.

While there are programs available to homeowners, such as CMAP (coastal market assistance program) there is a lack of participation by insurers, and as Mr. Ruchman pointed out, the level of coverage is inferior to what is available in the marketplace.

For homeowners purchasing coverage in the E&S marketplace, Ms. Weinheimer noted that they do not have the advantage of a guarantee fund protection or standardized forms for their placements.

A major point of discussion, they said, was establishing triggers for wind storm deductibles. Currently, there is no standard trigger, which means homeowners can be subject to the whim of the carriers when wind storm loss deductibles can begin. This, they noted, can cause both confusion and frustration for homeowners.

They agreed that the amount of the deductibles should be left to insurers and the marketplace.

Insurers, said Mr. Ruchman, appear to disagree with the need for a standardized trigger. He noted only one company representative (State Farm) spoke at the meeting addressing property issues and was opposed to the idea.

While the meeting did not produce any resolution to the issue, both attendees said Mr. Morelle promised to hold more discussions with smaller groups to further discuss and address the issues in an effort to find a resolution to the challenges confronting insurers and coastal property homeowners.

State Farm and Mr. Morelle's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Special Reports /

N.Y. Lawmakers Lead Discussion On Coastal Insurance Issues

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